Maintaining relatively low adipose tissue as a percentage of total body weight is important for maintaining health in humans. The benefts are well known and include reduced cholesterol levels, lowered blood pressure, increased insulin sensitivity, increased glucose disposal and proper regulation of glucose levels. There are numerous disease states associated with being over weight and with high levels of adiposity. These include cancer, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, chronic renal failure, congestive heart failure and type II diabetes. There are several known methods for reducing adipose tissue and thereby reducing body weight through the use of pharmaceuticals and through dietary supplements. Appetite suppressants and stimulants include Meridia and Amphetamines, and dietary supple ments include Hoodia and Epehedra. Unfortunately, appetite suppressants alone do not have a high rate of success and are often accompanied by a rebound weight gain when their use is stopped. Stimulants are also known to have some serious side effects, including strain on the cardiovascular system and as such, their use is limited.

Another method for Weight reduction involves the use of supplements that regulate cortisol levels in the body. Cortisol is a stress hormone that is produced in the body and released in times of stress. Its primary purpose is to cause a release of sugars into the blood stream and provide increased energy for the body to deal with stressful situations. Cortisol also has the effect of increasing appetite for certain foods such as carbohydrates and sugars to provide sources of energy for the future. In situations Where the stress is longer term the human body may produce too much cortisol. This can result in increased hunger and corresponding food intake which can lead to the buildup of undesirable fat tissues, particularly in the abdominal area. Thus, the presence of elevated levels of cortisol for long periods of time can result in undesirable weight gain. Many existing products claim to reduce cortisol levels to assist in weight reduction. Typically these products work by inhibiting cortisol production. However, the body may ultimately compensate for this reduction by increasing the production of cortisol if stress remains present. This can result in the return of unwanted fat tissues.

Chenodeoxycholic acid is a naturally occurring bile acid heretofore has not been known as a treatment for reduction of adipose tissue. However, this compound has been found useful in other areas. For example, US. Pat. No. 5,310,560 to widauer discloses a method for using chenodeoxycholic acid for the treatment acute or chronic infammatory illnesses of the respiratory organs. US. Pat. No.4,681,876 to Marples et al. discloses its use as an anti-fungal antibiotic.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is,to those who have knowledge or experience in this area of technology that many variations are possible for the method of reducing adipose tissue disclosed here. The following detailed discussion of various alternative and preferred features and embodiments will illustrate the general principles of the invention with reference to improved method of reducing adipose tissue through the use of orally available dietary supplements. Other embodiments suitable for other applications Will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the beneft of this disclosure.

The present invention provides a method of admin istering the naturally occurring bile acid chenodeoxycholic acid (3-alpha,7-alpha-dihydroxy-5-beta-cholanic acid,C24H4OO4, or “CDCA”), or any esters, ethers, or salts thereof, for reducing adipose tissue in mammals and thereby reducing total body weight. CDCA’s structure is reproduced below. Chenodeoxycholic acid is produced naturally in human and animal livers and gall bladders. Chenodeoxy cholic acid has been shown to be a selective inhibitor of 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11BHSD1).Several studies have been performed demonstrating the role of 11BHSD1 in obesity and the metabolic syndrome.11BHSD1 is at least partially responsible for the activationof cortisol from inactive metabolites in the liver, adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. Increased cortisol levels result inincreased adipose tissue deposition, breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue and disrupted glucose handling. The inhibitionof 11BHSD1 with chenodeoxycholic acid advantageously results in a reduction of cortisol production principally inspecifc tissues rather than on a systemic basis. This can result in reduced adipose tissue in the areas of high concern, decreased skeletal muscle break down and better glucose handling.