Latest news with #weightLoss
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Doctors assumed my weight loss was because of Mounjaro - they missed the signs that it was actually colon cancer
A 47-year-old man has revealed how medics missed the early warning signs he had a devastating cancer as they assumed they were just side effects of a weight loss jab. The unnamed man was taking Mounjaro— dubbed the 'King Kong' of weight-loss injections due to its potency —when he began losing too much weight too fast. He has now been told he has stage 3 colon cancer, an advanced stage of the disease, that kills nearly half of patients within five years of their diagnosis. The man claimed medics initially dismissed 'red flag' signs of the condition like persistent constipation and nausea as simple side effects of Mounjaro. Sharing his story in a Reddit forum for patients taking the drug he urged fellow users not to dismiss worrying changes to their body. 'Mounjaro masked the real cause of my rapid weight loss. Looking back, there were red flags. I brought them up with my doctor, but even they chalked it up to side effects,' he wrote. 'Please—listen to your body. Even if the numbers make sense on paper, trust how you feel.' He made it clear he doesn't suspect the drug caused his cancer, saying that he simply wanted to share his story as a cautionary tale for other patients. The man said he originally started taking Mounjaro about two years ago when he weighed just over 19st (121kg). While he enjoyed some 'slow and steady' success in the first year-and-half—losing 12lbs (5kg) in the first year and then 15lbs (7kg) in six months—he recalled how his weight loss then suddenly accelerated. He said he lost 30lbs (14kg) in just two months, and this was followed by further rapid weight loss that made him technically underweight, with him now weighing around 9st. The man said it was at this point, about eight months ago, that medics told him to stop taking Mounjaro. But he added that despite seemingly suffering side effects and continuing to lose weight in this time, medics said this was still 'the lingering effects of Mounjaro'. It was only a recent colonoscopy—where a thin flexible camera is inserted into the rectum—that revealed the real cause of his symptoms, stage 3 colon cancer. The man said looking back there were serious signs something was wrong beyond Mounjaro side effects that shouldn't have been ignored. 'The biggest red flag was constipation—except I had none of the usual symptoms. Life was so busy, I didn't think much of it…until one day I realized I hadn't had a bowel movement in almost a month. No pain, no discomfort—just nothing,' he wrote. 'The second red flag was extreme fatigue. I went from going to the gym three times a week to barely having enough energy to walk to the mailbox. 'The third red flag? Sudden waves of nausea—for no clear reason. 'The fourth? I completely lost my appetite. No cravings, no hunger—just an emptiness I kept brushing off. Again, I thought it was because of the medication.' Mounjaro—like other drugs Wegovy and Ozempic—belong to class of medications collectively known as 'GLP-1' injections. For weight-loss they work by mimicking a hormone of the same name which governs our sense of appetite. While helping patients slim down the drugs commonly cause digestive issues like constipation, nausea and stomach pain in more than one in 10 people, especially when they first start taking the drugs. Unfortunately, these are also classic warning signs of bowel cancer, of which colon cancer is a type. Unexplained weight loss is also considered a serious sign of the disease, but in this case the man said he thought it was simply Mounjaro helping him slim down. The man said in hindsight he should of questioned why the drug suddenly seemingly became more effective, but added he had been enjoying the weight-loss too much to look into it more deeply. He added that he was currently undergoing chemotherapy and that medics have said his prognosis is 'favourable'. Other members of the forum were quick to highlight that medics need to not let the fact a patient was taking Mounjaro overshadow potential signs of cancer. One wrote: 'This is why doctors need to learn so much more about these meds so they spot red flags like this and don't brush it off.' Another added: 'I can see how this med masked the diagnosis for you, but again your doctor should have at least considered something else was going on and evaluated you further.' Ironically, some studies have suggested GLP-1 medications could actually ward off colon cancer. One recent piece of research found taking the drugs was linked to a 16 per cent lower risk of colon cancer. And a 