Tag Archives: obesity

Impact of Abnormal Oral Microbiome on Obesity: Key Characteristics and Insights

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Bacteria in the oral cavity

Oral Bacteria (Blue) on Human Cheek Cells (Yellow) in Scanning Electron Micrograph

Steve Gschmeisner/Science Photo Library

Recent research has revealed that individuals with obesity exhibit unique oral microbiome characteristics. This finding could pave the way for early detection and prevention strategies for obesity.

The diverse community of microorganisms in our gut significantly impacts weight gain, being commonly linked to obesity and various metabolic conditions. Notably, up to 700 species of bacteria have been implicated in obesity and overall health.

“Given that the oral microbiome is the second largest microbial ecosystem in the human body, we aimed to investigate its association with systemic diseases,” says Ashish Jha, from New York University, Abu Dhabi.

Jha and his team analyzed saliva samples from 628 adults in the United Arab Emirates, 97 of whom were classified as obese. They compared these samples with a control group of 95 individuals of healthy weight, similar in age, gender, lifestyle, oral health, and tooth brushing habits.

The analysis showed that the oral microbiome of obese individuals has a higher abundance of inflammation-causing bacteria, such as Streptococcus parasanguinis and Actinobacterium oris. Additionally, Oribacterium sinus produces lactic acid, which is linked to poor metabolic health.

Jha and his colleagues identified 94 distinct differences in metabolic pathways between the two groups. Obese participants demonstrated enhanced mechanisms for carbohydrate metabolism and the breakdown of histidine, while their capability to produce B vitamins and heme—crucial for oxygen transport—was reduced.

Metabolites notably generated in obese individuals include lactate, histidine derivatives, choline, uridine, and uracil, which are associated with metabolic dysfunction indicators such as elevated triglycerides, liver enzymes, and blood glucose levels.

“When we analyze these findings collectively, a metabolic pattern surfaces. Our data indicates that the oral environment in obesity is characterized by low pH, high carbohydrate levels, and pro-inflammatory conditions,” notes Lindsey Edwards from King’s College London. “This study offers compelling evidence that the oral microbiome may reflect and contribute to the metabolic changes associated with obesity.”

Currently, these findings suggest a correlation rather than causation. “While some associations are surprising, we cannot determine cause and effect as of now, which remains our next focus,” Jha states.

To explore whether the oral microbiome contributes to obesity or is modified by it, Jha and his team plan further experiments analyzing both saliva and gut microbiomes to investigate potential microbial and metabolic transfers.

Professor Jha believes this is plausible, as the mouth’s extensive blood vessel network facilitates nutrient absorption and taste sensing, potentially allowing metabolites direct access to the bloodstream, influencing other bodily systems.

Establishing a causal connection will also necessitate randomized controlled trials and detailed metabolic pathway analyses, according to Edwards.

As dietary patterns evolve, specific food components may become more readily metabolized by certain bacteria, leading to increased microbial activity that can influence cravings and potentially lead to obesity, Jha explains. For instance, uridine has been shown to promote higher calorie intake.

If oral bacteria are demonstrated to influence obesity, Edwards suggests it could lead to innovative interventions, such as introducing beneficial oral microbes through gels, using prebiotics to foster specific bacterial growth, or employing targeted antimicrobials. “Behavioral strategies, like reducing sugar intake, can also significantly contribute to obesity prevention,” she adds.

Even if the oral microbiome acts as a consequence rather than a cause of obesity, its assessment can still provide valuable insights. Saliva tests can easily detect distinct microbial changes, which Jha believes could be useful for early obesity detection and prevention strategies.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

New Definition Could Reroute 75% of U.S. Adults to Obesity Status

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New research reveals a revised definition of obesity, indicating that over 75% of U.S. adults could now be classified as obese. This stark increase is based on a recent study’s findings.

Currently, approximately 43% of Americans meet the traditional body mass index (BMI) standard of 30 or above. However, when researchers expanded the definition to include waist-to-height and waist-to-hip ratios, the estimated obesity prevalence soared to 75.2%.

A detailed analysis conducted by a research team from Yale School of Medicine and Harvard University emphasizes that relying solely on BMI may significantly underestimate the actual number of individuals with excess body fat.

According to the study director, Dr. Nora Al Roub, a professor at the Yale School of Public Health, “BMI is a straightforward calculation based on weight and height. While it is simple to compute, it does not provide insight into fat distribution or the composition of a person’s weight pertaining to fat versus muscle.” – BBC Science Focus.







The updated criteria classify all adults with a BMI of 30 or higher as obese, as well as 38.5% of individuals with a BMI under 25, which is typically deemed healthy.

Dr. Al Roub states, “This increase underscores how many individuals possess unhealthy levels of body fat, even while having a normal or slightly elevated BMI.”

The study notes that while these newly identified obese individuals may not require immediate medical interventions, they are at an elevated risk for conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, highlighting the importance of early preventive strategies.

Innovative diagnostic strategies aim to identify more obesity cases before they lead to complications – Credit: Getty

The new guidelines, first suggested in January 2025 by the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology Committee led by Professor Francesco Rubino of King’s College London, have received endorsement from over 70 healthcare organizations.

Professor Rubino pointed out that the recent analysis may slightly misinterpret these guidelines. The additional metrics were intended to help identify individuals who may have obesity even if their BMI is just under the obesity threshold.

He further notes that the thresholds can differ based on gender and ethnicity, but generally, a BMI of 25 is considered well below the obesity classification.

Dr. Al Roub emphasized that the goal of the study was not to redefine obesity but to understand how population-level obesity estimates change when these criteria are uniformly applied to real-world datasets.

What are the Updated Guidelines for Obesity?

The new guidelines propose utilizing BMI as an initial screening tool to identify individuals at risk, followed by several additional measurements. While specific thresholds can vary by age, gender, and ethnicity, commonly accepted cutoffs include:

  • Waist circumference of 102cm or more for men, and 88cm or more for women
  • Waist-to-hip ratio of 0.9 or greater for men, and 0.85 or greater for women
  • Waist-to-height ratio exceeding 0.5

To be categorized as obese, individuals must meet one of the following criteria:

  • BMI of 40 or more
  • BMI between 30-39 (or ethnicity-specific threshold) along with at least one additional measurement
  • BMI less than but close to 30 (or ethnicity-specific threshold) plus at least two additional measurements

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Weight Regain: What to Expect After Discontinuing Obesity Medications in Two Years

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Weight loss drugs effectiveness

Weight loss medications, including Munjaro (tirzepatide), are effective when taken consistently.

Alan Swart / Alamy

A recent study involving over 9,000 participants revealed that individuals who discontinue weight loss medications often regain the weight lost within two years. This finding underscores the notion that obesity should be viewed as a chronic disease necessitating ongoing treatment.

“These medications are very effective; however, obesity is a chronic, relapsing condition,” explained Susan Jebb, who addressed the press at the University of Oxford. “Similar to hypertension medications, these treatments are likely needed for life.”

It’s evident that weight loss medications can significantly aid individuals in combating obesity, particularly newer GLP-1 medications mimicking gut hormones such as glucagon-like peptide 1—examples include semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound). These drugs not only facilitate weight loss but also positively impact health metrics like blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Nevertheless, many patients have ceased using GLP-1 medications due to side effects, including nausea, or a lack of availability triggered by heightened demand. “Approximately half of users discontinue these drugs within a year,” remarks Jebb.

