Insidermedicine in 60 - June 20, 2008

From the UK - Some obese people may eat more because their bodies are genetically programmed to do so. Researchers studied the food intake of 150 people, and found that those with a variant in the FTO gene ate between 120 and 290 calories per day more than those without the variant. Due to this genetic factor, it may be more difficult for some obese people to control their intake.

From Washington - After much deliberation, an FDA advisory panel has recommended the use of Enbrel in children with moderate to severe psoriasis. The advisory panel, which voted 7 to 5 in favor of approval, stated that while the drug appears to be effective, some concerns remain about whether it increases the risk of malignancy and infections such as tuberculosis.

And finally, from New York - The performance boost that athletes receive from taking growth hormone supplements may actually be the result of a placebo effect. Researchers randomly assigned 64 athletes to receive either growth hormone or an inactive placebo for 8 weeks. The athletes that believed they were taking growth hormone actually demonstrated improvement in their physical performance, despite the fact that they had taken a placebo.

For Insidermedicine in 60, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• obesity
• overweight
• genes
• fto
• food
• overeating
• fda
• enbrel
• psoriasis
• clemens
• pettite
• growth
• hormone
• sports
• doping
• olympics