255 | id == 255
255 | category_id == 15
255 | category_order == 11
255 | category_name == Diet
255 | category_color == #C47AC0
255 | slug == CD36-diet
255 | title == Can Decreased Sensitivity to the Taste of Fats Make You Crave Fatty Foods? (CD36)
255 | meta_description == CD36 has a complex relationship with appetite and the taste of fatty foods. Could a variant of this gene cause your cravings?
255 | summary == <p><strong>The <em>CD36 </em>gene has a complex relationship with appetite and the taste of fatty foods. Could a variant of this gene be causing your cravings? Find out here.</strong></p>
255 | overall_score_text == Fat Preference Score (based on CD36)
255 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/CD36--Preferences-Fatty-Food-endocannabinoids-link.jpg
255 | author_id == 1
255 | author_name == Jasmine Foster
255 | author_title == BSc, BEd
255 | author_order == 36
255 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Jasmine.jpg
255 | author_intro == <p><strong>Jasmine received her BS from McGill University and her BEd from Vancouver Island University.</strong></p>    <p>Jasmine loves helping people understand their brains and bodies, a passion that grew out of her dual background in biology and education. From the chem lab to the classroom, everyone has the right to learn and make informed decisions about their health.</p>
255 | reviewer_id == 14
255 | reviewer_name == Shany Lahan
255 | reviewer_title == MS (Neuroscience)
255 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
255 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
255 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
255 | publish_date == 2020
255 | publish_date == 8
255 | publish_date == 4
255 | avg_rating == 5.0
255 | tags_id == 568
255 | tags_name == CD36 Gene
255 | tags_id == 183
255 | tags_name == Diet
255 | tags_id == 297
255 | tags_name == Dietary fat
255 | tags_id == 545
255 | tags_name == Fasting
255 | tags_id == 570
255 | tags_name == Fat Metabolism
255 | tags_id == 569
255 | tags_name == Fat Preference
255 | tags_id == 301
255 | tags_name == Keto diet
255 | permissions_favorite == False
255 | permissions_rate == False
255 | content_article == <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you have any serious health concerns related to dietary issues, it is important to discuss these concerns with your doctor. The information in this post is presented for educational purposes only, and should not be used to replace standard medical care.</span></em></p> <h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">What is CD36?</span></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">CD36</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (cluster of differentiation 36) gene encodes a receptor (CD36) that transports fatty acids into cells. As a result of this function, fats are transported into new fat cells, taken up into muscle cells for use in energy production, and absorbed from food in the gut [</span><a href="https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/CD36"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The CD36 receptor is activated by a wide variety of compounds&mdash;including </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/health-benefits-collagen/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">collagen</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, LDL </span><a href="https://www.selfhacked.com/blog/cholesterol/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">cholesterol</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and bacterial proteins&mdash;that can trigger an increase in CD36 receptor activity (and, thus, uptake of fats) [</span><a href="https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/CD36"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Why Do People Crave Different Foods?</span></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It&rsquo;s no secret that different people have different food preferences and cravings&mdash;but why? And is there a genetic component?</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Generally speaking, people seem to crave foods that were previously available but are currently not. So, for example, if someone with a sweet tooth tries to cut down on their sugar consumption, they often find themselves craving sweets more intensely than ever [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17466108/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This principle expands out to caloric restriction and dieting in general: reducing the amount of food eaten will actually increase a person&rsquo;s appetite, at least in the short term [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17466108/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/health-benefits-sleep/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sleep</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> can also affect food cravings. One study found that women who sleep for a shorter amount of time are more vulnerable to food cravings during the day, for example [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6470707/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <h4><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fat Addiction</span></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fat addiction is a term used to describe when people have uncontrollable cravings for fatty food and tend to eat it in excess amounts. The causes of fat addiction are broadly unknown but believed to be psychological; unsurprisingly, people who fixate on food and diet are more likely to develop such an addiction [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6893421/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">CD36 has been implicated in the development of fat addiction and fat cravings for some time. However, its role and mechanisms in regards to these phenomena are highly complex [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1265882/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <h4><span style="font-weight: 400;">CD36 &amp; Food Cravings</span></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The CD36 receptor, which is found in taste buds, appears to specifically affect our sensitivity to the taste of fatty foods; the greater the production of CD36, the greater the sensitivity [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5724198/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1265871/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Based on the results of rat studies, researchers suspect that low amounts of CD36 can lead to increased intake of fatty foods, to compensate for a reduced ability to taste fat [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5724198/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4162865/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">People with high amounts of CD36 may have increased levels of endocannabinoids, which in turn increase appetite. Thus, while low amounts of CD36 may lead to increased preference for fatty foods, high amounts of CD36 may lead to increased overall food intake [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5724198/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16148436/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">CD36, which is found on taste buds, influences taste preferences and the development of cravings for fatty foods; people with low amounts of CD36 may be less sensitive to the taste of fats and consume more fatty foods to compensate.</span></p> <h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">CD36 Variants &amp; Food Preferences</span></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The CD36 receptor has a complicated relationship with diet and may affect everything from taste preferences to fat metabolism [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5724198/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The &lsquo;G&rsquo; allele at rs1761667 is associated with a number of metabolic changes compared to the &lsquo;AA&rsquo; genotype. For example, people with at least one copy of the &lsquo;G&rsquo; allele have increased levels of endocannabinoids in their blood. These natural compounds, which are similar in structure to the active components of </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/top-6-unique-super-effective-ways-counteract-negative-performance-effects-cannabismarijuana/?utm_source=seo&amp;#38;utm_medium=selfhacked&amp;#38;utm_campaign=id00002"><span style="font-weight: 400;">cannabis</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, stimulate our appetite and increase the amount of food we want to eat. However, the &lsquo;G&rsquo; allele is also associated with lower body mass index (BMI) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5724198/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3276480/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16148436/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The &lsquo;A&rsquo; allele, meanwhile, is associated with reduced production of the CD36 receptor, increased preference for fatty foods, and increased BMI [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5724198/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3276480/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Your CD36 Results for Fat Preference</span></h2> <p>*5174700145605113*</p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">SNP Summary and Table</span></h3> <p><strong><em>CD36 </em></strong><strong>rs1761667</strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; = Associated with reduced preference for fatty food, higher appetite, higher waist to hip ratio in obese people, and lower average BMI</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;A&rsquo; = Associated with increased preference for fatty foods, lower appetite, lower waist to hip ratio in obese people, and higher average BMI</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">About 17% of all people worldwide have the &lsquo;AA&rsquo; genotype.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The &lsquo;AA&rsquo; genotype is less common in people of East Asian (8.5%) and South Asian (9.2%) descent and significantly more common in people of European (29%) and American (28%) descent.</span></li> </ul> <p>*7245821768855842*</p> <h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Recommendations for Preventing Overeating</span></h2> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">You may try the complementary approaches listed below if you and your doctor determine that they could be appropriate for you. Discuss the strategies listed here with your doctor. Remember that none of them should ever be done in place of what your doctor recommends or prescribes.</span></em></p> <p>*1633145108402420*</p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">If You Have a Preference for Fats</span></h3> <h4><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ketogenic or Low Carb Diets</span></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you have the &lsquo;AA&rsquo; genotype at rs1761667, you may produce fewer CD36 receptors and in turn have decreased sensitivity to the taste of fats. This genotype can potentially lead to increased preference for fatty foods. People with the &lsquo;AA&rsquo; genotype may be especially well-suited to low carb or ketogenic diets that play into their preferences while also providing a number of health benefits [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5724198/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14769489/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Low carb diets have also been found to reduce appetite and cravings to a much greater extent than low fat diets [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3139783/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In clinical trials, ketogenic diets have been found to help people </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/a-comprehensive-list-of-effective-ways-to-lose-weight/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">lose weight</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, reduce markers of heart disease, and lower blood sugar. Other studies have suggested a broad swath of potential benefits; for a more comprehensive discussion of ketogenic diets, </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/ketogenic-diet-keto-diet-ketosis-health-benefits/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">check out this post</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2716748/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22673594"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <h4><span style="font-weight: 