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- Covid jabs huge success, but work needed on trust in vaccines – key findin...
Immunisation saved hundreds of thousands of UK lives, but vaccine hesitancy remains an issue. [TheTopNews] Read More.11 mins ago - This could be why your weight-loss medication isn’t delivering results
The skyrocketing popularity of GLP-1 receptor agonists has transformed the weight-loss industry, but not all shots are created equal in terms of how they work.A study published in Nature investigated how genes affect the success of modern weight-loss drugs — specifically, GLP-1s like semaglutide and tirzepatide.In analyzing genetic data and self-reported weight loss from over 27,000 users, researchers pinpointed a specific variation in the GLP-1 receptor gene (GLP1R) that acts as a "booster" for the drug’s effectiveness.POPULAR WEIGHT-LOSS MEDICATIONS LINKED TO HIDDEN SIDE EFFECTS, STUDY FINDSIndividuals carrying one copy of this variant lost an average of 1.6 pounds more than those without it, according to the findings.This suggests that genetic testing could eventually help doctors steer sensitive patients toward medications they are more likely to tolerate."We believe these reports are a step forward in meeting an unmet need for a more informed and personalized approach to weight management," said study co-author Noura Abul-Husn, chief medical officer at the 23andMe Research Institute in California, in a press release.While this genetic "boost" is measurable, it remains relatively modest when compared to the total average weight loss of 24 pounds observed across the study population, the researchers noted.SHOULD YOU MICRODOSE OZEMPIC? EXPERTS ARE SPLIT ON RISKS VS BENEFITSBeyond genetics, other factors such as age, sex and specific medications remain much stronger predictors of success.For instance, the study found that women generally saw a higher body mass index (BMI) reduction (12.2%) compared to men (10.0%).The study may also reveal why certain patients experience stomach issues. Scientists identified a different genetic variant that was linked to increased reports of nausea and vomiting.The presence of this side effect did not impact the drug's effectiveness, however. Patients with variants in the GLP1R and GIPR genes lost just as much weight as those without it; they simply felt more sick during the process, the study found.WEIGHT-LOSS MEDICATIONS COULD IMPACT SEXUAL HEALTH IN UNEXPECTED WAYS"GLP-1 treatment decisions are complex, and having access to clinical expertise to help contextualize your genetic results alongside your full health picture is exactly the kind of guidance this report is designed to support," said Abul-Husn.Dr. Peter Balazs, MD, a hormone and weight-loss specialist serving the New York and New Jersey area, was not involved in the study but reiterated the role of the genetic variants in treatment response and side effects.CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES"Notably, there appears to be a drug-specific effect: The GIPR variant associated… [TheTopNews] Read More.2 hours ago - NHS tracker – are hospital waiting times improving near you?Use our interactive tracker to see if treatment waits are getting better at your local hospital. [TheTopNews] Read More.3 hours ago
- ‘Breakthrough’ Alzheimer’s drugs unlikely to benefit patients,...A major review has provoked a backlash after concluding the medicines provide too little benefit to be noticed. [TheTopNews] Read More.7 hours ago
- I feared my son had a brain tumour but he’d been poisoned with vitamin DInvestigations found Roo had been accidentally poisoned with a dose of vitamin D prescribed for growing pains. [TheTopNews] Read More.8 hours ago
- Wellbeing garden opens to combat isolationThe outdoor area at Yarm Wellness will officially open to the public on Saturday. [TheTopNews] Read More.8 hours ago
- Sleeping without a pillow could have surprising health benefit, study suggestsSleeping with, or without, a pillow may have a sneaky impact on your health.New research suggests that skipping the pillow could help prevent the development of glaucoma, an eye disease that damages the optic nerve and can cause vision loss or blindness.Glaucoma can be caused by elevated eye pressure, thinning of the optic nerve or fluid buildup, according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation.SLEEP PATTERNS COULD PREDICT RISK FOR DEMENTIA, CANCER AND STROKE, STUDY SUGGESTSThe study, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, found that eye pressure was higher in glaucoma patients who slept with two pillows compared to lying flat. Blood flow to the eye decreased in the high-pillow position.This may occur due to the neck bending forward, compressing the veins, the authors suggested. Glaucoma patients may benefit from avoiding sleep postures that put the neck in this position, they concluded.Dr. William Lu, medical director at Dreem Health, who was not involved in the study, called these findings "interesting and important.""It highlights how something as simple as sleep posture can influence intra-ocular pressure in people with glaucoma," the San Francisco-based expert told Fox News Digital.COMMON SLEEP AID COULD BE QUIETLY INTERFERING WITH YOUR REST, STUDY SUGGESTS"That said, this is still early research, and it doesn’t mean pillows are inherently harmful – it’s more about how they’re used and the degree of elevation."The key takeaway is "balance and personalization," Lu said. Most people don’t need to eliminate pillows, but should avoid "extreme positions," such as sleeping with the head sharply elevated or with the neck bent at an awkward angle, he noted.Sleeping without a pillow can help promote a more neutral neck alignment for some people, especially those who sleep on their backs, according to Lu."That can reduce strain on the cervical spine and may improve comfort or reduce morning stiffness," he said. "In certain cases, it may also reduce pressure points that come from overly thick or unsupportive pillows."CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIESGoing pillow-free isn’t ideal for side sleepers, who often need a pillow to keep the head aligned with the spine, Lu added."Without one, the neck can tilt downward and create strain over time," he said. "For others, skipping a pillow can worsen snoring or airway positioning, and people with existing neck or shoulder issues may actually feel worse without proper support."CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTERFor those who have glaucoma or are at higher… [TheTopNews] Read More.18 hours ago
- Dr Chris asks: ‘Why do so many of us have problems with our feet?’Drs Chris and Xand explore common foot problems, from bunions to verrucas, and why diseases affecting our blood vessels or nerves seem to often show up in the feet. [TheTopNews] Read More.20 hours ago
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