Research finds that Covid can age blood vessels, particularly in women
This premature vascular aging, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, was found to be particularly pronounced in women.
The research, involving nearly 2,500 participants, measured arterial stiffness and found that all groups who had contracted Covid exhibited stiffer arteries compared to those who had not.
An increase in arterial stiffness of approximately 0.5 meters per second, equivalent to five years of aging, was deemed clinically relevant and raises the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Researchers suggest that women's more robust immune response to Covid, while protective against infection, might also contribute to increased damage to blood vessels post-infection.
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The Independent
29 minutes ago
- The Independent
Is ‘black-market Ozempic' ever worth the risk?
Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace, a former Big Brother star, had such an adverse reaction to a suspected fake weight-loss jab she bought online, that it caused her to temporarily lose sight in one eye. Horgan-Wallace also experienced extreme vomiting and excruciating pain, to the extent that, as she told Good Morning Britain on Thursday: 'I thought I was going to die – it was petrifying.' In recent years, the demand for weight loss drugs such as Mounjaro and Ozempic has become such that there are global shortages and warnings about impending price increases. Ozempic has made its manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, Europe's most valuable company, and has gone from Hollywood's 'dirty little secret' to a status symbol among those no longer forced to suffer the indignity of sweating off unwanted pounds. Was there anything quite as inevitable, then, as bad actors cashing in on a market that will be worth $105bn come 2031? Last year, a global alert was issued for counterfeit versions of 'skinny jabs', but it's far from the first time dangerous versions have been found. In October 2023, the UK government warned of the same, when some people were hospitalised as a result of black-market fakes. Add those to the 'thousands' of dodgy pens found in the US, across Brazil and Lebanon, Serbia and Belgium, the rising overweight and obesity levels that now affect two-thirds of UK adults, and the fact we're all now primed to expect instant gratification, and the outlook becomes even more alarming. Ozempic is safe, 'Fauxzempic' is not, goes the logic. But it is wrong to imagine the potential harms end there. Last year, the NHS's medical director spoke out about the number of 'otherwise healthy' users ending up in A&E due to complications from taking the drug without a medical need. I have spoken with doctors, nutritionists, psychotherapists, fitness trainers, you name it – many of whom have expressed serious concerns, too. I have heard about diminishing muscle mass, of people plunged into a deep depression after the joy and comfort induced by food was snuffed out by appetite-zapping drugs. One celebrity nutritionist told me that clients were begging her for help to come off semaglutide, as their rapid weight loss had triggered 'Ozempic face', accelerated ageing being a possible side effect of taking diabetes medication. A doctor who had used the jab herself to shave off a few pounds was banjaxed by the exhaustion and hair loss it wrought. Semaglutide is supposed to be prescribed to those with a BMI over 35, or over 30 for those who have at least one weight-related comorbidity. Will those who don't need it wise up to the potential consequences? Unlikely. Not only is thin perennially in, but the number of us further from it, who can now pay for the chance to achieve the once-protected status, will only increase its cachet. As such, stricter regulation on skinny jabs – whether that's what's in them, or whose hands they're ending up in – is non-negotiable. Just as people have died from counterfeit diet medication, fake jabs could – and likely, will – yield the same, desperately sad consequences. If vanity continues to drive widespread use without proper oversight, the avoidable yet inevitable dangers we are already seeing will only grow. Whatever uber-svelte future semaglutide might conjure in people's minds, we cannot let it obscure the simple reality: there is no quick fix for weight loss, and there never will be.
The Sun
30 minutes ago
- The Sun
The four items in your home that are dirtier than the toilet as households warned to clean them
IF you think your home is as clean and spotless as it can be, then you might want to think again. There is a very surprising list of everyday things that are actually dirtier than your toilet seat. 4 4 And they will have you reaching for the sprays and wipes to get rid of all that bacteria. Your toilet seat can have as many as 50 bacteria per square inch, according to experts. But other items have even more - with some harbouring as many as 200,000 times more bacteria on them. Markus Lindblad, an expert from Northerner, revealed the four things that can carry thousands of germs that people are unaware of. And he also told homeowners exactly how often they should actually be cleaning them. Here are the surprising places you'll find more bacteria than you thought. Kitchen sponge /cloth The sponge or cloth you use in the kitchen is often used for cleaning surfaces with an anti-bacterial spray, so surely it can't be full of bacteria? Well, it turns out that not only is a kitchen cloth crawling with germs, but it is also the perfect place for bacteria to breed. Markus says: "Whilst they might be designed for cleaning, kitchen sponges are actually one of the dirtiest items you'll find in a kitchen. "Due to being damp and in constant contact with food particles, the sponges are a prime breeding ground for bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella. "Some past studies have suggested that your kitchen sponge could have 200,000 times more bacteria on it than a toilet seat!" To help keep these clean, the expert suggests: "Avoid this dirty disaster by washing your sponges in hot water or replacing them more frequently." 