With obesity reaching epidemic proportions and the number of severely obese increasing day-by-day, new techniques are being developed to lose weight with minimum effort and risk.

Till date, severe obesity required surgical procedures like lap band procedure and gastric bypass. They have attractive success rates, but the risk associated with surgical procedures cannot be eliminated. 

Researchers have been exploring the possibilities of finding a non-invasive technique for weight loss. This has led to the ‘Magic Stick’, which is a weekly injection to suppress appetite and raise body metabolism. It is currently being tested in rodents.

The ‘Magic Stick’ comprises of two natural hormones glucagon and glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1). They have similar structure, but different chemical composition and biological function. The initial test results are promising. The weight loss achieved is equivalent to that gained through gastric bypass.

Magic Stick may be the next generation of weight loss procedures. The research results indicate a 25% reduction in body weight and 42% reduction in body fat in rodents, after a single injection. The drug is an active ingredient in two FDA approved drugs available in the US, Byetta and Glucagon. These drugs are meant for controlling blood sugar. In its present form, doctors do not advise its use as a weight loss drug.

Richard DiMarchi, Chairman, Chemistry Department, Indiana University and leader of the study group is positive that Magic Stick is the future of weight loss drugs. According to Prof. DiMarchi, the overwhelming results seen in rodents might not be repeated with the same effect in humans and if it did, it might prove unhealthy.

The next step of the study is to try the drug on humans. It may take another 10 years for the drug to reach stores, if it receives FDA approval. Till then, it is back to good eating habits and exercises. Even walking around home or office to do simple errands make much difference in the fight with obesity.

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