How to cure obesity? Food supplements are arriving
All the news that emerged at the latest congress of the European Association for the Study of Obesity (Easo)
ROME – Over 50% of adults in Europe suffer from obesity, with peaks in the over 60s and a still growing trend. The percentages are also very high in children and adolescents all over the world. Size XXL? Try bikini in smoke? This is not the problem. At the congress of the European Association for the Study of Obesity (Easo) which is taking place at the Lido of Venice in recent days, the most advanced trends on this delicate topic are being discussed. Overweight and obesity exponentially increase the risk of chronic diseases, the association explains in a statement: from cardiovascular diseases to type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and even cancer. Not to mention the psychological repercussions, first of all depression. Not just women, men and children.
EVEN DOMESTIC ANIMALS: 10 MILLIONS SUFFER FROM IT
The four-legged ‘new children’ who have become fully part of our families are also suffering from it. Global estimates report that around half of our dogs and cats suffer from overweight or obesity: a heavy army of around 10 million, to stay only in Italy, they explain from Easo. A separate space to treat eating disorders. Numerous moments for experts to discuss new therapies, those to act early on risk factors, and those to intervene in already established situations. If, in fact, the excellent therapy is done by a combination of diet and physical exercise, the miracle does not always happen; even when the patient is sufficiently compliant, the journey is long and the result is not always long-lasting.
FROM DRUGS TO FOOD SUPPLEMENTS
To help patients in their efforts to lose weight, numerous interventions have been developed in recent years:from drugs active on the pancreas (such as GLP-1 receptor agonists) to food supplements. Two innovations come from olive oil, both the result of Italian scientific research. The studies – presented at the European Congress on Obesity underway at the Lido of Venice – concern compounds naturally present in extra virgin olive oil (EVO). Both come from the Department of Pharmacy of the Federico II University of Naples. The first highlighted the beneficial effect of an antioxidant compound in olive oil (hydroxytyrosol) in chronic liver disease associated with obesity. What has an effect is not hydroxytyrosol alone, but the association with Pearut, a patented composition of Pea, a lipid substance in our body, and Rutin, another powerful antioxidant of plant origin.
THE EXPERTS
This trio protects against the development of fatty liver disease induced by a fatty diet and exerts a synergistic effect against the fearful oxygen free radicals. Professor Rosaria Meli, coordinator of the research group, explains that “these are important confirmations for a nutraceutical already available, above all because it supports its ability to counteract not only damage to the liver, but also inflammation at the nerve level, neuroinflammation, which supports peripheral neuropathy in patients with Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome”. Doctor Claudio Pirozzi, from the same research group, talks about the second study. “In this case – he explains – we used a mixture of substances derived from extra virgin olive oil and known as Olaliamid. The discovery is that this mixture reduces metabolic inflammation linked to obesity and reprograms adipose tissue cells In particular, it transforms them from a fat accumulation reservoir into energy-burning power plants. Not only is weight loss stimulated, but also the reduction of inflammation linked to obesity and its damage. secondary”.
