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New pill may outperform semaglutide for weight loss and fat burning
Fox News • • health
Key Points:
- Researchers at UC Berkeley identified an oral compound, TOFA, that caused an average 18% weight loss in obese mice by increasing energy expenditure rather than suppressing appetite.
- TOFA works by blocking enzymes involved in lipid production and activating genes related to fat burning, leading to higher energy use without reducing activity or causing harmful temperature increases.
- When combined with existing obesity drugs like semaglutide or tirzepatide, TOFA enhanced weight loss and improved metabolic markers more than either drug alone, and mice maintained weight loss better after treatment ended.
- The compound also showed promise in reducing liver fat, inflammation, and fibrosis in mouse models of fatty liver disease without raising blood triglyceride levels, a common side effect of similar drugs.
- Study limitations include testing only on male mice and unknown safety or efficacy in humans; experts urge caution due to potential complex side effects and emphasize obesity’s multifactorial nature.
