Weight loss diets

For the first time ever, Australian scientists have revealed that even marginal weight and fat loss can effectively begin to reverse many of the damaging changes that can often be seen in the immune cells of people who are obese, specifically those who suffer from Type 2 diabetes.

The immune system, it has been revealed, is made up of various different types of cells that protect the body from viruses, germs and other foreign invaders. These cells are required to co-exist in a certain balance to make sure that good health is maintained. Various factors, like diet and excess body fat, can disturb this balance and this can further create cells that instead of protecting our body, actually attack it.

The latest study analyzed obese people with Type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes, who were put on a limited diet of between 1000-1600 calories a day which helped restrict their food intake. The study went on for 24 weeks, and in the 12th week, gastric banding was performed on subjects.

The study then concluded that weight reduction helped boost the immune system cells which protected the body.

"Excess weight disorders now affect 50% of adult Australians, with obesity being the major cause of Type 2 diabetes and some cancers. We have found that a modest weight loss of about 6 kg is enough to bring the pro- inflammatory nature of circulating immune cells back to that found in lean people", said one of the study's leaders, Associate Professor Katherine Samaras from Sydney's Garvan Institute of Medical Research.

--TopNews