Scientists at Scripps Research are working to improve metabolic health through a number of avenues. In this episode of our award-winning Science, Simplified series, learn about the latest methods of addressing diseases like obesity, diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Learn more about metabolism in the latest edition of our magazine:
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Our metabolism serves as the body’s engine, chemically converting all the nutrients we consume into energy that can be used by our different tissues. However, when these fuel systems stop working properly, we can become vulnerable to obesity, diabetes and other metabolic disorders.
Scientists across disciplines are working to better understand these conditions, as well as developing new therapies and lifestyle modifications that could help reverse the damage.

Some researchers are focused on how disturbances in our circadian rhythm, such as during shift work, can impair communication between different organs, leading to problems in using cellular energy.

By studying the timing of our meals and when we exercise, scientists are understanding how we can boost the health of muscle tissue, which typically declines with age and leaves us vulnerable to excess body weight and poor blood sugar control.

To address excess weight, other researchers are testing experimental drugs that may be able to switch the “bad” white fat cells into “good” brown fat cells, which could help stop inflammation and convert stored calories into heat.

Other therapies under investigation are targeted at non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). These molecules block the cellular stress pathways that cause fat to build up in the liver, and could help restore the liver’s role as a metabolic refinery.

Finally, the inner workings of the gut are being explored as key contributors to metabolic health. Nerves, hormones and bacteria inside of the gut are known to communicate with various organs, and could potentially be modified to influence how we respond to different diets and use the nutrients for energy.

At the cutting edge of metabolic research, scientists are working together to prevent, treat and reverse different conditions so that we can live healthier, happier and longer lives.

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