Latest news with #TamsinLewis
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What else does weight-loss drug Ozempic do? 5 unexpected health benefits
Injectable weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic have exploded in popularity over the past few years, yet scientists are still exploring how they affect our bodies. In 2024, around 5 per cent of Britons had used an injectable glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, a medication known under brand names such as Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro. The drugs work by mimicking the hormone GLP-1 to slow down digestion and lower appetite, which can lead to significant weight loss. But alongside the well-documented weight-loss effects, emerging scientific research has indicated that the medication may have other potential benefits, from reducing addictive behaviours to lowering the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Here's a breakdown of some of Ozempic's unexpected side effects: Research has found that weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic may help curb addictive behaviours, such as alcohol addiction. One 2025 study, published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, found that semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic) reduced cravings in people with alcohol use disorder. Semaglutide is a medication that mimics a natural hormone to help regulate blood sugar and reduce appetite. It's used to treat type 2 diabetes and support weight loss. The findings followed a 2024 study, published in the scientific journal Addiction, revealing that people taking Ozempic (or a similar medication) appeared to have a 40 per cent lower rate of opioid overdose. 'By modulating dopamine release, these medications appear to reduce cravings for alcohol, nicotine, ultra-processed foods, and even compulsive behaviours,' Dr Tamsin Lewis, founder of the London-based personalised healthcare service, Wellgevity, told the Standard. She said she had observed this anecdotally in patients and that animal studies backed it up. 'This may be one of the most powerful aspects of these medications for long-term behaviour change,' Dr Lewis added. Research has indicated that taking GLP-1 drugs can also lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and dementia. According to a 2024 study, semaglutide was associated with a 40 per cent to 70 per cent lower risk of an Alzheimer's diagnosis over three years compared with other diabetes treatments. 'This may be linked to reduced insulin resistance, which is increasingly being recognised as a driver of brain ageing,' said Dr Lewis. According to Dr Mohamed Najjar, medical director of Jorja Healthcare Group, which offers weight-management treatments and also adult ADHD diagnosis, taking Ozempic may be able to soften the traits of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). 'This connection is based on the drug's potential effects on brain function and neurotransmitter regulation, which could be beneficial in managing ADHD symptoms [such as impulsivity and difficulty with focus],' he told the Standard. However, Dr Najjar emphasised that there is limited research in this area and 'more studies are needed to establish the direct result of GLP-1 medication and ADHD'. Research has indicated that semaglutide may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes. 'It appears to reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and improve endothelial function — all of which support vascular health,' Dr Lewis told the Standard. GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic have been linked to a reduction in diagnoses of depression and anxiety. 'GLP-1s slow gastric emptying and reduce gut inflammation, but they also influence vagal signalling and brain function via the gut-brain axis,' said Dr Lewis. 'Some patients report greater calm, satiety and mental clarity on these medications — although side effects like nausea and constipation need careful management.'
The Independent
19-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Doctors reveal the five simple ways to increase your life expectancy
Longevity doctors have revealed five simple changes that could add years to your life as England's life expectancy lags well behind other European countries. New research revealed the rate of improvement in life expectancy slowed from 2011 to 2019, especially in England, despite increases across Europe from 1990 to 2011. Experts from the University of East Anglia (UEA) attributed the slowdown to higher cardiovascular disease and cancer risks, worsened by unhealthy habits and low physical activity. As we strive to lead longer, healthier lives, the pursuit of longevity can often seem daunting – full of complicated diets, rigorous exercise routines, and expensive treatments. But longevity doctors say it could be as simple as incorporating a few small changes into your everyday routine. Here are their easy-to-follow tips that could help you add more years to your life without stress or huge expense: 1. Build strength and keep your heart fit Building strength and keeping your heart fit are essential components of a healthy lifestyle. While they may seem like separate goals, they are deeply interconnected and work together to improve overall wellbeing. 'Muscle is metabolic currency – the more you have, the better your resilience against ageing,' says Dr Tamsin Lewis, the longevity doctor from Wellgevity. 'Strength training preserves lean mass and keeps you robust, while zone 2 [low intensity] cardio and VO2 max work [think fast hiking, cycling, or interval sprints] maintain mitochondrial health and cardiovascular efficiency. 'Grip strength and VO2 max are two of the strongest predictors of longevity, so train accordingly.' 2. Keep blood sugar and insulin in check Make a healthy meal plan to keep your blood sugar and insulin levels in check. 'Metabolic dysfunction accelerates ageing, so keeping glucose stable and insulin sensitivity high is non-negotiable,' says Lewis. 'Time-restricted eating, post-meal movement (even a brisk 10-minute walk), and a diet low in ultra-processed foods all help.' Herbal supplements like berberine 'can be useful', she adds, 'but the basics like good sleep, movement, and protein prioritisation must be in place first'. 3. Lower inflammation without blunting adaptation 'Chronic inflammation is a slow burn that fuels ageing, brain fog, and disease,' says Lewis. 'Keeping hs-CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α [key inflammatory markers] low through a Mediterranean-style diet, polyphenols [natural compounds found in plants that act as antioxidants] such as curcumin and quercetin, and gut microbiome diversity helps.' However, some inflammation is essential for adaptation. 'Don't blunt it by overdosing antioxidants post-exercise,' Lewis said. 'Instead, harness hormesis [exposure to a low dose of a stressor or toxin to trigger a response in the body], such as saunas, cold plunges and breath work to train the system.' 4. Strengthen emotional resilience and social connection Social connection plays a vital role in human wellbeing, with various studies emphasising its significance for both physical and mental health. 'If you look at the evidence from the 'blue zones' across the world [where people are said to live longer than average], they have shown that social connections are a major driver for improved longevity,' says Dr Mohammed Enayat, GP and founder HUM2N, a longevity clinic in London. 'Improving social connections is associated with better mental health and benefits including improving depression and anxiety, reduced stress levels, improved mood and happiness – with greater sense of purpose and fulfilment, better cognitive health, less risk of dementia and improved physical health, as one is more likely to engage in better healthy habits. 'Building and maintaining social connections, participating in community activities, and nurturing relationships with family and friends are valuable strategies for promoting overall wellbeing and longevity.' 5. Eat more plants 'Many plant foods contain a range of polyphenols and bio-flavonoid nutrients which contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties,' says Enayat. 'To improve longevity, addressing issues such as inflammatory processes in the body and oxidative stress is crucial.' Plant-based foods can also help improve gut health by feeding beneficial gut bacteria. 'Optimal gut health is also critical for improving one's systemic health and longevity,' says Enayat. 'Dysbiosis, an imbalanced microbiome, can directly contribute to inflammation in the body.'
