Vic: New fat busting pill being developed by Aust scientists

AAP General News (Australia)
04-03-2004
Vic: New fat busting pill being developed by Aust scientists

A fat busting pill which mimics the effect exercise has on the body is being developed
by Australian scientists.

Scientists at St Vincent's Institute in Melbourne say the fat pill could be taken by
obese people who are unable to exercise effectively.

St Vincent's Institute director TOM KAY says about a decade ago scientist BRUCE KEMP
and his team discovered a protein inside cells which works as a fuel gauge.

He says the protein regulates how food is burnt up in the body to do useful work.

Exercise is one of the things that helps to effectively use food and exercise activates
the protein that's been discovered.

Professor KAY says they are trying to discover drugs which will activate this process
in exactly the same way exercise does.

AAP RTV kw/gfr/cd/wz/as

KEYWORD: FAT (MELBOURNE)

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