Scientists from Italy’s National Research Council have developed a new style of diet pill. Once eaten it expands in the stomach to make the dieter feel full. The effect can last several hours, during which the diet does not feel hungry. It is made from a hydrogel, which the team developed when trying to make more absorbent nappy linings. It is thought that the pill may help to fight the obesity epidemic. Testing so far has been limited, and before the diet pill can be marketed further testing and research needs to be carried out.

Head of research, Professor Luigi Ambrosio, realised that hydrogel may have a similar effect to gastric banding - a surgical procedure that reduces the size of the stomach. Gastric banding is a very risky procedure and can cause long term damage to the stomach. It is thought that this new diet pill will not have any long term effects.

The diet pill is powdery when dry but when swallowed with a glass of water turns to a jelly-like ball in the stomach. It is made from an organic compound called cellulose and can be flushed out by the body. The diet pill has not been named yet, but it is being tested in a further 90 overweight volunteers who will be monitored to see how much weight they lose and if there are any adverse effects.

Professor Ambrosio said the pill should be taken about 30 minutes to one hour before each meal. It passes through the digestive system within five to six hours. “One of our researchers tried the pill - he took it at about 11am and was still full at six in the evening. He said people could still eat a meal but would only need small portions. “We expect the results of the trial in October and they we will try to launch the product in May 2008.” Professor Paul Hatton, leader of the Biomaterials Research Group at the University of Sheffield said the idea was “intuitive”. “There are plenty of ways of making hydrogels that are safe, they are used in medicines and prostheses.

“In principle it seems possible but there would have to be a lot of safety testing.” Dr David Haslam, clinical director of the National Obesity Forum said there had been products around for many years which had tried to produce a feeling of fullness. “The theory has been tried and tested in the past but it’s not been that successful. “We’d need much bigger trials but it’s a reasonable enough idea. “However, it would have to be given with the appropriate nutritional
advice, you can’t live on such tablets.”

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6252720.stm