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Pill to make dieters 'feel full' Pill to make dieters 'feel full'
(about 8 hours later)
Italian scientists have developed a pill that expands in the stomach to make dieters feel full.Italian scientists have developed a pill that expands in the stomach to make dieters feel full.
They liken the effect to eating a bowl of spaghetti and say the pill can stop hunger for a few hours.They liken the effect to eating a bowl of spaghetti and say the pill can stop hunger for a few hours.
It is made from a hydrogel, which the team developed when trying to make more absorbent nappy linings, and may help in the battle against obesity.It is made from a hydrogel, which the team developed when trying to make more absorbent nappy linings, and may help in the battle against obesity.
So far it has been tested on 20 people but experts warned bigger trials would be needed to test safety.So far it has been tested on 20 people but experts warned bigger trials would be needed to test safety.
Professor Luigi Ambrosio, lead researcher on the study at Italy's National Research Council, realised when they developed the hydrogel it may have a similar effect to gastric banding - a surgical procedure that reduces the size of the stomach.Professor Luigi Ambrosio, lead researcher on the study at Italy's National Research Council, realised when they developed the hydrogel it may have a similar effect to gastric banding - a surgical procedure that reduces the size of the stomach.
One of our researchers tried the pill - he took it at about 11am and was still full at six in the evening Professor Luigi Ambrosio, study leady One of our researchers tried the pill - he took it at about 11am and was still full at six in the evening Professor Luigi Ambrosio, study leader
The tiny pill is powdery when dry but when swallowed with a glass of water turns to a jelly-like ball in the stomach.The tiny pill is powdery when dry but when swallowed with a glass of water turns to a jelly-like ball in the stomach.
It is made from an organic compound called cellulose so can break down in the body and pass through the digestive system. It is made from an organic compound called cellulose and can be flushed out by the body.
The pill, which has yet to be named, is being tested in a further 90 overweight volunteers who will be monitored to see how much weight they lose and if there are any adverse effects.The pill, which has yet to be named, is being tested in a further 90 overweight volunteers who will be monitored to see how much weight they lose and if there are any adverse effects.
Small portionsSmall portions
Professor Ambrosio said the pill should be taken about 30 minutes to one hour before each meal.Professor Ambrosio said the pill should be taken about 30 minutes to one hour before each meal.
It passes through the digestive system within five to six hours.It passes through the digestive system within five to six hours.
"One of our researchers tried the pill - he took it at about 11am and was still full at six in the evening."One of our researchers tried the pill - he took it at about 11am and was still full at six in the evening.
"It's like eating a bowl of spaghetti.""It's like eating a bowl of spaghetti."
He said people could still eat a meal but would only need small portions.He said people could still eat a meal but would only need small portions.
"We expect the results of the trial in October and they we will try to launch the product in May 2008.""We expect the results of the trial in October and they we will try to launch the product in May 2008."
Professor Paul Hatton, leader of the Biomaterials Research Group at the University of Sheffield said the idea was "intuitive".Professor Paul Hatton, leader of the Biomaterials Research Group at the University of Sheffield said the idea was "intuitive".
"There are plenty of ways of making hydrogels that are safe, they are used in medicines and prostheses."There are plenty of ways of making hydrogels that are safe, they are used in medicines and prostheses.
"It principle it seems possible but there would have to be a lot of safety testing." "In principle it seems possible but there would have to be a lot of safety testing."
Dr David Haslam, clinical director of the National Obesity Forum said there had been products around for many years which had tried to produce a feeling of fullness.Dr David Haslam, clinical director of the National Obesity Forum said there had been products around for many years which had tried to produce a feeling of fullness.
"The theory has been tried and tested in the past but it's not been that successful."The theory has been tried and tested in the past but it's not been that successful.
"We'd need much bigger trials but it's a reasonable enough idea."We'd need much bigger trials but it's a reasonable enough idea.
"However, it would have to be given with the appropriate nutritional advice, you can't live on such tablets.""However, it would have to be given with the appropriate nutritional advice, you can't live on such tablets."