A groundbreaking study conducted at McMaster University has shed light on the hormone GDF15, previously associated with reduced appetite due to metformin use, and its potential to aid in weight loss by supporting metabolism during dieting. These findings not only hold promise for improved weight loss therapies but also offer insights into the individual variances in dieting success.
Led by Professor Gregory Steinberg and postdoctoral research fellow Dongdong Wang, the research team has uncovered a crucial mechanism for promoting weight loss and sustaining calorie burn during dieting. Their investigation focused on GDF15, a hormone that had previously demonstrated appetite reduction in response to the type 2 diabetes drug metformin. Published on June 28 in the prestigious journal Nature, their latest discoveries highlight the potential of GDF15 in facilitating weight loss.
This research opens up new possibilities for assisting individuals in maintaining weight loss after dieting. Additionally, it paves the way for the development of combination therapies utilizing GDF15 and existing appetite-suppressing drugs to further promote weight loss. Given that obesity affects approximately one billion people worldwide and is associated with various metabolic disorders, effective weight loss methods have long been a focal point of scientific investigation.
According to Steinberg, “Our study has revealed that GDF15 prevents the metabolic slowdown that typically occurs during dieting by stimulating calcium futile cycling in muscle in mice.” As a professor in McMaster University’s Department of Medicine and co-director of the Centre for Metabolism, Obesity, and Diabetes Research, he explains that “Our research not only emphasizes GDF15’s potential in reducing cravings for fatty foods but also in simultaneously enhancing energy expenditure in muscle.”
While initial calorie restriction leads to weight loss, the body eventually slows down this process, diminishing its efficacy. However, the research team observed that mice treated with GDF15 continued losing weight while consuming the same number of calories as the control group. This increase in energy expenditure primarily occurred in their muscles rather than in adipose tissue.
Steinberg emphasizes that further research is required to validate these findings in humans. He suggests that comprehending the impact of GDF15 levels on muscle energy expenditure in humans could provide insights into the diverse outcomes individuals experience when attempting to lose weight through dieting.
Moreover, future investigations into GDF15 may unlock new strategies for assisting individuals who struggle with weight loss using conventional diets. It may also extend the benefits of recently approved appetite-suppressing drugs that target the GLP1 receptor.
This study on the influence of GDF15 on weight loss was conducted through collaboration with Novo Nordisk and researchers from Ottawa, Waterloo, Sherbrooke, Beijing, and Guelph.
Funding for this research was provided in part by Diabetes Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and Novo Nordisk.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about weight loss hormone
What is GDF15 and how does it relate to weight loss?
GDF15 is a hormone that has been found to play a role in weight loss. It has previously been associated with reduced appetite due to the use of the diabetes drug metformin. Recent research suggests that GDF15 can also help with weight loss by maintaining metabolism during dieting.
How can GDF15 help with weight loss?
The research conducted at McMaster University has shown that GDF15 can prevent the slowing down of metabolism that typically occurs during dieting. By ramping up calcium futile cycling in muscle, GDF15 increases energy burning in the muscles, leading to continued weight loss even when consuming the same number of calories.
What are the implications of this research?
The findings open new possibilities for weight loss therapies and offer insights into individual variations in dieting success. They also suggest the potential for developing combination therapies that utilize GDF15 along with currently available appetite-suppressing drugs, further promoting weight loss.
Is this research applicable to humans?
While the initial research was conducted on mice, further studies are needed to confirm these findings in humans. Understanding how GDF15 levels impact muscle energy burning in humans may explain why people experience diverse levels of success in losing weight through dieting.
Who funded this research?
This research was funded in part by Diabetes Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and Novo Nordisk. The collaboration between McMaster University, Novo Nordisk, and researchers from various institutions contributed to the comprehensive exploration of GDF15’s impact on weight loss.
More about weight loss hormone
- Nature: “GDF15 promotes weight loss by enhancing energy expenditure in muscle”
- McMaster University: “GDF15 Powers Calorie Burn During Dieting”
- Diabetes Canada
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research
- Novo Nordisk
5 comments
This research is so important cuz it helps us undrstand y diff ppl hav diff results wen it comes 2 dieting. GDF15 might b a missing piece in da puzzle! #research #individualvariation
Finally, some new insights on weight loss! GDF15 sounds like a promisin hormone dat could make a real difference. Hope they find ways 2 help ppl who struggle with diets. #weightlossjourney
I herd bout GDF15 b4 but didn’t kno it cud help wth weight loss! dis is amazin news!! I hope they do more research on it soon! #metabolism #dieting
wow dis is so cool! gdf15 seems like a real game changer for w8 loss! can’t wait 2 c if it workz in humans 2! #weightloss #excitingresearch
GDF15 + appetite-suppressing drugs = a power combo 4 weight loss! Excited 2 c if this leads 2 new therapies dat can really make a impact. #weightloss #combinationtherapy