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The Age
17-05-2025
- Health
- The Age
Weight-loss jabs could help tackle depression
The class of medication includes semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic for treatment of diabetes, and Wegovy for weight loss, as well as Mounjaro, which treats both. Experts have likened the medications to 'the fountain of youth' because of the impact they have had in turning back the clock on a host of diseases. Scientists believe the ability of the jabs to reduce inflammation and insulin resistance are key to this, with both linked to a number of illnesses as well as depression and cognitive decline. Previous research has shown diabetes can affect thinking ability, causing memory loss and brain fog. GLP-1 injections may help fix that by reducing inflammation in the brain, improving how insulin works in the body while boosting the brain's metabolism. Experts believe these mechanisms may even help the jabs to protect against diseases such as Alzheimer's. The latest review looked at studies that included obese patients, some of whom had type 2 diabetes. Patients were being treated with various types of injections, the best-known of which is semaglutide – Ozempic or Wegovy. In patients without mental illness, the drugs consistently outperformed insulin and other diabetes medications in boosting emotional wellbeing. The review also appeared to disprove early concerns that the drugs increased the risk of suicidal behaviour, new mental illness or psychiatric hospital admissions. Five trials reported improved mood and quality of life in patients with conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Dr Breit said: 'These results are particularly important for people with severe mental disorders who are three times more likely to be living with obesity than the general population. 'This research provides much-needed evidence in support of GLP-1 RAs to help safely address the burden of obesity in people with mental illness. 'However, more data from large-scale randomised trials, and longer treatment and follow-up periods, are needed to establish the long-term efficacy of GLP-1 RAs, as well as future studies exploring whether these medications might be useful for the direct treatment of mental health disorders.' Mental illnesses are associated with an increased risk of weight gain and type 2 diabetes. Weight gain is also a common side effect of mood-altering drugs, including antidepressants and antipsychotics, especially for individuals with severe mental illnesses who must take their medications indefinitely to reduce the risk of symptom relapse. Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chairman of Britain's Royal College of GPs, said: 'This research makes for interesting reading and, as more research is conducted and published, it's important that findings are considered, as clinical guidelines for use of liraglutide, semaglutide and other weight-loss medications are updated and developed. 'There is clearly a lot of potential for weight-loss drugs – which are still very new medications – to have wide-ranging benefits for patients, so it's good to see research being undertaken to explore these. 'As with any medication, they do not come without risk and can cause side effects, which range in seriousness. Loading 'It's vital that patients have access to the holistic support and care that addresses the underlying reasons for their health problems, rather than relying on medical interventions alone.' One randomised controlled trial involving 732 patients with type 2 diabetes but no pre-existing mental disorders showed those put on the jabs saw boosts in emotional health and positive feelings, and a reduction in psychological distress. The weight-loss drugs also appeared to improve symptoms in patients suffering with mental illnesses.
Sydney Morning Herald
17-05-2025
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
Weight-loss jabs could help tackle depression
The class of medication includes semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic for treatment of diabetes, and Wegovy for weight loss, as well as Mounjaro, which treats both. Experts have likened the medications to 'the fountain of youth' because of the impact they have had in turning back the clock on a host of diseases. Scientists believe the ability of the jabs to reduce inflammation and insulin resistance are key to this, with both linked to a number of illnesses as well as depression and cognitive decline. Previous research has shown diabetes can affect thinking ability, causing memory loss and brain fog. GLP-1 injections may help fix that by reducing inflammation in the brain, improving how insulin works in the body while boosting the brain's metabolism. Experts believe these mechanisms may even help the jabs to protect against diseases such as Alzheimer's. The latest review looked at studies that included obese patients, some of whom had type 2 diabetes. Patients were being treated with various types of injections, the best-known of which is semaglutide – Ozempic or Wegovy. In patients without mental illness, the drugs consistently outperformed insulin and other diabetes medications in boosting emotional wellbeing. The review also appeared to disprove early concerns that the drugs increased the risk of suicidal behaviour, new mental illness or psychiatric hospital admissions. Five trials reported improved mood and quality of life in patients with conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Dr Breit said: 'These results are particularly important for people with severe mental disorders who are three times more likely to be living with obesity than the general population. 'This research provides much-needed evidence in support of GLP-1 RAs to help safely address the burden of obesity in people with mental illness. 'However, more data from large-scale randomised trials, and longer treatment and follow-up periods, are needed to establish the long-term efficacy of GLP-1 RAs, as well as future studies exploring whether these medications might be useful for the direct treatment of mental health disorders.' Mental illnesses are associated with an increased risk of weight gain and type 2 diabetes. Weight gain is also a common side effect of mood-altering drugs, including antidepressants and antipsychotics, especially for individuals with severe mental illnesses who must take their medications indefinitely to reduce the risk of symptom relapse. Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chairman of Britain's Royal College of GPs, said: 'This research makes for interesting reading and, as more research is conducted and published, it's important that findings are considered, as clinical guidelines for use of liraglutide, semaglutide and other weight-loss medications are updated and developed. 'There is clearly a lot of potential for weight-loss drugs – which are still very new medications – to have wide-ranging benefits for patients, so it's good to see research being undertaken to explore these. 'As with any medication, they do not come without risk and can cause side effects, which range in seriousness. Loading 'It's vital that patients have access to the holistic support and care that addresses the underlying reasons for their health problems, rather than relying on medical interventions alone.' One randomised controlled trial involving 732 patients with type 2 diabetes but no pre-existing mental disorders showed those put on the jabs saw boosts in emotional health and positive feelings, and a reduction in psychological distress. The weight-loss drugs also appeared to improve symptoms in patients suffering with mental illnesses.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bonne Terre Grandmother has success changing laws in other states, but not her own
