DailyDirt: Miracle Cures
from the urls-we-dig-up dept
Scams trying to convince people that losing weight is easy are everywhere. Losing weight is not easy. Maybe it is for some lucky people who have incredibly awesome genetics and the metabolism to burn calories like a hummingbird, but for most folks, it's not. It sure would be nice if a doctor or scientist found a simple weight loss solution (that didn't involve exercise or watching what you eat). However, that isn't the case, and there are plenty of examples of remedies that don't work (eg. Hoodia, ephedra, green coffee extract, etc). Audiences would like to be told there's a miracle cure, and some quacks even oblige them. For example, Dr. Mehmet Oz ("Doctor Oz") was scolded by US Senators for promoting unsubstantiated "miracle" dietary supplements. Researchers are actively looking for convenient ways to beat obesity, but before anyone buys some sketchy pills on the internet, wait for the science to demonstrate some effectiveness and safety. Keep on eye on various research projects, but don't get your hopes up. (And exercise in the meantime....)- Researchers at the University of Michigan are looking at an off-patent drug that appears to solve the problems of obesity, diabetes and fatty liver in mice. There haven't been any studies on humans for similar results, but amlexanox has been approved for use to treat asthma for decades. [url]
- Another drug that shows promise in mice is fexaramine (or Fex). However, the media has overblown its effects on mice and also implied effectiveness in humans when studies have not yet been done. [url]
- The FTC has some advice for people interested in various weight-loss fads and dietary supplements that claim to burn fat in short periods of time. Don't believe every headline you read! [url]
Filed Under: amlexanox, diet, dietary supplements, dr oz, ephedra, fex, fexaramine, food, green coffee extract, health, hoodia, medicine, mehmet oz, miracle cures, obesity, remedies, scams
