UK based researchers have found a drug that may help bring about significant weight loss in people with clinical obesity by targeting the appetite control system in the brain."The drug reduced hunger but also cravings for food and the sensation of wanting to eat and these had previously been thought to stem from different parts of the brain," said lead researcher John Blundell, professor of Psycho-Biology at the University of Leeds.
The drug named "Semaglutide" is being developed as a treatment for diabetes. The drug is in the advanced stages of development but is not yet available in the market.
For the study, the drug was given to a few people with a body mass index (BMI) range of 30 to 45 kg/m2.
The study was published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. The participants were split into two groups -- half got semaglutide and the other half a placebo (dummy) substance for 12 weeks.
At the end of the 12 weeks, the participants were called in the testing centre and offered lunch and evening meal. The participants were told to consume as much as they needed to feel 'pleasantly full'.
There eating patterns, amount of intake and what they ate was recorded, along with food preferences and their sensations of liking and wanting food. They then repeated the process, with participants who got semaglutide, this time getting the placebo and vice versa.
On an average the daily energy intake, a measure of the amount of food consumed, was 24 per cent lower with semaglutide, noted the researchers.
"The potency of the drug is probably due to the action of the GLP-1 protein receptors on broad aspects of the appetite control system including hunger, craving and rewarding aspects of food," Blundell noted.
The study further noted that the measured energy expenditure from metabolic processes (the Resting Metabolic Rate) remained roughly the same throughout the experiment indicating that the weight loss could not be due to metabolism becoming more active, which could mean that the fat loss triggered by the drug could be attributed to better control over appetite.
A fibre-rich diet also helps with weight-loss by making you feel fuller for longer. High fibre foods take the longest to digest and give you the tummy-full feeling for longer periods of time, thereby preventing you from binging into other fattening foods. Here are 4 high fibre foods that you could look at including in your diet on a regular basis:
1. Oats: Oats are one of the best sources of fiber. It has both soluble and insoluble fibers. Oats can be eaten in many different forms and not just as a breakfast cereal. You can prepare an oats dosa or an uttapam. Begin your day with a fiber boost that will help you glide through.
2. Lentils: Besides being high in protein, lentils are rich in dietary fiber. Take an occasional break from the conventional dal and use lentils creatively. You could use them in soups or salads. Fiber and carbohydrates found in lentils help in increasing your energy levels and since they are digested slowly, the energy boost lasts longer.
3. Flaxseeds: Flaxseeds are great for a fiber boost. Just add them into smoothies or use as a topping over your breakfast cereal. Some nutritionists recommend ground flaxseeds over whole seeds as it's easier to digest the former.
4. Apples: Apples are great sources of fiber. Bite on them whole, toss chopped pieces with salads or blend them into smoothies. Don't shave off the peel as it is abundant in fiber.
Load up on these high fibre foods and enjoy the benefits.