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A multinational team of researchers has developed a drug that – in preclinical testing – stops weight gain, spurs fat burning, lowers cholesterol, controls blood sugar and minimizes inflammation. According to the scientists from the Salk Institute of Biological Studies, fexaramine is unlike appetite suppressants or caffeine-based diet drugs because it doesn’t dissolve in the blood. It remains in the intestines, acting like an “imaginary meal”. Fexaramine emits the same signals that the body sends out after a heavy meal, “so the body starts clearing out space to store it”. The body thinks it has consumed calories, though it hasn’t, and it starts burning fat, without side effects. Clinical trials are the next step, the scientists say.
"Intestinal FXR agonism promotes adipose tissue browning and reduces obesity and insulin resistance. ", Nature Medicine, January 09, 2015
U.S. scientists report in a mouse study that eating large amounts of red meat triggers a toxic immune response that causes inflammation and eventually cancer. The reaction is caused by a sugar contained in pork, beef and lamb, and present naturally in other carnivores. The human body, however, senses the sugar as a foreign invader, triggering the immune response. The scientists noted that eating small amounts of red meat – say, 2.5 ounces a day – provides good nutrition and should not be considered harmful. “We hope that our work will eventually lead the way to practical solutions for this catch-22," the researchers said.
"Red meat triggers toxic immune reaction which causes cancer, scientists find", The Telegraph, December 29, 2014
Nestlé says it will contribute about $22 million to a six-year research effort involving scientists in the U.K., Switzerland, New Zealand and Singapore targeting the relationship between eating behaviors and genes. The company said the idea is to further understanding of the influence of nutrition and genetics at the beginning of life, and in future generations. One goal is to improve nutrition and reduce risk factors of pregnancy-related conditions such as gestational diabetes.
"Nestlé boosts research into cutting-edge maternal nutrition and epigenetics", News release, Nestlé, December 29, 2014
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The Telegraph, January 05, 2015
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