Finally, some good news for the millions of Americans living with cancer or heart disease. Experts have consistently warned that drinking alcohol and being overweight significantly increase the risk of developing several cancers and heart disease. But an observation called “Cuomo’s paradox” suggests that certain factors that increase the odds of chronic disease — like … Read more
Needle-less to say, it’s effective! Eli Lilly’s experimental GLP-1 pill caused participants in a late-stage trial to shed an average of 10.5% of their body weight — nearly 23 pounds — over 16 months, according to data released Tuesday. The daily medication, known as orforglipron, has also been shown to reduce hemoglobin A1C —average blood … Read more
You’ve been itching to avoid this antibiotic — maybe for no reason. Penicillin was discovered in 1928 by a Scottish bacteriologist. The medication has since become a common treatment for a range of bacterial infections, including strep throat, pneumonia, skin infections and certain urinary tract infections. But not everyone can tolerate penicillin. People allergic to … Read more
Asthma sufferers, get pumped! Managing asthma often requires a two-pronged approach — long-term medicines to prevent attacks and rescue strategies to stop attacks when they happen. It’s important to avoid triggers and monitor breathing. New research out of the UK suggests that GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Victoza may provide long-term asthma relief — in … Read more
Houston, we have a chill pill. Back in the 1960s, Soviet scientists developed a sweet little supplement that they stocked in the space kits of cosmonauts — the Russian version of an astronaut — to keep them cool under pressure. Still a popular over-the-counter option in Russia today, the drug promises to curb anxiety, cure … Read more
A breakthrough drug is fighting brain cancer head-on. Glioblastoma is widely considered the deadliest form of brain cancer, killing over 10,000 Americans each year. There is no cure for the highly aggressive disease — many patients survive just nine months after diagnosis. Ben Trotman was diagnosed with glioblastoma in October 2022 at just 40 years … Read more
NYU Langone is blurring the line between doctor and inventor. The medical center’s new MedTech Pipeline has med students, residents and fellows identifying real-world clinical problems — then developing prototypes and devices to solve them. Dr. Insoo Suh is a practicing endocrine surgeon and helped pioneer a scarless thyroid surgery technique early in his career … Read more
How nerve-racking! The anti-seizure drug gabapentin is used to treat epilepsy, nerve pain after shingles and restless legs syndrome by affecting chemical messengers in the brain and nerves. Common side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, headaches and nausea. Now, a new study out of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland warns that gabapentin can significantly increase … Read more
As the health of Americans continues to decline, researchers at the University of Florida are urging a national rethink about fruits and vegetables. Their message is that it’s time to treat produce not just as food but as medicine. In a recent article published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers … Read more
Herpes has been called “the gift that keeps on giving” — finally, its presence has come in handy. Roughly two-thirds of the global population has been infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which typically causes painful and unsightly blisters around the mouth. University of Southern California researchers have found a way to rebrand … Read more
Not everyone wants to live the rock star life. Terry Chimes, best known for being The Clash’s former drummer, revealed why he left the British punk group and music industry behind forty years ago. Chimes, who was a founding member of the band, addressed his decision to throw away life on the road to open … Read more
When we dreamt of a magic pill that could cure anything, we weren’t thinking of poo pills — also known as “crapsules.” But these little capsules packed with freeze-dried fecal matter have recently shown promise in treating everything from advanced cancer to deadly liver disease. Some even say fecal transplants — in which the poop … Read more
Highway to heal? An experimental peptide is in the spotlight for its potential to promote tissue repair, reduce inflammation and protect gut health. Count podcast host Joe Rogan, 57, among the fans of BPC-157 — he reported that it cleared up his elbow tendonitis in just two weeks. Biohackers hope its regenerative and anti-inflammatory powers … Read more
A real ache-ievement! Duke University researchers have devised a promising, potent pain reliever — seemingly without the harmful side effects and addictive highs of opioids. While opioids interact with numerous cellular pathways, the experimental drug is more selective. SBI-810 targets a receptor in the brain and spinal cord, activating a single pain-relief signal while steering … Read more
Biohackers, chew on this. Anti-aging aficionados have tried it all — including taking certain drugs off-label in the hopes they will lead to longer, healthier lives. A new study out of Germany provides fresh evidence that this approach may be worthwhile. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Aging found that a combination … Read more
As if urinary tract infections weren’t bad enough, a new report claims that a popular over-the-counter drug used to treat UTI symptoms has been linked to cancer concerns. UTIs are among the most common infections worldwide, affecting some 15 million women a year. Phenazopyridine, sold under brand names such as Azo and Uristat, is used … Read more
Well, this blows. Microplastics — pesky particles that have contaminated our air, water, food and bodies — have been linked to a higher risk of inflammation, hormone disruption, DNA damage, respiratory illnesses and heart problems, among other health issues. A new study suggests that inhaling microplastics can suppress a type of white blood cell in … Read more
A new once-daily pill may raise the bar for weight loss meds. Ozempic, Mounjaro and similar drugs that mimic the GLP-1 hormone the body naturally produces after eating can cause significant weight loss, but a potential side effect is loss of lean muscle mass. The makers of the experimental drug SYNT-101 claim it mimics the … Read more
They’ve got some nerve! Vagus nerve stimulators are making waves as a potential way to relax, sleep better and improve gut health. But an expert on the vagus nerve warns that noninvasive VNS devices may not deliver as promised. “There is no evidence that using these devices to deliver electricity into the ear or skin … Read more
Alzheimer’s affects nearly 7 million Americans, a number that’s expected to spike to 13.9 million by 2060. Given the devastating effects of this incurable disease, the hunt is on for a drug that could help prevent or slow its progression. Now, a new study has found that nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) — a common class of … Read more