In a new remarkable study, scientists at the University of Southern Denmark suggest that the gene H19 can protect us against obesity. This gene demonstrates to have a one of a kind defensive impact against the development of overweight and thusly could influence the onset of an overweight-related illness, for example, diabetes, overweight and cardiovascular maladies.

Scientists discovered that the gene H19 belongs to the other one percent as opposed to the remaining 99 percent – inherit exclusively from either our mother or father.

In their experiments, to determine how H19 gene works, scientists tried altering and disrupting the gene in obese mice. At the point when the H19 gene was overactivated, they found a higher number of ‘brown’ fat cells; this variation of fat can burn calories much more rapidly than the ‘white’ fat cell.

Scientists found that the gene regulating brown fat cells and thus protecting mice from getting overweight.

In addition, scientists discovered that the H19 gene was transmitted from mothers. On the other hand, the genes that were passed down from fathers were the ones involved in building white fat tissue in the body. These white fat cells build up around stomach, thighs, and glutes and contribute to both obesity and the illnesses that follow.

Professor Jan-Wilhelm Kornfeld from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark said, “By using mouse models, we have identified that the gene H19 performs a form of gene control in brown fat cells. We have been able to demonstrate that an overexpression of the H19 gene in mice protects against obesity and insulin resistance.”

“In addition, we have been able to detect similar patterns of gene control in obese people. We, therefore, believe that our results can be the first step towards developing groundbreaking new and improved treatments for obesity-related diseases.”

The team behind the study has published the research results in the journal Nature Communications.