A press release highlighted research presented at Experimental Biology 2017 in Chicago, Illinois in April by Deyang Yu (pictured at top right), graduate student, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism. 

Using mice that were obese as a result of a high-fat diet, researchers found that five weeks of dietary methionine deprivation led to progressive weight loss, reduced body fat, and improved blood glucose levels. Scientists hope that the findings could translate to new treatments for obesity and type 2 diabetes. 

"Collectively, our study demonstrates that short-term dietary deprivation of methionine produces many similar, but more profound metabolic benefits than long-term methionine restriction. As such, we propose that this dietary strategy could be used as an adjunct treatment for obesity and obesity-related disorders such as type 2 diabetes," wrote the authors.

Mr. Yu studies in the laboratory of Dudley Lamming, PhD (pictured at lower right), assistant professor, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism.

Resources:

• "Four exciting diabetes and obesity research discoveries," EurekAlert, April 22, 2017
• Yu D, Miller B, Yang S, Wisinski J, Kimple M, Cryns V, Lamming D. 2017. Short-term methionine deprivation improves metabolic biomarkers of obesity. Abstract F180 883.22. Experimental Biology 2017 conference, April 22-26, 2017