If you have a body mass index of more than 30, you are obese. And help may be on the way. Pramlintide, sold in the U.S. under the trade name Symlin, is a synthetic version of a natural hormone called amylin. This hormone is now used to lower blood sugar in diabetes patients. But it also works to slow down gastric emptying, making you feel full sooner.
A new study involving 204 people with a body mass index of 37.8 were randomly assigned either pramlintide or a placebo. After 16 weeks, the participants who took the drug lost 3.7 kilograms of body weight and saw a 3.6 centimeter drop in waist circumference.
About 31 percent of the pramlintide treatment group achieved a weight loss of 5 percent or more, compared to only 2 percent of the placebo patients.
The senior investigator of this study, Dr. Christian Weyer of Amylin Pharmaceuticals, is optimistic about the findings. "Further evaluation of pramlintide as a potential treatment for obesity is warranted." He adds, "Several clinical studies are currently underway, in which pramlintide is being evaluated in combination therapy, either with approved oral weight loss medications or with other neurohormones."
Although preliminary studies appear hopeful, drugs are still not a substitute for diet and exercise. Obesity now accounts for 123 billion dollars in health care costs annually. The Cleveland Clinic is beginning what it calls a "fight back against obesity," by urging people to M.O.V.E:
- Make physical activity a priority. You'll burn calories that would otherwise be stored as fat. Exercise also builds muscle. The less muscle you have, the easier it is to gain weight.
- Organize exercise into your daily routine. Climb stairs instead of riding the elevator and "lose" your remote control. Even small activities make a difference.
- Vary your activity. Ride a bike, walk, play tennis, dance,go bowling. Do something different everyday to relieve boredom.
- Establish realistic exercise goals. Pick something you can handle and stick with it. Talk with your doctor about your physical strength and endurance. Then discuss an appropriate exercise plan you can follow.
The benefits of exercise are huge:
- You'll control your weight more effectively.
- You’ll lower your risk of high blood pressure.
- You’ll sleep better.
- You’ll develop stronger bones.
- You’ll reduce your chances of developing diabetes.
- You’ll develop greater muscle mass.
- You’ll lower your risk of heart disease.
If these reasons don’t get you up and moving, maybe the lure of fitting into those new fall fashions will!
Sources: Reuters Health, Cleveland Clinic
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