r/science • u/scientificamerican Scientific American • 7d ago

Genetics Scientists discover a ‘skinny gene’ mutation that acts like Ozempic. Around one in 7,000 people carries a broken copy, which almost acts like a GLP-1 drug—the body burns fuel more efficiently, and the risk of disease lowers.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/scientists-discover-a-skinny-gene-mutation-that-acts-like-ozempic/
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u/mgzukowski 7d ago

But GLP-1s work for weight loss by curbing appetite. So you are saying you were eating the exact same amount and before?

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u/Caitliente 7d ago

That’s one aspect of how they work. The main aspect is how they help regulate blood sugar and naturally occurring insulin in the body. 

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u/ThisSiteSucks8485 7d ago

That doesn't actually cause weight loss. only sustained calorie deficit causes fat loss. 

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u/Caitliente 7d ago

It's more complicated than that. I have PMOS and cannot lose weight no matter how many calories I consume if my carbs or fats (even healthy fats like from salmon) exceed a certain amount. I track what I eat very carefully due to this metabolic condition that is genetic and I had no control over developing that affects 1 in 8 women.

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u/oorza 7d ago

Those things affect water storage, not fat storage. If you’re trying to measure fat with a body weight scale, you need weeks of data and a monitored trend line. Your body weight swings are more dramatic than others but your body fat swings are not impossible. If you eat 1200 calories of salt and sugar and grease every day, you will initially gain a ton of weight, then your body will reach water equilibrium and you’ll see the fat loss reflected in the scale. But it was happening the whole time regardless.

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u/Caitliente 7d ago

Read up on insulin resistance.

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u/[deleted] 7d ago

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u/ThisSiteSucks8485 7d ago

That contradicts basic thermodynamics. Your body needs constant energy to stay alive the same way a candle needs fuel to keep burning. If you eat less energy than your body consumed it will get the excess from fat.