While nations like the United States and parts of Europe permit long-term use of GLP-1 medications for weight control, frameworks like the UK’s National Health Service are restricting semaglutide usage for weight management based on cost-effectiveness evaluations over two years.

Previous studies indicate that individuals often regain weight post-semaglutide discontinuation. Yet, it remains unclear if this pattern extends to other weight loss interventions and the swift occurrence of weight gain upon cessation.

To investigate this, Jebb and colleagues reviewed 37 trials, combining data from over 9,000 participants, all classified as overweight or obese and using some form of weight loss medication (including GLP-1) for about 10 months, followed by a monitoring period of roughly 8 months.

From their analysis, the researchers noted that participants lost an average of 8.3 kilograms and experienced improvements in metabolic parameters like blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels.

When examining weight patterns during the follow-up phase, the model suggested participants regained the average weight lost within 1.7 years after stopping their medications.

In trials specifically addressing semaglutide and tirzepatide, participants lost an average of 14.7 kilograms, yet it was anticipated they would regain all lost weight within a year and a half. Jebb points out that further insights are required to understand the accelerated weight gain associated with these drugs compared to others.

Additionally, the team discovered that the weight regain rate after ceasing weight loss drugs was about four times steeper than that observed following the termination of a structured behavioral weight loss program, which typically emphasizes healthy eating and increased physical activity.

However, this disparity may be attributed to the greater motivation for weight loss among individuals participating in behavioral programs compared to those relying on medications.

Another factor contributing to this swift weight regain may be the appetite suppression induced by these drugs. Users often report significant increases in hunger and cravings upon discontinuation, possibly leading to rapid weight resurgence, as noted by Taraneh Soleimani from Pennsylvania State University.

Yet, a separate analysis suggested that offering behavioral support during the follow-up phase did not effectively curb weight gain. Soleimani emphasizes that more research is essential to determine optimal strategies for supporting individuals transitioning off weight loss medications.

What Jebb’s research illustrates, according to her, is the critical need to consider obesity as a long-lasting condition. “Weight loss drugs demonstrate effectiveness, and weight regain is prevalent upon cessation,” states Professor Soleimani. “These results confirm obesity as a chronic condition that requires prolonged treatment.”

Topics:

  • obesity/
  • weight loss drugs

Source: www.newscientist.com

Addressing Rising Childhood Obesity: Strategies Beyond Nutritional Deficiency

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Ultra-processed foods might contribute to the growing obesity epidemic in children

UNICEF/UN0846048/Florence Gou

For the first time, a significant number of children worldwide are experiencing obesity rather than malnutrition. This trend signifies a critical shift in childhood nutrition. While many strategies exist to combat hunger, few address obesity specifically.

“Despite years of attempts to prevent obesity, particularly in children and adolescents, we are not achieving satisfactory outcomes,” notes Andrea Richardson from RAND, a California-based nonprofit research organization.

A new report by Harriet Torres from UNICEF Belgium and her team utilized data from a comprehensive study to evaluate the nutritional status of children aged 5 to 19. This initiative, called the Collaboration of Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors, encompasses over 160 countries and territories, representing more than 90% of the global child population.

The findings indicate that global childhood obesity rates have nearly tripled since 2000, with around 9.4% of children classified as obese versus 9.2% who are undernourished. This marks a significant moment, as obesity now outnumbers nutritional deficiencies in children.

Most troubling is the sharp increase in obesity rates in low- and middle-income nations. “Over 80% of children facing overweight and obesity globally are from these regions,” highlighting that this is no longer merely a high-income issue; it’s a pervasive global concern.

This situation necessitates that governments and organizations rethink their strategies regarding childhood malnutrition. “We are observing not just nutritional deficiencies but all forms of malnutrition,” asserts Shivani Ghosh from Cornell University, New York. Unfortunately, effective methods to combat obesity are still lacking, unlike those available for hunger.

The UNICEF report criticizes the prevalence of ultra-processed foods in contributing to rising obesity rates among youth. These foods, made using industrial processes, typically contain additives and preservatives and are high in fats, sugars, and salts. Common examples include packaged snacks, candies, chips, and sodas. The report claims that ultra-processed foods contribute to at least half of the calorie intake for children in Australia, Canada, the U.S., and U.K., and about a third in some low- and middle-income countries such as Argentina and Mexico.

Numerous studies indicate that ultra-processed foods correlate positively with obesity rates. However, the policies aimed at reducing their consumption have seldom led to significant declines in obesity.

For instance, Mexico was the first country to impose a tax on certain high-calorie foods and sugar-sweetened drinks in 2014. Following this, sales for these items decreased, particularly among lower-income families. Adolescent obesity rates experienced only minimal change, notably impacting only teenage girls, similar to the outcome in the U.K. after a tax was levied on sugary drinks in 2018.

Conversely, Chile has implemented some of the strictest regulations regarding ultra-processed products. In 2016, it limited marketing for these foods and mandated warning labels for those high in calories, salt, saturated fats, and sugars. As a result, obesity rates among children aged 4-6 decreased by 1-3 percentage points within a year. However, the figures reverted to baseline by 2018, and in 2019, obesity rates in 14-year-olds rose by 2 percentage points, underlining the ineffectiveness of these measures.

Torless provides a different perspective, stating, “No single intervention is sufficient. Some countries are imposing soda taxes, others are labeling foods. While these efforts are commendable, a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach is essential for meaningful change.”

Thus, the report advocates for policies that enhance the availability and affordability of nutritious food, including grants and school meal programs. Furthermore, it highlights the critical role of nutritional education and poverty alleviation. “The same factors contributing to undernutrition parallel those causing overnutrition,” Richardson elaborates. “These issues stem from unsafe drinking water, lack of financial resources, and inadequate access to nutritious food.”

No nation has fully adopted all of UNICEF’s recommendations, leaving the question of their effectiveness in reducing obesity unanswered. “The underlying assumption is an increased consumption of unhealthy foods correlating with rising overweight and obesity rates,” remarks Ghosh. “This could partially explain the trends we’re seeing.”

However, other factors may also play a role, including stress, pollution, and even genetic factors.

“This truly needs to be seen as a major public health crisis,” concludes Richardson. “Our children are our future, and they deserve to be healthy. If they are not thriving, our future looks bleak.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Living at High Altitudes Could Help Combat Obesity

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Research reveals obesity rates among children in Colombia’s hilly capital, Bogotá

Guillermo Legaria/Getty Images

A study involving over 4 million children in Colombia suggests that living at high altitudes may help in preventing obesity.

This outcome is consistent with existing research. Higher altitudes are thought to reduce obesity, potentially due to increased energy expenditure at lower oxygen levels. Most studies, however, have focused primarily on adults.

To explore the effect on children, Fernando Lizcano Rosada from Lhasavanna University in Chia, Colombia, along with his team analyzed data concerning 4.16 million children from municipalities up to age 5, sourced from the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare.

The participants were categorized into four groups based on the altitudes where they resided.

In two low-altitude areas, about 80 out of every 10,000 children were classified as obese. In contrast, at altitudes of 3,000 meters or higher since 2001, this rate dropped to 40 per 10,000.

However, at elevations above 3,000 meters, the prevalence rose again, reaching 86 out of 10,000. The researchers caution that this might be a statistical anomaly since it is based on data from only seven municipalities and 11,498 individuals, substantially fewer than the data for the other altitude groups.

“That’s a valid observation,” states David Stencel from Loughborough University, UK. He notes that a dose-response relationship would have strengthened the findings.

