Obesity has become a major problem in this new world of fast food convenience and pre-packaged nirvana. With the worldwide number of overweight people closing in on 2 billion, the medical community is looking for new and inventive ways to help those billions to control hunger and lose weight – without those dangerous stimulant drugs.

One of the latest ideas? Chewing gum. Scientists at Syracuse University have been investigating the role of a hormone called human peptide YY (hPYY) that seems to play a major role in signaling the brain that we are full. After finding success with injecting the hormone to control appetite, the researchers sought to find a way to provide the hormone orally, thereby eliminating painful injections. Unfortunately, the hormone is quickly destroyed by powerful stomach acid well before it can enter the bloodstream.

Based on earlier research involving an oral insulin-delivery system, the scientists found that by attaching hPYY to vitamin B12 they are able to fast-track the hormone through the digestive system and into the bloodstream, where it can work to curb hunger.

The newest idea they are examining is putting the hormone into a tasty chewing gum, thereby making it more palatable and giving the user a satisfying chewing action while suppressing the appetite. This sounds promising!

Source: http://www.grannymed.com/news/products/coming-soon-chewing-gum-as-an-appetite-suppressant