With nasal spray against obesity?

With nasal spray against obesity? Hormone-containing nasal sprays in use against obesity

02/05/2011

Currently, the use of nasal spray to fight obesity and obesity (obesity) is being researched, medical experts report at the 117th Congress of the German Association of Internal Medicine.

The hormone-containing nasal sprays could potentially simplify the treatment of obesity in the future, according to the hope of the experts at the Congress of the German Association of Internal Medicine. However, so far only in male study participants a significant weight reduction can be found, women were more likely when using the nasal sprays.

Gender differences in food use?
Although the treatment of obesity with a simple nasal spray remains more a wishful thinking than a tangible reality, science as a whole puts great hope in hormone research in the fight against obesity, emphasized the Lübeck physician Sebastian Schmid at the doctors' congress in Wiesbaden. In view of the current studies, the gender-specific differences in food use could play an important role in the future. For the studies with hormone-containing nasal sprays would have revealed significant differences between the male and female study participants. Thus, the men have significantly decreased after several weeks of treatment with insulin-containing nasal sprays, while female participants tend to increase, said Schmid. This suggests that the brain areas that regulate food intake and energy consumption react differently to insulin, depending on gender, the expert explained. However, the researchers can not yet explain why men and women show so different reactions to the hormone-containing nasal spray. However, based on the results available, Schmid offers numerous new research approaches to possible interactions between hormones, brain and eating behavior.

Beware of hormone treatments
The Lübeck-based doctor also assumes that, in view of the current nasal spray studies, hormones could make a significant contribution to overweight in the fight against the widespread disease. However, in the near future, comprehensive research results can not be expected, Schmid explained. The physician also dispelled the hope that a simple nasal spray could be enough to remedy obesity or obesity. The variety of factors that cause the body weight, can not influence so easily, explained the expert. Overall, Schmid prophesied the hormone therapies but good prospects of success for the future.

Critics complain about excessive intervention in the hormone balance
However, there are also considerable reservations about the treatment of hormones in the professional world. Critics warn of possible side effects and condemn the excessive interference with the body's hormone balance. In the past, for example, studies by the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have confirmed the critical position of various experts regarding hormone replacement therapies in menopausal women. The DKFZ was able to clearly demonstrate that 19.4 percent of the more than 3,000 breast cancer cases examined after menopause were due to the administration of hormone preparations. For example, critically minded physicians should exercise particular caution when using hormones, and other options to combat obesity should be used. (Fp)

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