Diabetes rates have quadrupled since 1990 — here’s the 4 reasons why

Diabetes rates have quadrupled since 1990 — here’s the 4 reasons why

The number of people living with diabetes worldwide has quadrupled in the past two decades, with 830 million people diagnosed as of 2022, as published this week in The Lancet. That’s more than four times the number of people who had the disease in 1990, according to a Thursday announcement from the World Health Organization (WHO). Among … Read more

Drugs like Ozempic may be better at treating alcoholism than leading meds, new study finds

Drugs like Ozempic may be better at treating alcoholism than leading meds, new study finds

Another day, another study linking Ozempic to major health benefits. Published Wednesday in JAMA Psychiatry, the study found that patients diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD) who were given a GLP-1 drug were less likely to be hospitalized for alcohol-related issues.  In fact, they found it to work even better than the current most-effective drug for … Read more

New weight loss drug decreases appetite without nausea — and can even burn calories

New weight loss drug decreases appetite without nausea — and can even burn calories

A new, better Ozempic? Scientists from the University of Copenhagen say they have developed a drug that decreases appetite while increasing calorie burning — without any signs of nausea. “While GLP-1-based therapies have revolutionized patient care for obesity and Type 2 diabetes, safely harnessing energy expenditure and controlling appetite without nausea remain two holy grails … Read more

Owning a dog can help you live longer — 4 ways they boost your health

Owning a dog can help you live longer — 4 ways they boost your health

Owning a dog could give you a new leash on life. A 2019 study out of Sweden linked dog ownership to an increase in physical activity and social support and a lower risk of premature death following a heart attack or stroke. Though other research has cast doubt on the direct effect of pets on … Read more

Is Ozempic the modern wonder drug? All the conditions the weight loss jab can tackle — from addiction to Alzheimer’s

Is Ozempic the modern wonder drug? All the conditions the weight loss jab can tackle — from addiction to Alzheimer’s

Even if you you’re not diabetic or obese, can Ozempic be right for you? Ever since the weekly injectable was approved in 2017 to treat diabetes in adults, researchers have been testing its superpowers on other chronic diseases, such as colorectal cancer, osteoarthritis, drug and alcohol addiction, brain disorders and more. “I’m using [Ozempic] off-label … Read more

Drugs like Ozempic may lower risk of early death by 74% following a stroke: study

Drugs like Ozempic may lower risk of early death by 74% following a stroke: study

Stroke survivors can significantly lower their risk of another stroke, a heart attack or premature death by taking a diabetes drug like Ozempic or Jardiance, new preliminary research finds. “Unfortunately, a quarter of people who survive a stroke will have another stroke,” said lead study author Dr. M. Ali Sheffeh. “They are also at risk … Read more

This easy, low-impact exercise ‘significantly’ reduces low back pain — and it’s free

This easy, low-impact exercise ‘significantly’ reduces low back pain — and it’s free

Step it up. The health benefits of a daily walk are well established; a constitutional walk reduces the risk of heart disease, lowers blood pressure and LDL (the “bad” cholesterol), reduces stress, boosts immunity, and improves digestion. Now, a new study adds yet another reason to get your steps in. Publishing in The Lancet, researchers … Read more

How giving kids too much sugar raises their risk for 2 chronic diseases

How giving kids too much sugar raises their risk for 2 chronic diseases

Just in time for Halloween, a new study finds that giving children sugar when they are really young — even in the womb — raises their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure later in life. The researchers determined that limiting sugar exposure in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life … Read more

Ozempic reduces knee osteoarthritis pain by almost half: ‘That’s huge’

Ozempic reduces knee osteoarthritis pain by almost half: ‘That’s huge’

Carpal diem! A new, large-scale study finds that medications like Ozempic and Wegovy can seriously reduce knee pain for those with moderate to severe osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is primarily caused by wear and tear on the protective layer of cartilage on the ends of our bones — similar to wearing … Read more

Smoothie King launches special menu for Ozempic users: ‘Thoughtful balance’

Smoothie King launches special menu for Ozempic users: ‘Thoughtful balance’

This is berry good news for Ozempic users. Smoothie King this week became the first quick-service chain to introduce a special menu for people who use GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic. The five new smoothies contain 20 grams of protein or more — and no added sugar — which the Dallas-based company says will help customers … Read more

