Scientists have found a way to treat obesity with a natural hormone

Researchers from the University of Oklahoma in the USA have discovered that the natural hormone FGF21 is able to get rid of obesity by affecting certain areas of the brain. This was reported on April 16 by Science Daily magazine.

In experiments on mice, a team led by Professor Matthew Potthoff, PhD, found that the hormone sends signals to the posterior brain, an area responsible for controlling metabolism and appetite. Previously, scientists assumed that FGF21 interacts with the hypothalamus, but it turned out that the target is the nucleus of the solitary tract and the posterior field.

According to Potthoff, the discovered neural circuit is crucial for the hormone's ability to influence metabolism. FGF21 is claimed to increase metabolic activity, forcing the body to expend more energy. In the future, the team intends to test whether the same brain region affects the ability of the hormone FGF21 to treat liver damage.

Scientists hope that understanding this mechanism will help create a point therapy without side effects.

"We hope that by identifying a specific chain, we can help create more targeted treatments that are effective without negative side effects," said the researcher.

Heart fat: the worst diseases caused by excess weight

Overweight people should take care of their liver, kidneys, and joints first.

On April 16, the journal Radiology reported a link between ultra-processed foods and muscle fat accumulation. As part of the analysis, scientists found that the dependence persists, including after adjusting for age, gender, physical activity level, caloric intake and body mass index.