Latest news with #EthanWeiss
WebMD
02-06-2025
- Business
- WebMD
Keto Debate: Is Low-Carb a Game Changer or a Risky Gamble?
With one glaring exception. Recent estimates show that 13 million Americans follow a ketogenic diet – a nutrition paradigm based on extremely low carbs and high fats – and its popularity is only growing. "This one's hardly a fad, since it's over 100 years old," said Ethan Weiss, MD, a preventive cardiologist at the University of California, San Francisco. Stores like Costco, Kroger, and Target today advertise "keto-friendly" products to help followers stay the course, and keto snacks are getting more popular among younger consumers. The market size for keto is $13 billion today, and projected to be worth over $16 billion in 2030. Enthusiasts swear by its health benefits: rapid weight loss, better appetite control, lower blood sugar levels, reduced insulin spikes, and decreased inflammation. "Keto diets have been shown over multiple studies to be beneficial in terms of weight loss and, at least to some degree, in helping the treatment of diabetes," said Weiss. Yet keto diets directly challenge decades of research showing that consuming high amounts of fat over long periods harms your health, in particular heart health. Unlike more widely recommended eating patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), keto is highly restrictive and hard to maintain, and lacks long-term data. So who's right – mainstream nutrition scientists or keto aficionados? That question has received a lot of attention in recent research. And while a conclusive answer may be years away, current evidence urges caution when it comes to going all in on keto. Ketones as Fuel Originally developed in the 1920s as a treatment for epilepsy, the keto diet dramatically reduces how many carbs you eat. This mimics the metabolic effects of fasting, forcing the body into a state of "ketosis" – when the liver starts converting stored fat into ketone bodies (an alternative energy source when glucose, or sugar, is scarce). Doctors found that the diet could significantly make seizures less frequent and less severe, particularly in children who did not respond well to other treatments. Typically, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends people eat a diet consisting of about 45%-65% carbohydrates, 10%-35% protein, and 20%-35% fat. Total calorie intake recommended for Americans is 1,600-2,400 for women and 2,000-3,000 for men. Following a keto diet means shifting the percentages of fats, carbs, and protein to 70%-80% fat, 5%-10% carbs, and 10%-20% protein. If you eat 2,000 calories a day, that amounts to 20-50 grams of carbs (about two to three slices of bread), 75 grams of protein (10 ounces of beef, chicken, or turkey), and 165 grams of fat (11 tablespoons of peanut butter, or 10 avocados). Eating fewer carbs reduces glucose levels, prompting your pancreas to produce less insulin. Since insulin promotes fat storage, having less of it helps keep fat from building up. Combined with ketosis, this fat-burning state can make low-carb diets work better for weight loss than low-fat ones, research suggests. The drastic shift can lead to short-term side effects like fatigue, headaches, crankiness, and brain fog – what some refer to as the "keto flu." This can make the diet hard to follow, as do the very strict guidelines on nutrient proportions. That's part of the reason keto is so appealing to the food industry: Demand is high for products that simplify the preparation of high-fat, low-carb meals. Still, keto backers say once the first few weeks are over, the flu-like symptoms disappear and meal prep becomes second nature. But these challenges aside: Is keto truly a healthy choice? Benefits and Risks of Keto: What the Research Shows A 2023 big-picture review, published in BMC Medicine and covering 17 meta-analyses of 68 randomized trials, found that keto diets can improve triglycerides, body weight, and blood sugar levels in adults with overweight or obesity – and reduce seizures in patients with epilepsy. A 2025 study also highlights how cutting carbs and entering ketosis can lower body mass index, waist size, and visceral fat – highlighting the power of keto for weight management. Other research confirms that the keto diet consistently improves markers of metabolic syndrome – a collection of conditions that raise the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. It's also been shown to improve cholesterol levels, reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and even slow vascular aging (changes in your blood vessels as you get older). Yet for all the benefits, research also highlights serious concerns, including nutrient deficiency, increased heart disease risk, and higher levels of LDL cholesterol (the kind that can build up in arteries and cause heart problems). The BMC Medicine review, too, found a significant increase in LDL cholesterol, underscoring the need for long-term trials to assess keto diets' impact on the health of the heart and blood vessels. "The concern is that ketogenic diets are going to raise the level of your cholesterol, and that will be harmful for your