The present disclosure relates to the identification and the use of activators of a mammalian glycerol-3-phosphate phosphatase (hG3PP) for increasing Gro3P conversion to glycerol and glycerol release from a mammalian cell. The activators of hG3PP can be used in the prevention, treatment and/or alleviation of symptoms associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes and/or metabolic syndrome X. The activators of hG3PP can be used in the prevention, treatment and/or alleviation of symptoms associated with cancer.