Stencel also underscores that the study is observational, meaning it does not definitively prove that high altitudes reduce obesity risk. “The research takes into account various confounding factors,” he explains, including measures of poverty. Yet, he adds, “we cannot account for everything.”

Nevertheless, he sees this research as a promising commencement. “It establishes a relationship that calls for more tailored studies to verify the hypothesis independently.”

Lizcano Rosada posits that metabolism may be heightened at higher altitudes, leading to increased energy expenditure.

This claim is plausible, Stencel agrees. “Some studies indicate that resting metabolic rates may be elevated at high altitudes,” he notes. For instance, a 1984 study found that climbers tended to lose more weight at high altitudes partly because fat from food was burned or expelled before being stored as tissue.

More recent studies suggest that lower oxygen levels may lead to accelerated metabolism and increased levels of leptin, the hormone related to satiety, while levels of ghrelin, often associated with hunger, are reduced.

If it is indeed true that high altitude diminishes obesity risk, Stencel notes that the practical application of this knowledge in combating obesity remains ambiguous. Nonetheless, Lizcano Rosada asserts that personalized advice could be beneficial, acknowledging that diverse environmental factors contribute to obesity across various locales.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Exploring the 11 Types of Obesity and Their Distinct Causes

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We might finally grasp why weight loss methods, such as exercise, often don’t succeed for all individuals with obesity

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Understanding obesity is proving to be more complex than previously recognized, with various types potentially stemming from different biological mechanisms.

“It transcends just body mass index and physical appearance; it delves into the biology driving it and its connection to health risks,” says Akl Fahed from the Broad Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The World Health Organization defines obesity as accumulating fat that poses a health threat. Determining if someone is obese involves calculating their Body Mass Index (BMI), which compares weight to height.

Since not all individuals with obesity experience health issues, some researchers have recently suggested introducing a “preclinical” obesity category. This approach separates individuals with medical complications related to excess fat, such as breathing difficulties or heart conditions, from those who currently show no symptoms but may develop them in the future. Yet, according to research by Fahed and his team, these classifications are still evolving.

The scientists executed genome-wide association studies involving over 2 million obese individuals, seeking connections between genetics and metrics such as BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratios, and hip circumference across diverse ancestry. They identified 743 genetic regions linked to obesity, with 86 of them being novel discoveries.

Subsequently, researchers investigated which tissues showed obesity-related effects from genetic alterations in these regions, focusing on processes like insulin production, the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. They found that these genes fall into 11 distinct clusters, each linked to a unique biological pathway.

The pathways include: metabolically unhealthy obesity, metabolically healthy obesity, and six types associated with insulin secretion, immune system regulation, appetite control, body weight management, and lipid metabolism.

The team designates these clusters as “endotypes” rather than “subtypes” to highlight that while subtypes are typically mutually exclusive, endotypes reflect identifiable biological mechanisms that can coexist in individuals with varying impacts.

Using data from over 48,000 individuals, the researchers validated their endotypes through the Mass General Brigham Biobank.

“Clearly, there are numerous forms of obesity,” states Frank Greenway of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Some obese individuals may not lose weight even with GLP-1 medications like Ozempic or Wegovy.

Gaining a deeper understanding of obesity and its various forms might refine our approach to treatment. “Recognizing the diverse types of obesity may lead to more targeted interventions and personalized care,” says Laura Gray from the University of Sheffield, UK.

Six of the 11 endotypes relate to insulin regulation, suggesting that some interventions might be effective across multiple clusters, according to team member Min Seo Kim at the Broad Institute.

The findings could reshape our understanding of research exploring the interplay of genetics and lifestyle in obesity, traditionally regarded as a singular condition, potentially influencing future research methodologies, Kim remarks.

Gray suggests that there may exist more than 11 endotypes. This figure was constrained by the genetic regions currently known to affect obesity, she notes. Kim shares this sentiment, expressing the likelihood of discovering additional endotypes as genetic research progresses.

Conversely, Henriet Kirchner from the University of Lübeck in Germany believes there could be fewer than 11 endotypes. She emphasizes the need for further replication of these findings in the scientific community to enhance understanding. “The concept of obesity clusters is appealing, but it must be refined in the future to be beneficial in clinical settings,” she states.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Reasons Patients Must Transition to Second-Line Obesity Medications

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Soon, tens of thousands of Americans will be compelled to transition from well-known obesity medications to alternatives that are likely to yield less effective weight loss, thanks to decisions made by Health’s insurance providers.

This situation exemplifies the consequences of a clandestine agreement between a pharmaceutical company and an intermediary known as a pharmacy benefits manager (PBM), appointed by employers to manage prescription coverage for their workforce. While employers benefit from lower medication costs, employees find themselves restricted from accessing competitive healthcare options. This type of insurance denial has become increasingly prevalent in the last decade.

Caremark, part of CVS Health and one of the largest PBMs, has opted to eliminate coverage for Zepbound, despite research indicating its weight loss efficacy surpasses that of Wegovy.

These findings, which were first announced in December, were confirmed in an article published in the New England Journal of Medicine on Sunday. The study encompassed a significant clinical trial evaluating these drugs, funded by Eli Lilly, the producer of Zepbound. Previous research not funded by Eli Lilly reached similar conclusions.

Ellen Davis, a 63-year-old resident of Huntington, Massachusetts, is one of those affected by Caremark’s decision. “It’s as if the rug has been pulled out from under me,” she expressed.

After using Zepbound for a year, she lost 85 pounds and experienced significant health improvements, having retired after a 34-year tenure at Verizon.

In a letter addressed to Verizon, she stated, “This forces patients to transition to less effective medications without any justification for medical care.”

Verizon did not respond to inquiries.

Following Caremark’s announcement, word spread rapidly online. A physician’s assistant at a weight loss clinic in New Hampshire started a Change.org petition to urge the company to reconsider. As of Sunday afternoon, it had garnered over 2,700 signatures. Caremark is set to cease Zepbound coverage in July.

Doctors assert that both Wegovy, from Novo Nordisk, and Zepbound are effective medications; however, they prefer Zepbound for most patients. This shift greatly limits their ability to tailor obesity medication prescriptions to individual needs.

It remains unclear if the omission of Zepbound will enhance Caremark’s profit margins.

Executives from Novo Nordisk claim they are not attempting to obstruct Zepbound’s availability. They maintain that patients and healthcare providers should have the autonomy to select their preferred medications.

David Whitrap, a spokesperson for Caremark, stated that the firm’s objective was to reduce drug costs. He noted that the agreement would lower obesity drug prices for Caremark’s employer clients by 10-15% compared to the previous year.

“CVS Caremark has aimed to let PBMs competitors often put forth their best efforts. Our choice is to encourage competition among clinically similar products while providing the lowest net costs to our clients,” Whitrap commented.

When queried about studies highlighting Zepbound’s advantages, Whitrap indicated that both medications are highly effective, and that clinical trial outcomes frequently diverge from real-world results.

The actual pricing that employers pay for medications is usually confidential. The Health Transformation Alliance, a consortium of major employers, reports that the average monthly cost for a large employer falls between $550 and $650.

Without insurance, patients might spend approximately $500 monthly on their medications. Many recently lost cheaper alternatives when regulators halted the sale of generic versions that cost below $200 monthly.

Countless employers do not cover either Zepbound or Wegovy due to their high cost. Medicare excludes most drugs for obese patients, and the Trump administration recently declined to support the Biden administration’s proposal to expand coverage.

