Latest news with #RachelBatterham
Scottish Sun
11-08-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Fab jabs could soon be available over the counter at pharmacies without the need for a GP
Fat jabs are currently only available on the NHS to those with a BMI of more than 35 FAT JAB FIX Fab jabs could soon be available over the counter at pharmacies without the need for a GP Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FAT jabs could be made available over the counter at pharmacies without the need for a GP to get involved. It is one idea set to be trialled to enable access to Mounjaro and Wegovy in an £85million drive to combat obesity. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up Others include health apps to help people stay on track and peer support groups. It is part of the Government's Ten-Year Health Plan to build an NHS 'fit for the future'. Tens of thousands of Brits are expected to benefit from the scheme, which aims to ease pressure on the NHS and GPs. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said pharmaceutical giant Lilly was pumping cash into the initiative to make it easier for obese people to access NHS weight management services. He said: 'There's been a groundbreaking pace of change in obesity treatment through weight loss drugs. 'We must eradicate the two-tier healthcare system which creates inequalities in access, meaning some people pay for drugs privately, while those who are struggling are unable to access the help they need.' Prof Rachel Batterham, at Lilly, said the programme marks an 'important milestone in advancing new models of care for obesity'. Fat jabs, or GLP-1 receptor agonists, mimic hormones that tell the brain the stomach is full. They are only available on the NHS to those with a BMI of more than 35. Mounjaro will be available to 220,000 people over the next three years, NHS England guidance suggests. Millions more could benefit but face waits of several years to get the drug. Weight Loss Jabs - Pros vs Cons
New York Post
08-08-2025
- Health
- New York Post
You can double your weight loss by ditching this cancer-causing food from your diet: study
Looking to double down on weight loss? A new study suggests that eliminating one food group can significantly enhance weight loss and lower cancer risk. Participants lost twice as much weight when they adhered to a diet of minimally processed foods (MPFs) compared to one that included ultra-processed foods (UPFs). UPFs — billed as ready to eat or heat — typically undergo several processing steps, feature additives and preservatives and contain high levels of sodium, refined sugars and cholesterol-spiking fats. 3 Participants in a new study lost twice as much weight when they adhered to a diet of minimally processed foods (MPFs) compared to one that included ultra-processed foods (UPFs). beats_ – A recent study linked UPF exposure to 32 poor health outcomes, including a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, metabolic syndrome, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Type 2 diabetes and even premature death. In this latest trial, the UPFs were relatively 'healthy.' Items included store-bought breakfast cereal, granola bars, fruit snacks, flavored yogurt cups, instant noodles and ready-made lasagna. By contrast, participants on the MPF diet were fed catered meals of overnight oats with fresh fruit, plain yogurt with toasted oats and fruit, handmade fruit and nut bars, freshly made chicken salad, homemade stir fry and spaghetti Bolognese. While processing levels differed wildly between the two diets, portions and nutritional content were similar. Researchers matched the diets for calories, sugar, fat, fiber and micronutrients. Both aligned with dietary guidance from the UK government, called the Eatwell Guide (EWG). Participants lost weight on both diets, but considerably more when they abstained from UPFs. At the end of the eight-week trial, participants on the MPF diet lost 2% of their body weight compared to a 1% loss from the UPF diet. 3 Participants lost weight on both diets but considerably more when they abstained from UPFs. ISO101 – The results were published this week in the journal Nature Medicine. While these numbers are small, the trial period was relatively short. When extrapolated over a year, participants on an MPF diet would lose between 9% and 13% of their weight, while those who adhered to the UPF diet would drop 4% to 5%. In addition to more pounds shed, the MPF diet also correlated to more fat loss, fewer cravings and lower triglycerides. 'Choosing less processed options such as whole foods and cooking from scratch, rather than ultra-processed, packaged foods or ready meals, is likely to offer additional benefits in terms of body weight, body composition and overall health,' said senior study author Rachel Batterham from the UCL Centre for Obesity Research. Researchers believe some of the weight loss can be attributed to people eating less on the MPF diet since UPFs are 'hyperpalatable.' Despite the known risks, UPFs can be a tough habit to kick since they have been engineered for convenience and cravings, with a combination of flavors and additives designed to encourage addictive eating behavior. Comparatively, participants scored the MPF diet lower in taste and flavor ratings, suggesting that they ate less because the food was less compelling and addictive. 3 While processing levels differed wildly between the two diets, portions and nutritional content were similar. Allistair F/ – Still, researchers noted that people were able to lose weight on the UPF diet, contradicting previous claims that UPFs inhibit weight loss. Batterham maintains that this is owed in part to this particular UPF diet following nutritional guidelines. 'The best advice to people would be to stick as closely to nutritional guidelines as they can by moderating overall energy intake, limiting intake of salt, sugar and saturated fat and prioritizing high-fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables and nuts,' she said. One situation in which UPFs may edge out their whole food competition? Plant-based meat replacement products. The new study findings come as packaged foods and frozen meals persist in US diets, with recent research revealing that a shocking 60% of Americans' daily caloric intake comes from UPFs. While UPFs may not completely sabotage weight loss, they can contribute to a slew of health problems. A recent study suggested that some UPFs may contain a disturbing amount of microplastics, which are potentially harmful to respiratory, reproductive and mental health. UPF consumption has also been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer.
