Scientists in Norway feel botox may be the next big thing in fighting obesity. Botulinum toxin (BTX) is a neurotoxic protein produced by the bacterium clostridium botulinum and related species. It is commercially produced BTX is known as Botox and can help in medical, cosmetic, and research use.
But botox's use may go beyond its current use of smoothening wrinkles, treating migraine, curbing excessive peeing and sweaty armpits.
To study the use of botox in fighting obesity, the researchers injected it into the stomach of around 20 obese people between the age of 35 to 44 years. It basically freezes muscles and is hence helpful in facial treatments. The scientists followed the same drill in the gut to see if the freeze curbs hunger, giving a sense of fullness.
The stomach helps in absorbing minerals, nutrients and calories by contractions and the use of botox slowed down the muscle contraction to 50% causing food to stay longer in the gut. This gave the test subjects a satisfied feeling.
The study group was injected second time after a period of six months. On an average 70% of the people had lost 17% of their body weight i,e. a person weighing 70 kgs had lost 12 kgs. In about a year and a half, the patients lost 30% weight.
When compared to other weight loss surgeries it is said to be less risky because its less invasive and does not require hospital admission. But with the pros there have to be cons too. Long-term effects of using this method are not known yet. This procedure can not help people who are abnormally obese ie; overweight by more than 10-12 kilos. Spills from the injection site can affect other areas negatively.
The further studies to understand the side effects of injected botox are being conducted by scientists at the John Hopkins Institute.
