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Weight Loss Miracle Cure?
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A team of international scientists have discovered a hormone,
naturally produced in the gut, which regulates hunger. PYY3-36
is released by the intestine walls when they are stimulated by
food passing through, and is responsible for sending the ‘I’m
full’ (satiated) message to the brain.
The Research
Professor Steve Bloom and his team of researchers studied 12
obese and 12 lean subjects. Some of these were given PYY3-36 by
intravenous drip, others a placebo of saline solution. None of
the volunteers or those administering the experiment were aware
of who’d had which.
The PYY3-36 had an appetite suppressant effect: presented
with an ‘all you can eat’ buffet, both the lean and obese
persons who’d received PYY3-36 ate less than the placebo group.
Overall it seemed the hormone reduced calorific intake by up to
a third. Follow up to the experiment, by way of food diaries
etc. showed the appetite suppressant effect of the hormone
infusion lasted up to 12 hours.
Professor Steve Bloom believes a weight loss tablet could be
developed – providing a solution to the growing obesity
epidemic:
“The discovery that PYY3-36 supresses appetite could be a
huge benefit to those struggling with weight problems. With over
a billion people across the world now extremely overweight, it
is vital this problem is tackled.”
The research also showed that levels of naturally present
PYY3-36 are lower in those who are obese, than those who are
lean. The research has not yet shown whether a person is obese
because of a deficiency of PYY3-36, or if being obese equates to
lower levels of the hormone.
As junk foods such as burgers digest in the stomach quicker
than more substantial foodstuffs, less PYY3-36 is produced as
not so much of the gut wall is stimulated. This means they do
little to satisfy the appetite. So the term ‘empty calories’ may
ring more true than we thought!
Professor Bloom commented, “It may be possible to identify
foods which cause the release of more PYY3-36, helping to
naturally limit appetite.”
Bulky, fibrous foods such as vegetables and whole grain foods
have been found to move further down the gut before being fully
digested. This means a higher production of PYY3-36 within the
intestine than other foods, resulting in a greater level of
satiety.
Professor Bloom believes it might be
possible to create a weight loss tablet or some such to provide
a treatment for obesity, though this could take around 7 years!
So is PYY3-36 a miracle cure? And will we ever have access
to a safe weight loss tablet?
Keep in mind that the research is still in its initial
stages, long-term effects will have to be studied before the
hormone is developed as a weight loss treatment. Also, if and
when PYY3-36 gets to that point, the likelihood is it would be a
very expensive way to lose weight, and therefore would probably
only be available in severe cases of obesity – much as
stomach stapling is now.
However, aside from the technicalities of a new ‘wonder
weight loss tablet’; people still need to analyse their
lifestyle. Eating healthily in the right amounts is the best way
to maintain a correct weight for height. The discovery of
PYY3-36 and what it can do does not mean we can all gorge on
fried chicken and consume large quantities of chocolate – then
expect to rely on a tablet to lose weight. Even Dr. Rachel
Batterham of The Wellcome Trust, who took part in the research,
said the hormone would “only be useful if used in addition to
lifestyle changes.”
Probably the most useful and practical information that has
come from this research is that of looking at the foods we need to
eat to ensure we produce enough of the appetite suppressant
hormone naturally. This knowledge could then be used in
conjunction with healthy eating to aid weight loss.
Taking a free trial
of Weight Loss Resources will help you find the right balance of
food for weight loss and get back in touch with your real
appetite. Start now
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