A sandy solution to obesity
Silica particles made from purified sand are able to soak up large amounts of digestive enzymes, fats, and sugars within the gastrointestinal tract, impeding digestive processes and ultimately, preventing obesity. Researchers from the University of South Australia (UniSA) introduced such a new therapy which is expected to be gentler on patients’ stomachs.
The silica-based therapy is also expected to cause fewer unpleasant side effects when patients go on the mainstream anti-obesity drug.
Obesity is a risk factor for many diseases and chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, and cancer, and is associated with higher rates of death – in Australia alone, two thirds of adults, and one in four children are considered overweight or obese.
The in-vitro study by UniSA examined multiple silica samples under simulated conditions that mimicked the gastrointestinal environment during the digestion of a high-fat, high-carbohydrate meal. It found that porous silica particles with pore widths between 6-10 nm are ideal for triggering an inhibitory response to both fats and sugars.
“Our research shows how porous silica promotes an anti-obesity effect by functioning locally in the gut to restrict fat and carbohydrate digestion and absorption. Importantly, the gentle mechanism is expected to deliver clinically effective outcomes for weight loss, without adverse effects,” said UniSA’s Dr. Paul Joyce.
Obesity is a global issue that affects more than 1.9 billion people worldwide […] a current lack of effective therapies that are free from adverse effects such as diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain, often deters people from starting treatment, the lead researcher explained.
The latest research thankfully points to an anti-obesity breakthrough that could change the health outcomes for people struggling with obesity.
