Some people find it very difficult to avoid eating. But could there be a medical way to help deal with these cravings? Well, apparently zapping obese patients' brains with magnetic pulses for just 30 minutes can kill food cravings and help them lose weight. Researchers say this treatment alters the body's reward system so recipients get less of a buzz form eating.
Early experiments shows 15 half-hour sessions cut volunteers appetites and they shed pounds (maybe I should sign up!!). The latest tests on 40 people in Italy found that just one dose is enough to alter levels of chemicals in the blood linked to food desire.
The controversial treatment - known as Deep Transcrannial Magnetic Stimulation (DTMS) - is already used to treat depression. Now it is being billed as a potential treatment for the one in four adults in the UK who are obese. Further studies are needed to see if one zapping session is enought to actually alter eating behaviour.
The University of Milan study leader, Professor Livio Luzi, said: "DTMA could present a much safer and cheaper alternative to treat obesity compared to drugs or surgery,"
Patients wear a cap fitted with an electromagnet coil, which turns on and off at high speed to fire pulses through the brain. Users feel a slight tapping sensation on their forehead but are able to read magazines or use a smartphone during treatment (oh, please let's find at least one place people are told to put them down!!). The magnetic pulses induce electric currents, which flow across the brain activating neurons in targeted areas.
HMHB finds this all interesting, but surely the nest way to overcome obesity is to provide awareness and knowledge around nutrition and exercise, as well as deal with the mental issues that may be making the person turn to food for comfort. We guess anything that may help the process is great, but obesity is 100% preventable.
No comments:
Post a Comment