Investigation of effect of mesoporous silica particles on digestion and calorific uptake as a novel treatment for obesity

There is a range of products available which claim to reduce calorie uptake from the diet leading to a reduction in an individual’s weight but they do not have the scientific proof available to support these claims. This thesis examines the influence of silica particles on the digestion and absorption of calories found in food with the aim of producing a new weight-loss pharmaceutical. The results indicate that the addition of silica particles with specific properties are able to reduce the amount of fat and sugar that is digested as well as interferes with their subsequent absorption into the blood. Consequently there is potential for such materials to reduce the amount of fat stored per meal.