SRT1720, a Potential New Weight Loss Drug

I recently read a short story in AOL news which prompted me to check into a new drug known as SRT1720. This drug is supposed to promote weight loss with no diet or exercise involved. I learned from Science Daily that SRT1720 is in the research stages at the University of Louis Pasteur in France. Studies on mice have shown promising results.

SRT1720 has been shown to protect mice against weight gain and insulin resistance. Apparently the drug tricks the body into burning off fat by targeting the protein known as SRT1. According to Science Daily, this protein then "shifts the metabolism into a fat burning mode that normally takes over only when energy levels are low".

A similar reaction has been observed through resveratrol, a chemical found in red wine. "SRT1720 holds promise as it did prevent excessive weight gain and improved endurance, and appears to be an advance over resveratrol as it is 1000 times more potent." This according to EmaxHealth.

Yohan Auwerx, of Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Laussane, one of the researchers involved with SRT1720 said, "SRT1720 made the animals run twice as long". He feels that, "the central metabolic protein is responsible for about 80% of the picture".

Science Daily also reports that further weight loss evidence was found, pointing to the fact that SRT1720 may act as a "calorie restriction mimetic that favors the use of fat stores by promoting the modification of multiple SIRT1 targets". In other words, for us laymen, SRT1720 can work on more than one thing at at a time.

According to Science Daily, researchers came across no significant side effects of SRT1720, however further studies may reveal more about this issue. I hope this new drug, SRT1720, like many other weight loss drugs will not be approved in all the excitement, then found later to have adverse effects.

I may be a little old fashioned, but prefer to take these findings on SRT1720 with the proverbial grain of salt. Keep in mind that no SIGNIFICANT side effects have been reported for this potential weight loss drug. When it is my body something goes into, I like to know about the insignificant ones as well.

The best rule on new weight loss developments such as SRT1720, in my opinion is to wait out the research, then give it about 2-3 years on the market. That seems to be when we really find out about the side effects. Unfortunately some people pay the ultimate price to be the first lose weight by trying a new medication like SRT1720.

SRT1720 may be the miracle cure for people with diabetes and those who are forced to lead a sedentary life. Meanwhile, the best weight loss choice for all of us is to continue our regimen of a balanced diet and regular exercise. It may be old fashioned, but it is also weight control as mother nature intended. No shortcuts, just common sense, burn more calories than you consume and stay healthy.

Sources :

Science Daly

Emax Health

AOL News

Personal opinion