Air pollution is a killer to our lungs—but new research shows it can also harm our metabolisms. In a study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, BYU biology professor Benjamin T. Bikman (BS ’03, MS ’05) and eight BYU students found that weight gain does not just come from consuming more calories—the particles found in diesel exhaust can also contribute to fat cell growth. The study not only emphasizes “being mindful of the air we breathe,” Bikman says, but also has important implications as we plan strategies for improving our metabolic health. This study revealed higher levels of diesel exhaust pollution are also a contributing factor to the increased risk of obesity and diabetes in densely populated areas.
