Drugs derived from the toxic saliva of the venomous Gila Monster have been used for some time now to treat diabetics, but studies have revealed that the “lizard spit” also helps patients to lose weight.
Hormone’s found in Gila Monster saliva are used in the drug Byetta to help people suffering from diabetes to control their blood sugar levels. The Gila Monster is one of only two species of venomous lizard that exist in the world today. It produces a neurotoxin from the saliva glands in it’s lower jaw, but unlike a snake who has fangs the Gila Monster administers it’s poison by chewing the flesh. Fortunately the handsome little devils are quite sloth like and don’t attack people often. The venom is believed to be solely for self defence and not for hunting, the lizard eats mostly stolen eggs.
A brand new study starting this month is hoping to discover exactly how the hormones from the lizard’s saliva is causing patients taking the drug Byetta to lose weight.
