We all want him, that miracle pill that makes any diet unnecessary. But it has not been found so far. Although there is now a remedy that can help a lot to keep the number of calories consumed within bounds.
It’s called semaglutide and is already used to treat type 2 diabetes. For one study, 2,000 obese adults from 16 countries were given a weekly dose of the drug. A control group was given a placebo. Both groups also received lifestyle training to help them lose weight.
After 68 weeks of treatment with the hunger suppressant, those taking semaglutide lost an average of nearly 15 percent of their body weight. 30 percent of the group even became 20 percent lighter. The drug is roughly twice as effective as existing weight loss medications, the researchers say, and works almost as well as surgical procedures, such as a stomach reduction.
The study was funded by pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, which already sells semaglutide for diabetes. The drug is now also being submitted for approval to US, European and UK drug agencies as an anti-obesity agent.
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