Gene therapy may help prevent obesity-related health problems (such as arthritis) in children with obesity, a new study has found.
Gene therapy causes cells to convert inflammation-causing omega-6 fatty acids into beneficial omega-fatty acids, researchers report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Degenerative mice in the study who were given an injection of the gene therapy showed improvements in early signs of knee arthritis along with their overall metabolic health.
Director of the research, Farshid Gaylik, said that we are witnessing weak knees due to obesity among young people.
About 20 percent of children and adolescents are considered at risk of dementia, researchers said.
The researchers said that the arthritis associated with obesity is caused by high levels of anti-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids (found in fatty and fried foods). These fats can also cause arthritis and cardiovascular disease as well as metabolic problems.
Omega-3 fatty acids, on the other hand, are known to reduce inflammation, increase insulin sensitivity, and burn fat. This fat is found in fish and nuts.
According to researcher Ruohang Teng, children’s intake of S-type fatty acids may play an important role in their weight gain.
