As a reporter, I've covered all things GLP-1. Here's what I've learned.
Two years and dozens of interviews and articles later, I must say: I had it completely wrong. These medications have changed people's lives in ways I never would have anticipated, and it's very much not just about 'getting skinny.' There's still an abundance of misinformation about this class of medications — which includes Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound — online and even in doctors' offices. But I've had the great fortune to learn so much about these GLP-1 medications from experts and patients alike. Here are four of the biggest lessons they've taught me.
1. People using GLP-1 medications aren't just 'taking the easy way out.'
You've probably seen someone online make the accusation, so-and-so lost weight, they must be taking Ozempic — cheater. But what you might not see is all of the work people on these medications are doing behind the scenes. Research has found that people on GLP-1 drugs will likely lose some weight even if they don't exercise or intentionally change their dietary habits. But people on these medications can lose more weight — and help sustain it — if they do. Many people I've spoken to were already following intense workout regimens and strict diets before starting on a GLP-1. Still others had always wanted to exercise and finally had the energy or physical ability to do so after losing weight on these medications.
Before I started reporting on GLP-1s, I knew that obesity was a disease, and still I was shocked by just how hard people had been fighting it on their own. One person I interviewed for Yahoo's On My Weigh series, Michael Donnelly, who tried countless diet and exercise routines before taking a GLP-1, put it best: 'What people forget about the disease of obesity is that [those of us with it] know more about it than anyone else, and we've gained and lost weight more times than they can imagine.'
2. These medications do more than facilitate weight loss
While they can't rightly be called 'miracle drugs,' the newfound energy and ability to exercise are two of many surprising effects GLP-1s seem to have beyond just making weight loss easier.
Take Taylor McDaniels, for example. The 24-year-old used to sleep 12 hours, wake up listless at noon and rely on DoorDash for most meals. Favorite post-work activities included bed rotting and scrolling, McDaniels previously told Yahoo. Then, she started taking GLP-1s (first, compounded semaglutide, followed by compounded tirzepatide). Now, McDaniels loves a 9 a.m. Sam's Club run. She hits the gym as soon as she's done with work, and she meal preps. As a result, McDaniels has lost at least 58 pounds, but it's the habit changes that mean the most to her. 'That's the thing about my health journey: My mind feels more at peace, and I'm able to meal plan and feel more organized and prepared for the day,' she says.
Researchers are also studying semaglutide — the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic — for its potential to help people quit smoking and curb alcohol cravings. We're still a long way from these medications being prescribed for addiction, but, anecdotally, people I've spoken to are already seeing their effects. While some people describe experiencing 'food noise' — constant, intrusive thoughts about food that tend to quiet down on these medications — Johnna Byrd had 'alcohol noise.' After her son was born in 2023, she weighed 350 pounds and was a self-described alcoholic. But taking compounded tirzepatide, her cravings turned to 'complete silence,' Byrd previously told Yahoo.
3. It's not all about vanity
It's easy to assume that people taking weight loss drugs are simply in pursuit of thinness. But don't. Every person I've spoken to about taking these medications has emphasized that, whether or not they had diagnosed health conditions, they simply wanted to feel better — and did, after taking a GLP-1. Renata D'Agrella, for example, told me she loved her body before taking Zepbound. In fact, she feared that her hundreds of thousands of social media followers would feel betrayed by her weight loss journey because her content had always been body-positive. But beyond the camera lens, 28-year-old D'Agrella was in physical pain and ultimately decided she had to prioritize her health. Her aches, anxieties and 'crippling' food noise were all quelled with the help of a GLP-1.
After a lifelong struggle with polycystic ovarian syndrome, a chronic condition that can cause women pain and infertility, in addition to weight gain, it was a GLP-1 that finally gave Branneisha Cooper hope. For her, weight loss was great, but getting her period back? That's been the real win. Cooper's doctor even told her she can likely have a healthy pregnancy now. And even better: She's broken a generational curse. Most of Cooper's family has suffered from type 2 diabetes and other obesity-related conditions. Now, many of them are on GLP-1s and seeing improvements to their health too. 'It's impacted not only me, but my family. Selfishly, I want my mom and grandparents to be around longer, so it's been a huge blessing,' she previously told Yahoo.
