Researchers say a switch in the brain of mice could one day spell the end of so-called yo-yo dieting.
A pill that tricks the brain into keeping weight off after dieting could become a reality following a discovery by scientists in Melbourne.
Scientists have identified a protein in the brain cells of mice that tells the body to switch from burning fat to storing fat after fasting.
"If we can work out a way to try and prevent that switch going to fat storage mode we might be able to promote fat burning and help keep that weight off,” Associate Professor of the Monash Biomedicine Discovery, Zane Andrews said.
One in four Australian children is considered overweight or obese and nearly two thirds of adults are, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
“We have evolved to eat food, to want food, to want energy rich sugary fatty food because we don’t want to starve,” Professor Andrews said.
"Being able to control this molecular switch could help provide therapies for obesity, and other metabolic disorders, such as Type 2 diabetes."
But scientists say finding a way to manipulate the protein in human brain cells is several years off.
"A huge number of biological discoveries are required to take that step forward to a translatable drug that can be used in the clinic,” Professor Andrews said.
Podiatrist Michelle Moyle knows the toll yo-yo dieting can take, after struggling with food in the past.
“At times you do throw your hands up in the air and think why the hell am I doing this,” Ms Moyle said.
The 33-year old is in a positive place after ditching restrictive diets and shifting her focus to improving her overall lifestyle.
- with AAP
