Scientists in the US have found a compound that helps with weight loss without harming bones, which is a common problem with strict diets.
Research shows that lowering certain amino acids, which are building blocks of proteins, can help animals lose fat quickly and live longer. However, this often results in weaker bones. A recent study suggests this might not always happen.
The study, published in the journal Aging, was led by Naidu B. Ommi. It looks at whether weight loss and bone damage can be separate. The team studied cysteine, an amino acid that contains sulfur, and glutathione, a molecule important for cell protection and metabolism.
A special diet called SAAR (Sulfur Amino Acid Restriction) reduces amino acids like methionine and cysteine. This diet makes mice lose fat even when eating high-fat food and is linked to a longer life. However, it also weakens bones, reducing their density and increasing fat in the bone marrow.
The researchers tested if the problem was due to cysteine. They used different diets on obese mice, including some with supplements like NAC that increase cysteine and glutathione levels or BSO, which lowers glutathione.
They found that while mice on the SAAR diet lost fat, they also suffered bone damage. Adding NAC helped, which showed that cysteine and glutathione loss caused the damage. BSO helped mice lose weight without affecting bones, suggesting it could be a safer option.
These findings open the possibility of losing weight without damaging bones. However, more research is needed to see how BSO works and if it’s safe for long-term use.