4. Protein is priority (but eat your fruits and veggies too)
As you may have noticed, we're in our protein era. Celebrities, from Khloe Kardashian to Venus Williams, are launching or promoting protein shakes, powder, popcorn and more. While our current protein obsession isn't entirely the result of the surging popularity of GLP-1s, they likely have something to do with it. Here's why: People taking GLP-1s who drop a significant amount of weight are at risk of losing muscle as well as fat. To counteract that, eating plenty of protein is key.
GLP-1 users have created communities online where they share tips on the best high-protein low-fat fast food options, their hacks for protein coffee (aka 'proffee') and easy-to-make air fryer meals. Many people I've spoken to prepare for their weekly shot days — after which the effects of GLP-1s may feel strongest — by super-loading on protein, which doesn't just help prevent muscle loss but can also reduce side effects, including nausea. But protein alone isn't enough. While on these medications, each meal needs to pack the fullest nutritional punch possible so that people get enough of all the essential nutrients.
Solve the daily Crossword
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
"I can't even tell you how important this is" — expert reveals why 90% of women don't know they have sleep apnea
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Sleep apnea is a condition where your breathing temporarily stops or is disrupted during the night. When you experience this, your brain automatically wakes you from your slumber. You might let out a loud snore, a snort or make a gasping sound in order to breathe again. In women, snoring can be much less pronounced so it's not as easy to tell from this symptom alone. Women are more likely to experience daytime sleepiness, impaired focus and mood changes. This can lead to delays in diagnosis as sleep apnea in women can be mistaken for anxiety, depression and menopause. As the signs are more subtle, research suggests as many as 90% of women who have sleep apnea may be unaware they have it. We've chatted with a sleep medicine specialist and a clinical sleep educator to find out more about this important sleep health topic for women. What is sleep apnea? 'Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops or is disrupted at night time, eroding an individual's quality of sleep,' explains Dr Anthony Izzo, a board-certified neurologist and sleep medicine specialist who is Sleep Center Medical Director at St Vincent Hospital. 'Each time breathing stops, the brain receives an alert about low oxygen, and it's forced from a deep stage of sleep to a light stage to brief wakefulness in order to address the alert.' There are two main types of sleep apnea: obstructive and central. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is much more common says Dr Izzo. 'OSA occurs because tissues in the top of the airway, behind the nose and mouth, collapse down when the muscles that keep them up relax during sleep as this blocks the flow of air to the lungs,' he explains. 'Central sleep apnea happens when the brain doesn't create the right signal to breath,' he adds. 'It's associated with underlying medical conditions like congestive heart failure, lung diseases, or long-term use of opioid medications. But we don't see much of this in clinical practice.' Does sleep apnea affect women differently to men? Yes, it very much does. Women are more likely to experience subtle symptoms such as mood changes and not being able to focus or concentrate well day after day. This means diagnosis can be delayed or the condition can be mistaken for the symptoms of the menopause or depression. 'I can't even tell you how important this is as sleep apnea in women often goes undiagnosed,' explains Lauri Leadley, clinical sleep educator, president and founder of Valley Sleep Center. 'The symptoms are sometimes attributed to general life challenges such as stress, and the menopause. But the truth is sleep apnea in women is overlooked.' Symptoms of sleep apnea in women Although men and women do experience some similar symptoms of sleep apnea, like snoring, there are also differences. Women are more likely to experience these subtle signs. Frequent morning headaches If you're prone to starting your mornings with a dull headache, this could be a tell-tale sign. Morning headaches that are present as soon as you wake up are associated with obstructive sleep apnea. A 2015 study published in the Journal of Headache and Pain looked at 48 people who had been diagnosed with OSA and experienced morning headaches. They found 25% had morning headaches for more than 15 days per month. Mood changes Obstructive sleep apnea and its impact on sleep quality can also worsen feeling anxious, irritable and impatient. It can affect your mood and could also lead to depression. 