Josie Fischels
UpdatedSun, August 23, 2026 at 2:37 PM UTC
(NewsNation) — Researchers at UC Berkeley say they have identified a new compound that may help the body burn fat without the muscle loss often associated with popular weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound
The compound, known as TOFA, has only been tested in mice so far, but researchers say the early findings could point to a new approach to treating obesity and diabetes
How does TOFA differ from Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound?
Unlike GLP-1 medications, which primarily work by suppressing appetite, TOFA appears to boost the body’s metabolism, allowing it to burn more energy without reducing food intake
The compound also blocks two enzymes involved in the production of fat and cholesterol
In mouse studies, animals treated with TOFA burned up to 18% more energy without eating less or exercising more
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Why is muscle loss such a big concern for GLP-1 users?
Muscle plays a critical role in regulating blood sugar and maintaining metabolism. When people lose muscle along with fat, they can become weaker and may find it more difficult to maintain weight loss over time
According to researchers at UC Davis, people taking GLP-1 medications can lose significant amounts of lean muscle mass during rapid weight loss, with some studies estimating losses of about 20% of lean mass
Compounded GLP-1 drugs creating concern among doctors and FDA
Could TOFA replace GLP-1s?
Researchers envision TOFA being used alongside GLP-1 medications rather than replacing them
In animal studies, combining TOFA with semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, or tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Zepbound, produced greater weight-loss results than either treatment alone
Researchers caution that TOFA remains in the early stages of development and has not yet been tested in humans
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