Scientists may have discovered a way to help obese individuals to lose weight without the use of invasive surgery. Researchers at Salk Institute in San Diego, California developed a drug that simulates fat and signals cells to burn fat. The drug was unveiled at the Experimental Biology 2007 conference in Washington, D.C. this past weekend.

So far the drug has only been tested on mice but has produce promising results. Mice that were given the chemical switching drug were found to burn more calories even when they weren’t active. The drug works by causing an increase in metabolism similar to one that is generated by exercise. If this product is as effective for humans it could help individuals who suffer from slow metabolisms and who have failed to lose weight through diet and exercise. Scientists also believe that this drug could help to decrease the instances of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease related to obesity. In turn, this would help to lower health care costs which are rising steadily in the United States and the rate of obesity increases.