Love Hormone Oxytocin Can Be Weight Loss Tool: Researchers

Researchers from Harvard has found a way to utilize the love hormone oxytocin as a tool for men who is aiming for weight loss. The study was presented to the Endocrine Society during its annual meeting in San Diego on Sunday by Elizabeth Lawson from the Harvard Medical School based in Boston. Her study used 25 men whose ages were 27 in average with around half were either obese or overweight. They were then given a placebo or were instructed to self-administer a nasal spray containing synthetic oxytocin, according to Tech Times, before they placed their breakfast orders. The study participants were given double the amount of what they originally ordered. After which, the researchers took note of how much food the men ate. On the second run of the experiment, those who were given the oxytocin nasal spray were provided with the placebo, while those who were given the placebo on the first set were finally given the oxytocin nasal spray, which is being studied for potential weight loss applications. After the two sets, the researchers analyzed the data and found out that participants who sprayed the love hormone consumed 122 calories less on average compared to the men who were on placebo. In addition, the men with the hormone spray were also found to have eaten less fatty food, or around 9 fat grams less than average compared with the placebo group. Oxytocin is produced when a person is involved in bonding activities such as breastfeeding, sexual intercourse, hugging and kissing. The hormone is also utilized to induce labor and is currently being studied also for the possible treatment of autism, and now for weight loss. The research is based on preceding animal studies showing that the love hormone can significantly increase metabolic function. Lawson, who is the assistant professor of medicine at the school, said that their findings showed potential. "Further study is needed, but I think oxytocin is a promising treatment for obesity and its metabolic complications," said Lawson in a statement. Lawson added that women will also need to be studied regarding the effects of oxytocin regarding weight loss.