The Sun
04-08-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Key diet change can help you lose DOUBLE the weight – and it's not about counting calories
HOME cooking could help you lose weight twice as fast, according to a study. Research by University College London found that slimmers fared better if they ate unprocessed meals compared to shop-bought food. 1 They lost more weight even if the foods were matched for calories, fat and sugar. For example, participants eating porridge and home-made spaghetti bolognese slimmed faster than those who ate shop-bought oat bars and lasagna ready meals. People on the balanced but processed diet lost 1.05 per cent of their body weight in two months. Meanwhile those eating similar but non-processed versions of the foods lost 2.06 per cent in the same time – twice as much. The difference was equal to eating 170 fewer calories per day, and could lead to even more weight loss over a longer period. The results suggest the way foods are processed makes them less healthy, even when they look like normal meals. Brits rely heavily on ultra-processed foods (UPFs) as they make up around two thirds of our daily diet. They include most packaged foods that come ready-made, such as crisps, chocolate, biscuits, ready meals and breakfast cereals and bars. Minimally processed foods are those that have to be made but can be bought plain, such as pasta, rice and milk. Unprocessed foods include fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, eggs and unflavoured nuts. Popular low cost snack that can help you lose weight and improve your heart health Senior study author Professor Rachel Batterham said: 'The best advice to people would be to moderate overall energy intake and limit intake of salt, sugar and saturated fat, while prioritising high-fibre foods such as fruits, vegetables, pulses and nuts. 'Choosing less processed options such as whole foods and cooking from scratch, rather than ultra-processed, packaged foods or ready meals, is likely to offer additional benefits.' Writing in the journal Nature Medicine, the researchers said people eating less processed food also experienced fewer cravings. How ultra processed is YOUR kitchen? Ultra processed foods (UPFs) were defined by Brazilian researchers who made the NOVA classification system. It breaks foods into groups depending on how processed they are. The most natural foods are in group 1, while the most processed are in group 4. The groups do not entirely indicate how healthy a food is. However, it does indicate how processed it is - and studies have linked UPFs to a number of diseases. How does your kitchen compare to the following groups? Unprocessed or minimally processed foods (group 1) vegetables and fruits (fresh or frozen) dried fruits with no added sugar, honey, or oil grains and legumes (chickpeas, lentils) meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs milk without added sugar plain yogurt with no added sugar nuts and seeds spices and herbs tea, coffee, water Processed culinary ingredients (group 2) iodized salt salted butter sugar and molasses from cane or beet honey extracted from combs syrup from maple trees vegetable oils crushed from olives or seeds butter and lard from milk and pork starches extracted from corn and other plants vegetable oils with added anti-oxidants vinegar with added preservatives Processed foods (group 3) canned vegetables, fruits, and legumes fruits in syrup salted or sugared nuts and seeds salted cured or smoked meats canned fish artisanal breads and cheese Ultra-processed foods (group 4) pop and fruit drinks sweetened yogurt sweet or savoury packaged snacks (e.g., cookies) candies and cake mixes mass-produced packaged breads and buns margarines and spreads breakfast cereals cereal and energy bars energy drinks instant soups, sauces, and noodles poultry and fish nuggets, hot dogs many ready-to-heat products: pre-prepared pies, pasta, and pizza dishes
Telegraph
17-04-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Daily weight-loss pill could be the new Ozempic
A groundbreaking daily pill could compete with weight-loss injections such as Ozempic, research suggests. In trials, people taking the medication orforglipron lost an average of 16lbs in nine months. Participants, all of whom were obese and had Type 2 diabetes, also saw significant falls in their blood sugar. The phase III trial paves the way for manufacturers to seek a licence for the drug as a treatment for obesity and Type 2 diabetes. The use of daily pills could transform Britain's weight problem, in which two in three adults are obese or overweight. Manufacturers Lilly said the once-a-day pill could be launched 'at scale' across the world, if approved by licensing bodies, becoming a convenient option for those who do not like injections. Some estimates suggest that one in 10 women in the UK is on weight loss jabs, but pills are likely to be seen as far more convenient. The new study was aimed at measuring the success of the treatment in tackling diabetes but also examined the impact on weight loss. Those put on the highest dose achieved average weight loss of around 8 per cent (16 lbs) in 40 weeks. Weight loss had not begun to plateau at the point the trial stopped, meaning longer-term use was likely to be still more powerful, experts said. Separate trials are examining the impact the drug could have in tackling obesity alone. Semaglutide trials Previous trials found average weight loss of 14 per cent for those given injections of semaglutide – the ingredient contained in Wegovy, for weight loss, and Ozempic, a treatment for diabetes over 72 weeks. Those taking tirzepatide, known as Mounjaro, lost 20 per cent of their body weight over the the same period. Additional data on the daily pills is due to be published later this year, after which manufacturers will seek licensing approval. David A Ricks, the chairman and chief executive of Lilly, said: 'As a convenient once-daily pill, orforglipron may provide a new option and, if approved, could be readily manufactured and launched at scale for use by people around the world.' The trial found the pills had a significant impact on blood sugar. More than two-thirds taking the highest dose of the drug saw their blood sugar levels fall below a defined threshold for diabetes. On average, HbA1C fell by an average of 1.3 per cent to 1.6 per cent across doses. Prof Rachel Batterham, senior vice-president for international medical affairs at Lilly, said: 'Living with Type 2 diabetes can be challenging, especially when daily management involves complex treatment routines. 'Orforglipron could potentially offer a promising new option for the more than 75 per cent of people with Type 2 diabetes who prefer pills over injections.'
