Fat cells burn energy to make heat – making them the next frontier of weight loss therapies

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy aid in weight loss by suppressing appetite. Researchers are looking next at how the body expends energy – including through fat.

By: Claudio Villanueva, University of California, Los Angeles, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: March 11, 2026

Words: 1,199

Last Updated: 4 months, 3 weeks ago

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By Claudio Villanueva, University of California, Los Angeles

Over the past few years, a new class of medications has transformed the treatment of obesity. Drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro work primarily by reducing appetite, helping people eat less and feel full sooner. Their success has demonstrated something important: Body weight is biologically regulated, and targeting the right biological pathways can lead to meaningful weight loss that can help transform lives.

But appetite is only …

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