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Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a compound called TOFA that helps mice burn fat without significant muscle loss. This study, published on August 21, 2026, in Science Advances, shows that TOFA can increase energy expenditure by up to 18% while improving blood sugar levels, triglycerides, and fatty liver disease.
TOFA works by interfering with lipid production and activating genes that encourage cells to use fat as fuel. The researchers found that TOFA produced greater effects when combined with GLP-1 drugs, which are known for suppressing appetite. Anders Näär, a professor of metabolic biology at UC Berkeley, noted that weight can be managed by either reducing calorie intake or increasing energy expenditure.
Initially discovered in the 1970s, TOFA belongs to a class of compounds known as ACC inhibitors. Unlike other ACC inhibitors that can raise triglyceride levels, TOFA does not have this effect. The research team emphasized that TOFA's unique combination of actions is crucial for its effectiveness, and while promising, its safety and efficacy in humans remain to be established through further studies.