New pill helps obese shed 2 pounds a week without changing their diets
By ANIWednesday, January 12, 2011
LONDON - A new fat-busting pill could help obese people shed two pounds a week - without changing their diets.
Start-up U.S drugs company Zafgen have announced the results of a promising human trial of a drug called ZGN-433, reports the Daily Mail.
The double-blind placebo-controlled study found 24 obese women lost an average of a week over one month - which is the maximum safe recommended amount.
The women also reported feeling fewer hunger pangs over the 26 days.
The New Scientist described the results as “stunning” considering that the women continued to eat normally and were not given exercise advice.
The drug, which was initially developed for the treatment of solid tumours, works by increasing the breakdown of fat.
Scientists at Zafgen believe ZGN-433 blocks an enzyme, which prevents several genes from functioning properly. This means they no longer activate other genes that stop insulin from working effectively.
The drugs company said the pill could potentially help individuals to lose 20 to 40 per cent of their body weight over nine months.
The data will be presented at the Keystone Symposia on Obesity in Colorado. (ANI)
