New Delhi, October 9 – Now you can eat whatever you like and still not get fat. Researchers have developed a “magic” pill from a “mutant” worm that helps you to stay slim.
It is believed that the pill could revolutionise dieting. Researchers say that the tiny creature, known as Caenorhabditis elegans, could hold the key to beating obesity.
The study was carried out by a group of researchers led by Sean Curran from USC Davis School of Gerontology and the Keck School of Medicine of USC. The study found a new way to suppress obesity that accompanies a high-sugar diet, the Mail online reported.
“The high-sugar diet that the bacteria ate was the equivalent of a human eating the Western diet (characterized by high-fat and high-sugar foods, like burgers, fries and soda),”
the report quoted Curran as saying.b Certain genetic mutants in the worm – those with a hyperactive SKN-1 gene – could be fed incredibly high-sugar diets without gaining any weight.
The findings suggest that the gene, which is also found in humans and called Nrf2, might translate, he said, adding that he plans to test his findings in mice. Pharmaceutical companies have already worked to develop small-molecule drugs that target Nrf2, in hopes that it will produce more anti-oxidants and slow aging.
-INDIA TODAY
