Title : New drug could be as effective for weight loss as Atkins
link : New drug could be as effective for weight loss as Atkins
New drug could be as effective for weight loss as Atkins
- High-protein diets are known to keep us feeling fuller for longer so we eat less
- Scientists have discovered its down to an amino acid found in protein
- Phenylalanine triggers the release of appetite-suppressing hormones in the gut
- High protein diets can be difficult to maintain and come with health risks
- It's hoped the findings may lead to a treatment that can mimic a high-protein diet
High-protein diets are known to keep us feeling fuller for longer – and now scientists believe they understand why.
They have discovered its down to an amino acid found in protein that triggers the release of appetite-suppressing hormones in the gut.
It is hoped the findings may lead to a treatment that can mimic a high-protein diet, which can be difficult to maintain and come with numerous health risks.
These include constipation due to a lack of dietary fibre, increased risk of heart disease – because of higher red meat consumption – and concerns about kidney damage.
Experts now say the compound phenylalanine could be used in the fight against obesity.
Experts an amino acid in protein that has been found to trigger the release of appetite-suppressing hormones in the gut could help in the fight against obesity (stock photo)
Mariana Norton, lead researcher from Imperial College London, said: 'Diets high in protein are known to encourage weight loss but adhering to them can be difficult.
'Identifying the mechanisms that sense the protein may allow us to use drugs or functional foods to hijack appetite regulation, and treat obesity.'
Nearly a third of the world's population is now overweight or obese, according to World Health Organisation figures.
Key findings
Ms Norton and her colleagues chose to study phenylalanine because previous research in rodents has shown that it can reduce appetite.
To investigate its effects, they studied the brain activity and eating habits of mice treated with the chemical.
The animals were administered phenylalanine either orally or rectally. The two different groups allowed the team to assess its effects on different parts of the gut.
Over 24 hours, the mice's food intake was measured, and the parts of the brain involved in appetite were monitored.
Phenylalanine, given both orally and rectally, reduced the rodents' appetite and increased activity in the parts of the brain known to be involved in regulating appetite.
Even when a quantity of the acid 10 times less than the daily levels expected from a high-protein diet were administered rectally, these effects were still measurable.
It appears that phenylalanine works to suppress appetite using a number of pathways in the gut.
The findings were presented at the Society for Endocrinology's annual meeting in Harrogate.
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