Researchers identify protein that may explain 'healthy' obesity

DALLAS — Jan. 29, 2009 — Mice whose fat cells were allowed to grow larger than fat cells in normal mice developed “healthy” obesity when fed a high-fat diet, researchers at
UT Southwestern Medical Center found in a new study.

The fat but healthy mice lacked a protein called collagen VI, which normally surrounds fat cells and limits how large they can grow, like a cage around a water balloon. The findings appear online... read more

Submitted by Avera

• 117 Views
• 3 Comments

Biocompatibles in $422M Deal With AstraZeneca in Diabetes

Biocompatibles International plc sealed a deal with AstraZeneca plc worth a potential €302.3 million (US$422.6 million) for a glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) analogue for treating diabetes and obesity.

As yet, the compound is in discovery. Signing the agreement triggers payment of €8.8 million to complete preclinical development and take the product through to Phase IIa. "At that point AstraZeneca will decide whether or not to take up the option to license [the product], in which... read more

Submitted by Avera

• 112 Views
• 0 Comments

FDA Warns Consumers About Tainted Weight Loss Pills

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting consumers nationwide not to purchase or consume more than 25 different products marketed for weight loss because they contain undeclared, active pharmaceutical ingredients that may put consumers’ health at risk.

These weight loss products, some of which are marketed as “dietary supplements,” are promoted and sold on various Web sites and in some retail stores. Some of the products claim to be “natural” or to contain... read more

Submitted by Avera

• 129 Views
• 2 Comments

High heart rates increase chances of obesity, diabetes

Recent research showed a connection between high resting heart rates and the development of obesity and diabetes. Dr Yoshiyuki Shigetoh and colleagues (Kurume University School of Medicine, Japan) studied the impact of higher heart rates on the body's metabolism.

Researchers followed 614 participants over a period of 20 years. The study subjects were divided in four groups on the basis of heart beat rates- under 60, 60-69, 70-79 and over 80. Analysis of data revealed... read more

Submitted by Avera

• 149 Views
• 0 Comments

Nutrition Notes: Obesity, Diabetes and Prostate Cancer: What’s the Link?

The new findings are particularly interesting because men who have diabetes – a disease usually marked by excess weight and high insulin levels – seem to be at reduced risk of developing prostate cancer. Data from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial, which followed more than 33,000 men for almost nine years, were released earlier this year and noted that men who had diabetes showed a 20 percent lower risk for... read more

Submitted by Avera

• 171 Views
• 0 Comments

Easy Way to Balance Your Blood Sugar and Lose Weight

If your blood sugar is going up and down then it’s the time to think that something is wrong. If it is not balanced then your body will stop using up energy and will convert it into fat and store it and ultimately you won’t lose weight. Research shows that the best foods for enjoying good weight are those that don’t cause a sharp rise in blood sugar levels. Are you overweight and want to... read more

Submitted by BarryE

• 204 Views
• 6 Comments

Vivus says obesity drug leads to 9 pct weight loss

LOS ANGELES, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Drug developer Vivus Inc (VVUS.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said on Thursday the first of three late-stage trials found that obese patients treated with the highest dose of its experimental drug Qnexa on average lost 9.2 percent of their weight.

Vivus said the 28-week, 756-patient study met its main goal of superior weight loss with two different doses of Qnexa, compared with the drug's individual components and a... read more

Submitted by Avera

• 177 Views
• 5 Comments

Obesity and Diabetes: Obesity hampers the Treatment of Obesity!

People do not realize that obesity is becoming major reason behind many fatal diseases. Diabetes is one of these diseases. Obesity and diabetes both are common problems in youth as well as in old age. People are eating more and eating unhealthy and it is leading us to diabetes.

Research has shown that obesity and diabetes are inter-related. Lifestyle is a major contributing risk factor for both these conditions. Sedentary lifestyles, high fat diet,... read more

Submitted by Avera

• 93 Views
• 2 Comments

New proteins hold clues to cure for diabetes, obesity

Toronto (IANS): A Canadian biochemist, along with his American colleagues, has discovered new proteins that work as ``master regulators'' in production of fat in the body.

Gaining control of these proteins could spell the end of diabetes and obesity epidemic in the world, said Alberta University biochemist Dave Brindley in a statement Thursday.

Called lipins, these newly discovered proteins control fat production in the mammal body, he said. In all, there are four... read more

Submitted by Avera

• 483 Views
• 1 Comment

Apple Or Pear Shape Is Not Main Culprit to Heart Woes — It's Liver Fat

Pear-shaped people who carry weight in the thighs and backside have been told for years they are at lower risk for high blood pressure and heart disease than apple-shaped people who carry fat in the abdomen. But in two studies, School of Medicine researchers report that body shape isn’t the only marker of risk. Excess liver fat appears to be the key to insulin resistance, cholesterol abnormalities and other problems that contribute to diabetes and... read more

Submitted by Avera

• 261 Views
• 0 Comments