AD36: The Fat Gene You Can Catch

So, have you heard the latest? Medical researchers have discovered a 'fat gene' which has been named AD-36. Researchers have now identified a positive correlation between body fat and the presence of AD-36 antibodies in the blood. And furthermore, it is contagious and can actually be spread by something as simple as a sneeze.

First shown to be associated with obesity in chickens by Dr. Nikhil Dhurandhar, his research showed that chicken or mice injected with similar types of viruses showed a statistically significant weight gain.

To date, AD-36 is the only human adeno-virus that has been linked with human obesity, present in 30% of obese humans and 11% of non-obese humans. A viral infection of AD-36 can induce cellular differentiation of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes and stem cells derived from human adipose (fat) tissue.

I'm sorry, I've been so busy Choosing a Happy Attitude! that I'd almost forgotten about the less pleasant aspects of life. Now, I'm covering my nose, mouth, ears, and hoping that no one sneezes on me!

And just in case...this week I made scrappy crazy patch potholders to donate to the Mid-Valley Quilt Guild: in Salem, Oregon to raise money for our service projects. And each of these little potholders has not only a nurse on it, but some even have nurses with masks!

As quilters, we all known that 'fat quarters' are not a body part. And that as we collect those quarter yards of fabric, and pile them all up on our shelves, we've apparently been deluding ourselves into thinking that sniffing them is beneficial.... as in, Don't Bother Me, I am Sniffing Fabric Pheromones Today

But I'm beginning to think that our fabric addictions may have a genetic component. You know how we all love to touch, feel, and smell our fabric stash? Who knew...all this time we may actually have been infected by someone else. Each and every visit to our local quilt shops and fabric stores, has only exposed us...again and again to a potentially contagious virus.

You can't help a viral infection, can you? It's certainly nothing to sneeze at!