A new study finds that a noninvasive electromagnetic brain stimulation technique helps obese people lose weight, partly by changing the composition of their intestinal bacteria -- the so-called gut microbiota. Results of the technique, called deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS), will be presented Sunday at ENDO 2017, the Endocrine Society's 99th annual meeting in Orlando, Fla.

This study expands on the researchers' previous finding that dTMS reduced food cravings and induced weight loss in obese individuals. Unlike deep brain stimulation, dTMS does not need an operation or implantation of electrodes. Instead, an electromagnetic coil is placed on the scalp and sends magnetic pulses to stimulate specific deep regions of the brain. Currently approved in the U.S. for treating major depression, dTMS is being studied in some countries for the treatment of other neuropsychiatric disorders, especially addiction.

"We need new safe and effective therapies for obesity," said principal investigator Livio Luzi, M.D., professor and head of endocrinology at the IRCCS Policlinico San Donato and the University of Milan in Milan, Italy. "Despite numerous preventive and therapeutic interventions, none has stopped obesity from reaching epidemic proportions."

An underlying cause of obesity may be an impaired gut microbiota composition, an imbalance in the complex mix of beneficial and harmful microorganisms that inhabit the digestive tract. Luzi said scientists now know that an impaired gut microbiota can alter the brain's signals for appetite and satiety, or fullness. He and his co-workers studied whether dTMS could improve the gut microbiota composition in obese persons and, if so, by what underlying mechanisms.

In their study, funded by the Italian Ministry of Health, the investigators recruited three men and 11 women, ages 22 to 65, with obesity as shown by a body mass index (BMI) of 30 to 45 kg/m2. They randomly assigned the study subjects to two groups for five weeks to receive 15 sessions -- three times per week -- of either dTMS (to the insula and prefrontal cortex deep in the brain) or a sham stimulation as a control. Before and at the end of treatment, subjects provided stool samples for microbiota analysis.

The research team also measured blood levels of glucose (sugar), insulin, pituitary gland hormones and neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine. Pituitary hormones play a key role in regulating appetite, and recent research shows that norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters affect microbiota composition, Luzi said.

After five weeks of treatment, subjects receiving dTMS lost more than 3 percent of their body weight and more than 4 percent of their fat -- significantly more than controls did, Luzi reported.

Results of the fecal analysis demonstrated that, after five weeks, dTMS-treated subjects had greatly increased quantities of several beneficial bacterial species with anti-inflammatory properties, such as are found in healthy people. The control group, however, had no clinically relevant alterations in their microbiota composition, Luzi said. He also reported that changes in the abundance of other bacterial species correlated with improvement of metabolic and hormonal parameters, including glucose, insulin, several pituitary hormones and norepinephrine.

"These changes suggest a beneficial effect of dTMS on both weight loss and change in microbiota composition," Luzi said. "Our research shows the innovative ability of dTMS in exerting anti-obesity effects through alteration of the gut-brain axis."

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Magnetic brain stimulation causes weight loss by making gut ... - Science Daily

A new study shows that a person'sgut microbiota can be positively altered through non-invasive transcranial magnetic stimulation (Credit: TLFurrer/Depositphotos)

For several years now, researchers have been building on a series of studies that have displayed links between non-invasive, deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) and reduced food cravings. Now, for the first time, research has shown that dTMS can fundamentally alter the composition of gut microbiota, resulting in both weight loss and general improvements in other metabolic and hormonal factors.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation has shown promise in recent years for a variety of applications, from boosting memory function to treating migraines. The technique involves firing magnetic pulses into particular regions of the brain to alter the activity of certain neurons. The process is currently approved for use in the United States to treat major depression.

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Following on from studies that showed how an imbalance in gut bacteria altered the brain signals for appetite, a team at the IRCCS Policlinico San Donato and University of Milan set out to examine how dTMS could effect the composition of a subject's gut microbiota.

The study involved 14 subjects split into two groups. One group received 15 dTMS sessions over five weeks, targeting the insula and prefrontal cortex, while the other group was the control, receiving a sham simulation.

As well as analyzing the subjects' gut microbiota through stool samples both before and after the trial, the team measured blood levels of insulin, pituitary gland hormones, glucose and a neurotransmitter called norepinephrine, which is known to affect microbiota composition.

The research team noted significant differences between the dTMS subjects and the control group after five weeks, with the dTMS subjects losing more than three percent of their total body weight and more than four percent of their fat.

