Scientists from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio have discovered a new drug that could help people lose weight and protect their liver from damage caused by an unhealthy diet.
Our bodies get energy from food, and this process happens inside tiny structures in our cells called mitochondria. These act like power plants, converting food into energy. One important nutrient for mitochondria is magnesium, which helps with blood sugar control, blood pressure, and bone health.
However, the researchers found that too much magnesium can slow down the mitochondria’s ability to produce energy.
To test this, they experimented with mice by removing a gene that moves magnesium into the mitochondria. The results were surprising—these mice burned sugar and fat more efficiently, stayed lean, and remained healthy, even when they ate a high-fat, high-sugar diet.
Inspired by this, the researchers developed a drug called CPACC, which mimics the effect of removing the magnesium gene. When mice were given CPACC, they lost weight and avoided liver problems that usually come from eating too much sugar and fat.
This discovery is exciting because it suggests a potential way to prevent obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease, all of which are linked to poor diet. The researchers have already filed a patent for CPACC and are continuing their work to see if it could be a safe and effective treatment for humans in the future.
Understanding how our bodies process energy is crucial for developing new treatments for diet-related health issues. Obesity, for example, happens when too much body fat builds up and harms health. It is commonly measured using Body Mass Index (BMI), where a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese.
People with obesity have a higher risk of developing conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep problems, and even certain cancers.
Obesity can also affect quality of life, leading to physical challenges and even social discrimination. The causes of obesity include genetics, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors. Eating too many high-calorie, high-fat foods and not getting enough exercise can lead to weight gain. Some medical conditions and medications can also contribute to obesity.
Doctors typically recommend lifestyle changes—such as eating a healthy diet and being more active—to manage obesity. In some cases, medications or even weight-loss surgery may be necessary.
A high-fat diet, which consists of more than 30% of calories from fat, can contribute to weight gain if not balanced properly. While fat is essential for the body, eating too much of certain types, like saturated and trans fats, can raise bad cholesterol and increase the risk of heart disease.
The discovery of CPACC offers hope for a new way to help people manage weight and prevent obesity-related diseases. Researchers are still studying the drug, but if successful, it could become an important tool in fighting the negative effects of an unhealthy diet.
The study was conducted by Travis R. Madaris et al. and published in Cell Reports.
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