Caremark, along with two other PBMs, dominates 80% of the prescription market. Other players, like Cigna’s Express Scripts and UnitedHealth’s Optum Rx, have not implemented similar restrictions on weight loss medications.

Since 2012, major PBMs have increasingly employed strategies that disrupt patient care and complicate treatment plans. Medications have been abruptly removed from the PBM’s official list of covered drugs.

According to a drugmaker-funded analysis, the number of medications excluded from at least one PBM list surged from 50 in 2014 to 548 in 2022. This count reflects instances where patients were compelled to switch to entirely different drugs, not merely to a standard version or alternative replica.

Limitations fluctuate frequently, leaving patients uncertain about the reasons behind them. One PBM might cover a specific drug while another does not, but competing managers may do the reverse.

Exclusions are generally purported not to harm patients; in certain instances, they may even be beneficial if patients are nudged toward more effective medications.

However, some exclusions have prompted significant concern among patients and healthcare providers.

In 2022, Caremark compelled patients to switch from one widely utilized blood-thinning elixir to Xarelto, leading to anecdotal reports that patients experienced complications during their treatment change. A group of physicians criticized this move, and the company restored coverage for the elixir six months later.

Individuals with autoimmune diseases, such as arthritis, often face similar mandatory drug switches. Asthma patients are also experiencing transitions to alternate inhalers.

“We’ve witnessed numerous situations,” remarked Dr. Robin Cohen, an asthma specialist at Boston Medical Center.

Representatives on behalf of employers indicate that patients affiliated with Caremark have already reached out via calls and emails, inquiring about the potential impact on their prescriptions. While they may remain on the PBM’s drug list, they have not played an active role in shaping it.

Caremark’s changes are applicable only to specific private insurance beneficiaries whose employers selected the most prevalent drug list managed by PBMs. This movement excludes patients receiving a version of diabetes medication.

Patients can consider switching to Wegovy or three other weight loss alternatives.

Whitrap noted that Caremark provides a “case-by-case medical exception process for individuals who may require alternatives,” including patients who have previously utilized Wegovy and saw insufficient weight loss.

However, many individuals may not meet the criteria for the exemption. In a conversation, one patient expressed a desire for Zepbound specifically and was not interested in switching.

“I selected Zepbound in consultation with my physician,” stated Carl Hoode, 49, from Saugus, Massachusetts.

Some patients are contemplating using their own funds to continue Zepbound. For 28-year-old Victoria Bello of Syracuse, New York, the medication has provided significant health improvements, and she fears losing access to it.

“I wasn’t prepared for such a sudden change,” she remarked. “I’m concerned for my health and the potential setback in my progress.”

A study funded by Eli Lilly conducted direct comparisons of medications across 750 clinical trials over a span of 16 months.

Participants receiving high doses of Zepbound shed an average of 50 pounds, whereas those on Wegovy lost around 33 pounds. Though both medications are administered via injection and share side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, the frequency of these effects was generally comparable between the two drugs. A small proportion of patients in both groups discontinued medication due to side effects.

Both drugs function similarly but have critical differences. Wegovy mimics only a single appetite-regulating hormone, while Zepbound influences two. Researchers believe that engaging more hormones leads to greater weight loss.

Dr. Jason Brett, an executive at Novo Nordisk, indicated in a recent interview that the quantity of weight lost is just one aspect of obesity treatment. Both medications are associated with improved heart health, though only Novo Nordisk has obtained regulatory approval to market the drug with that claim.

Medical professionals contend that both options must remain accessible, as Wegovy may outshine Zepbound in terms of weight loss efficacy or having milder side effects.

Healthcare providers advocate for the availability of both medications due to the diverse responses patients exhibit when using either Wegovy or Zepbound.

Supporters of Caremark argue that their decision to restrict Zepbound is merely fulfilling their responsibilities.

Benefits managers engage with pharmaceutical companies to negotiate payments known as rebates, which ultimately reduce employers’ costs for prescription drugs. These negotiations can yield substantial fees for the biggest market players. Caremark stood to gain significant revenue from weight loss medications without needing to exclude Zepbound.

The weight loss pill market is thriving, with both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly vying for market share.

Caremark engaged both drug manufacturers regarding rebate amounts associated with making their products available. However, neither Novo Nordisk nor Eli Lilly disclosed specific amounts provided. Novo Nordisk maintains that it did not advocate for or pay to inhibit Zepbound’s availability, emphasizing that the exclusion was solely Caremark’s decision.

“We believe that patients and physicians should determine what’s in the best interest of the patient,” stated Lars Flugaard Jorgensen, CEO of Novo Nordisk. He elaborated to Wall Street analysts this month.

Elizabeth DeGalier, 56, of Rochester, Minnesota, shared that Zepbound had a transformative impact on her life, expressing her frustration over Caremark’s choice. “It appears they overlooked scientific evidence,” she remarked. “They were primarily motivated by financial considerations.”

She added, “I am apprehensive about the future. I rely on several other expensive medications. Will they also be discontinued?”

Source: www.nytimes.com

Trump refuses Medicare proposals to include Wegovy and other medications for obesity

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The Trump administration rejected the Biden plan on Friday, which proposed Medicare and Medicaid covering obesity drugs and increasing access to millions of people.

The Biden administration’s proposal aimed to circumvent the ban on Medicare paying for weight loss drugs by claiming they would treat diseases related to obesity.

Expanding drug coverage would cost the federal government billions of dollars, with an estimated cost of around $35 billion over a decade according to the Congressional Budget Office Estimates.

The decision was part of a larger set of regulations contained in a 438-page document aimed at updating Medicare benefits and private insurance plans used by about half of Medicare beneficiaries.

Catherine Howden, a spokesperson for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, stated that the agency did not believe it was appropriate at the time to approve the Biden plan.

Medicare currently covers a limited set of weight loss medications for individuals with specific health conditions, such as diabetes and heart problems.

The Biden plan aimed to extend coverage to obese patients without these specific diseases, with an estimated 3.4 million people potentially benefiting from the policy.

Popular weight loss pills like Wegovy by Eli Lilly and other related products are now available at reduced prices to patients paying out of pocket.

Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk offer discounts for their products to patients paying out of pocket instead of through insurance, significantly reducing the cost for individuals.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. criticized weight loss pills, advocating for a diet of healthy foods instead.

Clinical trials have shown benefits of weight loss drugs beyond just weight loss, including preventing heart attacks and strokes.

Supporters of expanded drug coverage argue that the long-term health benefits will outweigh the costs, potentially reducing overall medical expenses. However, the realization of such savings remains uncertain.

States’ Medicaid programs now have the option to decide whether to cover obesity drugs or not, with some already opting to provide coverage. If the Biden policy had been implemented, all states would have been required to provide coverage.

The exact cost of obesity drugs for Medicare and Medicaid patients is undisclosed, but it is estimated to be several hundred dollars per patient per month.

Many employers and private health insurance plans do not cover weight loss drugs, leading some to discontinue coverage due to high costs.

Patients without insurance often rely on cheaper generic versions of drugs created through compounding, costing less than $200 a month. However, regulators are phasing out this option due to improved supply of branded products.

Congressional Republicans have shown some interest in urging Medicare to cover weight loss drugs, although this is not a current priority. Negotiations with Novo Nordisk for lower drug prices under a 2022 law have been initiated, with reduced prices scheduled to start in 2027 for eligible individuals.