400;">Intermittent Fasting</span></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One method that may help prevent overconsumption of fatty foods (and consequent increases in body weight) is </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/intermittent-fasting/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">intermittent fasting</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Different types of intermittent fasting include fasting for one or two days per week, or restricting eating to a short window of time (usually 6-8 hours) every day [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17466108/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While traditional dieting (trying to eat less every day) tends to increase </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/top-10-ways-to-curb-your-hunger-and-approaches-that-didnt-work/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">hunger</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, true fasting results in decreased hunger and fewer cravings. This can make intermittent fasting a good option for people struggling to control their appetite and food intake [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17466108/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The potential benefits of fasting extend beyond controlling cravings. Clinical studies have found that people who fast have improved blood sugar, blood pressure, heart health, and metabolic health markers compared to those who do not fast [</span><a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/research-intermittent-fasting-shows-health-benefits"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5959807/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6836017/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Intermittent fasting may be a helpful strategy for any genotype at rs1761667 if you are struggling to control cravings. However, given its apparent usefulness regarding weight control, those with the &lsquo;G&rsquo; allele (and a tendency toward increased appetite) may benefit most [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5724198/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <h4><span style="font-weight: 400;">Collagen Supplements</span></h4> <p><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/health-benefits-collagen/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Collagen</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, like fat, activates the CD36 receptor, and may help satisfy cravings for fatty foods. If you have low amounts of CD36 and difficulty regulating your intake of dietary fats, adding collagen to a smoothie may help reduce cravings [</span><a href="https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/CD36"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Collagen also has a number of other potential benefits for joint and skin health. For more information, </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/health-benefits-collagen/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">check out this post</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8378772"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18416885"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583892/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">People with low amounts of CD36 and increased fatty food preferences may benefit from ketogenic diets, intermittent fasting, and collagen supplements to help control their intake of fats and prevent cravings.</span></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">If You Lack a Preference for Fats</span></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">People with the &lsquo;G&rsquo; allele at rs1761667 may produce greater amounts of CD36 and have higher sensitivity to the taste of fats, but have an increased appetite overall. People with this allele may not be as well suited to low carb or ketogenic diets as those with the &lsquo;AA&rsquo; genotype [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5724198/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Because the &lsquo;G&rsquo; allele tends to confer a higher appetite overall, strategies that reduce appetite may be more appropriate to prevent overeating.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some ways to reduce appetite include:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Physical exercise, which suppresses appetite [</span><a href="http://www.news-medical.net/news/20120717/Mu-opioid-receptors-put-brakes-on-appetite.aspx"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">High-protein diets, which&nbsp; have been shown to reduce appetite in a handful of human studies [</span><a href="http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/82/1/41.abstract"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10193874"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10375057"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/capsaicin/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Capsaicin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (found in spicy peppers), which may speed up metabolism, increase energy expenditure, and reduce appetite [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3699483/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/13129472"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22378725"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15611784"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">People with high amounts of CD36 may be less susceptible to fat cravings but have higher appetites overall. They may benefit more from strategies that reduce appetite.</span></p>
255 | content_snp_table_5174700145605113_key == 5174700145605113
255 | content_snp_table_5174700145605113_blur == True
255 | content_snp_table_5174700145605113_hidden == False
255 | content_learn_more_7245821768855842_key == 7245821768855842
255 | content_learn_more_7245821768855842_blur == True
255 | content_learn_more_7245821768855842_hidden == False
255 | content_learn_more_7245821768855842_text == SHOULD NOT APPEAR
255 | content_recommendation_1633145108402420_key == 1633145108402420
255 | content_recommendation_1633145108402420_blur == True
255 | content_recommendation_1633145108402420_hidden == False
rsIDs = rs1761667
rsStatus = rs1761667,CD36,chr7,80615623,G,A,,,19,10,HET
