A drug to cure obesity is being developed by British scientists. The daily hormone injection that will suppress appetite could be available in tablet form in the next five years.
How Does it Work?
Researchers have discovered that people who are seriously overweight may suffer from a lack of the hormone PYY3-36, which sends signals to the brain that they are filling up with food and should stop eating. Obesity is now a serious problem, with 54,000 Britons dying every year from obesity related illness. Increasing numbers are contracting the obesity associated Diabetes Type II disease.
Are Injections the Answer?
The theory behind the treatment would seem to be that in some cases, overeating is due to an absence of a trigger in the body that says, “Stop eating, I’m full”. From my own experience, it is certain that some people do have bigger appetites than others, an issue that is not necessarily related to body size or physical activity. A seemingly miraculous cure would be wonderful, but not all people who are overweight eat just out of hunger. They eat for many reasons; some eat for comfort; some just enjoy the taste of food; and some are clearly addicted to certain types of food. Whatever the reason, the fact is that some people are obese, and the one thing they really do need is plenty of support in order to tackle the problem at source. You can email [email protected] for a free copy of my Healthy Eating Guide.
The new treatment may give people a boost short-term and if they lose weight, it could provide them with the inspiration and motivation to tackle their weight problems. I have found that people who take a natural slimming supplement like Actrim also learn to gradually break bad eating habits and develop a healthy attitude towards food. Many people use food as a coping mechanism and need to make changes in their lives. So, although the fat jab may eventually provide a solution for some people, it is unlikely to provide a miracle cure for all, and for the time being, people will have to stick with tried and tested solutions. But at least obesity is being recognised as a disease, and sufferers are being given some signs of support which is what they really need.
Recipe of the Week
Steamed Hamour Fillets
Serves 6
Ingredients
1 kg hamour fillets
360 ml (370 g) tomato juice
1-1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. seasoned salt, or to taste
1/2 tsp. white pepper, or to taste
Method
Preheat oven to 200°C. Place fillets in a baking dish. Combine tomato juice and seasonings in a bowl. Pour over fish. Cover and bake 12-18 minutes, until fish flakes easily.
Getting Active
Aerobics
Aerobic exercises improves your overall cholesterol and step aerobics in particular may raise your HDL, or “good”, cholesterol. Investigators divided 45 previously sedentary college women into three study groups. The first group participated in traditional aerobic dance, the second participated in step aerobics, and the third remained sedentary. After just eight weeks, the two activity groups had significantly lower levels of total cholesterol as compared to the sedentary group. Furthermore, the step aerobics group had a significant rise in HDL cholesterol. The bottom line? Get up and exercise!
Ask Alva
I am 14 years old and I weight 65 kg. I don’t eat any fatty stuffs. In the morning, I take a glass of juice and my lunch consists of cooked fish or vegetables. I rarely eat chocolates but still my weight increases, mostly on vacations. Could you please suggest some lines to reduce my weight and increase my height? Karishma
You are very young and probably still growing. You may be overweight and if you email me at the address above I will send you my Healthy Eating Guide. You can also get a copy of my Mini Morning Workout by emailing to [email protected]. Cut down on snacks and fizzy drinks and give up chocolate except for a treat on Fridays. Also, be brave and try to join an exercise class or a gym. Aim to lose weight gradually — that way it stays off. Alva
