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Weight loss drugs could improve polycystic ovary syndrome: All you need to know

Weight loss drugs could improve polycystic ovary syndrome: All you need to know

Time of India2 days ago
Image credits: Getty Images
According to the Endocrine Society, an estimated 5-6 million women of reproductive age in the U.S. are affected by PCOS, which is frequently underdiagnosed. Caused by high levels of testosterone and androgens, polycystic ovary syndrome leads to symptoms such as irregular periods, excess hair growth, acne, insulin resistance and more.
It is one of the leading causes of infertility and is strongly linked to metabolic issues, leading to weight gain and hormonal imbalance.
One would think a condition affecting such a huge number of women would have a treatment and medicine ready by now. However, when it comes to PCOS, a condition which also leads to other damaging conditions such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes, there's no standard treatment. Mostly, women opt for birth control, lifestyle changes and a diabetes drug, Metformin, which helps with some symptoms.
However, now, a ray of light has come around in the form of popular weight loss drugs that are shockingly helping with improving PCOS. One of the many women who have experienced a positive result is Grace Hamilton, 27, who earlier had to battle problems like hair loss, heavy periods, inconsistent menstrual cycles, mental health problems and sudden weight loss.
After getting diagnosed with PCOS, she tried birth control and lifestyle changes, only to see limited improvements.
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It was in 2024 when Hamilton joined a trial examining the effects of GLP-1 drugs in PCOS patients. In October, she received her first dose of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic.
The results, as she said to CNBC were almost immediate with resumed periods, hair regrowth and improvement in depression and anxiety. 'I'm so glad that I stuck with it because it was just clear as day that it was the missing link for me,' said Hamilton, adding that she also maintained a diet and exercise regimen.
Are weight loss drugs really the answer?
Image credits: Getty Images
Some health experts see huge potential in GLP-1, particularly in their effect on improving weight loss and insulin sensitivity. 'The unmet need is massive,' said Dr. Melanie Cree, a pediatric endocrinologist at Children's Hospital Colorado, to CNBC. 'Primary therapies used for PCOS symptoms haven't changed in nearly 50 years.'
Cree has been studying the effects of GLP-1 in adolescents with PCOS for more than 10 years.
She previously studied the oral form of semaglutide and now has an ongoing clinical trial with the injectable version, which worked well for patients like Hamilton.
Her trial began in 2023 with girls and women between the ages of 12-35 with obesity and PCOS who are on or off Metformin. Semaglutide was administered to the patients for 10 months to analyse their weight loss, metabolic changes and reproductive functions.
The initial data included 11 women who completed the 10-month trial and were not on Metformin. 8 of these lost more than 10% of their body weight and saw a reduction in their hormone levels. Six of the 8 women even reported more regular periods.
However, her study group is much smaller compared to the studies done on the popular weight loss drugs, and the results did not show similar effects on everyone. Here, the importance of conducting larger and longer trials on the same is important.
This is because the potential for GLP-1 to cause relief in various PCOS symptoms remains. In previous studies, it has been found that in adults with PCOS, losing even 5% of body weight can improve insulin sensitivity. Thus, the body can respond better to insulin, and the pancreas doesn't need to pump out more insulin to keep the blood sugar in check. This will lower insulin levels, in turn lowering the production of testosterone and reducing symptoms of irregular period, acne and excess hair growth.
Semaglutide not only improves insulin sensitivity but also reduces appetite by slowing how quickly the food leaves the stomach, prompting the pancreas to release insulin when the blood sugar is high and suppressing the release of a hormone that elevates blood sugar.
Not only trials, a recent survey of 1700 people by the birth control app Natural Cycles, revealed that 64% of women with PCOS who took GLP-1 reported more predictable periods, and 20% reported that their bleeding days were shorter.
Now, what is needed is a much larger research study on the subject to analyse its effects and see if it can be administered to all women with PCOS.
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5 countries with the highest rates of Stomach Cancer, and why
5 countries with the highest rates of Stomach Cancer, and why

