US approves new weight-loss pill

New weight-loss pill (Right)

US health regulators have approved a weight-loss pill for the first time in 13 years.

Belviq, made by Arena Pharmaceutical, can be used by obese or overweight adults with at least one condition.

The drug achieved only modest results in clinical studies, helping people lose on average about 5% of their body weight.

Belviq was rejected in 2010 because of concerns over tumours that developed in animals tested with the drug.

After San Diego-based Arena resubmitted its application with more data, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found little risk of tumours in humans using the drug.

Side effects

The medication is expected to launch in 2013.

Belviq is designed to block appetite signals in the brain, making patients feel fuller with smaller amounts of food.

It has been approved for use in obese adults with a body mass index of 30 or greater.

The drug can also be used by overweight adults with a BMI of 27 or greater if they have at least one other condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol.

The FDA warned that Belviq is not for women who are pregnant or nursing.

With US obesity rates approaching 35% in adults and associated healthcare costs on the rise, many doctors have urged health regulators to give the green light to new weight-loss treatments.

But the agency has set high standards for such medication after safety problems with previously popular weight-loss drugs.

The so-called fen-phen combination had to be pulled from the market in 1997 after being linked to heart valve damage.

In a statement, the FDA said Belviq did not appear to carry the same risks.

However, known side effects of Belviq do include depression, migraine and memory lapses.

The FDA-approved label says the drug should not be used for more than 12 weeks if a 5% weight loss does not occur.

Arena will be required to conduct six studies after marketing the drug, including a study on the drug's effect on long-term heart health.

News by BBC


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Jillian Michaels: Foods That Burn Fat

Daily weight-loss Dose With Jillian Michaels

On 'Daily Dose With Jillian Michaels,' Jillian highlights a few foods that can help dieters burn fat and possibly even boost metabolism. Here's her list.

When you're trying to lose weight, your daily calorie intake is like walking a tightrope: Consume too many calories, and you'll hit a weight-loss plateau or even gain weight, consume too few calories, and your metabolism will stall. And once you slow your metabolism, getting back to your original rate of calorie burning can be tough, if not impossible.

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to keep your metabolism on track and your body burning fat. Although there's only one true way to increase your basal metabolic rate, which is the rate your body naturally burns calories (by increasing your body's muscle mass), the foods you choose can help with the fat-burning process.

In a recent episode of Daily Dose With Jillian Michaels, Jillian and her co-host Janice reviewed a few of the top foods that can help burn fat, thanks to their antioxidants and hormone-regulating properties. Here's a look at a few of Jillian's favorite fat-burning foods.

Green tea: Studies have shown that regular consumption of green tea can moderately promote weight and fat loss. The secret to green tea's fat-burning power is its catechins, the antioxidants in tea that combat free radicals and promote healthy cells. One cup of green tea contains between 50 to 100 milligrams of catechins, and most research shows that you must drink about five cups of green tea every day to see a fat-burning effect.

"It can’t hurt if you just sip it all day," Jillian says. "It keeps you hydrated, and you get all those antioxidants and their cancer-fighting effects."

Omega-3 fatty acids: A daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids, whether through a supplement or a natural source such as salmon, boosts weight-loss efforts when combined with exercise more than exercise alone, a study at the University of South Australia found. Researchers say this is because omega-3s are polyunsaturated fats that can boost fat oxidation, but that exercise is also required to reap this benefit. Studies have shown that just a few servings of fish per week can help with fat loss in lieu of supplementation.

Pistachio nuts: The simple act of swapping pistachios for your other favorite salty snacks has been shown to produce weight loss, with no additional effort required. A recent study also demonstrated that pistachios can improve symptoms of metabolic syndrome, such as blood pressure, insulin levels, and blood glucose levels.

"The other thing about pistachios is that it takes a while to open them up, and it’s going to slow your eating down," Jillian says. "You’re not going to house a giant bag of nuts like you would chips."

Pomegranate:  Both pomegranate and pomegranate oil have been shown to help burn fat in overweight people and reduce inflammation in the body, which can lower risk for heart disease and cancer. Some recent studies have even found that eating pomegranates may help prevent obesity and diabetes in both mice and humans.

"These little guys are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant bombs," Jillian says, "which is great for your overall health." 

News by Everydayhealth

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