'Sometimes when your symptoms aren't severe, it can be easy to write them off as nothing to worry about,' Lauri explains. 'But my advice is to be mindful about frequent mood swings that regularly leave you feeling anxious or low. No, it is not just you being bitchy or hard to deal with.' Forgetfulness and fuzzy thinking Although women with sleep apnea are less likely to experience loud snoring as they suddenly wake during the night, the condition can still disrupt their sleep quality. Unsurprisingly, this has a knock-on impact on your cognitive health. You may have difficulty thinking clearly, and your attention, focus and concentration can also be impaired. 'Having trouble with focus or memory throughout the day may be the only symptoms a woman with sleep apnea experiences, even though they might not think it's related,' explains Dr Izzo. Dry mouth in the morning Regularly waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat can also indicate obstructive sleep apnea. It's regarded as a key symptom in OSA and it's caused by your breathing being impaired throughout the night. This can lead to a drop in oxygen concentration as a result of open-mouth breathing. Your mouth then becomes dry and you could also be more likely to experience morning headaches too. Needing to go the toilet more at night 'Frequent urination during the night can also be a sign of sleep apnea in women,' says Lauri. As OSA causes frequent sleep disruptions, you may find this makes you want to go to the toilet more during the night. If you find you're waking to urinate several times at night, it could still indicate OSA (even if it seems like a separate and unrelated issue). What causes sleep apnea in women? Some of the causes of OSA are similar for both men and women. For example, weight gain and the shape or anatomy of the upper airway. With central sleep apnea, it's often associated with underlying medical conditions such as congestive heart failure and lung diseases. We also see sleep apnea worsen during menopause Hormonal changes can play a key role in the onset of sleep apnea in women as Dr Izzo explains. 'We know that sleep apnea typically can happen in patients without a prior history, starting in the second trimester of pregnancy. It can worsen in severity throughout the second and third trimesters,' he says. 'We also see sleep apnea worsen during menopause, although typically patients will have already been diagnosed pre-menopause in this situation,' he adds. 'Menopause is often associated with weight gain, which in turn, worsens sleep apnea severity.' How women can treat sleep apnea While the symptoms of sleep apnea may present differently, the solutions remain largely the same. But it's different for everyone, so be sure to speak directly with a physician. Below are common treatments for sleep apnea. Lifestyle changes For mild sleep apnea, lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and losing weight and improving sleep hygiene can be very beneficial in treating the condition. If you also have allergies which affect your breathing such as allergic rhinitis, your physician or sleep specialist could suggest a treatment that could help to mitigate your allergy symptoms. Keeping regularly active is good for your lungs as well as your general health and could help to reduce the number of breathing pauses you experience while you sleep. CPAP mask If lifestyle changes don't fully help to treat your sleep apnea symptoms, you may be provided with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine and mask. 'A CPAP mask is considered first line for sleep apnea as it's effective for all severities of OSA,' says Dr Izzo. The machine works by delivering air at pressure through a mask that is placed over your nose and mouth. It can help to keep your airways open to prevent impaired breathing while you sleep. Mouthguard Another treatment alternative for mild to moderate sleep apnea is an oral device such as a sleep apnea mouthguard that you would wear at bedtime. These are designed to keep your throat open while you sleep to lessen symptoms. They work by preventing your tongue from blocking your throat and this can help to prevent snoring. Another option is a mouthguard that works slightly differently by moving your lower jaw forward to keep your throat open. These oral devices are easier to use but you may not find them comfortable, and they may not work for everyone.
Fox News
40 minutes ago
- Fox News
Can your Apple Watch detect pregnancy?
