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A gut hormone was recently discovered that suppresses appetite, leading to weight loss and reduced blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which could be beneficial for overweight or obese patients.

Glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone secreted from the intestine while eating, is used as a treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes who need help regulating their blood sugar levels. Researchers at the University of Copenhagen found the hormone could also be used as an appetite suppressant to help obese patients lose weight, lower blood pressure and liver enzyme levels, and keep blood sugar under control.

The researchers discovered patients who received doses of the hormone for 20 weeks achieved greater weight loss compared to the control group. The hormone also improved blood pressure, cholesterol and glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. The results of the clinical trials gave researchers hope for a new, effective treatment for weight loss in obese patients with or without diabetes.

Common side effects reported from the hormone treatment include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, but no patients dropped out of the trial due to side effects. Patient satisfaction throughout the trial was high.

While the hormone could help obese patients drop excess weight and improve their overall health, experts argue that patients must also make major lifestyle changes to prevent gaining the weight back and maintain good levels of health.

In an interview with WebMD, Tina Vilsboll, an endocrinologist and associate professor at Gentofte Hospital in Hellerup, Denmark, said the hormone treatment should be used in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle including a balanced diet and regular exercise. Visboll said even modest weight loss experienced from taking the hormone in diabetic patients can encourage them to change their diet and create an exercise program to continue to be healthy on their own.

"They use it as a tool for changing their lifestyle," Visboll said.

In addition, Susan Spratt, an endocrinologist and the director of diabetes services at Duke University Health System, said traditional weight loss can be very hard for obese or diabetic patients to achieve without any assistance.

"If we could use these drugs just in people with obesity and know that it's safe, I think it would be a fantastic addition to our ability to treat obesity," Spratt said.