2023 study found that patients who took the jabs had an 44 per cent lower risk of getting colorectal cancer, which includes colon cancer, compared to diabetics treated with insulin. While part of this effect may be due to helping patients lose weight—with obesity increasing the risk of developing colon cancer—experts have also observed a reduction in cancer risk in non-obese patients. Exactly how the drugs may be producing this effect in patients of a healthy weight is still under investigation. The case comes amid concerns about rare but potentially deadly side effects of GLP-1 medications, as ministers plan to increase the roll-out of the jabs to combat obesity. Last month, the UK medicines regulator launched a probe into the safety of fat jabs after hundreds of users developed pancreatitis, a dangerous inflammation of the pancreas, leaving 10 dead. Recent estimates suggest that about 1.5million people in the UK are taking weight loss jabs, many of which are bought privately due to NHS rationing. The unnamed man isn't alone in being hit by a devastating bowel cancer diagnosis as a young adult. Experts have noted a concerning and mysterious rise in rates of the disease among young adults, defined in cancer terms as those under 50. A recent global study found rates of bowel cancer in under 50 year-olds are rising in 27 of 50 nations. England is averaging a 3.6 per cent rise in younger adults every year, one of the highest increases recorded. While the disease is known to be linked to obesity, experts have noted that the disease also seems to also be occurring in fit and healthy patients. Some experts believe the explanation must lie in environmental factors young people have been exposed to more than previous generations. There are around 2,600 new bowel cancer cases in people aged 25-49 in Britain every year, and around 44,100 new cases among all ages. Around 44,000 cases of bowel cancer are diagnosed every year in the UK, with about 130,000 in the US. The disease kills almost 17,000 Britons each year, with the death toll rising to about 50,000 in America. Overall, just over half of bowel cancer patients are expected to be alive 10 years after their diagnosis. However, survival rates vary vastly on when the disease is diagnosed. If the cancer is found in its earliest stages 90 per cent of patients will still be alive five years after their diagnosis. But, if found later, when the cancer has started to show signs of spreading to more distant tissues—stage 3—this drops to just 65 per cent of patients. Anyone with symptoms of bowel cancer for three weeks or more, even if minor, should contact their GP for advice. While most likely not cancer, an early diagnosis—when the disease is typically easier to treat—can vastly improve outcomes for patients.
News.com.au
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Jessica Simpson flaunts massive weight loss in bikini
Jessica Simpson appears to be showing estranged husband Eric Johnson what he's missing. The newly-single singer rocked a fiery red bikini for a mirror selfie shared via her Instagram Stories on Friday. Simpson, who lost nearly 45 kilograms just a few years ago, styled her look with a green button down and white sunglasses as a navy 'USA' hat sat on a nearby bathroom sink. The 44-year-old added Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' song An American Girl as a soundtrack for the image, which was posted on the Fourth of July, Page Six reported. At the time, the 160cm star weighed 53kg and turned to diet pills to get to a staggeringly low 46kg. Her weight then fluctuated over the next 20 years. A source exclusively told Page Six in January that the singer's new body, which came as a result of changing her diet, has 'unleashed a whole new side of her personality.' 'She suddenly [feels] 21 again,' the insider added. Simpson is said to have ended her marriage to Johnson, 45, after her weight loss made her feel younger and more confident. Simpson confirmed she and the former NFL player, who tied the knot in 2014, had ended things in January after 10 years of marriage. 'Eric and I have been living separately navigating a painful situation in our marriage,' Simpson told People in a statement at the time. 'Our children come first, and we are focusing on what is best for them,' she continued. 'We are grateful for all of the love and support that has been coming our way, and appreciate privacy right now as we work through this as a family.' Simpson and Johnson share three children together: daughter Maxwell, 13, son Ace, 12, and daughter Birdie, 6.
The National
04-07-2025
- Health
- The National
Cortisol cocktails promising stress relief are trending – but do they work?