What if your Apple Watch or iPhone could alert you to a pregnancy before a test does? A new Apple-funded study suggests that this is now within reach. Researchers used a mix of behavioral and biometric data to train an artificial intelligence model. The result? The system correctly predicted pregnancy in 92% of cases. It is not meant to replace a lab test, but it could help women spot early signs before they even suspect anything. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my The research comes from the Apple Heart and Movement Study, which collected over 15 billion data points from more than 162,000 participants. The data came through the everyday use of the Apple Watch and iPhone. For the pregnancy research, the model analyzed information from 430 reported pregnancies and more than 25,000 non-pregnant participants. The AI looked at more than heart rate and temperature. It also examined movement patterns, sleep habits and exercise routines. According to the study, changes in behavior provided strong clues. For example, a shift in walking gait or a change in bedtime routine could signal early pregnancy. "Pregnancy results in substantial changes to an individual's behavior," the researchers said. "Hence, this task acts as a clear example of the complementary nature of modeling both types of data." Pregnancy was just one of several health conditions the AI model learned to identify. The researchers also tested the model on other health issues with strong results. It predicted diabetes with 82% accuracy, infection with 76% accuracy and injury with 69% accuracy. These findings suggest that AI-powered wearables may soon do much more than count steps or track sleep. They could help detect serious health changes before symptoms even appear. Even with these promising results, trust remains a major barrier in women's health technology. Privacy concerns are growing, especially when it comes to sensitive data like menstrual cycles or pregnancy. In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission fined the popular app Premom for sharing user data without consent. A recent FTC study confirmed growing skepticism. Women are less likely to trust apps that collect reproductive health information, especially when the companies do not make their data practices clear. That raises an important question. Even if the Apple Watch can detect early signs of pregnancy, would users want it to? Apple continues to build tools for reproductive and maternal health. In 2019, it added menstrual cycle tracking to the Health app. In 2023, it introduced a pregnancy tracking feature for the Apple Watch. The company has not announced any plans to turn the AI findings into a consumer feature. But this research shows where Apple's focus may be headed. With support from public health officials calling for widespread use of wearables, Apple could play a key role in shaping the future of personalized healthcare. More about the Apple Watch and what other health conditions it will help you uncover: This study shows that your Apple Watch may someday detect major health changes before you notice them. It is not a replacement for a doctor, but it could become a powerful early-warning tool. Still, trust and transparency will matter just as much as the technology itself. Would you feel comfortable if your watch told you that you might be pregnant or detect any other major health changes? Let us know by writing us at Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
3 Democrat-led states have rolled back Medicaid access for people lacking permanent legal status
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — For nearly 20 years, Maria would call her sister — a nurse in Mexico — for advice on how to manage her asthma and control her husband's diabetes instead of going to the doctor in California. She didn't have legal status, so she couldn't get health insurance and skipped routine exams, relying instead on home remedies and, at times, getting inhalers from Mexico. She insisted on using only her first name for fear of deportation. Things changed for Maria and many others in recent years when a handful of Democrat-led states opened up their health insurance programs to low-income immigrants regardless of their legal status. Maria and her husband signed up the day the program began last year. 'It changed immensely, like from Earth to the heavens,' Maria said in Spanish of Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program. 'Having the peace of mind of getting insurance leads me to getting sick less.' At least seven states and the District of Columbia have offered coverage for immigrants since mostly 2020. But three of them have done an about-face, ending or limiting coverage for hundreds of thousands of immigrants who aren't in the U.S. legally in California, Illinois and Minnesota. The programs cost way more than officials had projected at a time when the states are facing multibillion-dollar deficits now and in the future. In Illinois, adult immigrants ages 42-64 without legal status have lost their health care to save an estimated $404 million. All adult immigrants in Minnesota no longer have access to the state program, saving nearly $57 million. In California, no one will automatically lose coverage, but new enrollments for adults will stop in 2026 to save more than $3 billion over several years. Cuts in all three states were backed by Democratic governors who once championed expanding health coverage to immigrants. The Trump administration this week shared the home addresses, ethnicities and personal data of all Medicaid recipients with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. Twenty states, including California, Illinois and Minnesota, have sued. Health care providers told The Associated Press that everything, especially the fear of being arrested or deported, is having a chilling effect on people seeking care. And states may have to spend more money down the road because immigrants will avoid preventive health care and end up needing to go to safety-net hospitals. 