December 20, 2004
New research looks positive for
breakthrough on weight loss drug
You might have heard of a drug called AOD9604, it's been in development for the last two years. The drug known as AOD9604 has undergone research by Professor Frank Ng, of Monash University and Melbourne (Australian) based company Metabolic Pharmaceuticals Ltd., and while animal trials yielded promising results, human trials were needed to confirm its effectiveness and safety.
So what is AOD9604 ?
AOD9604 is based around a peptide variant of hGH (Human Growth Hormone). The theory behind the drug is that the growth hormone causes body fat reduction by breaking down already stored fat, reduces the rate at which fat is made within the body and increases resting metabolism. The only thing is, that hGH also causes insulin to become ineffective, which could lead to diabetes and causes an increase in growth of muscles and organs which shouldn't be sustained over a long period of time.
Researchers realised that they could isolate a very small molecule within the hGH that seems to be responsible for its specific fat burning effects. This has formed the basis of their research and have been watched in earnest by the weight loss industry.
Safe and Effective ?
The drug has succeeded in passing both testing for its short-term safety and effectiveness. In it's latest trial (double-blind, randmised and placebo controlled) for effectiveness, 300 obese participants were broken into six groups and given either a 0mg (control group) 1 mg, 5 mg, 10mg, 20mg or 30 mg dose of the drug was daily over 12 weeks. The trials found that the 1 mg dose caused the most weight loss. Across the groups receiving the drug, the amount lost was triple that of the group who did not receive the drug. Participants who lost weight with the drug also experienced improvements in lipid and blood glucose levels. In computer tomography analysis of the abdomen of participants, to measure fat loss, those in the group who received the 1 mg dose, decreased 35 squared cm's +/-15 in abdominal fat area. No serious adverse effects were noted with the drug.
The drug still needs to be assessed for long term safety. The next step is to undergo testing over 2 years with a minimum of 2000 participants. Metabolic Pharmaceuticals expects these trials to begin in 2005.
Is this the Miracle Drug we've been looking for ?
By all indications, it seems to be a weight loss drug that could revolutionise the weight loss industry. However, I would caution those who think that they can pop a pill and all will be made right. Even if and when this drug is released onto the worldwide market, it will still need to be used as part of a weight loss and lifestyle change strategy of balanced eating and sensible exercise regimes.
Of course, that's why I find nutrition so interesting, because like it or not, it is a health variable that we CAN control.
I hope you've enjoyed this issue of Nutrition for Weight Loss and hope to be able to provide you with more research and proven fat burning and weight loss tips in the future.
Wishing you much health and wellness
Jenny Mathers. http://www.savvy-fat-burning-food.com/changing-lives