Source: www.nytimes.com

The new understanding of obesity may improve treatment for millions of individuals

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Measuring body fat more carefully may help treat obesity

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Rethinking how obesity is defined could help millions of people around the world, claims a team of researchers who want to introduce a new category of “preclinical” obesity.

The current definition of obesity as set by the World Health Organization (WHO) is having excess body fat that poses a risk to health. The WHO recommends that health professionals assess whether people are obese by calculating their body mass index (BMI), a measure of weight in relation to height. A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy, while anything below or above that indicates being under or overweight. A BMI of more than 30 indicates obesity.

It’s true that having a lot of body fat can cause fat to infiltrate organs such as the liver and pancreas. impair function. It can also worsen inflammation and increase the risk of diseases such as cancer, liver disease, and heart disease.

However, BMI does not reflect a person’s body fat level very well. “BMI does not tell you whether that ‘excess’ weight is due to excess body fat or increased muscle and bone mass,” he says. Francesco Rubino He led research on obesity at King’s College, London.

Body fat levels, even when properly assessed by waist measurements or, in rare cases, X-ray scans, do not completely determine a person’s health status. “No two people react the same way to excess body fat. This is influenced by a person’s race/ethnicity, age, and the food they eat, with genetics playing a huge role.” says. stephen heimsfield at Louisiana State University.

That’s why Rubino and his colleagues want to introduce more nuance to the definition of obesity, separating cases into preclinical and clinical cases. Although both forms are characterized by excess body fat, only the clinical form is associated with symptoms caused by excess fat, such as difficulty breathing, heart problems, and difficulty with daily activities. Preclinical obesity, on the other hand, increases the risk of eventually developing such obesity-related symptoms, Rubino says.

This is similar to prediabetes, where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as full-blown type 2 diabetes, Rubino said.

Under the proposed changes, medical staff would use waist width and X-rays in addition to BMI calculations to directly measure people’s body fat levels, but people with a BMI over 40 would always be overweight. It will be considered fatty. Blood tests are then used to assess organ health and people are asked if they have symptoms. Blood tests are routinely done by many clinicians anyway, but directly measuring body fat would add some workload, Heimsfield says.

If the new definition is widely adopted by clinicians, it could mean people will receive more personalized advice and treatment, Rubino said. In general, people with pre-clinical obesity may only need to monitor their health and make lifestyle changes, while those with clinical obesity are more likely to need treatment with drugs or surgery, Rubino said. say.

“This allows us to better triage people and get them the right care,” he says. Adrian Brown At University College London.

Laura Gray Researchers at the University of Sheffield in the UK also welcomed the proposed changes. “It’s very necessary. These guidelines put what current research says into clinical practice,” she says. “Not all people who are obese according to their BMI are unhealthy, and not all people with a low BMI are healthy.”

This updated definition has already been endorsed by 76 health organizations around the world and may also help reduce the stigma surrounding the condition. “The hope is that by defining obesity in a more nuanced way, we will be able to show that it is a disease in itself. It is not just the result of behavior, but there are many risk factors, including environmental, psychological, and genetic. ” says Gray.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

After a decade of increases, obesity rates among U.S. adults decreased last year.

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overview

  • Last year, the obesity rate among U.S. adults decreased slightly for the first time in more than a decade, a study found.
  • Researchers suggested this may be due in part to the rise of weight loss drugs like Ozempic.
  • However, other drugs and factors (such as the effects of the coronavirus pandemic) may also have played a role.

Obesity rates among U.S. adults declined slightly last year, according to a study, but it was the first time in more than a decade that the country had seen a downward trend. Part of that may be due to the recent rise of blockbuster weight loss drugs like Ozempic, the study authors said.

The findings of the study were announced on Friday. Journal JAMA Health Forumthe most significant declines were seen in the South, especially among women and adults ages 66 to 75.

The study looked at BMI measurements for more than 16.7 million adults from 2013 to 2023 across different regions, age groups, genders, races, and ethnicities. BMI measurements are a standard but limited method for estimating obesity relative to body weight. Height to length was collected from electronic health records.

Researchers found that the adult obesity rate in the United States decreased from 46% in 2022 to 45.6% in 2023. (These are slightly higher rates than the U.S. adult obesity rate) Estimate from the centers for disease control and preventionThis means that from 2021 to 2023, approximately 40% of U.S. adults were obese. )

Benjamin Rader, a computational epidemiologist at Boston Children's Hospital and an author of the study, said the results were not uniform across demographics or geographic regions.

“Obesity has been on the decline in the United States as a whole, especially in the South, but this has not been the case in some regions,” he said. “Obesity among Black Americans also decreased significantly, but obesity among Asian Americans increased.”

Rader said the decline in the South was notable because the region observed the highest per capita intake of weight loss drugs, based on researchers' analysis of insurance claims. But he acknowledged that the possible link needed further investigation.

The study authors also noted that obese people in the South had a disproportionately high number of COVID-19 deaths, which may have influenced the overall data.

Dr. Michael Weintraub, an endocrinologist and clinical assistant professor at New York University's Grossman School of Medicine, said the results are consistent with the following: Recent data from the CDC Results showed a slight decrease in obesity prevalence among U.S. adults from 2021 to 2023 compared to 2017 to 2020 (although severe obesity increased during this period). ).

“This data is interesting and holds the promise that we may be on the cusp of changing this obesity epidemic,” said Weintraub, who was not involved in the new study. “However, I would hesitate to call the value of this downward trend in 2023 a trend.”

Even if weight loss drugs were the main factor in reducing obesity, experts say further studies over longer periods of time are needed to assess the true effects of new drugs.

“We know these drugs are very effective, but we need a few more years to see if this is really a trend, or if it's just a small spike and we're back to normal, or if things get much worse. Dr. Tannaz Moin, an endocrinologist and associate professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, said he was not involved in the study.

Moyn also pointed out that the new study only analyzed preparations of GLP-1 weight loss drugs (a category that includes Ozempic and Mounjaro). This type of drug is used to treat diabetes and obesity by reducing a person's appetite and food intake. This drug mimics the hormone that makes you feel full.

But GLP-1 drugs are only part of the prescription for treating obesity, and a more comprehensive study of different drugs could better capture changing trends, Moyn said. said. Weight loss drugs are also expensive, which can skew data about who can receive treatment.

Additionally, the study used insurance claims data, meaning those who were uninsured or who purchased weight loss drugs out of pocket were likely not included in the results.

Moin said he was surprised by the decline in BMI seen in older people.

“This group is not necessarily the group that I think is the biggest user of GLP-1 drugs, because a lot of them are in the Medicare age group,” she says, adding that weight loss drugs are the most popular for people on Medicare. may be difficult to obtain, he added. The Biden administration recently proposed a rule that would require Medicare and Medicaid to cover weight loss drugs for people seeking obesity treatment.

However, Weintraub cautioned that the observed decline does not necessarily indicate a long-term decline.

“We've been fooled until now by fluctuations in obesity prevalence,” he says. “We were excited about the downward trend in childhood obesity rates announced by the CDC in the early 2000s, but in the years since, obesity rates have increased even more.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

What do obesity experts think about the health of supermarket bread?

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Engaging in discussions about diet and nutrition can often lead to passionate arguments, as I discovered when unintentionally becoming the focal point of a debate surrounding supermarket bread.

It all started with my opinion piece on “ultra-processed foods,” or UPF. For those unfamiliar, this term refers to foods that undergo industrial processes difficult to replicate at home. Examples include sweetened drinks, prepackaged foods, and supermarket bread. In the UK, approximately 50% of our caloric intake comes from UPF sources.