heart in the long term, even if there are short-term benefits related to weight loss," said Sadiya Khan, MD, a professor of cardiovascular epidemiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Those happy with their waistline on keto may dismiss the negative effects. "They're trying to convince themselves that what I consider to be an alarming increase in LDL cholesterol is not dangerous," said Weiss. "That's the single biggest drawback as to the long-term safety of these diets." Cutting way back on carbs means you likely have to sacrifice whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, leading to deficiencies in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants that supplements can't make up for, said Khan. Other long-term adverse effects of keto include digestive issues like constipation, bloating, and diarrhea, and a higher risk of kidney stones. The Best Way to Do Keto The contradictory findings point to one conclusion: More research, especially long-term, is needed to make sure the keto diet is safe. So far, it seems that the short-term benefits may not offset the long-term risks. With that in mind, the safest way to make the most of keto may be to take breaks from time to time. A 2024 study found that sticking to a continuous ketogenic diet might age cells – especially in your heart and kidneys – potentially leading to harmful inflammation. But people in the study who took breaks from the diet didn't have these negative effects. "The biggest thing we tried to stress is you don't want to be on it for too long," said study author David Gius, MD, PhD, a professor of radiation oncology at University of Texas Health San Antonio. "Take a break. Take a keto vacation." That means following a keto diet for about four to five days, long enough for most people to enter a state of ketosis, followed by a break of two to three days. But that's not the only precaution to take, Gius said. You also need to talk to your doctor and a dietitian before trying keto, as the diet must be tailored to each person, he said. Ask your doctor for a lipid panel and heart panel, along with a thorough cardiac exam, said Gius, who recommended checking back in every three to six months for updated lipid and heart panels. "Other than the rise in LDL cholesterol, I think keto is safe," said Weiss. He recommends a hybrid model approach: a low-carb, Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and heart-healthy fats and low in processed foods. Several randomized clinical trials link this eating pattern to a lower risk of chronic diseases, longer lifespan, and the prevention of conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, atrial fibrillation, and breast cancer.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Marea Therapeutics Announces Publication in The Lancet of Positive Data from Phase 2a Clinical Trial of MAR001 for Cardiovascular Disease
Publication follows late-breaking oral presentation of Phase 2a results at the 93rd EAS Congress; MAR001 demonstrated approximately 53% placebo-adjusted mean reductions in remnant cholesterol and triglycerides at 12 weeks Second publication of MAR001 preclinical results in eBioMedicine that demonstrate improved plasma lipid profiles SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 16, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Marea Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company harnessing the latest advances in human genetics to develop first-in-class, next-generation medicines for cardioendocrine diseases, today announced that positive results from a Phase 2a clinical trial of MAR001 were published in The Lancet entitled "Safety and efficacy of a novel ANGPTL4 inhibitory antibody for lipid lowering: results from phase 1 and phase 1b/2a clinical studies." The publication follows a recent late-breaking oral presentation of the Phase 2a results at the 93rd EAS Congress and can be accessed here. In addition, Marea announced a publication of MAR001 preclinical results in the peer-reviewed journal eBioMedicine entitled "A Novel ANGPTL4 Inhibitory Antibody Safely Improves Lipid Profiles in Non-Human Primates." The publication can be accessed here. MAR001 is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody that targets ANGPTL4, a protein that is highly expressed in adipose tissue. Results from Marea's Phase 2a clinical trial of MAR001 demonstrated approximately 53% placebo-adjusted mean reductions in remnant cholesterol and triglycerides at 12 weeks with a favorable safety profile. "We are excited to have our MAR001 Phase 2a clinical results and preclinical data recognized within the broader scientific community through these publications in The Lancet and eBioMedicine," said Ethan Weiss, M.D., chief scientific officer of Marea. "These findings validate ANGPTL4 inhibition and the ability of MAR001 to safely and effectively reduce remnant cholesterol and triglycerides, which align with genetic findings and support further development in addressing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk. We look forward to initiating a Phase 2b trial of MAR001 in the second quarter of 2025." About Remnant