Metabolic Syndrome A Side Effect Of Cold Tolerance?

February 17, 2008

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When a trait persists in the human population, it suggests that this trait is beneficial in some way. For instance why is high cholesterol so common? Since high cholesterol is linked with premature death why does about 50% of the population end up having high cholesterol?

Metabolic syndrome is very prevalent. (If not sure exactly what metabolic syndrome really is, see the post Metabolic syndrome, chew (drink) on it .) Why should so many people be so prone to getting it? A new study suggests that there is a strong link between certain genes that predispose us to metabolic syndrome and cold tolerance. For instance, having high glucose levels could make more energy readily available to keep warm and promote the laying down of more fat for insulation. However, the trade-off is that there is a greater risk of diabetes and heart disease.

If you believe in the Selfish Gene theory, then you only need to survive long enough to effectively pass on your genes. This would mean that once you have had offspring and reared them, the genes are safe and you are expendable. This theory would suggest that something that was an advantage at a young age would be preferable, even if it were bad when we get older. Perhaps this is why once we get past a certain age, we seem to get all sorts of things wrong with us. Not sure I like the idea that I am now expendable.

The study is published in PLoS Genetics (an open access journal).

photo credit: Peter.Lorre