So, what makes UPF detrimental to our health?

Firstly, UPFs tend to be low in protein and fiber due to extensive processing, making them easily digestible and calorically dense. Secondly, the flavor is often diminished in UPFs, leading to high levels of sugar, salt, and fat being added for taste. Lastly, some argue that the processing involved in UPFs is inherently harmful, although the evidence supporting this claim is inconclusive.

A recent meta-analysis published in the British Medical Journal linked excessive UPF consumption to various health issues across different categories.

The ambiguity surrounding the UPF concept bothers me, as it encompasses a wide range of foods from highly processed items to minimally processed options like supermarket bread. Despite the negative connotations associated with UPFs, supermarket bread, a major source of UPF calories, still provides sustenance for many households.

The accessibility and affordability of supermarket bread make it a staple for individuals facing food insecurity. While premium bread offers unique qualities, such as lactobacterial fermentation, evidence supporting health benefits is growing.

An interview with Dr. Chris Van Tulleken highlighted the differences between traditional and supermarket bread, emphasizing the higher salt and sugar content in the latter. A rational discussion is essential to address the prevalence of UPFs, acknowledging the diverse preferences and circumstances of consumers.

In conclusion, while premium bread may offer distinct advantages, stigmatizing those who rely on supermarket bread is unjust. It is crucial to engage in constructive dialogues regarding our food choices without condemning individuals based on their bread preferences.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

What’s the real health impact of supermarket bread, as determined by obesity experts

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When discussing diet and nutrition, opinions can often be divisive and passionate. Recently, I found myself in the middle of a debate surrounding supermarket bread that sparked unexpected backlash.

The controversy began after I wrote an article on “ultra-processed foods” (UPF). These foods are products of industrial processes that are difficult to replicate at home, including sweetened drinks, prepackaged foods, and most supermarket breads. In the UK, around 50% of our daily calories come from UPF (source).

UPF has garnered a negative reputation for several reasons. Firstly, these foods tend to be low in protein and fiber, making them easily digestible and calorically dense. Secondly, the processing of UPF often strips away natural flavors, leading to high amounts of added sugar, salt, and fat to enhance taste. Lastly, there are concerns that excessive consumption of UPF may lead to various health issues (British Medical Journal).

While the negative effects of UPF are well-documented, the term itself is vague, encompassing a wide range of foods from heavily processed items to minimally altered products like mass-produced supermarket bread.

In a response to my article, it was argued that real sourdough bread made through lactobacterial fermentation may offer health benefits that are lacking in supermarket bread. It was also noted that supermarket bread tends to be higher in salt and sugar, leading to potential weight gain.

While artisanal sourdough may provide some advantages over supermarket bread, it’s essential to consider the accessibility of such premium products to a broader demographic.

A balanced discussion on the prevalence of UPF in our food supply is necessary, but the demonization of supermarket bread, a staple for many households, may be unwarranted without substantial evidence of harm.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Obesity directly correlated with increased risk of breast cancer, say researchers

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Reading time: 7 minutes

Breast cancer affects thousands of people each year. Scientists have shown that many factors can influence breast cancer, including age, physical inactivity, and obesity. However, it is unclear exactly how obesity and breast cancer are related.

Previous researchers have shown that tissue inflammation in obese patients is related to cancer. Other researchers have shown that obese patients have the following characteristics: specific genetic mutations It is also related to cancer. However, how this mutation acts to generate different types of tumors is not fully understood.

Ha-Linh Nguyen and colleagues recently investigated the relationship between breast cancer and obesity. Nguyen and his team wanted to determine how obesity affects breast cancer by examining the tissue cell and genetic profiles of breast cancer in obese patients. Their goal was to see if doctors could develop more targeted treatments for breast cancer based on the genetic mutations involved.

They collected genetic data from the tumors of more than 2,000 breast cancer patients collected during multiple large-scale breast cancer studies conducted by five accredited cancer research institutions. To ensure that no changes had occurred in the breast tumors, the researchers only used data from patients who had not yet started cancer treatment.

The researchers defined obesity based on the patient’s weight-to-height ratio. body mass index, or BMI. They used patients’ BMI data to classify patients into three categories: obese, overweight, and underweight. An obese patient, her BMI was over 30 kilograms per square meter (kg/m2).2), the BMI of overweight patients was 25–30 kg/m2.2lean patients had a BMI of 18.5 to 25 kg/m.2. For reference, the average BMI for adults is approximately 26 kg/m3.2.

Patients were then further categorized based on breast tumor type. These categories include patients with tumors that originate in the milk-producing glands of the breast. Invasive lobular carcinoma tumoror a comparison of patients with ILC tumors and patients without specific tumor types.

The researchers also took into account other biological factors used to identify the type of breast cancer. estrogen receptor. Tumors in patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer contain receptors that use the hormone estrogen to stimulate tumor cell growth. The tumors of breast cancer patients who are estrogen receptor-negative do not contain this receptor.

They also looked at another way to determine the type of tumor, a method called. HER2 factor. HER2-positive breast cancer patients contain a protein called human epidermal growth factor 2, which allows cancer cells to multiply rapidly. The researchers used these biochemical markers to classify patients by tumor type, and then used statistical analysis to distinguish between tumor types in obese patients and those in lean and overweight groups. We compared the types.

Researchers found that in obese patients with non-specific tumors that are estrogen receptor positive and HER2 negative, BMI influences breast cancer in the same way that age influences cancer development. The researchers explained that as we age, the body’s immune response slows down, giving cancer cells more time to accumulate before the body reacts and stops the process. They suggested that these results support the idea that both age and obesity are risk factors for developing breast cancer.

The scientists then looked at whether the tumors in each group had one or more cancer-causing mutations. The research team specifically looked at genes that researchers had previously shown had mutations that cause breast cancer. They also examined tumor DNA to see if there were mutations that caused deletions or amplifications of specific parts of the DNA. Change number of copies.

Researchers found different genetic mutations in patients with different BMIs. They found that a gene involved in cell division signaling, called P1K3CA, was less mutated in obese patients who were estrogen receptor positive, HER2 negative, and had unspecific tumors. Mutations in two other HER genes, CCND1 and CCNE1, were more common in obese patients with estrogen receptor-positive tumors.

The researchers concluded that their study showed a genetic link between breast cancer and obesity. They suggested that some genetic mutations found in tumors of obese patients, particularly CCND1 and CCNE1 mutations, may enable targeted breast cancer treatments. They suggested that future researchers should investigate how the biochemical pathways these genes are associated with actually contribute to breast cancer formation to better develop treatments. .


