A magic Bullet for Obesity?
I tripped across an interesting news item today from the Associated Press.
Here’s an excerpt from the news story:
For nearly a century, scientists have struggled to make a diet pill that helps people lose weight without side effects that range from embarrassing digestive issues to dangerous heart problems.
Earlier this week, a government panel recommended the FDA approve the latest diet drug Qnexa. The recommendation raises hopes that the U.S. could approve the first anti-obesity drug in more than a decade. It also highlights how challenging it is to create a pill that fights fat in a variety of people without negative side effects. Even Qnexa was previously rejected over concerns that it can cause heart palpitations and birth defects if taken by pregnant women.
“Having a drug for obesity would be like telling me you had a drug for the fever,” said Dr. Mitchell Roslin, chief of bariatric surgery at Northern Westchester Hospital in New York. “There can be millions of different reasons why someone is obese; it’s really a symptom of various underlying mechanisms.”
Researchers have been looking for anti-obesity treatments for about a century. Why? Because diets and exercise often don’t work out.
OHSU’s Kevin Grove explains why here.
Finally, real help for obese people. OHSU’s efforts to help solve this nearly overwhelming health problem for the U.S. is laudable. Keep up the great work.
Enjoyed studying this, very good stuff, thanks . “Hereafter, in a better world than this, I shall desire more love and knowledge of you.