Cholesterol Remnant cholesterol is carried by triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, is highly atherogenic, and drives cardiovascular events independent of classical risk factors like LDL cholesterol, diabetes, or obesity. There are currently no available targeted therapies to lower remnant cholesterol and improve metabolic function. About MAR001 MAR001 is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody that targets ANGPTL4, a protein that is highly expressed in adipose tissue. By inhibiting ANGPTL4 and thereby augmenting lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, MAR001 is designed to lower remnant cholesterol and improve adipose tissue function. Human genetic data has identified ANGPTL4 as a highly promising therapeutic target because loss of function alleles lead to lower remnant cholesterol, improved adipose distribution, improved insulin sensitivity, lower triglyceride levels, and protection from cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. MAR001 is being developed to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in adults with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) plus elevated triglycerides and remnant cholesterol. Preclinical models with MAR001 demonstrated reduction in triglycerides, remnant cholesterol and ectopic fat, and improved insulin sensitivity. Results from a Phase 2a study of MAR001 demonstrated clinically meaningful reductions in remnant cholesterol and triglycerides. Marea plans to advance MAR001 into Phase 2b clinical development in the second quarter of 2025. About Marea Therapeutics Marea Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company harnessing the latest advances in human genetics to develop first-in-class, next-generation medicines for cardioendocrine diseases. The company's lead therapy, MAR001, is in Phase 2 clinical development for adults with metabolic dysfunction and high risk for cardiovascular disease. The company is also advancing MAR002 for the treatment of acromegaly. To learn more, please visit and follow us on LinkedIn and X. View source version on Contacts Media Contact:Katie Engleman, 1ABkatie@
Business Wire
16-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Marea Therapeutics Announces Publication in The Lancet of Positive Data from Phase 2a Clinical Trial of MAR001 for Cardiovascular Disease
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Marea Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company harnessing the latest advances in human genetics to develop first-in-class, next-generation medicines for cardioendocrine diseases, today announced that positive results from a Phase 2a clinical trial of MAR001 were published in The Lancet entitled 'Safety and efficacy of a novel ANGPTL4 inhibitory antibody for lipid lowering: results from phase 1 and phase 1b/2a clinical studies.' The publication follows a recent late-breaking oral presentation of the Phase 2a results at the 93rd EAS Congress and can be accessed here. In addition, Marea announced a publication of MAR001 preclinical results in the peer-reviewed journal eBioMedicine entitled 'A Novel ANGPTL4 Inhibitory Antibody Safely Improves Lipid Profiles in Non-Human Primates.' The publication can be accessed here. MAR001 is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody that targets ANGPTL4, a protein that is highly expressed in adipose tissue. Results from Marea's Phase 2a clinical trial of MAR001 demonstrated approximately 53% placebo-adjusted mean reductions in remnant cholesterol and triglycerides at 12 weeks with a favorable safety profile. 'We are excited to have our MAR001 Phase 2a clinical results and preclinical data recognized within the broader scientific community through these publications in The Lancet and eBioMedicine,' said Ethan Weiss, M.D., chief scientific officer of Marea. 'These findings validate ANGPTL4 inhibition and the ability of MAR001 to safely and effectively reduce remnant cholesterol and triglycerides, which align with genetic findings and support further development in addressing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk. We look forward to initiating a Phase 2b trial of MAR001 in the second quarter of 2025.' About Remnant Cholesterol Remnant cholesterol is carried by triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, is highly atherogenic, and drives cardiovascular events independent of classical risk factors like LDL cholesterol, diabetes, or obesity. There are currently no available targeted therapies to lower remnant cholesterol and improve metabolic function. About MAR001 MAR001 is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody that targets ANGPTL4, a protein that is highly expressed in adipose tissue. By inhibiting ANGPTL4 and thereby augmenting lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, MAR001 is designed to lower remnant cholesterol and improve adipose tissue function. Human genetic data has identified ANGPTL4 as a highly promising therapeutic target because loss of function alleles lead to lower remnant cholesterol, improved adipose distribution, improved insulin sensitivity, lower triglyceride levels, and protection from cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. MAR001 is being developed to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in adults with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) plus elevated triglycerides and remnant cholesterol. Preclinical models with MAR001 demonstrated reduction in triglycerides, remnant cholesterol and ectopic fat, and improved insulin sensitivity. Results from a Phase 2a study of MAR001 demonstrated clinically meaningful reductions in remnant cholesterol and triglycerides. Marea plans to advance MAR001 into Phase 2b clinical development in the second quarter of 2025. About Marea Therapeutics Marea Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company harnessing the latest advances in human genetics to develop first-in-class, next-generation medicines for cardioendocrine diseases. The company's lead therapy, MAR001, is in Phase 2 clinical development for adults with metabolic dysfunction and high risk for cardiovascular disease. The company is also advancing MAR002 for the treatment of acromegaly. To learn more, please visit and follow us on LinkedIn and X.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Marea Therapeutics Presents Positive Data from Phase 2a Clinical Trial of MAR001, Being Developed for Cardiovascular Disease, in Late-Breaking Oral Session at the 93rd EAS Congress
MAR001, a first-in-class monoclonal antibody targeting ANGPTL4, demonstrated approximately 53% placebo-adjusted mean reduction in remnant cholesterol and placebo-adjusted mean reduction in triglycerides at 12 weeks Approximately 65% placebo-adjusted mean reduction in remnant cholesterol and triglycerides in participants with greater triglyceride elevation at baseline (≥200 mg/dl) MAR001 was generally well tolerated; Phase 2b study expected to initiate in second quarter of 2025 Second oral presentation at EAS describes association of remnant cholesterol levels with major cardiovascular events in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, underscoring potential of MAR001 to become an important new therapeutic option SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 07, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Marea Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company harnessing the latest advances in human genetics to develop first-in-class, next-generation medicines for cardioendocrine diseases, today presented positive data from a Phase 2a clinical trial of MAR001 in a late-breaking oral session at the 93rd European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) Congress being held May 4-7, 2025 in Glasgow, UK. MAR001 is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody that targets ANGPTL4, a protein that is highly expressed in adipose tissue. "We are very excited by these data from our Phase 2a study, which demonstrate the strong potential of MAR001 to address the most important unaddressed lipid and metabolic drivers of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in high-risk patients," said Josh Lehrer, M.D., FACC, chief executive officer of Marea. "We look forward to advancing MAR001 into Phase 2b development for treating residual cardiovascular risk in patients who remain at highest risk despite aggressive standard of care therapies." "Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease patients with elevated remnant cholesterol remain at an increased risk for major adverse cardiovascular events despite best available standard of care therapies," said Ethan Weiss, M.D., chief scientific officer of Marea. "These data clearly validate the ability of MAR001 to significantly lower remnant cholesterol and triglycerides by inhibiting ANGPTL4, supporting genetic findings and expected translation to substantial cardiovascular disease risk reduction. We believe MAR001 has the potential to become an important new therapeutic option for patients." Presentation Highlights:
Business Wire
07-05-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
Marea Therapeutics Presents Positive Data from Phase 2a Clinical Trial of MAR001, Being Developed for Cardiovascular Disease, in Late-Breaking Oral Session at the 93
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Marea Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company harnessing the latest advances in human genetics to develop first-in-class, next-generation medicines for cardioendocrine diseases, today presented positive data from a Phase 2a clinical trial of MAR001 in a late-breaking oral session at the 93rd European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) Congress being held May 4-7, 2025 in Glasgow, UK. MAR001 is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody that targets ANGPTL4, a protein that is highly expressed in adipose tissue. 'We are very excited by these data from our Phase 2a study, which demonstrate the strong potential of MAR001 to address the most important unaddressed lipid and metabolic drivers of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in high-risk patients,' said Josh Lehrer, M.D., FACC, chief executive officer of Marea. 