'I feel like they continue to squeeze you more and more to the point where you'll burst,' Maria said, referencing all the uncertainties for people who are in the U.S. without legal permission. 'People are going to die' People who run free and community health clinics in California and Minnesota said patients who got on state Medicaid programs received knee replacements and heart procedures, and were diagnosed for serious conditions like late-stage cancer. CommunityHealth is one of the nation's largest free clinics, serving many uninsured and underinsured immigrants in the Chicago area who have no other options for treatment. That includes the people who lost coverage July 1 when Illinois ended its Health Benefits for Immigrants Adults Program, which served about 31,500 people ages 42-64. One of CommunityHealth's community outreach workers and care coordinator said Eastern European patients she works with started coming in with questions about what the change meant for them. She said many of the patients also don't speak English and don't have transportation to get to clinics that can treat them. The worker spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity to protect patients' privacy. Health Finders Collective in Minnesota's rural Rice and Steele counties south of Minneapolis serves low-income and underinsured patients, including large populations of Latino immigrants and Somali refugees. Executive director Charlie Mandile said they're seeing patients rushing to squeeze in appointments and procedures before 19,000 people age 18 and older are kicked off of insurance at the end of the year. Free and community health clinics in all three states say they will keep serving patients regardless of insurance coverage — but that might get harder after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services decided this month to restrict federally qualified health centers from treating people without legal status. CommunityHealth CEO Stephanie Willding said she always worried about the stability of the program because it was fully state funded, 'but truthfully, we thought that day was much, much further away.' 'People are going to die. Some people are going to go untreated,' Alicia Hardy, chief executive officer of CommuniCARE+OLE clinics in California, said of the state's Medicaid changes. 'It's hard to see the humanity in the decision-making that's happening right now.' A spokesperson for the Minnesota Department of Health said ending the state's program will decrease MinnesotaCare spending in the short term, but she acknowledged health care costs would rise elsewhere, including uncompensated care at hospitals. Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican, said the state's program was not sustainable. 'It wasn't about trying to be non-compassionate or not caring about people," she said. "When we looked at the state budget, the dollars were not there to support what was passed and what was being spent.' Demuth also noted that children will still have coverage, and adults lacking permanent legal status can buy private health insurance. Health care providers also are worried that preventable conditions will go unmanaged, and people will avoid care until they end up in emergency rooms – where care will be available under federal law. One of those safety-net public hospitals, Cook County Health in Chicago, treated about 8,000 patients from Illinois' program last year. Dr. Erik Mikaitis, the health system's CEO, said doing so brought in $111 million in revenue. But he anticipated other providers who billed through the program could close, he said, adding: 'Things can become unstable very quickly.' Monthly fees, federal policies create barriers State lawmakers said California's Medi-Cal changes stem from budget issues — a $12 billion deficit this year, with larger ones projected ahead. Democratic state leaders last month agreed to stop new enrollment starting in 2026 for all low-income adults without legal status. Those under 60 remaining on the program will have to pay a $30 monthly fee in 2027. States are also bracing for impact from federal policies. Cuts to Medicaid and other programs in the recently signed massive tax and spending bill include a 10% cut to the federal share of Medicaid expansion costs to states that offer health benefits to immigrants starting October 2027. California health officials estimate roughly 200,000 people will lose coverage after the first full year of restricted enrollment, though Gov. Gavin Newsom maintains that even with the rollbacks, California provides the most expansive health care coverage for poor adults. Every new bill requires a shift in Maria's monthly calculations to make ends meet. She believes many people won't be able to afford the $30-a-month premiums and will instead go back to self-medication or skip treatment altogether. 'It was a total triumph,' she said of Medi-Cal expansion. 'But now that all of this is coming our way, we're going backwards to a worse place.' Fear and tension about immigration raids are changing patient behavior, too. Providers told the AP that, as immigration raids ramped up, their patients were requesting more virtual appointments, not showing up to routine doctor's visits and not picking up prescriptions for their chronic conditions. Maria has the option to keep her coverage. But she is weighing the health of her family against risking what they've built in the U.S. 'It's going to be very difficult,' Maria said of her decision to remain on the program. 'If it comes to the point where my husband gets sick and his life is at risk, well then, obviously, we have to choose his life.' ___ Associated Press journalist Godofredo Vasquez in San Francisco contributed to this report. Shastri reported from Milwaukee. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Trân Nguyễn And Devi Shastri, The Associated Press
