How badly do you want to lose weight? Badly enough to give up your midweek burger and a beer? Badly enough to go without a weekend fry-up? Or badly enough to consider having your jaws locked together by magnets, leaving just enough room for you to talk and breath?
Unbelievably, that last option is now a reality. Researchers from the UK and the University of Otago have announced the creation of the DentalSlim Diet Control: a weight-loss device that uses magnets and "custom-manufactured locking bolts" to literally keep the wearer's mouth shut.
When fitted to a patient's upper and lower back teeth, the DentalSlim Diet Control only allows a wearer to open their mouths by 2mm, restricting them to a liquid diet, but allowing for free speech and unrestricted breathing. Phew.
However, despite our scepticism, lead researcher, Professor Paul Brunton hopes the device will be an effective, safe, and affordable tool for people battling obesity.
The main barrier for people for successful weight loss is compliance and this helps them establish new habits, allowing them to comply with a low-calorie diet for a period of time. It really kick-starts the process, said Brunton.
It is a non-invasive, reversible, economical and attractive alternative to surgical procedures."
In trials designed to test the device, published in the British Dental Journal, seven participants lost an average of 6.36kg in two weeks, and, the researchers claim, "were motivated to continue with their weight loss journey".
However, although participants did lose weight while wearing the DentalSlim, all of them gained weight back two weeks after the device was removed. The study also didn't address how exactly you're meant to exercise while your mouth is clasped shut.
While devices like the DentalSlim and even the practice of surgically wiring peoples jaws shut, which was popular in the 1980s, are obviously options of last resort, for most people making sustainable changes to your diet, training and lifestyle remain the easiest and safest ways to lose weight.
And if you need any help with that, you can start here.
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Researchers Develop Weight-loss Tool That Uses Magnets to Lock Your Mouth Shut - Men's health UK
