14 DAY TRIAL // A recent science report details the use of an experimental drug dubbed GC-1 to help mice lose weight by speeding up their metabolism and encouraging their body to burn more fat that normal.
The scientists behind this investigation say that, with the help of GC-1, obese mice managed to lose about 50% of the fat clinging to their organs and tissues in just a couple of weeks.
Although the effects of the drug on humans are yet to be researched, specialists suspect that GC-1 could help guys and gals lose weight, maybe even serve to combat global obesity rates.
Interestingly enough, it appears that the very same drug is currently undergoing clinical trials as a cholesterol-lowering compound. In these trials, it is known as sobetirome.
Still, this does not mean that doctors should start handing it out to people. This is because losing weight requires greater doses of the drug than the ones used in the ongoing clinical trials targeting cholesterol.
In case anyone was wondering, GC-1 works by converting energy-storing white fat into energy-burning brown fat. Apart from promoting weight loss, the drug appears to improve insulin sensitivity and lower diabetes risk.
“Our data demonstrate that GC-1 is a novel fat-browning agent that may have use in the treatment of obesity and metabolic disease,” researcher Kevin Phillips said in a statement, as cited by the Endocrine Society.