Gene Helps Turn Carbs Into Fat

Researchers have found a gene that plays a major role in turning starches and sugars into fat in the body. So far, they have worked only with mice. But in one experiment, mice who had this gene knocked out were 40% leaner than other mice. Both groups were fed a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet. The gene is known as DNA-PK. Now researchers will try to figure out other steps in the process of converting food into body fat. Then they will try to disrupt that process. The study appeared in the journal Cell. The Los Angeles Times wrote about it March 20.