A new social media health trend claims to reduce not only stress, but also your waistline. But is it a dream come true, or too good to be true? Well, it depends on who you ask. The cortisol cocktail is the latest internet elixir to attain fans and detractors in equal measure amid claims it helps boost energy, reduce the effects of stress on the body and promote weight loss, particularly in stubborn areas such as the stomach, hips and thighs. Also known as an 'adrenal cocktail', the drink consists of only four ingredients – orange juice, coconut water, cream of tartar and salt. It has been hailed as a salve for the adrenal glands, had enjoyed their time in the social media spotlight last year, when the medically indefinable 'adrenal fatigue' began trending. 'Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which sit atop the kidneys,' says Dr Kishore Kumar Katam, consultant endocrinologist at RAK Hospital. 'It plays a critical role in the body's response to stress, as part of the 'fight or flight' mechanism. It helps regulate metabolism, blood sugar levels, inflammation and blood pressure.' Cortisol's role in the body Typically released in response to stress and low blood glucose levels, cortisol production is controlled by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which is highly sensitive to both physical and psychological stressors. Linked to visceral fat surrounding internal organs and obesity, elevated cortisol levels can cause an increase in appetite and promote fat storage in the abdominal area. 'Excess cortisol can cause central obesity, muscle wasting, insulin resistance, hypertension, osteoporosis, mood disorders and increased cardiovascular risk,' says Dr Nevin Sadeep, specialist endocrinology at Aster Clinic in Dubai Silicon Oasis. 'Both excess and deficiency of cortisol have significant clinical consequences, with a deficiency linked to fatigue, weight loss, hypotension, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia and risk of adrenal crisis under stress. Maintaining cortisol within a physiologic range is essential for metabolic stability and stress resilience.' How does a cortisol cocktail work? The drink's ingredients can vary, but the most popular, as listed above, are orange juice, coconut water, cream of tartar and salt. Taken individually and in moderation, each can play a beneficial role in a balanced diet. 'Coconut water is rich in electrolytes like potassium, which supports hydration and may help reduce stress-related fatigue,' says Dr Hala Youssef Hamdy, specialist endocrinologist at RAK Hospital. 'Orange juice is high in vitamin C, which plays a role in reducing oxidative stress and may help modulate cortisol after acute stress; salt contains trace minerals and sodium, which can support adrenal function in cases of deficiency; and cream of tartar is a source of potassium, but its impact on cortisol specifically is unclear and not well-studied. These ingredients may support overall wellness, but their effects on cortisol are indirect and not medically proven.' While there's no scientific evidence that a cortisol cocktail can directly regulate or reduce cortisol production, ingredients that support hydration and blood sugar stability can help the body respond better to stress, which can lead to less fatigue. 'There is no evidence from controlled clinical studies indicating that beverages such as the cortisol cocktail have any clinical meaning or sustained impact on circulating cortisol levels,' says Dr Sadeep. 'Any perceived benefit is more likely related to improved hydration and subjective relaxation than to direct hormonal effects."
Medical News Today
03-07-2025
- Health
- Medical News Today
Low-fat vegan diet may be better for weight loss than a Mediterranean diet
Dietary acid load has to do with how a person's food patterns contribute to the acid-base balance in the body. Research is ongoing about dietary acid load and how it impacts health outcomes. A recent analysis found that following a low-fat vegan diet may lower dietary acid load and that this effect may help with weight loss. Dietary acid load has become a focus of recent research. It has to do with how diet contributes to the body's acid-base balance.A high dietary acid load is potentially dangerous and may affect components like kidney function and weight. A recent secondary analysis published in Frontiers in Nutrition explored how following a low-fat vegan diet affected dietary acid load and how this related to weight found that compared to the Mediterranean diet, following a low-fat vegan diet led to a lower dietary acid results suggest that decreasing the dietary acid load via this diet may help with weight loss. How a low-fat vegan diet leads to weight lossSome foods contribute to a higher dietary acid load while others decrease it. Study author Hana Kahleova, MD, PhD explained the following to Medical News Today: 'Animal products including meat, fish, eggs, and cheese cause the body