Researchers have discovered that blocking a receptor which helps our body regulate heat production could increase fat metabolism and prevent weight gain. “Blocking this receptor in fat tissue transformed the ‘energy-storying’ fat into ‘energy-burning’ fat, which switched on head production and reduced weight gain”, says Dr Yan-Chuan Shi, leader of the study conducted at Sydney's Garvan Institute.
These findings could provide an entirely new way to tackle obesity. “Most of the current medications used to treat obesity target the brain to suppress appetite and can have severe side effects that limit their use." says Dr Shi.
"Our study reveals an alternative approach that targets the fat tissues directly, which may potentially be a safer way to prevent and treat obesity.”
More research is needed to explore this potential pathway before treatments become publicly available. Other potential benefits of this treatment include sitmulating bone cell growth, improved cardiovascular function and insulin resistance.
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