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In a 2004 Time magazine article entitled "The Secret Killer", chronic inflammation was targeted as the main issue behind a number of health problems including allergies, joint pain, high blood pressure, heart attacks, ulcers and even cancer. For many years now medical science has backed up these finding, due to continual research, as well as adding obesity to this growing list.

It has long been known that obesity increases inflammation all throughout the body, which begs the question, could be a cause, not an effect of the obesity?

A study based at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and University of California, San Diego targeted two areas: One being the hypothalamus, a brain region that regulates the body’s energy balance and two a so called Master Switch of inflammation that’s usually turned off. In lab tests mice that had the Master Switch of inflammation turned "on" in the brain, and feed a high fat diet, ultimately gained weight. Then another test was performed on test mice where genetic engineering turned the Master Switch "off" in the hypothalamus of the brain. These subjects were very much protected from becoming obese, and showed it via the results even after being on a high fat diet.

Our bodies need inflammation to fight off infection, the problem comes when this much needed inflammation can’t or won’t shut off, becoming chronic. The researchers concluded that finding out how to control the switch in the hypothalamus might open the door to fighting obesity and related diseases.

Further studies regarding obesity and inflammation were found by Dutch researchers writing in the journal PPAR Research. The article outlined the complex relationship between fat storage, insulin resistance and secreted proteins. The affect of obesity on tissue in body parts including the liver, scientists findings conclude there is a growing recognition that obesity represents a state of chronic low-level inflammation.

As research continues into the role between inflammation and excess weight, there are alternative answers to reducing chronic inflammation. If you aren’t sure whether or not you have chronic inflammation, be sure to see your doctor.

If you would like to learn more about "The Secret Killer", inflammation read this informative piece.