Weight loss
ACE inhibitor pills could slow your metabolism and help you lose excess weight quickly
The Daily Mail this week (May 2008) that existing pills designed to lower blood pressure could be used to stop people getting fat.
So-called "ACE inhibitors" are used to speed up the metabolism. These drugs are already used to lower blood pressure so are already know to be safe to use.
The additional possible use to prevent weight gain has been proposed after a study in Genetically Modified (GM) mice by Australian researchers.
Mice lacking a particular enzyme (angiotensionconverting enzyme) found in fat cells weighed 20% less and had 60% less body fat than normal mice, despite being no more active.
The effect of the ACE inhibitor pills is to block the action of this enzyme, so they COULD result in a higher metabolism in humans, thereby allowing a person to eat more for the same weight gain.
However some commentators are sceptical that this could ever be used by humans in this way, and stressed that a sensible diet and exercise are the best ways to ensure a healthy weight.
Image © vgstudio - Fotolia.com
Could a simple pill stop you from getitng fat?
ACE inhibitor pills could slow your metabolism and help you lose excess weight quickly
The Daily Mail this week (May 2008) that existing pills designed to lower blood pressure could be used to stop people getting fat.
So-called "ACE inhibitors" are used to speed up the metabolism. These drugs are already used to lower blood pressure so are already know to be safe to use.
The additional possible use to prevent weight gain has been proposed after a study in Genetically Modified (GM) mice by Australian researchers.
Mice lacking a particular enzyme (angiotensionconverting enzyme) found in fat cells weighed 20% less and had 60% less body fat than normal mice, despite being no more active.
The effect of the ACE inhibitor pills is to block the action of this enzyme, so they COULD result in a higher metabolism in humans, thereby allowing a person to eat more for the same weight gain.
However some commentators are sceptical that this could ever be used by humans in this way, and stressed that a sensible diet and exercise are the best ways to ensure a healthy weight.
This article was published on Wed 7 May 2008
Image © vgstudio - Fotolia.com
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