A technique that freezes fat cells has been approved as a weight-loss treatment by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The therapy, called Zeltiq, uses a gel patch and a machine that freezes fat cells, which self-destruct and are absorbed into the body, ABC News reported. Zeltiq has been on the U.S. market for about a year as an FDA-approved way to anesthetize and cool the skin before dermatology procedures. But doctors discovered that the technology also helped people lose fat. The FDA has also approved another new weight-loss technique called Zerona, which uses a low-energy laser to target fat cells, ABC News reported. Doctors emphasize that these and other treatments should not be viewed as replacements for a healthy diet and exercise.
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