4 TV remotes One smaller item that you might not think harbours a lot of germs is the TV remote. But it is constantly being used by all members of the house, so it can easily pick up germs. The experts explain: "A TV remote is a major germ magnet, which surprisingly hosts up to 15 times more bacteria than a toilet seat. "Its constant handling by multiple, often unwashed, hands makes it a collection point for various germs. "From coughs, sneezes, crumbs, and even pets." To help, Markus advises: "Next time you're cleaning, disinfect the TV remote to help stop the spread of germs and reduce bacterial growth." Mobile Phones Most of us have our phones with us at all times, and while some of us may believe this keeps them away from germs, the opposite is actually true. Markus says: "Phones are taken everywhere, from bathrooms to bedrooms, from workplaces to gyms. "And the need to constantly have your phone in your hand makes them a breeding ground for bacteria. "Every time you're using your phone, you're transferring oil, sweat, food particles and bacteria from your hands. "So it's no surprise your phone could have ten times more bacteria on it than a toilet seat." 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Markus explains: "Everyone's guilty of eating their lunch at their desk; however, you might be put off once you find out how dirty your keyboard can be. "Whether it's lunch time crumbs, dust, or bacteria from hands, PC or laptop keyboards can have five times more germs than a toilet seat. "This could be even worse for those who share computers!" To help keep them as clean as possible, Markus says: "Personal laptops or computer keyboards should be wiped down at least once a month. "However, shared computers should be wiped down once a person has used them to avoid any buildup of bacteria." 4
The Sun
30 minutes ago
- The Sun
Brand new Korean beauty dupe hits Aldi shelves TODAY – it's only £5, melts onto skin and makes a difference overnight
BEAUTY fans will want to run to their nearest Aldi this week - as the bargain supermarket has released its newest dupe. The German retailer is renowned for offering skincare, make-up and hair products that rival luxury competitors for a more purse-friendly price. 4 4 And their latest product will have dupe fans excitedly scouring the middle aisles. The bargain supermarket has launched its own version of Korean skincare brand Dr Jart's serum-like colour correcting drops. If you've ever struggled with redness, blotchiness or uneven skin tone, then this is the buy for you. The Lacura colour correcting drops are priced at just £4.99 for a 30ml bottle. Packed with Tiger Grass, Niacinamide and SPF30, Aldi bosses promise that the drops will calm irritation, fade hyperpigmentation and visibly even out skin tone. And they have SPF 30 too. Just 2-3 drops of its lightweight serum melt onto skin, transforming from green to beige on contact - tackling hyperpigmentation while hydrating and protecting. And the best part? The Aldi drops are £32.51 cheaper than the Dr Jart version. The skincare saviour is available as part of Aldi's Specialbuys, and can be found in the middle aisle of the supermarket from today, August 21. However, as with all Specialbuys, once it's gone, it's gone, so beauty fans should head over the budget supermarket now to avoid disappointment. A much-loved dupe has also made a comeback today, and it pairs perfectly with the new drops. I couldn't afford a Dyson Airwrap so my mum bought me the Aldi dupe - the curls are so big and bouncy, it's incredible The viral Lacura Colour Correcting Treatment, £4.99 for 50ml, has previously been hailed by shoppers as 'amazing'. The fan-favourite product, originally launched last year, boasts Tiger Grass, Arnica, Panthenol, and Vitamin B3 and is £35.01 cheaper than Dr Jart's tiger grass colour correcting treatment. Beauty fans insisted they 'noticed a difference overnight" and have been pleading with Aldi bosses on social media to bring it back. One said: "When is this coming back please? In desperate need!!" A second wrote: "will you be bringing this back? I was hoping to see it over Christmas!" Meanwhile, a third cried: "This needs to be a permanent product on the shelves." What are the best Aldi dupes? ALDI has become well-known for its affordable beauty dupes that often rival high-end brands in terms of quality and effectiveness. Here are some of the best Aldi beauty dupes that have garnered rave reviews: Lacura Healthy Glow Exfoliating Tonic Dupe for: Pixi Glow Tonic Price: £3.99 (compared to Pixi's £18) Description: This exfoliating tonic contains glycolic acid and works to gently exfoliate and brighten the skin. It's a fantastic, budget-friendly alternative to the popular Pixi Glow Tonic. Lacura Q10 Renew Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream Dupe for: Nivea Q10 Plus Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream Price: £1.45 (compared to Nivea's £10) Lacura Caviar Illumination Day Cream Dupe for: La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream Price: £6.99 (compared to La Prairie's £292) Lacura Hot Cloth Cleanser Dupe for: Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser Price: £3.99 (compared to Liz Earle's £17.50) Lacura Snapshot Ready Foundation Primer Dupe for: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Price: £5.99 (compared to Smashbox's £26) Lacura Miracle Cream Dupe for: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Price: £3.99 (compared to Elizabeth Arden's £28) Lacura Ebony Rose Face Mask Dupe for: Fresh Rose Face Mask Price: £6.99 (compared to Fresh's £52) Lacura Charcoal Clearing Mudmask Dupe for: GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment Price: £5.99 (compared to GlamGlow's £42) Lacura Velvet Touch Foundation Dupe for: Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation Price: £5.99 (compared to Estée Lauder's £34) Lacura Tinted Lip Oils Dupe for: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Oil