Most interestingly, the stool samples showed that the dTMS subjects had greatly altered gut microbiota composition, including higher levels of several beneficial bacteria associated with anti-inflammatory properties and a general improvement in certain hormonal parameters. The control group receiving the sham stimulations were noted as having no clinically relevant changes in any of these areas.

"These changes suggest a beneficial effect of dTMS on both weight loss and change in microbiota composition," says Professor Livio Luzi, head of the research. "Our research shows the innovative ability of dTMS in exerting anti-obesity effects through alteration of the gut-brain axis."

The "gut-brain axis" is hot area of research at the moment, with scientists discovering the degree of interaction between brain function and gut bacteria to be significantly more complex and comprehensive than previously known. This is the first time researchers have shown that the gut microbiota can be altered through magnetic brain stimulation and it paves the way for fascinating new therapeutic interventions to battle obesity in the future.

The research will be presented on Sunday April 9th at ENDO 2017, the Endocrine Society's 99th annual meeting.

Source: The Endocrine Society

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LEVL promises a simpler way of measuring body weight

Trying to lose a significant amount of weight is a long, daunting process, the most frustrating part of which might be hitting a plateau where, even despite your best efforts, the number on the scale doesnt seem to budge. Were often told that number doesnt paint a complete portrait of our health, but its difficult to know just how much fat were losing. A company calledLEVL is hoping to demystify fat loss with their breathalyzer-like device called LEVLhome. The device works by measuring the amount of acetone in the breath, which is an indicator of how much fat the body is burning. The higher the amount of acetone, the more fat burning is occurring, according to the company.

LEVLhome has been in development for the past seven years and according the company is built on fifty years of breath science research. The device came to the market for fitness and wellness experts in 2016 and was recently introduced to consumers in 2017.

At a hefty $699, though, the device will be out of reach of many who might benefit most from it. LEVLhome also requires replacement sensors and calibration gas that cost an additional $49 a month. Currently, the device is only available in the Seattle area where the company is headquartered, though a nationwide retail rollout is expected this year.

LEVL

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This Fat-Measuring Breathalyzer Makes Weight Loss Less Confusing - PSFK (subscription)

Being overweight or obese at some point in adulthood may increase the risk of early death, a new study finds.

The findings contradict the so-called "obesity paradox," a phenomenon seen in previous studies in which overweight people seemed to have a reduced risk of early death compared to those who were of normal weight.

But these prior studies relied on weight measurements at a single point in time, which meant the studies couldn't determine if being overweight was really protective against early death, or if a lower weight was a signal that a person was sick and near death. The new study found that when researchers looked at people's weight over many years, the obesity paradox was reversed.

The new finding is "important from a public health perspective, given that about one-third of adults in the U.S. and more than a quarter of the world's population is overweight," study author Edward Yu, a graduate student at the Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health in Boston, said in a statement. "This is more reason why people should follow a healthy lifestyle and try to keep a normal weight," Yu said. [The Best Way to Lose Weight Safely]

The study analyzed information from more than 225,000 U.S. adults who took part in three large studies. Every two years, participants were surveyed on their body weight, health problems, smoking habits, physical activity and diet.

The researchers used information on participants' height and weight to calculate their body mass index (BMI) over a 16-year period, then determined their highest or "maximum" BMI during this period. The participants were followed for another 12 years, on average. (At the start of this 12-year follow-up period, most participants were in their 50s or 60s.)

During the follow-up period, more than 32,500 participants died. Those who had a maximum BMI in the overweight range (from 25.0 to 29.9) were 6 percent more likely to die during the follow-up period compared with those who had a maximum BMI in the normal weight range (from 18.5 to 24.9).

What's more, those who had a maximum BMI in the obese range (from 30 to 34.9) or severely obese range (35 or above) were 24 percent to 70 percent more likely to die during the follow-up period, compared to those in the normal weight range.

"The obesity paradox has always been something that we've questioned," said Dr. Vincent Pera, director of weight management at the Miriam Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island, who was not involved in the new study.

This new research has a number of strengths over prior studies, including that it gathered data on participants' weight throughout the study and didn't ask participants to think back to what they weighed at some point in the past, Pera said. As a result, the authors were able to make their conclusion in a valid way, Pera said.

Still, additional studies could further examine the link between obesity and risk of early death, he said. For example, researchers could look at whether the duration of a person's obesity affects the individual's risk of death, Pera said.

Overall, studies like the current one can help doctors convey to their patients the importance of controlling their weight, Pera said. "When studies like this seem to align with what, at least, the clinical picture [of obesity] seems to show, I think we feel more confident in speaking to patients about weight control and the benefits of weight control," he said.