to produce more acid, increasing dietary acid load, which is linked to chronic inflammation that disrupts metabolism and can lead to increased body weight. Plant-based diets, on the other hand, which are more alkaline, are associated with weight loss, improved insulin sensitivity, and lower blood pressure.' This research was a secondary analysis of a previous study involving overweight adult participants who followed the Mediterranean diet and a low-fat vegan diet. In the current analysis, researchers sought to look at dietary acid load in these diets and how it related to weight. The original study was of a group of 62 overweight adults. The participants were divided into two groups. One group was on a Mediterranean diet, and the other was on a low-fat vegan diet for 16 weeks. After a 4-week break, the groups switched to the other diet. Participants kept track of what they ate via food diaries at certain weeks, and researchers also had data on physical activity and body composition. Researchers used two scoring systems to calculate participant dietary acid load. The authors explain that one estimation looks at five nutrients, and the other does as well but also takes into account weight and height. Overall, both dietary acid load scores decreased on the low-fat vegan diet but stayed the same on the Mediterranean also found that participants lost weight, likely primarily from decreased body fat, while on the low-fat vegan diet but did not lose weight while on the Mediterranean diet. Researchers also found that changes in dietary acid load were positively associated with weight changes. So, a decrease in dietary acid load was associated with a decrease in body associations did decrease when researchers adjusted 'for changes in energy intake' in the first 16 weeks of the study. However, in the second 16 weeks of the study, the associations were still significant after the adjustment. Thus, researchers conclude that 'compared with the Mediterranean diet, dietary acid load significantly decreased on a vegan diet and was associated with weight loss, independent of energy intake.'Further research required to confirm findingsThis research does have certain limitations. Firstly, the original study had limitations such as a small number of participants, a short intervention time, and data from only one center. However, researchers note that the time on each diet was long enough for adaptation to occur. Since the participants were volunteers, the authors acknowledge that the study sample 'may not represent the general population.' The other major limitation was that the analysis relied on dietary reports from participants. Data on physical activity was also participant-reported. Researchers also acknowledge the risk of attrition in studies about diet and that 16% of participants did not finish the they also note that there was high dietary adherence throughout the study. Kahleova explained that 'future studies can focus on the most effective strategies to alkalize the diet and look at possible links with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic diseases.'The authors of the study also note that there is a need for randomized trials that examine how the Mediterranean diet impacts dietary acid load. Mir Ali, MD, a board-certified general surgeon, bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, who was not involved in the study, also noted that it 'shows that a low-fat vegan diet may be superior to a diet containing animal products; again, further research is required to further elucidate the benefits and mechanism.' Who most benefits from a low-fat vegan diet?This research suggests that diets that contribute to a lower dietary acid load offer certain benefits and that the alkalizing effect of a low-fat vegan diet might help with weight loss. It highlights another potential benefit of following a low-fat vegan diet, which people can do with guidance from dietary experts. Alexander S. Ford, DO, a board-certified osteopathic family physician and registered dietitian, not involved in the current research, noted the following about the study to MNT: 'While a low-fat vegan diet may not be appropriate for every individual, the results of this study showed lower dietary acid loads in low-fat vegan diets versus the Mediterranean diet, a benefit linked to weight loss, independent of caloric intake, while promoting an alkalizing effect on the body that could benefit individuals with chronic diseases like morbid obesity and other conditions such as gout, arterial diseases, and rheumatoid arthritis, that have pro-inflammatory linkages.' Ford also noted that the study also supports the importance of following a well-balanced diet: 'This study also reemphasizes the importance of consuming a balanced diet, adequate in fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods. This emphasis should reassure you that regardless of your diet preference, a balanced diet is good for maintaining great health.'
