Nutrition reviews
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The purpose of this review is to examine the relationship between glycemic carbohydrate and its effect on body weight regulation. By contrast to fat, carbohydrate has a positive impact on energy intake, energy expenditure, and body weight control. ⋯ So far there are no indications that carbohydrate classes differ greatly with respect to energy expenditure and energy balance. However, the impact of carbohydrate source and class, as well as the form in which carbohydrate is consumed (i.e., solid or liquid) on body weight control requires further consideration.
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Extremely unusual genetic conditions can reveal normal processes governing physiologic regulation and metabolism. Children with rare homozygous mutations in the leptin gene and complete leptin deficiency develop extreme hyperphagia and obesity soon after birth but respond with normal eating and a selective loss of excess body fat upon being given small amounts of leptin. ⋯ This demonstrates leptin's fundamental involvement in maintaining energy balance. Leptin also seems to act as a metabolic gate allowing children to enter puberty.