The Independent
19-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
5 simple ways to increase your life expectancy – according to longevity doctors
New research suggests that England's life expectancy improvements have slowed, lagging well behind other European countries. While life expectancy increased across Europe from 1990 to 2011, the rate of improvement slowed from 2011 to 2019, especially in England. Researchers, led by experts from the University of East Anglia (UEA), attributed this slowdown to higher cardiovascular disease and cancer risks, worsened by unhealthy habits and low physical activity. As we strive to lead longer, healthier lives, the pursuit of longevity can often seem daunting – full of complicated diets, rigorous exercise routines, and expensive treatments. But, what if living a longer life could be as simple as incorporating a few small changes into your everyday routine? Here are some doctor-approved, easy-to-follow tips that could help you add more years to your life without stress or huge expense… 1. Build strength and keep your heart fit Building strength and keeping your heart fit are essential components of a healthy lifestyle. While they may seem like separate goals, they are deeply interconnected and work together to improve overall wellbeing. 'Muscle is metabolic currency – the more you have, the better your resilience against ageing,' says Dr Tamsin Lewis, the longevity doctor from Wellgevity. 'Strength training preserves lean mass and keeps you robust, while zone 2 [low intensity] cardio and VO2 max work [think fast hiking, cycling, or interval sprints] maintain mitochondrial health and cardiovascular efficiency. 'Grip strength and VO2 max are two of the strongest predictors of longevity, so train accordingly.' 2. Keep blood sugar and insulin in check Make a healthy meal plan to keep your blood sugar and insulin levels in check. 'Metabolic dysfunction accelerates ageing, so keeping glucose stable and insulin sensitivity high is non-negotiable,' stresses Lewis. 'Time-restricted eating, post-meal movement (even a brisk 10-minute walk), and a diet low in ultra-processed foods all help. Herbal supplements like berberine 'can be useful', she adds, 'but the basics like good sleep, movement, and protein prioritisation must be in place first', 3. Lower inflammation without blunting adaptation 'Chronic inflammation is a slow burn that fuels ageing, brain fog, and disease,' explains Lewis. 'Keeping hs-CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α [key inflammatory markers] low through a Mediterranean-style diet, polyphenols [natural compounds found in plants that act as antioxidants] such as curcumin and quercetin, and gut microbiome diversity helps.' However, some inflammation is essential for adaptation. 'Don't blunt it by overdosing antioxidants post-exercise,' advises Lewis. 'Instead, harness hormesis [exposure to a low dose of a stressor or toxin to trigger a response in the body], such as saunas, cold plunges and breath work to train the system.' 4. Strengthen emotional resilience and social connection Social connection plays a vital role in human wellbeing, with various studies emphasising its significance for both physical and mental health. 'If you look at the evidence from the 'blue zones' across the world [where people are said to live longer than average], they have shown that social connections are a major driver for improved longevity,' says Dr Mohammed Enayat, GP and founder HUM2N, a longevity clinic in London.'Improving social connections is associated with better mental health and benefits including improving depression and anxiety, reduced stress levels, improved mood and happiness – with greater sense of purpose and fulfilment, better cognitive health, less risk of dementia and improved physical health, as one is more likely to engage in better healthy habits. 'Building and maintaining social connections, participating in community activities, and nurturing relationships with family and friends are valuable strategies for promoting overall wellbeing and longevity.' 5. Eat more plants 'Many plant foods contain a range of polyphenols and bio-flavonoid nutrients which contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties,' says Enayat. 'To improve longevity, addressing issues such as inflammatory processes in the body and oxidative stress is crucial.' Plant-based foods can also help improve gut health by feeding beneficial gut bacteria. 'Optimal gut health is also critical for improving one's systemic health and longevity,' says Enayat. 'Dysbiosis, an imbalanced microbiome, can directly contribute to inflammation in the body.'
