GRAPHIC APPAREL SHOPA world where your weight loss journey begins with a simple genetic test, guiding doctors to choose the most effective medication tailored just for you may soon be a reality thanks to groundbreaking work at the Mayo Clinic.
The Science of Satiation: Why We Feel Full Differently
Obesity isn’t just a matter of diet or willpower it is shaped by a complex mix of genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors. Traditional treatments often rely on BMI, but this one-size-fits-all approach ignores the biological differences that influence eating habits and weight gain mechanisms.
The Mayo Clinic research team, led by Dr. Andres Acosta, has shifted focus to satiation, the body’s signal that it’s had enough to eat, as a key to understanding weight loss variability.
In their study of nearly 800 adults with obesity, participants ate until they reached “Thanksgiving full,” revealing a dramatic range in calories required to feel satiated from just 140 to over 2,000. Standard factors like age, sex, and hormones didn’t account for these differences, suggesting genetics plays a bigger role than previously thought.
Genetic Testing: A Personalized Roadmap for Weight Loss
Using machine learning, Mayo researchers zeroed in on 10 genetic variants that significantly influence how much food someone needs to feel full. The result is the Calories to Satiation Genetic Risk Score (CTS-GRS), determined from a simple blood or saliva sample. This score predicts an individual’s satiation threshold, empowering clinicians to move beyond generic treatments and focus on each patient’s unique biology.
As Dr. Acosta notes, this approach means patients can finally receive obesity treatments that are as unique as their own DNA, not just their body size.
Matching the Right Patient to the Right Drug
The Mayo Clinic team tested the CTS-GRS in clinical trials using two major FDA-approved weight loss medications: phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia) and liraglutide (Saxenda). The results highlight the power of personalized care:
- High satiation threshold: Patients who required more food to feel full responded best to phentermine-topiramate, which helps control meal size and is ideal for those with a “hungry brain.”
- Low satiation threshold: Those who felt full with less food lost more weight on liraglutide, a medication that reduces hunger frequency, perfect for the “hungry gut” phenotype.
This genetic test enables doctors to predict which drug will likely yield the best results for each patient, leading to more cost-effective and outcome-oriented therapy.
Expanding the Reach of Personalized Obesity Care
The team is now broadening their research to include newer drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and plans to incorporate data on the microbiome and metabolome. They are also developing models to forecast side effects, aiming to make weight loss treatments even more precise and tolerable for patients.
CTS-GRS technology has already been licensed commercially to Phenomix Sciences and adopted in over 300 U.S. clinics, marking a major step toward individualized obesity treatment based on each person’s genetic profile.
Takeaway: Genetics at the Heart of Obesity Solutions
The integration of genetic testing into weight loss therapy is ushering in a new era for obesity care. By understanding how our genes affect satiation, clinicians can deliver targeted, effective treatments offering better outcomes and renewed hope for millions struggling with obesity.
Genetic Testing May Change How We Approach Weight Loss Therapy