Leptin Discovery Gets Scientists A Million Dollars

the two professors will receive $500,000 dollars each

Many believe that the reason why people become obese is due to their lack of willpower. This assumption was recently challenged by two eminent scientists, Professor Jeffrey Friedman and Professor Douglas Coleman who conducted research which made clear that a hormone called leptin plays big part in regulating appetite. The professors who had researched separately but whose work led to the understanding of the chemical process involved in appetite regulation, calorie burning and fat storage have been recognised for their research by being awarded the much coveted Shaw Prize.

The Shaw Prize for Life Sciences and Medicine is often referred to as the Nobel Prize of the East and the two professors will receive $500,000 dollars each. Mr. Yang Chen-ning, who is the chairman of the Shaw Prize organizing committee said that this research could show that willpower was not the “root of the problem of obesity” but that in fact the problem was far more of a chemical process.

It is hoped that the research will be used by scientists to develop treatments for diabetics and also women who have problems with menstruation which is also linked to weight problems. Leptin is a compound which is not fully understood but scientists say that if it can be controlled effectively it could be the answer to obesity problems in the future.

At Ukmedix News we believe that while genes can play a significant part in the regulation of weight, overweight people must not be fatalistic about their weight problems and realise that even if that their genes are loaded against them they can still lose weight and take control of their lives.

Alot of the research into obesity presently going on is involved with genetic patterns. Scientists have identified many genes which are prevalent in overweight and obese individuals and have noted that the majority of them deal with psychological influences rather than physical. Many scientists also believe that the way forward for weight loss is genetic treatment rather than anything else.