You may have serious liver damage if you experience these 5 warning signs, doctor says

You may have serious liver damage if you experience these 5 warning signs, doctor says

The liver does a lot of heavy lifting. The largest internal organ, it regulates clotting and removes toxins, yet research suggests many of us live with compromised liver function — and don’t even know it. It’s estimated that more than 100 million people in the U.S. have some form of liver disease, a broad term … Read more

Ozempic may significantly lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease — here’s how

Ozempic may significantly lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease — here’s how

Type 2 diabetics may have a shot at significantly lowering their risk of Alzheimer’s disease if they take Ozempic instead of other diabetes medications, a new study finds. Semaglutide — the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy — is part of a class of drugs that mimic the body’s natural GLP-1 hormone, making users feel fuller for longer. … Read more

I’m a nutritionist — beware these 5 sneaky ultra-processed foods that seem to be ‘healthy’

I’m a nutritionist — beware these 5 sneaky ultra-processed foods that seem to be ‘healthy’

Packaged foods and frozen meals have become ubiquitous in US diets, with recent research revealing that a shocking 60% of Americans’ daily caloric intake comes from ultra-processed foods (UPFs). UPFs often contain high levels of sodium, refined sugars, cholesterol-spiking fats and other controversial lab-based ingredients. A recent study linked exposure to UPFs to 32 poor … Read more

The age you’re most likely to be hospitalized revealed in new CDC data

The age you’re most likely to be hospitalized revealed in new CDC data

Think only the young and reckless and the old and infirm end up in health clinics? Think again. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released data Tuesday revealing the age range of Americans who visit healthcare centers most — and the results are surprising. New CDC data reveals the demographic of Americans who seek … Read more

The surprising way Ozempic can get people to stop drinking alcohol, using drugs

The surprising way Ozempic can get people to stop drinking alcohol, using drugs

They’re tapping into the potential of Ozempic. Researchers from Loyola University Chicago are adding to the growing evidence suggesting that medications like Ozempic can treat substance abuse. Ozempic — which mimics the body’s naturally occurring GLP-1 hormone to make people feel full and eat less — treats diabetes and can spur weight loss. An estimated 6.1 million Americans … Read more

Children and teens who have contracted COVID are more prone to diabetes, study says

Children and teens who have contracted COVID are more prone to diabetes, study says

Children and teenagers who have been infected with strands of the coronavirus are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those afflicted by other respiratory illnesses, according to a new research study published on Monday. Children were 50% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes around six months after contracting the coronavirus infection compared … Read more

New exercise pill mimics the effects of running a marathon — without effort

New exercise pill mimics the effects of running a marathon — without effort

Talk about a lazy workout. Researchers in Denmark have developed a new drug that mimics the effects and benefits of strenuous exercise without moving a muscle. The study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, maintains that the drug produces the same health benefits as running a long distance at a fast clip. Currently … Read more

Turkey or chicken? Dietitian reveals which one is healthier

Turkey or chicken? Dietitian reveals which one is healthier

Fowl play! With the possible exception of the chicken versus egg debate, no poultry parley is more persistent than the health value of turkey versus chicken. Now, a registered dietitian nutritionist is settling the score. A registered dietitian nutritionist is wading in to the turkey versus chicken debate. Getty Images/iStockphoto “Both chicken and turkey are … Read more

I’m a doctor — eat these 6 foods to optimize your liver function

I’m a doctor — eat these 6 foods to optimize your liver function

Talk about an organ-ic diet. Dr. Joseph Salhab, also known as @thestomachdoc on TikTok, is revealing his six must-have foods for ultimate liver function — avocados, olive oil, oily fish, nuts, green tea and coffee. The Florida-based gastroenterologist frequently shares the details of his diet with his 1.7 million TikTok followers to inspire them to adopt gut- and … Read more

Drinking just a tablespoon of this household item can help curb cravings, boost energy: expert

Drinking just a tablespoon of this household item can help curb cravings, boost energy: expert

Shot of vinegar, anyone? While a spoonful of sugar may help the medicine go down, experts say a spoonful of vinegar could be the key to weight management and an overall boon to the body. On an episode of the podcast “Diary Of A CEO,” French biochemist and bestselling author Jessie Inchauspé, also known as … Read more