Hopes for chemicals that turn 'bad' fat 'good'

Conclusion This laboratory research has identified chemicals that can make fat-storing white fat cells behave more like energy-burning brown fat cells in the lab. They hope these or other chemicals identified using their new method could eventually help combat obesity. A pill that allows us to eat what we want and not gain weight is a holy grail for many. While it might become a reality at some point in the future, this is unlikely to happen any time soon. As the authors themselves note, they have only done tests on cells in the lab so far. They do not yet know whether the chemicals will have the same effect within the body or, more importantly, whether they would be safe to use. The researchers are right in sounding a note of caution. The chemicals they have identified as working best so far inhibit a protein called JAK, which plays an important role in the immune system. This could make using JAK inhibitors to treat obesity more difficult, as it could mean side effects for the immune system. This research is at a very early stage, and the pill will certainly not be in the stores in time for Christmas, so you are still going have to hit the gym if you want to get rid of any excess calories you consume over the festive period. Analysis by Bazian. Edited by NHS Choices. Follow Behind the Headlines on Twitter. Join the Healthy Evidence forum. Links To The Headlines Obesity pill to 'replace treadmill' being developed by Harvard University. The Daily Telegraph, December 8 20...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Medication Obesity Source Type: news