New studies are showing that pramlintide (also known as Symlin,) a drug that's used to lower blood sugar in diabetes patients, might be an effective medication for weight loss in obese patients. The drug is a synthetic version of the hormone Amylin, which regulates gastric emptying. The results are promising as a life-saver for people who are chronically obese.

Still, if it can help people lose weight, should it? Sure, patients taking it might end up thin, but they won't necessarily be healthy -- their hearts may still compromised, they'll still be at a higher risk for many diseases, and chances are they'll still have unhealthy diets and little to no exercise. True health only comes from a healthy diet and plenty of exercise -- there's no pill that will help you achieve it.

What do you think about the idea of a 'magic pill' for obesity?

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Here we go again! More hope that there's a way to eat less and lose weight without feeling hungry: research shows that a fullness hormone just might do that trick.

Symlin, which is a synthetic version of the natural hormone 'amlin' and is often used to treat diabetes, was recently studied to see how it affected the appetites of obese men and postmenopausal women. Compared to a placebo, the people taking Symlin injections prior to meals ate significantly fewer calories daily over a six week period and ended up losing quite a bit more weight -- all without feeling hungry.

No word just yet on how (or if) this will make it to the general population (I'm thinking injections before every meal are a little painful!), but it seems promising. But is it too promising? Sounds a little "too good to be true," and that's always a red flag.

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