UK patients rush for obesity jab before Eli Lilly raises price 170% to appease Donald Trump
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNET
an hour ago
- CNET
Do Vibration Plates Actually Help You Lose Weight, Build Muscle and Get Stronger?
When you're trying to lose weight or build muscle, figuring out what actually works can be frustrating. There are plenty of options, from lifting weights to cardio classes, and now vibration plates are part of the conversation. But does standing on a shaking platform really help you get stronger or shed pounds, or is it just another short-lived trend? To find out, we talked to personal trainers and other fitness experts. They explained how vibration plates are supposed to work, the benefits you might get from using them, the risks you should watch out for, and the right way to add them to your routine if you want to give them a try. Don't miss any of CNET's unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome. What is a vibration plate? Whole-body vibration plates are a form of exercise machine that shakes rapidly when you stand on them. When you stand on a vibration plate, you're engaging in a full-body vibration exercise, where your muscles are forced to contract and relax quickly. "The purpose of vibration plates is to generate quick vibrations that cause your body's muscles to contract and relax several times per second," says Leah Verebes, a physical therapist and assistant professor at Touro University's School of Health Sciences. "At a far greater frequency, this resembles the spontaneous contractions that take place during exercise." "This stimulates a subconscious muscle activation each time the machine moves, meaning your muscles are activating far more than they would on a stable surface," says Laura Wilson, a personal trainer at Life Time Fishers and director of training and curriculum at Power Plate, a company that produces vibrating exercise machines. There are several ways to use a vibration plate, the most common being standing on its rectangular platform. However, you can also perform squats or push-ups on it. Wilson says vibration plates can move in multiple directions: up and down, side to side and front to back. The harmonic vibrations move between 25 to 50 times per second, activating the corresponding muscles. Vibration plate benefits Yes, there are health benefits to using vibration plates. According to Verebes, some of the advantages may include "improved muscle tone and strength, better circulation, higher bone density, improved flexibility and balance, lymphatic drainage and the possibility of weight loss when paired with a healthy diet and regular exercise." However, experts agree that vibration plates offer the most benefits when used as part of an overall health and wellness plan. In other words, you shouldn't expect to lose weight or increase muscle strength just by standing on a vibration plate -- even if social media makes it seem so. Instead, experts suggest supplementing vibration exercise with other healthy habits, including a balanced diet and aerobic and strength training. "Vibration plates are not a magic bullet or a replacement for traditional exercise," warns Michael Betts, a personal trainer and director at TrainFitness. "The benefits are modest and work best when combined with other forms of training." Still, research indicates that using vibration plates can have positive effects on your health. For example, one 2021 study looked at whether whole-body vibration training could improve muscle strength in older adults, concluding that it "may be an alternative exercise method to boost the effect of strengthening exercise." Similarly, a 2007 study investigated the effects of whole-body vibration training in men over 60 and found that it has the "potential to prevent or reverse the age-related loss in skeletal muscle mass, referred to as sarcopenia." Other research suggests that vibration-based exercise may help improve bone mass density, reduce inflammation, alleviate chronic low back pain and more. Vibration plateVibration plates are generally safe for most people. However, like any other type of exercise, they come with a few potential risks, including "aggravation of existing conditions, temporary dizziness and joint stress if used incorrectly," according to Betts. There are also certain groups of people who should avoid using vibration plates altogether. "Vibration plates shouldn't be used by anyone with cardiac or circulatory disorders, such as deep vein thrombosis or pacemakers; pregnant women; people who have just had surgery; and people who have severe osteoporosis," Verebes says. "People with preexisting disorders, including herniated discs, joint issues or acute inflammation, may experience worsening symptoms when using vibration plates," she adds. "The vibrations may also be disconcerting to people who have inner ear problems or balance abnormalities." Verebes points out that "excessive use or high-intensity vibrations may strain ligaments, muscles or joints." Even if you don't have one of these conditions, it's still a good idea to talk to your doctor before getting on a vibration plate. It's also worth mentioning that a 2015 study discovered a link between regular exposure to whole-body vibration and a higher risk of lower back pain and sciatica. However, the participants in that study were regularly exposed to vibration as part of their jobs, so the results may not apply to vibration plate users. How often should you use a vibration plate? If you're new to whole-body vibration training, it's important to start slowly. "To allow the body to adapt to vibrations, beginners should start with 5 to 10 minutes at a low intensity," says Verebes. "Moderation is key, as excessive use may lead to fatigue or injury." As a beginner, it's best to limit yourself to two to three sessions per week, says Betts. Over time, you can work toward longer and more frequent sessions. "As your body adapts, you can increase to 15- to 20-minute sessions up to 3 to 4 times a week," he says. "Never go over 30 minutes, as this can cause fatigue and joint stress." For proper recovery, Betts also recommends leaving at least 24 hours between vibration plate sessions. "Listen to your body and adjust accordingly," he advises. "Quality of movement matters more than duration." LordHenriVoton/Getty Images Vibration plate exercises To use a vibration plate, you can simply stand in place with slightly bent knees. You can also engage in other exercises -- like squats or push-ups -- while using the machine. "Incorporating exercises such as squats, lunges, planks, push-ups and core workouts enhances results by engaging more muscle groups and boosting calorie burn," says Verebes. If you're up to the challenge, here are three vibration plate exercises to try, as recommended by Wilson: Push-ups "Push-ups work your chest and shoulders -- and doing them on a vibration plate activates many more muscle fibers per second than if you were to do them on the floor," says