Medical News Today
02-07-2025
- Health
- Medical News Today
To achieve diabetes remission, avoid diet soda and opt for water
Everyone knows that drinking soda is not a healthy choice, and there is much debate whether diet soda is a healthy alternative. Past research has linked drinking diet sodas to several health risks including type 2 diabetes. A new study has found that women with type 2 diabetes who regularly choose to drink water over diet soda may be more likely to achieve weight loss, as well as diabetes remission. Everyone knows that drinking soda is not a healthy choice, due to its high calorie and sugar content. However, there is much debate about whether or switching to diet sodas is better. Past research has linked drinking diet sodas — which contain sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose — to several health risks, including heart disease, liver disease, kidney issues, weight gain, metabolic syndrome, increased cancer risk, and type 2 diabetes. Now a new study presented at the 85th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has found that women with type 2 diabetes who regularly choose to drink water over diet soda may increase their likelihood to achieve weight loss and diabetes remission. The findings are yet to appear in a peer-reviewed soda is still an ultra-processed foodFor this study, researchers recruited 81 adult women who had both type 2 diabetes and obesity or overweight, and who consumed diet soda as part of their normal diet. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one-fifth of Americans drink diet sodas on a regular basis. And the amount of diet beverages consumed in the European Union has grown from 23% in 2016 to 30% in 2021. Diet sodas are considered ultra-processed foods due to their manufacturing process and ingredients like additives and artificial sweeteners. Past research has linked ultra-processed foods to an acceleration in biological aging, and a 10% increase in mortality risk.A study published in February 2024 reported a link between ultra-processed food consumption and 32 negative health issues, including colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, sleeping issues, anxiety, asthma, high blood pressure, and Crohn's disease. 90% of women drinking water instead of diet soda reach diabetes remissionStudy participants were randomly grouped to either one group that continued to drink diet soda five times per week after their lunch, and another group that substituted their usual diet soda with water. During the study, participants were also provided with a six-month weight loss intervention, followed by a 12-month weight maintenance the 18 month follow-up, researchers found that participants in the water group experienced a much larger average weight loss when compared to the diet soda group. Additionally, 90% of study participants in the water group reached type 2 diabetes remission, compared to only 45% in the diet soda group. Scientists also reported that participants in the water group experienced significant improvements to a number of health markers, including body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose (blood sugar), insulin resistance, triglycerides, insulin levels, and post-meal glucose response. 'These findings challenge a common belief in the U.S. that diet drinks have no potential negative effects for managing weight and blood sugar,' Hamid R. Farshchi, MD, PhD, CEO of D2Type, former associate professor in the School of Life Sciences at the University of Nottingham, in the United Kingdom, and lead author of the study, said in a press release.'However, with most of women in the water group achieving diabetes remission, our study highlights the importance of promoting water, not just low-calorie alternatives, as part of effective diabetes and weight management. It's a small change with the potential for a big impact on long-term health outcomes,' Farshchi substitutes affect the body just like real sugarMedical News Today had the opportunity to speak with Mir Ali, MD, a board-certified general surgeon, bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, about this study. Ali, who was not involved in the research, commented that it provides validation to other studies that have shown sugar substitutes to have a similar effect on the body as actual sugar.'Diabetes is a growing medical concern as the Western population in general becomes more sedentary, eats more processed foods, and as obesity increases,' he told us. 'Any methods to reduce diabetes [are] helpful to combat this disease.''Research comparing types of artificial sweeteners vs sugar may help elucidate the worst choice amongst these types of sweeteners,' Ali added. How can I lower my diet soda intake and drink more water? Monique Richard, MS, RDN, LDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Nutrition-In-Sight, offered her top tips on how people can lower the amount of diet soda they drink and up their water advised to:make water containers visible and appealing, for example by purchasing 'a glass or stainless steel water bottle and keep it filled at your desk, in your car, or on your counter to remind you to drink up,' and by using 'color, fun ice cubes, or creative containers to make it an appealing part of your routine'make water tasty by flavoring it 'with natural ingredients such as [by] making herbal, caffeine-free teas' or by adding fruit, herbs, or a combination of these to waterset regular reminders to drink waterkeep track of your daily water intaketry 'habit stacking' by pairing the activity of drinking water with other everyday taskshydrate with watery foods like 'fruits, vegetables, soups, smoothies, and broths'try taining your taste buds by forming new habits — you could 'start slowly by decreasing the amount of diet beverages you consume by 25% for 1 to 2 weeks, then try cutting back by 50%'reflect on why you may be craving diet soda.'These simple but effective recommendations are based on biology, but rooted in common sense,' Richard said. 'When we nurture our body with what it naturally needs, we're going to optimize its function versus distract, detract, hinder and undermine it.' 'Hydration is like fiber — it's not flashy, but everything works better with enough of it,' she added. 'Don't wait until you're thirsty, either: Hydration is a progressive and fluid — pun intended — process.'