ST. CHARLES, Mo. — Cecilia Williams has been pushing for law changes since experiencing an unthinkable tragedy in 2021. Her son, daughter-in-law, and one of her grandchildren were killed by a drunk driver. 'Missouri has an extremely huge problem with impaired driving,' she said. Williams said what's become 'Bentley's Law' has passed in other states but failed to pass again in Missouri. The state's legislative session ended on Thursday. The law would require impaired offenders who take the lives of parents to pay child support to caregivers left to care for surviving children. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The law is named after one of the surviving children Williams is caring for. 'Financially, a lot of people can't afford it, but with Bentley's law, it gives them the extra support that is needed,' Williams said. She attended a banquet in St. Charles on Thursday night, hosted by Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The awards ceremony honored 133 members of law enforcement for their dedication to impaired driving enforcement. Jerod Breit, MADD's regional executive director, credits Williams' determination for other states passing legislation she's fighting for. 'She's been triumphant across the country and even outside the United States when it comes to Benley's Law,' he said. Williams said that states that have passed the law include Tennessee, Kentucky, Maine, Texas, Utah, South Dakota and Montana. She said the law has even passed in the Cayman Islands and South Korea. 'There's no reason why Missouri cannot pass this important piece of legislation to help families who really need it,' she said. First responders discover body following house fire Breit said MADD and the agency's supporters pushed for several measures aimed at reducing impaired driving in Missouri, but the effort failed despite overwhelming support from lawmakers and near unanimous support in the House, where the measure easily passed. 'Unfortunately, it didn't make it through in the Senate,' Breit said. Williams blamed political bickering for the measure failing to pass before the session ended. She and Breit vow to push again for a change in Missouri's law when the next legislative session starts in January. State Senator Mike Henderson sponsored SB 235 and supported the effort to pass the legislation. He said, 'I am very disappointed. I do not believe it had anything to do with Benley's Law or actually the bill itself. We just ran out of time.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Scottish Sun
10-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Weight loss jabs such as Ozempic could banish depression and make you happier, a study claims
WEIGHT loss jabs could banish blues as well as bellies, a study claims. People taking the injections showed 'significantly improved' emotional wellbeing in trials. 1 Weight loss jabs could banish blues as well as bellies Credit: Getty Experts at the University of Bern in Switzerland reviewed 36 studies on a total of 26,000 people to check the impact of the medication. They found that drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro had 'beneficial effects' on depression and bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The study, presented at the European Congress on Obesity, found no link between the jabs and new mental health problems or thoughts about self-harm or suicide. Study author Dr Sigrid Breit said they 'exert a positive effect on mental state and quality of life.' Depression and other disorders have been linked to low-grade swelling in the brain, which the drugs may help to bring down. Dr Breit said: 'They may have antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects due to their anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation in the brain. 'These results are particularly important for people with severe mental disorders, who are three times more likely to be living with obesity than the general population. 'Future studies should explore whether these medications might be useful for the direct treatment of mental health disorders.' Dr Ed Beveridge, of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: 'We know that many people with mental illness have weight management issues. 'It is crucial that they are regarded as a priority group for access to this medication where appropriate.'
CBS News
26-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Following Lauren Boebert's request to yank funding for Colorado rail project, manager touts plan's progress
The plan for a passenger train that would run along Colorado's Front Range was announced four years ago, but it's been getting a lot of attention this week after Rep. Lauren Boebert called for DOGE to get rid of federal funding for the project. CBS The argument of Boebert, a Republican who represents the state's 4th Congressional District, is the nation is in debt and can't afford to spend on projects that won't benefit most Coloradans. But Chrissy Breit, the Interim General Manager of the Front Range Passenger Rail District, says the project is chugging along nicely. "We spent the past two years working on a service development plan," said Breit. The aim is to build and operate a passenger rail line using existing tracks along the Front Range. It would start with service between Denver and Fort Collins and eventually providing daily round trips from the New Mexico to Wyoming borders with stops in some of Colorado's largest cities along the way. It's a plan that they think if done correctly will really pay off for Coloradans. "As I-25 becomes more congested, as it's harder and harder to get around as we age, as we need to travel to new places. We need a reliable of a way to get around," said Breit. But seeing a train on the tracks is still a distant reality. The goal is to begin service in 2029, four years from now. And while something like this can come with a hefty price tag, the district is seeking funding from a variety of sources to foot the bill. That includes federal funding and state funding. "In the last year, legislature created two new revenues that can be used for passenger rail," said Breit. And the district plans to ask voters next year to approve a sales tax increase in the 13 counties the rail would serve to raise funds. But they say no matter where they end up getting their funding, they are working to get the most bang for their buck. "We're looking at a cost effective project looking at leveraging opportunities," said Breit.
