Holidays are often considered an occasion for binge eating or drinking. As a result, the brain still craves for more junk foods, and flavored and alcoholic drinks even after holidays end. But scientists may have a solution to your unhealthy cravings. Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center have identified a liver hormone that can suppress the need for sugar and alcohol.
The finding offers a ray of hope to people battling with diabetes, which is rapidly growing to attain the form of an epidemic. At the same time, the growing number of alcoholics is also a big concern today and the finding will do a lot of good to them as well. According to the 2014 report of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 30,700 people died in the U.S. in 2014 from alcohol-induced causes, including alcohol poisoning and cirrhosis. A recent report published in The Washington Post says that more than 9.6 deaths were caused by alcohol per 100,000 people in 2014. It was thus an increase of 37 percent since 2002.
According to a study published in the Journal Cell Metabolism, FGF21 – a hormone produced by liver – works via the brain's reward pathway to control food and alcohol cravings. A team of researchers, led by Dr. Steven Kliewer, a molecular biologist and pharmacologist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, conducted the study on two groups of mice.
One group didn't produce this hormone and the other group produced 500 times more FGF21. The study was carried out by increasing the levels of hormone in the blood stream of mice and taking a sample for tests. The first group ate more sugar and the group with FGF21 hormone consumed lesser amount of it. The elevated level of FGF21 hormone also showed decreased level of dopamine in the brain which further helped in curbing sugar and alcoholic cravings. Dopamine is a powerful neurotransmitter that elevates craving in the absence of FGF21 hormone in the body.
"Our findings raise the possibility that FGF21 administration could affect nutrient preference and other reward behaviors in humans, and that the hormone could potentially be used to treat alcoholism," said Dr. Kliewer. The researchers are now looking for a possibility of creating a vaccine containing the FGF21 hormone. They are assuming that this vaccine can be a savior for addicts as, when injected, the substance would signal the brain to suppress any cravings for alcoholic beverages or sugar treats. This may in turn guide their bodies towards a better way of storing fat.
However, still a number of clinical trials need to be conducted to find the working of FGF21 hormone. More studies can help us understand better how we can look for an alcohol addiction treatment.
The option of alcohol addiction treatment in Floridacan allow patients sobriety, which can make managing personal life and professional life much easier. If you or a loved one is seeking recovery from alcoholism, the Florida alcohol rehabilitation centers can offer treatment plan that suits your individual needs. The Florida Alcohol Addiction Helpline is available 24/7 for any queries and admissions. Call us at 866-220-5381 for more information.
Source : articlesbase.com
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