Weight Loss Injection Mimics Gastric Bypass Surgery

Scientists have created an injection which impersonates the impact of gastric bypass surgery. It was successfully tested it on 14 obese people at high risk of type 2 diabetes and shown to lead to significant weight loss. On average, participants lost 4.4kg and also experienced improved blood glucose levels, with some experiencing near-normal levels. About 6,000 gastric bands and bypasses are performed every year by NHS surgeons, but the procedures are costly and can lead to complications, MedicGLP including abdominal pain, chronic nausea, internal bleeding and infection. In a bid to offer another a medication alternative to this type of surgery, a team led by Imperial College London have developed an injection which may be able to negate the need for surgery. The researchers built on previous studies suggesting a major reason behind the success of gastric bypass surgery was down to the gut releasing specific hormones referred to as ‘GOP’ in greater numbers. The injection uses these three hormones which combine to mimic the chemical changes experienced by people following stomach surgery: glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), oxyntomodulin and peptide YY.



The first letter of each of these hormones spell out the acronym GOP. The hormones have been shown to lower appetite and improve elements of metabolism, which help towards weight loss. In this study, 15 participants were given the GOP mixture for a month through a pump, releasing the hormones 12 hours a day, starting an hour before breakfast and stopping following dinner. They were also given dietary advice. At the same time 11 participants were given a saline (salt water) placebo. Additionally, 21 people who previously had bariatric surgery and a further 22 people following a very low calorie (800kcal per day) diet were recruited to the research for comparison purposes. An analysis was carried out to contrast the results from all four groups of participants. According to the results, those on the GOP treatment shed an average of 4.4kg, compared with a loss of 2.5kg in people who received the placebo. Lead researcher Professor MedicGLP Online Tricia Tan said: "Although the weight loss was smaller, using the GOP infusion would be preferable as it has fewer side effects than bariatric surgery. This result shows that it is possible to obtain some of the benefits of a gastric bypass operation without undergoing the surgery itself.



Science continues to prove that the old adage "you are what you eat" is profoundly true. This is because you have trillions of microorganisms living in your gut, which are directly responsible for nearly every aspect of your health. These microbes make up what’s called your "gut microbiota." They are especially influential in determining your likelihood of gaining excessive weight, becoming obese, and developing obesity-related diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and premature death. The gut microbiome (the expressed genes of your gut microbiota) plays a major role in your metabolism through energy production, storage, and expenditure. So, it’s no surprise that science has found a strong connection between gut microbiome imbalance and metabolic syndrome. Yikes! If you have the wrong mix of microbes, it could be making it tough for you to get your health on track! Did you know: Scientists can actually look at your gut microbiome composition and tell with 90% accuracy if you are obese or lean. That’s pretty impressive, isn’t it?



1. Unable to lose weight and keep it off? 2. Struggling to fight cravings? 3. Sick of starving yourself for weight loss? 4. Baffled as to why no diet seems to really work for you? Depending on the composition of your gut microbiome, your microbes can either boost your health or weigh you down (figuratively and literally). The good news is this: You have control over these little guys with every bite you eat. Diet has the power to change the landscape of your gut microbiome. So, if you’ve tried multiple diets and can’t seem to get the results you want, it’s time to look into your gut microbiome.Will You Lose Weight Naturally on an Individualized Diet? If you’ve been struggling to lose weight and keep it off - it could be your gut microbiome. While Viome doesn’t guarantee weight loss, it has been an exciting result many of our customers have reported. "Fiona’s update day 37!



We know weight loss can be tough. Find out if your weight struggles are due to a gut microbiome imbalance with Viome - and let’s tip the scales in your favor. Your gut microbes actually digest much of your food for you. When your gut microbiota help digest your food, they turn it into nutrients, neurotransmitters, vitamins, hormones, and more. Through these metabolites, the composition of your gut microbiome influences nearly every metabolic activity. It’s accurate to think of your gut microbiome as an organ that’s part immune system and part energy regulator. If your gut microbiome is imbalanced, certain bacteria end up working to protect themselves from the harsh environment and are not able to help you. In the worst case scenario, you can have microbiota adding to your health problems, making it harder for you to get healthy and lose weight. Viome’s metatranscriptomic technology has allowed us identify microbial pathways and functions, specifically those that influence weight loss or gain.