Pollution and fat rats

A new study suggests that the quality of the air has a role in fat gain. In the study, rats who breathed dirty air weighed significantly more than those that breathed filtered air, and after two weeks they weighed 15 per cent. The weight gain was due to body fat, heavier lungs and livers. The pollution caused inflammation in their lungs, damage at a cellular level that occurs with aging and exposure to pollution, also cholesterol levels were elevated. Mother rats (dams) that were exposed to the pollution produced offspring that were also heavier and had more inflammation in their lungs at two months of age. Previous studies also concluded that women that were exposure to air pollution during pregnancy could be at risk factor for childhood obesity and a higher risk of developing chronic conditions such as Type 2 diabetes. Individuals with obesity tend to have a greater amount of pollutants (obesogens), such as PCBs and dioxins, stored in their body. If moving from polluted environment is not an option then they suggest: avoiding smoking, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, limiting your exposure to animal fats and getting plenty of exercise (while wearing a mask?).

http://www.delta-optimist.com/opinion/blogs/blog-pollution-and-fat-rats-1.2244447

 

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