Time of India

time31 minutes ago

  • Time of India

5 countries with the highest rates of Stomach Cancer, and why

Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is a malignant tumor that develops in the stomach lining. It's the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer globally. Stomach cancer occurs worldwide, but certain nations experience significantly higher occurrences than others. Here are 5 such countries (and why) Mongolia Why Mongolia Tops the List: Stomach cancer has the highest age-standardised incidence rate in the world in Mongolia, at 35.5 per 100,000 people according to 2022 data. The age-standardised incidence rate in male populations reaches 53.0 per 100,000 people. The reasons behind this high incidence include: Traditional Mongolian diets consist of salted and smoked foods which increase stomach cancer risk. High levels of Helicobacter pylori bacteria infection exist in the population, and this bacterium is known to cause stomach cancer. Limited Healthcare Access: Early detection programs are less developed, leading to late diagnosis. Japan Why Japan Has High Rates: Japan reported an age-standardised incidence rate of 27.6 per 100,000 people in 2022, with 126,000 new cases diagnosed each year. The country continues to be among the regions most affected by stomach cancer. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The traditional consumption of salty pickled and smoked foods in Japan's diet has historically elevated stomach cancer risk. Japan's large elderly population drives up cancer statistics, because stomach cancer affects older people more frequently. High Helicobacter pylori Infection: Despite public health efforts, this infection remains widespread. The implementation of stomach cancer screening programs in Japan allows for higher detection rates, which reveals the actual prevalence of the disease. South Korea South Korea's Standing: The country recorded 27.0 cases per 100,000 people in 2022 and reported approximately 29,000 new cases which makes it rank third. Intense Screening Programs: South Korea also has national cancer screening, which detects more cases. Traditional Korean foods containing salt, along with fermented ingredients may increase the risk of stomach cancer. Helicobacter pylori: Infection rates are a contributing factor. Better healthcare accessibility in South Korea results in more diagnosed cases of stomach cancer, but the risk factors continue to drive high incidence rates. Iran Why Iran is on the List: The age-standardised rate of stomach cancer in Iran stands at 19.4 cases per 100,000 people, above what Western nations typically experience. The combination of salted smoked foods and inadequate consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits, in the population. Helicobacter pylori Infection: High infection prevalence is a key risk factor. 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The geographical presence of carcinogens in the environment, together with specific genetic traits in certain areas, raises the risk of stomach cancer. Other Parts of the World Show Lower Rates of This Disease North American and Northern European countries, together with parts of Africa experience stomach cancer at rates lower than 3 cases per 100,000 population. These regions tend to have: Lower Helicobacter pylori infection rates. People from these regions eat healthier food that contains less preserved products. Better sanitation and healthcare systems. More effective cancer prevention programs. Sources: World Cancer Research Fund 2022-2025 Stomach Cancer Statistics PubMed Central research

Menstrual wellness: Meet held on promoting eco-friendly alternatives to sanitary pads
Menstrual wellness: Meet held on promoting eco-friendly alternatives to sanitary pads

Hans India

time42 minutes ago

  • Hans India

Menstrual wellness: Meet held on promoting eco-friendly alternatives to sanitary pads

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The one time you should never eat, according to a leading cardiologist
The one time you should never eat, according to a leading cardiologist

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

The one time you should never eat, according to a leading cardiologist

If you find yourself heading to the kitchen for a snack after dinner, a top heart expert says it's time to rethink that habit. According to Dr. William Kraus, a preventive cardiologist at Duke Health, eating late at night is one of the most common yet harmful diet traps and it may be silently sabotaging your health and weight-loss goals, as per a report. Is Your Late-Night Snack Habit Hurting Your Health? Dr. Kraus told that, 'My No. 1 recommendation to every patient who walks in my office is not to eat after dinner,' as quoted in the report. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Digital Marketing Data Science MBA Design Thinking Finance MCA Healthcare others CXO Project Management healthcare Operations Management Product Management Public Policy Data Science Leadership Others Data Analytics Management Degree Skills you'll gain: Digital Marketing Strategy Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Content Marketing Social Media Marketing & Advertising Data Analytics & Measurement Duration: 24 Weeks Indian School of Business Professional Certificate Programme in Digital Marketing Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Digital Marketing Strategies Customer Journey Mapping Paid Advertising Campaign Management Emerging Technologies in Digital Marketing Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Digital Marketing and Analytics Starts on May 14, 2024 Get Details The expert has pointed out that those nighttime nibbles may seem harmless, but they often lead to unnecessary calories, poor sleep, and long-term issues like weight gain and heart problems, according to the report. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it legal? How to get Internet without paying a subscription? Techno Mag Learn More Undo ALSO READ: Camila Cabello and her billionaire boyfriend Henry Chalhoub's romance heats up in Ibiza with passionate kisses! Are they the hottest couple of summer 2025? Why Eating Timing Matters More Than You Think? The doctor explained that the food which is consumed late in the day or just before bedtime will only get stored rather than burned for energy, as reported in the report. He said, 'Your body doesn't need it … so it's unnecessary calories going in your body. It also interrupts sleep if you eat too close to going to bed,' as quoted in the report. Live Events As per a research, eating at late night is considered to have a higher risk of obesity, high cholesterol and heart disease, and progression of arterial stiffness, because it requires digestion during sleep, a time when the body is used to an overnight fast, as reported by ALSO READ: Is the Kennedy Center Opera House about to be renamed after Melania Trump? Here is what Republican lawmakers are proposing How Long After Dinner Should You Go To Sleep? NBC News medical contributor Dr. Natalie Azar has advised to stop eating at least three hours before bedtime because it allows the body to fast overnight and make a metabolic switch where it's potentially burning fat after exhausting all of its sugar sources when the stomach is empty, as reported by Can Intermittent Fasting Help Your Heart? American Heart Association has recommended intermittent to protect your heart by controlling inflammation, according to the report. One of the commonly used method is the 16:8 intermittent fasting, which means that you fast for 16 hours and eat all meals during an eight-hour window that lets you finish your meals early, such as from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or even earlier, according to the report. What Should You Eat to Stay Full At Night? According to the report, to not feel post-meal hunger, it is recommended to eat a filling dinner with plenty of protein, fiber, and other nutrients that will make it a well-balanced dinner, like having Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajita Bowls, Vegan Black Bean Burgers or Crispy Salmon Rice Bowls. FAQs Can intermittent fasting help my heart? Studies suggest it may reduce inflammation and support cardiovascular health, as per report. Will eating late affect my sleep? Yes, late-night eating can disrupt your sleep by making your body work to digest while you're resting, as per report.

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