The study was published today (April 3) in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.

Original article on Live Science.

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About-Face on 'Obesity Paradox': Extra Fat Does Raise Risk of Death - Live Science

Do you have plans to lose weight? Are you finding it difficult to shed those extra pounds? Heres a mind-blowing way to lose weight naturally.

Striving to lose weight demands more efforts and time, but the main issue is a lack of time. Do you have insufficient time? Despite being necessary, bustling lifestyle doesnt allow to spare time to go gym or opting to diet.

Sticking to a strict diet plan becomes quite challenging, but adopting a lifestyle that supports weight loss is like childs play. Participate in specific lifestyle and make it your habit to stay healthy.

Take a glance into these fitness tips which would greatly help you in losing weight naturally.

Say hello to H2O and prepare your body to lose weight. Yes, this is possible! Scientific fact says that drinking 17 oz of water boosts up the calorie-burning procedure by 24-30% for an hour.

Water consumption is directly linked up with the weight loss. Being a necessity for our body, water produces energy which can be used for burning calories and fats.

Replace all the beverages you intake with water in order to increase its consumption. Also, it oozes out toxins from our body through sweats. As you sweat, water reduces from the body. So it is essential to keep hydrated.

While running out of time, people tend to gobble their food. As a result, you dont realize how much you ate and end up gulping food.

If you eat slowly, food can be chewed thoroughly. Properly chewed food leads to proper digestion.

Finishing up a meal quickly leads to weight gains, so it is mandatory to eat slowly by chewing it completely in order to avoid weight gaining.

Make a habit to eat in smaller portions but eat frequently. This can be done by shifting to the small plates. Yes, it would greatly affect weight loss by giving you an idea of the portion sizes. This technique would give you a perception that you ate more and would stop for more calorie intake.

Leafy greens are packed with the goodness of nutrients. They are the best foods for weight loss as they have a minimal amount of calories. They are highly responsible for increasing metabolism. It can help you to cut down unhealthy fats from the body.

Refined sugar is not promising for weight loss as it lacks nutrition. Instead, it brings in unnecessary calories which are very harmful to the body. Additionally, it suppresses the immune systems, raises insulin levels, promotes glycation and it raises inflammation. It is highly responsible for contributing to diabetes.

This doesnt mean you should avoid sugar consumption. Refined sugar is harmful and not the natural ones. Rather, you should find an alternative option to consume natural sugars such as fruits or substitute refined sugar with the honey which promotes to lose weight.

It is obvious to be active along with healthy food intake. Daily activities can help you lose weight effectively, naturally and rapidly. These activities might be a walk for 30 minutes or yoga for a few minutes or playing any sports.

You may adopt a habit to start with a simple movement and continue to be active throughout the day such as saying no lift to climb up through stairs, walking and talking on a cellphone.

Protein has a powerful impact on our body. It improves metabolism which helps in burning calories and fats.

Fiber aids in digestion and it reduces several health issues as it controls blood sugar levels, reduces blood pressure and inflammation

Moreover, protein and fiber both has the power to make you feel fuller which apparently reduces hunger and consumption of the calories. Protein rich foods are eggs, fish, chicken breasts, lentils, almonds, Greek yogurt and quinoa. Whereas fiber rich foods are oats, cereals, asparagus, oranges, flax seeds, beans and much more. Try incorporating all these superfoods in your food list and lose weight painlessly.

If you find it difficult to adopt the taste of these superfoods, another option is to get ready-to-eat healthy products available online

Youd be wondering how can sleeping work wonders to lose weight. Correct? Let me tell you the power of having enough sleep. If you sleep for enough time, then it is easy to lose weight.

Regardless of how conscious you are for health through workouts or proper diet plans; insufficient sleep can ultimately turn out to be difficult to lose weight naturally.

Ensure you take a good night sleep of at least 7-8 hours.

Final words

Weight loss is a crucial task that needs smartness, so what are you waiting for? Dont restraint your calorie intake, but eat healthily. Play smartly by considering these tips and tweak your lifestyle to achieve goals of losing weight.

Photo: Getty Images

Henry Veno is a content marketer at VoucherShops, a leading online vouchers providing website. He is a thought leader in the realm of content marketing and strategy and relishes inditing about Technology, Marketing & perpetual Industry trends. Hes a techy geek and loves to explore latest happenings.

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8 Fitness Tips to Lose Weight Naturally - The Good Men Project (blog)