Does Obesity Cause Arthritis?

Dr. Farshid Guilak reported that a recent test on lab mice revealed that the mice that did not have the leptin hormone did not have symptoms of arthritis, even those that were obese for their size. This is an interesting consideration for the progression of obesity and the effects it can have on the body. If the body is lacking the appetite hormone known as leptin, the body is more less-likely to suffer from arthritis or similar symptoms related to it.

What was more interesting was that according to the study, the joints of the obese mice appeared to be in better condition than the typical control mice. How could it be that all that extra weight does not have any noticeable effect on the skeletal system of the patient? Perhaps there are more answers to be found by carefully examining our body's hormones.

The hormone Leptin affects an array of hormones within the body including body weight, sex hormone levels, inflammation and metabolism. This key hormone plays a vital role in many of our body's functions. With these research projects being conducted to further look into this hormone, we may learn a lot more about the effects on bone structure. Tim Griffin points out that this fact makes it difficult to study the hormone as it will be very difficult to determine which pathway is being affected within the body.

It is well documented that arthritis is an effect of obesity on the body, but it is perhaps not a direct cause and effect situation. Guilak said. "We knew from other studies that obese people got arthritis in their hands, too, which don't bear weight. This indicated that something besides just body-weight level affected their joints."

As far as people are concerned, obesity still remains the first thing that can be controlled to prevent osteoarthritis. However, it is not just the body fat that is causing the problem. Losing weight will prove to be a benefit to the relief of arthritic symptoms, but it may not be the quick cure to it. Doctors will also need to look at your leptin hormone levels to determine the best way to cure your arthritis.

There are still many questions to ask about both the leptin hormone and the effects of obesity on the body. However, for today we have learned a new milestone in hormone affects.