(November 27, 2008 - Insidermedicine) From the UK - According to a poll conducted by the British Heart Foundation, most young people are unaware of the potentially damaging health effects of junk food. In a study of over 1,100 children aged 8 to 15 years, 73% did not know that a poor diet could contribute to an early death. With about one-third of children under 16 currently overweight or obese, it is suggested that this generation may be the first to live shorter lives than their parents.

From New York - According to research in the journal Cell, serotonin production in the gut has been linked to bone formation. In a study of mice, researchers found that serotonin, 95% of which is produced in the duodenum, acts as a hormone to regulate bone mass. This finding may lead to new medications and dietary approaches for treating bone diseases such as osteoporosis.

And finally, from New Haven - According to another study in Cell, a chemical produced in the gut may lead to new treatments for obesity. In a study of mice, researchers found that a chemical messenger called NAPE, which occurs naturally in the small intestine, is released into the bloodstream after the consumption of fatty foods, traveling to the brain to shut down hunger signals. When mice were given extra NAPE for a period of five days, they ate less and lost weight.

For Insidermedicine in 60, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.