March 28, 2024
Life-extending drug may combat obesity
The compound resveratrol, which is present in red wine and gained fame for its supposed life-extending properties, might also help combat obesity, a new study in animals suggests.

The results show lemurs, members of the primate family, gained less weight during their seasonal fattening period when they consumed daily resveratrol supplements.

The drug also boosted the primates' metabolism and appeared to cause the animals to cut back their food at mealtime, factors that could have contributed to the anti-obesity effects.

Primates are considered a better model for what might happen in people than more distantly related animals, such as rats or mice. However, much more research is needed to determine whether such diet-inducing effects hold true for humans, the researchers say.

"The overall goal would be to develop some dietary supplementation or nutrient strategies that could interfere and decrease body mass gain and obesity," said study researcher Fabienne Aujard, of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique in Paris, France. Also, understanding how resveratrol acts to prevent weight gain might shed light on general risk factors for obesity, Aujard said.

Previous studies suggest resveratrol could have health benefits, acting as an antioxidant that protects against cell damage. The compound has also been shown to increase the life spans of yeast, worms and flies. (Source: livescience.com)
Story Date: June 24, 2010
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