A groundbreaking study reveals that pigs consuming a specially designed vibrating pill before meals reduced their food intake by approximately 40% compared to their counterparts who didn’t ingest the pill. This innovative approach offers hope for tackling obesity-related concerns in the future.
The research, recently published in the journal Science Advances on December 22, details the development and testing of this unique pill. Crafted by a team led by Shriya Srinivasan, an assistant professor of bioengineering at Harvard University, the pill aims to expedite the sensation of fullness, potentially aiding weight loss and appetite control.
Srinivasan elucidated, “Individuals aiming for weight loss or appetite regulation could consider taking this pill before each meal, potentially mitigating side effects commonly associated with other pharmacological treatments.”
The concept behind the pill draws from prior research highlighting vibration’s ability to induce an illusion of muscle stretching. To capitalize on this, the researchers engineered the pill to emulate this effect within stomach muscles, thereby potentially modulating eating patterns and associated hormones. Ensuring the pill’s efficacy and safety, it features a gelatinous coating that dissolves solely in gastric fluid. Once dissolved, it triggers a 30-minute vibrating mechanism, after which pigs naturally excrete the pill.
During rigorous experiments involving 12 Yorkshire pigs, those administered the vibrating pill displayed reduced meal consumption. Furthermore, blood tests indicated diminished levels of ghrelin, commonly referred to as “the hunger hormone,” among these pigs compared to the control group.
Benjamin Terry, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Brigham Young University, expressed astonishment at the pill’s hormonal impact, emphasizing its potential to deceive the body into perceiving satiety post-consumption. Moreover, post-experiment assessments revealed no adverse effects on the pigs’ stomach linings, ensuring the pill’s non-invasive nature.
While the findings instill optimism, researchers underscore the need for human trials to ascertain the pill’s applicability to humans. Notably, the pill’s current size aligns with the Food and Drug Administration’s specifications, although further refinement might be necessary for broader consumer accessibility.
Terry further cautioned that while the pill addresses certain physiological aspects of overeating, other factors like stress, social dynamics, and environmental cues might remain unaddressed. Nevertheless, Srinivasan remains hopeful, envisioning the pill as a cost-effective alternative to pricier obesity interventions, especially benefiting underserved global populations lacking access to sophisticated treatments.