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original research: Obesity-related changes in the molecular biology of primary breast cancer

research has been published:July 21, 2023

research author: Harinh Nguyen, Tatiana Geukens, Marion Mehtens, Samuel Aparicio, Ayse Bassez, Ake Borg, Jane Block, Anejan Brooks, Carlos Caldas, Fatima Cardoso, Maxim de Schepper, Mauro DeLorenzi. , Caroline A. Drucker, Anuska M. Glass, Andrew R. Green, Edoardo Isnardi, Jörn Eifjords, Hazem Kout, Stian Knapskog, Savitri Krishnamurthy, Sunil R. Lakhani, Anita Langerod, John W. M. Martens, Amy E. McCart-Reid, Lee Murphy, Stefan Nauraz, Selina Nick-Zinal, Ines Nebelsteen, Patrick Neven, Martine Picard, Coralie Ponsetto, Kevin Puni, Colin Purdy, Emad A. Raka, Andrea Richardson, Emile Rutgers, Anne Vincent-Salomon, Peter T. Simpson, Marjanka K. Schmidt, Christos Sotiriou, Paul N. Spann, Kiat. Tee Benita Tan, Alastair Thompson, Stefania Tommasi, Karen van Baeren, Marc van de Wivel, Steven van Leer, Laura van't Veer, Giuseppe Viale, Alan Viali, Hanne Voss, Anke T. Witteveen, Hans Wildyas, Giuseppe Floris, Abhishek D. Garg, Anne Smeets, Dieter Lambrecht, Elia Biganzoli, Francois Richard, Christine Desmet

The research was conducted at the following locations:: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium), Lund University (Sweden), Netherlands Cancer Institute (Netherlands), University of Cambridge (UK), Champalimaud Clinical Center/Champalimaud Foundation (Portugal), University of Lausanne (Switzerland), SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (Switzerland), Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital (Netherlands), University of Nottingham (UK), University of Iceland (Iceland), University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UK), University of Bergen (Norway), and University of Texas MD Anderson. University of Queensland, Herston (Australia), Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston (Australia), Oslo University Hospital, Ullenjausen (Norway), Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam (Netherlands), University of Manitoba , Manitoba Institute for Cancer Treatment (Canada), University Hospital Leuven (Belgium), Jules Bordet Institute and Free University of Bruxelles (Belgium), European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Headquarters (Belgium), University of Dundee (UK) , Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (UK), Johns Hopkins University (USA), Netherlands Cancer Institute (Netherlands), Institut Curie, PSL Research University (France), Radboud University Medical Center (Netherlands), Sengkang General Hospital ( Singapore), National Cancer Center (Singapore), Baylor College of Medicine (USA), IRCCS Istituto Tumouri “Giovanni Paolo II” (Italy), University of Amsterdam (Netherlands), University of Antwerp (Belgium), UCSF Helen Diller Family Institute Cancer Center (USA), European Institute of Oncology IRCCS (Italy), University of Milan (Italy), Synergie Lyon Cancer, Plateforme de Bio-informatique 'Gilles Thomas' (France), Università degli Studi di Milano (Italy)

This research was funded by: Luxembourg Cancer Foundation, European Research Council, University of Leuven.

Availability of raw data: Data from the ICGC cohort includes: ICGC Data Portalthe data from ELBC includes: gene expression omnibus Accession number GSE88770 provides access to data from MINDACT. EORTCindividual patient read count data can be accessed below. bio keythe raw sequence reads include European Genomic Phenomena Archive Research No. EGAS00001004809 and data accession number. EGAD00001006608

Featured image credit: Photo provided National Cancer Institute upon unsplash

This summary was edited by: Aubrey Zirkle

Source: sciworthy.com

Breakthrough in microbiome research may hold the key to combating obesity

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Recent discoveries by scientists on the human gut microbiome, which consists of microorganisms like bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses residing in the gastrointestinal tract, may lead to new weight loss interventions in the future.

To be presented at the European Obesity Conference (ECO), researchers have identified specific microbial species that could either increase or decrease an individual’s risk of obesity.

Through a study involving 361 adult volunteers from Spain, scientists identified a total of six main species.

The lead researcher, Dr. Paula Aranaz, who obtained her PhD from the Nutrition Research Center of the University of Navarra, explained, “Our findings highlight the potential role of imbalances in various bacterial groups in the development and progression of obesity.”

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Participants were categorized based on their body mass index: 65 were of normal weight, 110 were overweight, and 186 were obese. Genetic microbiota profiling was conducted to analyze the type, composition, diversity, and abundance of bacteria present in their fecal samples.

The study found that individuals with higher body mass index had lower levels of Christensenella Minuta, a bacterium associated with weight loss in other studies.

<.p>Interestingly, there were gender-specific differences in the findings. For men, the species Parabacteroides hercogenes and Campylobacter canadensis were linked to higher BMI, fat mass, and waist size. On the other hand, for women, the species Prevotella copri, Prevotella brevis, and Prevotella saccharolytica predicted obesity risk.

According to Aranaz, “Fostering certain bacterial types in the gut microbiota, like Christensenella Minuta, may protect against obesity. Future interventions aimed at altering bacterial strains or bioactive molecules levels could create a microbiome resistant to obesity.”

While the study focused on a specific region of Spain, factors such as climate, geography, and diet could influence the results. These findings could lead to tailored nutritional strategies for weight loss that take into account gender differences.

About our expert:

Paula Aranaz is a researcher at the Nutrition Research Center of the University of Navarra in Spain, focusing on bioactive compounds to prevent and treat metabolic diseases. Her research has been published in journals like International Journal of Molecular Science, Nutrients, and European Journal of Nutrition.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

New Weight Loss Drugs Could Drastically Reduce Obesity in the Next Few Decades

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Obesity has undergone a significant shift in how we perceive it in recent years. It was once seen as a personal lifestyle choice, but is now acknowledged as a complex disease affected by genetics, biology, psychosocial factors, and the environment. It is a prevalent condition affecting a large portion of the population.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 2 billion adults are overweight or obese and this number is rising rapidly across different income countries.

Obesity poses a major health risk as it increases the likelihood of developing diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, dementia, cancer, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and kidney failure.

Recent advancements in understanding obesity have revealed that the regulation of energy balance and eating behavior occurs in the brain, not the stomach. Scientists have identified numerous genes that impact weight regulation and predispose individuals to obesity. Additionally, maintaining weight loss is challenging due to the body’s natural responses, which slow metabolism and increase hunger hormones.

Efforts to find effective treatments for obesity have intensified, considering the stigma and discrimination individuals with obesity often face. Traditional methods such as surgery or lifestyle changes like diet and exercise have been common strategies for weight loss. However, these approaches come with risks, limitations, and costs.

Current weight loss drugs have not been very successful in achieving significant results. New gut hormone treatments known as incretins show promise in managing obesity by regulating appetite through the gut-brain axis. Drugs like semaglutide have demonstrated notable weight loss benefits and improved blood sugar levels, offering hope for effective obesity management in the future.

Despite the potential of new weight loss drugs, challenges like administration methods, cost, and long-term effectiveness need to be addressed. Developments in weight loss medications, including oral drugs like orforglyprone, are still in progress, suggesting a promising future for obesity treatment.

While weight loss pills offer a valuable tool, they should be part of a comprehensive approach that includes lifestyle changes, psychological support, and addressing socio-economic factors influencing health inequalities. The future of obesity treatment looks promising with ongoing research and advancements in medical technology.

It’s crucial to recognize that a holistic approach, which combines different strategies tailored to individual needs, is essential in effectively addressing the complexities of obesity. By destigmatizing obesity and focusing on a well-rounded treatment plan, we can make significant strides in managing this chronic disease.

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Credit: Getty Images

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Men who consume kimchi daily may have a lower risk of obesity

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In a cross-sectional study, researchers from Chung-Ang University and elsewhere analyzed data from the Korean HEXA Cohort Study to investigate the association between kimchi consumption and obesity among Korean adults. They showed that total kimchi intake of one to three servings per day was inversely associated with obesity risk in men. Additionally, in men, higher intakes of baechu kimchi (cabbage kimchi) were associated with lower prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity. It was found that higher intake of gakdugi (radish kimchi) was associated with lower prevalence of abdominal obesity in both men and women. However, all results indicate a “J-shaped” association, suggesting that overconsumption may increase obesity prevalence.

