Washington, DC – A new genetic risk score known as “hungry gut” could potentially revolutionize weight loss treatments by helping individuals determine how well they may respond to injected medications. The effectiveness of popular GLP-1 medications for weight loss has puzzled researchers, with some individuals experiencing substantial weight loss while others see minimal results. A recent study highlighted that about 1 in 7 individuals using semaglutide for over a year did not lose at least 5% of their starting weight, indicating a lack of efficacy for some.
Research indicates that genetic factors may play a crucial role in determining the success of weight loss medications. Dr. Andres Acosta, a gastroenterologist and researcher at the Mayo Clinic involved in developing the test, explained that the genetic risk score test has the potential to predict with 95% accuracy who will lose more than 5% of their body weight with the use of injected medications. This breakthrough could save individuals time and money by identifying those most likely to benefit from these costly treatments.
The test, called MyPhenome, examines 6,000 variations in 22 genes related to the GLP-1 hormone’s signaling pathway. It assigns individuals a risk score based on their response to hormonal signals in the brain and stomach, categorizing them as either “hungry gut-positive” or “hungry gut-negative.” Those classified as “hungry gut-positive” tend to have normal responses to hormonal signals, while “hungry gut-negative” individuals may require alternative weight loss interventions, such as bariatric surgery.
A small study at the Mayo Clinic involving 84 participants revealed that individuals classified as “hungry gut-positive” lost significantly more weight than those classified as “hungry gut-negative” after nine months on semaglutide. After a year, “hungry gut-positive” participants had lost an average of 19% of their starting weight, nearly doubling the weight loss achieved by “hungry gut-negative” individuals. While these results are promising, the study has not yet undergone external review or publication in a medical journal, emphasizing the need for further research to validate the findings.
Dr. Acosta acknowledged the importance of conducting randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials to solidify the validity of the genetic risk score and its implications for weight loss treatments. Despite the preliminary nature of the study, the outcomes demonstrated the potential of personalized medicine in the field of weight loss. More extensive research and clinical trials will be essential to confirm the accuracy and reliability of the genetic test in predicting individual responses to weight loss medications.