Wilson. To perform a push-up on a vibration plate, follow these steps: Get into a high plank position by placing your palms flat on the platform and stretching your legs long behind you. Lower into a push-up position slowly. Your chest should come close to touching the platform. Perform three sets of 10 reps, taking 30 seconds of rest between each set. High plank holds You can also use a vibration plate to perform a high plank hold, which is "great for your core and upper body strength," says Wilson. Here's how: Get into a high plank position by placing your palms flat on the platform and stretching your legs long behind you. Hold for 30 seconds. Perform three sets, taking 15 seconds of rest between each set. Tricep dips "This exercise works the back of the arm as well as the shoulder," says Wilson. "You're going to experience much more muscle activation when doing it on a vibration plate machine." Here's how: Sit on the edge of the platform. Place your palms on the platform (just outside of your hips). Keep your feet flat on the ground with your knees bent at a 90-degree angle. Scoot forward until you're hovering in front of the platform, only supported by your arms and legs. Lower your hips toward the ground by bending at the knees, stopping when your knees reach 90 degrees or when you can't lower your hips further. Push through your palms and return to the starting position. Perform three sets of 10 reps, taking 30 seconds of rest between each set. urbazon/Getty Images Do vibration plates work if you just stand on them? You don't need to perform exercises while using a vibration plate, but experts say moving your body -- rather than standing still -- will help you get more out of the machine. "Actively moving while using the plate maximizes its benefits, even though simply standing on it can support circulation and balance," says Verebes. Betts agrees, adding: "Standing still on a vibration plate provides some stimulus through the muscle contractions, but adding movement increases the benefits. Static positions can help with circulation and muscle activation, but dynamic exercises will give you strength gains, balance improvements and overall training effects." If you've never used a vibration plate before, you could begin by standing in place or squatting while you're on the machine. As you get more comfortable, you can incorporate different exercises and positions. Or you can alternate between standing still and exercising, suggests Betts. "Combine both approaches -- use static holds to build comfort and awareness, then move for optimal results," he says. "Form and progression are key regardless of whether you're moving or holding positions." The bottom line Simply scrolling through social media, you might get the idea that vibration plates are an easy, low-commitment way to transform your body. While it's true that vibration plates offer some compelling benefits, they aren't a shortcut to fitness. Experts also recommend following a healthy diet and participating in other forms of exercise to get the best results from vibration plate training. It's also a good idea to speak with your doctor before you start using a vibration plate -- especially if you've had blood clots, joint issues or other health conditions.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Why Eli Lilly (LLY) Stock Is Up Today
What Happened? Shares of global pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) jumped 3.2% in the afternoon session after the stock extended its positive momentum partly fueled by reports of major insider buying by top executives, including the CEO, which is often seen as a strong vote of confidence. Additionally, news that the company has signed a multi-billion dollar deal with an AI health tech company (Superluminal) to discover and develop new obesity medicines also contributed to the positive sentiment. Finally, the company's decision to increase the price of its popular diabetes and weight-loss drug Mounjaro in the UK, in response to US political pressure, was also seen as a positive for future revenue. After the initial pop the shares cooled down to $705.51, up 3.1% from previous close. Is now the time to buy Eli Lilly? Access our full analysis report here, it's free. What Is The Market Telling Us Eli Lilly's shares are not very volatile and have only had 9 moves greater than 5% over the last year. In that context, today's move indicates the market considers this news meaningful, although it might not be something that would fundamentally change its perception of the business. The previous big move we wrote about was 2 days ago when the stock gained 3.1% on the news that reports of significant insider buying by top executives, including the CEO, sent the stock rebounding from a recent selloff. The move came after regulatory filings on Tuesday revealed that several top executives, including CEO David Ricks, had purchased nearly $2.9 million worth of company stock. Ricks alone acquired over $1 million in shares, a move investors often interpret as a strong vote of confidence from leadership. This buying activity follows a significant selloff last week, where the stock dropped about 14% due to disappointing trial data for an oral obesity pill. The insider purchases are seen as a signal that management considers the stock undervalued after the recent decline and believes the market overreacted, providing a catalyst for Wednesday's rebound. Eli Lilly is down 9.3% since the beginning of the year, and at $705.51 per share, it is trading 26.5% below its 52-week high of $960.02 from August 2024. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of Eli Lilly's shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $4,656. Today's young investors likely haven't read the timeless lessons in Gorilla Game: Picking Winners In High Technology because it was written more than 20 years ago when Microsoft and Apple were first establishing their supremacy. But if we apply the same principles, then enterprise software stocks leveraging their own generative AI capabilities may well be the Gorillas of the future. So, in that spirit, we are excited to present our Special Free Report on a profitable, fast-growing enterprise software stock that is already riding the automation wave and looking to catch the generative AI next. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Bloomberg
2 hours ago
- Bloomberg
Big Take: Hims' Big Bet on Weight-Loss Shots
When a shortage of brand-name weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy cleared the way for companies like Hims to fill the gap with cheaper, compounded versions, customers came flocking. But in February, the US Food and Drug Administration announced the shortage was over, leaving the company's strategy in flux and some investors worried. On today's Big Take podcast, host David Gura and Bloomberg healthcare reporter Madison Muller track how Hims became the king of copycat weight-loss drugs and what's next for the company as it fights to hold onto the crown.
