Genetics and eating: Why diets don’t work the same for everyone

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New research from scientists at Texas A&M University found that a standard diet doesn’t work for everyone, in a study in animals. Published in the research journal Genetics, the team looked at how five different diets impacted the animals’ health during the course of six months.

The diets were picked to reflect our own and included American (high in fat and carbs), Mediterranean (wheat and red wine-based), Japanese (heavy on the rice and green tea), ketogenic (low in carbs, high in fat) and Atkins (high in fat and protein, low on carbs).

Unsurprisingly, the “healthier diets,” such as the Japanese-based eating plan, worked for most of the animals. However, one genetic type actually suffered from consuming all that rice and tea.

The Atkins diet also wasn’t for everyone and the research that two of the genetic types had some unpleasant consequences.

While the researcher was hoping to find the best overall diet, the results showed that there may not be just one optimal way of eating as what keeps one person svelte might cause another to gain weight. This is just the latest in a growing body of research showing how our genes might determine whether we’re slim or constantly struggling to maintain our dress size.

[Editor’s note: Read the full study]

Read full, original post: Diet Fail: Genetics Explain Why Your Friend Lost Weight On A Diet And You Didn’t

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