by Tanya Zilberter, PhD
To better understand why Cholecystokinin is a good news, let's see what was available OTC so far.
Let's see what was available OTC so far.
In 1985, the Federation Proceedings journal (part 1,139-44) published a reviewof appetite suppressing methods where the authors stated: "The regulation of appetite is a complex process that we are just beginning to understand."
I was pleased to learn that finally there's a progress in the understanding. I have been in appetite research since 1970s and every once in awhile, scientific reviewers announced that one thing or another about appetite regulation was "better understood." Notwithstanding, now that we are in 21st century, we are still "beginning to understand." It was always well understood, however, that drugs suppressing appetite by directly affecting the brain were bad:
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"All available anorectic drugs act by central mechanisms and have
several disadvantages including limited effectiveness, side effects on
the central nervous system, the development of tolerance, abuse
potential, and rebound hyperphagia on discontinuance." (Ibid)
Nevertheless, look at the pharmacy isles of grocery stores - there are rows and rows of these exact amphetamine-like drugs that are so bad for you. Over-the-counter amphetamine substitutes (phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride, ephedrine,pseudoephedrine, caffeine) are used widely as cold medicine, diet agents, and "legal stimulants."
The therapeutic effectiveness of phenylpropanolamineis low, and severe increase in blood pressure may occur after intake ofless than three times the therapeutic dose. Among side effects of phenylpropanolamineare brain abnormalities (encephalopathy) or internal brain bleeding (intracerebralhemorrhage) reportedly leading to quite a few death cases (New England Journalof Medicine. 308(11):653, 1983)
Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine may alsocause hypertension, as well as cardiac arrhythmias. Side effects from caffeineare agitation, seizures, fast heart beat cardiac arrhythmias, and high bloodpressure. (JAMA. 252(14):1898-903, 1984 )
Recently the Pennington BiomedicalResearch Center, Baton Rouge, LA, published an article "Double-blind, randomized,placebo-controlled clinical trials with non-prescription medications forthe treatment of obesity," where the authors came to the conclusion: "Pseudoephedrineis not effective for weight loss, and that adding benzocaine to phenylpropanolamineincreases adverse effects without increasing weight loss."
Now a good newsSeveral appetite-modulating methods have been tested in animals thatwork not on the brain level but through by peripheral mechanisms and do notproduce tolerance or rebound overeating, which suggests that peripherallyacting appetite decreasing drugs may provide sound therapeutic approachesto appetite regulation in humans.
Cholecystokinin (CCK) on shelves.Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a peptide hormone well known for its strongregulatory properties. It controls bile secretion (hence its name,) stomachand intestinal movements - along with many more functions including, as you'llsee later, mental sanity!
Rats genetically lacking CCK develop obesity,hyperglycemia, and diabetes. (American Journal of Physiology. 274(3 Pt 2):R618-25,1998)
Evidence that CCK participates in the control of meal size (evenin very hungry subjects) is compelling and participation of brain CCK incontrol of food intake is acknowledged (Neuropeptides. 33(5):387-99, 1999)
One of mechanisms of CCK action is thought to be through slowing thegastric emptying (American Journal of Physiology. 276(2 Pt 1):G550-5, 1999)
At least19 clinical studies demonstrating the satiating effect ofcholecystokinin in humans. The synthetic peptide-analog of cholecystokinin(CCK-8) was shown to inhibits food intake in non-obese men and women, andin obese men. CCK-8 significantly reduced the meal size: people stopped eatingsooner with CCK-8 than without. Important was that meal frequency remainedunchanged, so the dieters were able to maintain healthy meal patterns. Noovert side effects were reported. (Physiology & Behavior. 60(1):273-5,1996)
Not only CCK has no side effects, but it is a well known for an amazingly broad spectrum of its therapeutic properties.
Look at some of medical journal articles' headlines:
Did you know that CCK is sold as a supplement? Yes, CCK announced a new weight loss product (Health News. 6(6):7, 2000 Jun. 20323842) Where can CCK be found? Pinnacle CCK is a fractionized and standardized preparation of the hormone Cholecystokin (CCK). If you want to reduce your appetite and control you're food intake, without the side effects associated withother appetite suppressants, CCK is a deal. It is a genuine boon for chronic dieters and athletes striving forcompetetition-level body fat. |
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