Epigenetic mechanism could affect risk of obesity disease

As per the results of the largest epigenome-wide association studies published in The Lancet states that a new epigenetic mechanism has been discovered that may play intervening role for several harmful effects of gaining weight diseases including like diabetes. In this specific study researchers have studied epigenetic changes in DNA with relation to the body mass index. This process known as DNA methylation and this involves specific locations the DNA called cytosine bases. The lead researcher, Professor Nilesh Samani, British Heart Foundation Professor of Cardiology at the University of Leicester, UK. Explains, “Obesity increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and a host of other problems, but we know little about the mechanisms by which obesity increases such risk. Genes only explain part of the story. Epigenetic changes caused by variation in DNA or environmental factors such as diet, stress, and exposure to chemicals can affect the way genes work (are turned on and off) and may also influence disease susceptibility.