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Joey Chestnut broke the world record by eating 59 1/2 hot dogs in July 2007
Despite all the media hype around the high-protein Adkins diet, a new study from Ohio State University found that protein deficiency causes weight loss in mice. The scientists crossbred mice deficient in protein and fat mice, commonly used in obesity research.

The result was smaller and leaner mice that lost weight while eating up to 30% more food. Despite their genetic propensity for obesity, the mice lost weight while eating more food.

Protein deficiency did not seem to affect the health of the mice; they lived a normal lifespan with no premature deaths. This could explain why some people are lean–their bodies cannot make as much protein.

This study seems to support all the vegan propaganda that says people in the West eat too much protein. It may also explain why I don’t know an obese vegan, but I think it may have more to do with enhanced awareness about the food they consume and that vegan food is generally less caloric.

The study authors hope that this research will eventually support treatment for obesity. While I acknowledge the serious health consequences associated with obesity, I think that is a terrible idea. People in the US already consume more than their fair share of resources. They don’t need to consume another pill that allows them to consume more food.

Food is over processed and cheap accessible food is usually unhealthy. People without a lot of money are usually running short on time and grab the fastest cheapest dish. In many ways, obesity is a social problem rooted in social and economic systems of exploitation. A pill seems like a quick fix, but it would not address the underlying causes of obesity nor would it reach everyone affected by obesity if medication costs are prohibitive.

Genetics is not a strong driver of the recent obesity epidemic. People do not need to be medicated. We need an end to advertisement of addictive unhealthy corporate edible products, and a beginning to healthy wholesome inexpensive food and more time off work to sit and enjoy it.