a new miracle weight-loss pill? We investigate
We’re on the verge of developing a genuine fat-busting supplement, say research scientists
No-one can deny that obesity is a huge problem in the UK. with a staggering two thirds of the population now classed as obese or overweight, it’s no surprise we’ve been dubbed the ‘fat man of Europe’. In fact, rates have ballooned by a whopping 92% in just over two decades, according to analysis by the organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development – with 27.8% of people now having a BMI of more than 30. But could scientists be on the verge of a miracle cure? Is the end of the obesity crisis in sight? we investigate…
Magic medicine
Obesity is now seen as a modern-day epidemic – it’s thought to be more life threatening than smoking and by 2030, figures will top 26 million people – so it’s no wonder scientists are desperately trying to find a solution. One team of experts, from Flinders University in Australia, believe they’re only a few steps away from developing a miracle fat-busting pill.
Their research, which has received funding from the Australian government, involved breeding mice that are void of a single gene, called RCAN1. They then fed these rodents, along with other mice who still had the RCAN1 gene intact, a variety of diets, including a high-fat one that was thought to cause weight gain. The results were staggering. The rodents who didn’t have the gene, kept off the bulge, while the other mice grew to three times the size.
The theory
Scientists think that blocking the RCAN1 gene helps transform white fat into the healthier brown fat. Yes, there is such a thing as ‘good’ fat!
‘Brown fat or brown adipose tissue (BAT) is metabolically active and its primary role is to dissipate energy in the form of heat, a process called adaptive thermogenesis. While white adipose tissue (WAT) is primarily a storage mechanism to store energy in the form of fat,’ explains private GP Dr Jeff Foster. In short, brown fat helps burn energy, whereas white fat stores it.
‘As we get older, the amount of brown fat decreases and less-healthy white fat becomes more prevalent,’ he adds. ‘In fact, even a very lean fit adult will have much more white fat than brown in them.’
As humans also have the RCAN1 gene, researchers are hopeful the same approach could work for overweight adults. Creating a pill that knocks out RCAN1 would allow people to burn more calories and lose
weight, while they’re resting, and without affecting their appetite. ‘We know a lot of people struggle to lose weight or even control their weight for a number of different reasons,’ says study leader Professor Damien Keating, who is also head of molecular and cellular physiology at the university. ‘[This pill would help] the body store less fat, without the need to reduce food consumption or exercise more.’
The reality
These initial results have left researchers excited. ‘Results show we can potentially
‘Obesity is up 92% in 20 years’
make a real difference in the fight against obesity – we really want to pursue this,’ says Professor Keating. But there are concerns from some about how this approach will affect the long-term health of the nation.
‘A pill is not the answer, even if you could increase BAT and make people thinner,’ says Dr Foster. He believes this is only part of the problem. ‘Does the pill prevent high cholesterol, furring of arteries, heart attacks, the issue of elevated sodium in our diets and protect against blood pressure?’ he questions.
It’s also unlikely to protect us against the loss of muscle mass, often seen in an increasingly sedentary society.
What’s more, weight isn’t the only indicator of health. There is the worry that this new study doesn’t inspire us to look after ourselves. It seems the selling point is that we can eat whatever we want, as long as we take this miracle medicine. But a pill that stops us from piling on the pounds won’t ensure that we’re receiving all the nutrients we need. In fact, it’s encouraging people to stick with their bad diets and could leave them susceptible to vitamin deficiencies. Plus, a lack of exercise will result in weak muscles and bones and an unhealthy cardiovascular system.
Similar attempts to create a pill to help you drop a dress size were made by the NHS in 2009. The decision to release weight loss drug Orlistat for sale over the counter was focused on the potential that it could help people lose 50% more weight than dieting alone. The drug was designed to aid individuals in losing weight by preventing them from absorbing the fat they ate. However, according to Dr Foster, the results were unpromising. ‘People didn’t eat healthier or exercise more,’ he says. ‘Furthermore, the evidence suggests that when people came off the drug, some of them put the weight back on, and sometimes more.’
The future
While studies that look into ways to tackle obesity should always be encouraged, the focus shouldn’t be taken away from eating a healthy balanced diet and exercising. ‘It’s not rocket science – we simply need to take in less calories than we expend and we’ll lose weight,’ explains Dr Foster. ‘Taking a pill would remove responsibility from the patient and mean the other elements of a healthy lifestyle can be ignored.’