Shine OnComputer chip in arm could be new treatment for weight loss
A Swiss scientist has developed a computer chip that could help obese people shed pounds when implanted into their arm.
The chip, created by professor Martin Fussenegger from ETH-Zurich university, works by monitoring fat levels in a person's blood. When fat levels climb too high because the person has overeaten, the chip releases an appetite-suppressant drug.
Fussenegger and his team -- who published their findings in the journal Nature Communications -- tested the chip on obese mice and found that it led to weight loss and a lower consumption of fatty foods.
The dime-size chip is said to be an alternative to surgical procedures such as liposuction or gastric banding surgery, reports Digital Journal.
A protocol chip for humans is being developed and should be ready in 5-10 years. Fussengger suggests that similar chips could be developed to tackle other illnesses.
This isn't the first futuristic weight loss product that is still in the experimental phase.
A new bra that monitors overeating in stressed women was recently tested. The bra has a built-in sensor that monitors the skin for temperature changes, which are said to be reflective of a person's stress levels. The bra then sends data to the woman's smartphone app, warning her to cut back on eating.
What are your thoughts on using a chip to lose weight? Would you ever have one implanted if you need to?
