Could this be the germ of truth in the frog-kissing myth? Those princesses always look delightfully slim after all. Scientists at the University of Gothenburg have uncovered a, seemingly obvious, fact. Ingesting lizard saliva puts people off their lunch.
Presumably, sucking it straight out of the reptile's mouth would put them off supper too.
'"This is both unknown and quite unexpected effect," comments an enthusiastic Karolina Skibicka:'
It's not surprising she's enthusiastic, as food scientists all know that anything even remotely linked to weight loss is instant paydirt. Even if it means chasing lizards with a Q-Tip.
A drug made from the saliva of the Gila monster lizard is effective in reducing the craving for food. Researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, have tested the drug on rats, who after treatment ceased their cravings for both food and chocolate.
An increasing number of patients suffering from type 2 diabetes are offered a pharmaceutical preparation called Exenatide, which helps them to control their blood sugar. The drug is a synthetic version of a natural substance called exendin-4, which is obtained from a rather unusual source – the saliva of the Gila monster lizard (Heloderma suspectum), North America's largest lizard.
Researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, have now found an entirely new and unexpected effect of the lizard substance.
In a study with rats published in the Journal of Neuroscience, Assistant Professor Karolina Skibicka and her colleagues show that exendin-4 effectively reduces the cravings for food.
The implications of the findings are significant" states Suzanne Dickson, Professor of Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy: "Most dieting fails because we are obsessed with the desire to eat, especially tempting foods like sweets. As exendin-4 suppresses the cravings for food, it can help obese people to take control of their weight," suggests Professor Dickson.
Another hypothesis for the Gothenburg researchers' continuing studies is that exendin-4 may be used to reduce the craving for alcohol.
"It is the same brain regions which are involved in food cravings and alcohol cravings, so it would be very interesting to test whether exendin-4 also reduces the cravings for alcohol," suggests Assistant Professor Skibicka.
Source: University of Gothenburg
The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. – Aristotle
