Scientists Develop ‘Anti-Fat’ Vaccine to Resist Weight Gain
Scientists have achieved a significant breakthrough with the creation of a vaccine designed to help the body resist gaining fat. This innovative weekly injection works by targeting and reducing harmful inflammation processes that often contribute to weight gain.
At the University of Colorado, researchers successfully tested the vaccine by administering a healthy bacteria called Mycobacterium vaccae to mice. This bacterium, commonly found in cow’s milk and soil, proved effective in preventing weight gain even when the mice were fed a diet high in sugar and fat.
The vaccinated mice showed remarkable resilience to weight gain comparable to unvaccinated mice on healthy diets. This promising result suggests that the vaccine could potentially mitigate the effects of a typical Western diet. However, further research is needed to determine its efficacy in humans.
Experts believe that the vaccine works by reducing stress-induced inflammation, which is often exacerbated by inflammatory foods such as processed meats, refined grains, and sugary beverages.
This inflammation can elevate cortisol levels, a stress hormone known to promote fat storage. Moreover, it can disrupt leptin, a hormone crucial for regulating metabolism and appetite, leading to increased hunger.
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Dr. Christopher Lowry, lead author and professor at the University of Colorado, emphasized that the vaccine completely prevented weight gain from an unhealthy diet in the mice. This suggests that beneficial bacteria like Mycobacterium vaccae may counteract some of the detrimental effects of a typical Western diet.
The findings were published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, building upon earlier research indicating the bacteria’s potential to reduce inflammation associated with weight gain.
During the experiment, one group of mice consumed standard rodent food without vaccination, while another group received a diet high in fat and sugar. Among the mice on the unhealthy diet, half were vaccinated weekly with Mycobacterium vaccae, while the other half were not.
After 10 weeks, the unvaccinated mice on the unhealthy diet gained significantly more weight and visceral fat compared to those on a healthy diet. Visceral fat is known to increase the risk of diseases like heart disease and diabetes.
In contrast, the vaccinated mice did not experience excessive weight gain or accumulate as much visceral fat as their unvaccinated counterparts on the unhealthy diet.
These findings suggest that Mycobacterium vaccae could be a potential tool in combating weight gain associated with Western-style diets. However, questions remain about its applicability to humans, including its cost and distribution methods.
