Latest news with #JessicaDuncan
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Gastric bypass pill' causes weight loss without side effects: Study
(NewsNation) — A daily pill could give patients the weight-loss benefits of gastric bypass surgery or drugs like Ozempic — with none of the negative side effects, according to a recent clinical trial. Researchers say the SYNT-101 pill, developed by Boston-based Syntis Bio, mimics the effects of gastric bypass surgery while preserving muscle mass better than GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro. The pill forms a film on the small intestine that redirects nutrient exposure to the lower intestine and gives patients a feeling of fullness — effectively mimicking gastric bypass surgery, which reroutes a person's intestines. The coating lasts up to 24 hours before it's expelled from the body. Who is eligible for weight loss medication? 'A lot remains to be seen with these medications, but the studies that we've seen so far look really promising,' said Dr. Jessica Duncan, an obesity medicine physician. The pill led to consistent weight loss and maintained lean muscle mass in rodent trials, and the first human study confirmed the pill formed a film and was safely cleared from the body within a day. 'These data further validate the potential of SYNT-101 as a convenient once-daily oral alternative or complement to GLP-1 drugs, which often involve substantial costs, severe side effects such as muscle loss and long-term maintenance issues despite high efficacy rates,' said Rahul Dhanda, CEO of Syntis, in a statement. Are weight loss drugs safe? Learn some of the side effects The study has limitations. The human trial only examined effects on nine patients who took one dose. Patients included seven women and two men between 24 and 53 who were not considered obese. 'So in that small group of people, they had no side effects, no serious or adverse events, and they didn't have any gastrointestinal side effects,' Duncan said. 'But with nine people, it's really hard to tell.' Duncan said the pill's safety profile will be developed in upcoming clinical trials. She told NewsNation that, whether weight loss is coming from a pill, surgery or injection, it's important to preserve muscle mass and eat well. 'Medications are super helpful for correcting the biological causes of obesity, but you have to make those lifestyle changes as well,' Duncan added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Gastric bypass pill' causes weight loss with no side effects: Study
A daily pill could give patients the weight-loss benefits of gastric bypass surgery or drugs like Ozempic without the negative side effects, according to a new study. Dr. Jessica Duncan, a board-certified obesity medicine physician, explains the science behind the medication — and its current data limitations — on 'Morning in America.' #Health #WeightLoss #Ozempic
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ivím Health Raises Alarm as FDA Deadline Threatens Obesity Treatment Access
COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of World Obesity Day, Ivim Health is proud to advocate on behalf of patients on their health journeys by providing personalized and effective care, guided by medical professionals who prioritize patient safety and well-being. For the first time in over a decade, obesity rates in the United States are on the decline. A recent study indicates that the national obesity rate dropped from 46% in 2022 to 45.6% in 2023. This milestone reflects the impact of effective weight loss medications including Zepbound, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Ozempic, compounded semaglutide and compounded tirzepatide, empowering individuals to achieve lasting health improvements. Yet, positive progress made towards combating obesity is at risk due to an impending deadline imposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that could limit access to compounded GLP-1 medications, raising concerns about the future of obesity management. The Trump Administration is keenly focused on reducing healthcare and medication costs for patients. Compounded medications are a safe and effective way to meet that goal on behalf of patients. "At 272 pounds, I struggled with anxiety, depression, and sleep apnea. Desperate for change, I planned for gastric sleeve surgery—until my doctor recommended GLP-1 medication instead. I saw progress, but like many others, my insurance dropped coverage without warning, leaving me feeling hopeless. That's when I found Ivím Health. Their affordable, accessible care allowed me to continue my journey with personalized health plans, unlimited provider visits, and nutrition support. Now, 75 pounds lighter, my health has improved dramatically. I couldn't be happier with my journey through Ivím." – Jake Zerfas, Ivim Health patient The FDA has recently declared the shortages of semaglutide and tirzepatide resolved, leaving compounding pharmacies with a 90-day grace period to cease production. This decision would greatly limit patient access to affordable versions of these medications, raising immediate concerns about accessibility and potentially reversing the recent decline in obesity rates in the long term. Healthcare providers and advocacy groups warn that without affordable alternatives, many patients may be unable to continue their treatment, jeopardizing their progress and increasing the national obesity burden. As a leading advocate for accessible healthcare, Ivim Health has taken decisive action to ensure that patients have continued access to essential obesity treatments. In response to the FDA's impending deadline, Ivim Health filed an amicus brief emphasizing the need for affordable and effective treatment options. "We stand with our patients and will continue to advocate on their behalf to ensure they have access to the treatments they need to lead healthier lives," said Dr. Jessica Duncan, Medical Director at Ivim Health and Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. "Restricting access to compounded tirzepatide and semaglutide will undermine the progress we've made in reducing obesity rates. Our commitment to patient advocacy goes beyond our clinical services—we're dedicated to driving change at both the individual and systemic levels to ensure access and affordability to these life changing treatments." Together, we are making strides toward a healthier future. By advocating for accessible treatments, supporting individuals on their weight loss journeys, and pushing for systemic change, Ivim Health is dedicated to sustaining the momentum that has led to this historic shift in obesity rates. Ivim Health is calling on the FDA to prioritize patient safety, reconsider its timeline, and consider utilizing compounded medications as a mechanism to enhance competition of pharmaceutical pricing to make medications more affordable and accessible. About Ivim Health Ivím Health is a healthcare institution employing nearly 100 medical providers, including Obesity Medicine Physicians and Nurse Practitioners, dedicated to the optimization of the health and wellness for patients managing cardiometabolic conditions including obesity. Ivim Health is focused on patient safety and outcomes as its personalized therapy via telehealth model is vital to make America healthy again. It addresses the national discussion surrounding the GLP-1 medication shortage (e.g., Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Saxenda®, Mounjaro®, Zepbound®) and alternative options like compounded formularies from 503A and 503B pharmacies. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Ivim Health Sign in to access your portfolio
