Fluoxetine's effect on weight loss in obese subjects
Article Abstract:
Drug therapies for obesity have not been as successful as those for high blood pressure and high blood levels of cholesterol. Research has shown that serotonin, an important neurotransmitter (a hormone that facilitates transmission of nerve signals) with many effects, can affect carbohydrate craving, caloric intake, and other eating behaviors. Fluoxetine is an antidepressant that increases the availability to serotonin at its sites of action. Fluoxetine is more selective than other antidepressants and has the potential to affect eating behavior and weight. The effectiveness of fluoxetine was compared with that of placebo (inert) treatment in a study of 45 obese subjects who were also given dietary counseling. By the last clinic visit in the year-long study, 14 subjects using fluoxetine and 16 subjects using placebo treatments remained. Compared with initial weight, significant amounts of weight were lost in week 1 by the fluoxetine group and by week 3 by the placebo group. Fluoxetine subjects had lost significantly more weight by week 21, and the maximum weight was lost by week 29. Fluoxetine subjects, on average, then regained weight, and this continued through the final visit. Placebo subjects had no significant regain. Both groups at the final visit had a significant weight loss compared with the initial visit, with the fluoxetine group losing 18 pounds and the placebo group losing 10 pounds. The difference between the groups was not significant, however. Weight losses of subjects who remained in the entire study showed the same pattern. Weight regain in the fluoxetine subjects tended to be greater the greater the initial weight loss. Both groups reported adverse effects such as loss of appetite, diarrhea, or fatigue, but the frequency of these effects was not significantly different between groups. The study indicates that fluoxetine effectively aids weight loss for six months. Significant weight regain can then occur despite continued use of the drug, and further research will be needed to identify the biological and behavioral factors contributing to weight regain. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9165
Year: 1991
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Water volume and consumption time: influence on the glycemic and insulinemic responses in non-insulin-dependent diabetic subjects
Article Abstract:
Patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) are treated with either diet alone or diet and hypoglycemic medications (which lower blood sugar). Recently, there has been much interest in factors that might improve the levels of blood glucose and insulin following a meal; these potentially useful factors include the source of carbohydrate in the meal, the fiber content, and the way the foods are prepared. Two other factors that might affect the blood sugar and insulin response to a meal are the amount of water consumed with the meal and time period for eating. These two factors were investigated in 10 men and women with NIDDM. During a period of six weeks, each subject ate the three test meals, which consisted of the same amounts of rye bread, butter and tomatoes. The meals differed in that one included 20 ounces of water and the other two included only 3 ounces of water; also, the latter two meals were eaten over periods of 10 and 30 minutes, respectively. Blood glucose and insulin levels were measured after the meals. It was found that neither the amount of water consumed nor the speed of eating had a significant effect upon blood sugar and insulin levels. This suggests that these factors are not important, and diabetics should not be told to follow any specific habits regarding volume of water or rate of eating a meal. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9165
Year: 1990
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