Consuming 1 to 3 servings of kimchi per day has been shown to reduce obesity risk in men. Image credit: Lee Dong-won.

Kimchi is traditionally consumed as a side dish in Korea and is produced by salting and fermenting vegetables with various flavorings and seasonings such as onions, garlic, chili powder, salted shrimp, and fish sauce.

The main vegetables in kimchi are cabbage and radish, and kimchi is low in calories and rich in dietary fiber, lactic acid bacteria, vitamins, and polyphenols.

Fermented kimchi contains the following major types of lactic acid bacteria: leuconostoc seed, lactic acid bacteria Species and Weissella spp.

especially, lactic acid bacteria It is the dominant species of kimchi lactic acid bacteria in late seed fermentation.

In previously published experimental studies, Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus plantarum Components isolated from kimchi had anti-obesity effects.

And researchers Hyein Jung and colleagues at Chung-Ang University wanted to know whether regular consumption was associated with a reduced risk of overall and/or abdominal obesity, which is considered to be particularly harmful to health. .

Scientists used data from 115,726 participants (36,756 men and 78,970 women, average age 51 years) who took part in the Health Examination (HEXA) study.

HEXA is a large-scale community-based longitudinal study of the Korean Genomic Epidemiology Study, which aims to investigate environmental and genetic risk factors for common long-term conditions in Korean adults aged 40 years and older.

Dietary intake in the previous year was assessed using a validated 106-item food frequency questionnaire. In this survey, participants were asked to indicate how often they ate one serving of each food item: never, rarely, or three times a day.

Kimchi total includes Baechu. Kakudugi. Nabak and donchimi (watery kimchi). Others include takana kimchi.

Baechu kimchi or gahdugi kimchi weighs 50g, and nabak kimchi or donchimi kimchi weighs 95g.

We measured each participant's height, weight, BMI, and waist circumference. BMI 18.5 was defined as underweight. Normal weight is 18.5-25. Obesity for people over 25 years old.

Abdominal obesity was defined as waist circumference of at least 90 cm for men and at least 85 cm for women. Approximately 36% of men and 25% of women's girlfriends were obese.

The results showed a J-shaped curve, likely because the higher the consumption, the higher the intake of total energy, carbohydrates, protein, fat, sodium, and cooked rice, the researchers said. ing.

Compared to participants who ate less than one serving of kimchi per day, those who ate five or more servings were more likely to gain weight, have a larger waist size, and be obese.

They were also less highly educated, had lower incomes, and were more likely to drink alcohol.

However, after accounting for potentially influencing factors, researchers found that consuming up to three servings of kimchi per day was associated with an 11% lower obesity rate compared with less than one serving per day.

Among men, those who consumed three or more servings of baechu kimchi per day had a 10% lower prevalence of obesity and a 10% lower prevalence of abdominal obesity compared to those who consumed less than one serving per day.

For women, consuming this type of kimchi two to three times a day was associated with an 8% lower obesity rate, and consuming one to two times a day was associated with a 6% lower incidence of abdominal obesity.

It was found that eating less than the average amount of gakdugi kimchi reduced obesity rates by about 9% for both men and women.

Consumption of 25 g/day for men and 11 g/day for women reduced the risk of abdominal obesity by 8% (men) to 11% (women) compared to no intake.

“A 'J-shaped' association was observed across all outcomes, suggesting that overconsumption may increase obesity prevalence,” the authors said.

“Kimchi is also one of the major sources of sodium intake, so the health benefits of other ingredients should be considered when recommending appropriate amounts.”

of findings appear in the diary BMJ Open.

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H. Jung other. 2024. Association between kimchi intake and obesity based on BMI and abdominal obesity in Korean adults: A cross-sectional analysis of a health checkup survey. BMJ Open 14: e076650; doi: 10.1136/bmjoopen-2023-076650

Source: www.sci.news

New Weight Loss Drugs: Will Ozempic, Wegovy and Future Solutions Finally Conquer Obesity?

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There are TikTok hashtags with millions of followers, endless columns about celebrity waistlines, and a flurry of media coverage when test results come out. It is rare for a new drug to receive so much attention. However, it is even more rare for approved drugs to cause safe and rapid weight loss with minimal effort.

A year ago, most people had never heard of semaglutide. Semaglutide is a drug developed about 10 years ago under the brand name Ozempic to treat type 2 diabetes. It was later approved as a weight loss aid in the US in 2021 under the name Wegovy. With this drug, people can lose a whopping 15% of their body weight.

The impact of this new class of medicines could be unprecedented and could end the world's growing obesity epidemic. “I don’t think it’s fully sunk in yet,” he says. Jonathan Campbell At Duke University in North Carolina, he studies how these drugs affect the body.

First, Wegovy was just the beginning. The next generation of these drugs is in development and will be cheaper, easier to use, and, importantly, even more powerful. Additionally, new evidence suggests that Wegovy and its similar products are more effective when given at a younger age, so doctors are considering their use in teenagers and young children. This increases the possibility of switching from obesity treatment to prevention. “Over the past 40 years, we have seen the obesity landscape change dramatically,” Campbell says. “Now we may be at a tipping point where that goes backwards.”

Why is obesity on the rise?

The rise in obesity has been occurring since the 1970s…

Source: www.newscientist.com

The potential benefits of vibrating tablets in managing obesity by promoting a feeling of fullness in the stomach

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The tablet contains a vibration motor powered by a small silver oxide battery. When stomach acid reaches the intestines, the outer layer of stomach acid dissolves. This closes the electronic circuit and begins to vibrate.

Shriya Srinivasan, Giovanni Traverso, MIT News

A vibrating drug that tricks the brain into thinking it’s full could one day treat obesity. This approach is significantly less invasive than gastric bypass surgery, and may be cheaper and have fewer side effects than drugs such as Wegovy and Ozempic.

Giovanni Traverso Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a pill that is about the same size as a standard multivitamin. The tablet contains a vibrating motor powered by a small silver oxide battery that is safe to swallow. When the tablet reaches your intestines, stomach acid dissolves the outer layer of the tablet. This closes the electronic circuit and begins to vibrate.

In experiments with pigs, some of the animals were given the tablets 20 minutes before being fed. These pigs ate about 40 percent less than pigs that were not given the tablets. They also had higher levels of hormones in their blood that typically signal a feeling of fullness.

Researchers believe the pill has potential as a treatment for obesity and hope to test it in humans “soon,” Traverso said. “This is a huge health problem, affecting more than 40 percent of the U.S. population, for example.”

He says the pill’s vibrations activate the same receptors that sense when the stomach lining expands after a large meal, sending a signal to the brain that you’re full. The prototype version vibrates for 30 minutes until the battery dies and passes on its own.

Traverso said future versions could be adapted to stay in the stomach semi-permanently and be turned on and off wirelessly as needed. She said people will likely react differently to the device, but it typically turns on automatically for short periods of time each day to reduce appetite, or is controlled by a smartphone app to suppress hunger pangs. It is also possible to do so.

Previous research by the same group found that Electrical stimulation of the stomach lining can actually cause hunger pangs, may lead to the treatment of anorexia in cancer patients. “I think this is really exciting because we’re just learning what we can do by stimulating different parts of the gastrointestinal tract in different ways.” [gastrointestinal] Traverso says. “When we eat, we feel full, but the question is can we induce that feeling of fullness? Can we create that illusion?

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Source: www.newscientist.com