'We look forward to advancing MAR001 into Phase 2b development for treating residual cardiovascular risk in patients who remain at highest risk despite aggressive standard of care therapies.' 'Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease patients with elevated remnant cholesterol remain at an increased risk for major adverse cardiovascular events despite best available standard of care therapies,' said Ethan Weiss, M.D., chief scientific officer of Marea. 'These data clearly validate the ability of MAR001 to significantly lower remnant cholesterol and triglycerides by inhibiting ANGPTL4, supporting genetic findings and expected translation to substantial cardiovascular disease risk reduction. We believe MAR001 has the potential to become an important new therapeutic option for patients.' Presentation Highlights: The primary objective of Marea's randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2a clinical trial was to characterize the safety and tolerability of multiple doses of MAR001 in participants with elevated triglycerides and remnant cholesterol. Secondary objectives were to describe the serum concentration of MAR001 at selected timepoints and to characterize the effect of MAR001 on triglyceride and remnant cholesterol metabolism following 12 weeks of treatment. The study enrolled 55 participants with hypertriglyceridemia (fasting TGs ≥151 and ≤496 mg/dL) randomized to Q2W MAR001 or placebo (blinded, 2:1 MAR001:Placebo). Ten participants were randomized to the 150 mg MAR001 arm, nine to the 300 mg MAR001 arm, 17 to the 450 mg MAR001 arm, and 19 to placebo. MAR001 demonstrated up to a 52.5% placebo-adjusted mean reduction in remnant cholesterol and up to a 52.7% placebo-adjusted mean reduction in triglycerides at 12 weeks. In participants with significantly elevated triglyceride levels at baseline (≥200 mg/dL), MAR001 demonstrated up to a 66.0% placebo-adjusted mean reduction in remnant cholesterol and up to a 64.0% placebo-adjusted mean reduction in triglycerides at Week 12. MAR001 was generally well tolerated, with no clinically significant findings, and no findings of elevated systemic inflammatory biomarkers or changes in mesenteric lymph node (MLN) size or local inflammation as assessed by MRI. There were no deaths or serious adverse events in any arm, and no adverse events with MAR001 leading to study drug discontinuation. Table 1: Mean Placebo-Adjusted Reductions in Remnant Cholesterol and Triglyceride (TG) at 12 Weeks Presentation Details: Title: A Novel ANGPTL4 Inhibitory Antibody Safely Lowers Plasma Triglycerides and Remnant Cholesterol in Humans Abstract Number: 1320 Session Title: Late Breaker Session: Clinical Session Date and Time: Wednesday, May 7, 2025, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. BST Title: Real-world Analysis of the Association of Remnant Cholesterol Levels with Major Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Abstract Number: 1314 Session Title: SaaG Session: Epidemiology: From Prevention to Prognosis Session Date and Time: Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 2:35 p.m. – 3:35 p.m. BST About Remnant Cholesterol Remnant cholesterol is carried by triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, is highly atherogenic, and drives cardiovascular events independent of classical risk factors like LDL cholesterol, diabetes or obesity. There are currently no available targeted therapies to lower remnant cholesterol and improve metabolic function. About MAR001 MAR001 is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody that targets ANGPTL4, a protein that is highly expressed in adipose tissue. By inhibiting ANGPTL4 and thereby augmenting lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, MAR001 is designed to lower remnant cholesterol and improve adipose tissue function. Human genetic data has identified ANGPTL4 as a highly promising therapeutic target because loss of function alleles leads to lower remnant cholesterol, improved adipose distribution, improved insulin sensitivity, lower triglyceride levels, and protection from cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. MAR001 is being developed to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in adults with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) plus elevated triglycerides and remnant cholesterol. Preclinical models with MAR001 demonstrated reduction in triglycerides, remnant cholesterol and ectopic fat, and improved insulin sensitivity. Results from a Phase 2a study of MAR001 demonstrated clinically meaningful reductions in remnant cholesterol and triglycerides. Marea plans to advance MAR001 into Phase 2b clinical development in the second quarter of 2025. About Marea Therapeutics Marea Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company harnessing the latest advances in human genetics to develop first-in-class, next-generation medicines for cardioendocrine diseases. The company's lead therapy, MAR001, is in Phase 2 clinical development for adults with metabolic dysfunction and high risk for cardiovascular disease. The company is also advancing MAR002 for the treatment of acromegaly. To learn more, please visit and follow us on LinkedIn and X.
