Scientists say people can lose weight quickly by taking a vibration pill before every meal.
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a capsule the size of a multivitamin that tricks your stomach into thinking it’s full.
Animal studies have shown that pigs that ate the pill 20 minutes before they ate an average of 40 percent less food compared to a control group.
The device has yet to be tested on humans, but researchers say it has a “profound” impact on appetite and may offer a way to “lose weight or control appetite.” They say it also had none of the side effects like nausea and vomiting that occur with Ozempic.
The image above shows how the vibration pill can be used to suppress appetite and stimulate weight loss. It works by vibrating in the stomach and tricking the organ into thinking it is full. Signals are sent to the brain that suppress appetite.
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that vibrations from the device trick the stomach into thinking it is full. Pictured above is the device called the Vibrating Ingestible BioElectronic Stimulator, or VIBES
Dr Shriya Srinivasan, a bioengineering graduate from the university, said: “For someone who wants to lose weight or control their appetite, it can be taken before any meal.”
“This could be very interesting because it would be an option that could reduce the side effects we see with other pharmacological treatments on the market.”
The cost of the device, called VIBES, has yet to be disclosed, but researchers say it could be “very cost-effective” if mass-produced.
Everything you need to know about Ozempic
Obesity drugs could be the pharmaceutical industry’s biggest gold prize ever; Analysts predict profits of more than $100 billion over the next decade.
A month’s supply of Ozempic costs about $800 without insurance, but with insurance coverage, that amount can drop to as little as $25.
Nowadays, a new pill is required after every meal. But researchers say they are also working on a version that can stay in the stomach and be controlled wirelessly.
Once swallowed, the device travels to the stomach where it is activated.
It starts with a gelatinous layer that is broken down by stomach acid, which activates and vibrates the circuit.
This in turn activates the mechanoreceptors in the stomach wall.
Normally, it is only activated when the stomach distends or swells after a large meal.
But the vibrations make her think the stomach has already expanded.
They send signals to the brain via the vagus nerve, causing the organ to release hormones that signal satiety and suppress appetite.
The pill caused the release of the satiety hormone GLP-1 – just like Ozempic, Wegovy and other appetite suppressants.
The receptors in the stomach also send signals to the brain to trigger the release of the hormone C-peptide, which is produced in the pancreas and helps with digestion, and Pyy, which is produced by the intestines and causes a feeling of satiety.
The capsule vibrates in the stomach for about 30 minutes, the researchers said.
In the animal experiments, it took four to five days for it to pass through the intestines and be excreted in the feces.
Wegovy and Ozempic work by making the body produce a hormone called GLP-1, which is naturally released from the intestines after meals.
The chart above shows prescriptions for Ozempic, Wegovy and similar medications per year
For their experiment, they first gave the pigs a plate of food and recorded how much they ate.
In the second case, the animals swallowed the vibration capsule 20 minutes before eating and were then given the same amount of food.
The results showed that after taking the capsule, they ate about 40 percent less on average than if they hadn’t taken the capsule.
Studies of their blood showed that hormones were released that looked like the animals had just eaten, even though they were fasting.
They also gained weight more slowly during the periods they were on the pill.
Dr. Giovanni Traverso, a mechanical engineer involved in the tests, said the capsule’s effect on appetite was “significant.”
“We have the potential to address some of the challenges and costs associated with delivering biologics,” he said.
Dr. Srinivasan added, “For many populations, some of the more effective treatments for obesity are very expensive.”
“On a large scale, our device can be manufactured at a fairly cost-effective price.”
“I would love to see how this will change the care and treatment of people in global health who may not have access to some of the more advanced or expensive options available today.”
Weight loss medications like Ozempic have become increasingly popular in recent years because they can help you lose weight with just one weekly injection.
Data shows there were more than four million prescriptions for Ozempic, Wegovy and similar drugs in 2022 – more than double the less than 1.5 million prescriptions the year before.
The study was published in the journal Science Advances.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
