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Scottish Sun
10 hours ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Ozempic-like fat jabs are BETTER than common drug at reducing dementia risk, study finds
Plus, all the ways you can lower your dementia risk if you have type 2 diabetes WIN WIN Ozempic-like fat jabs are BETTER than common drug at reducing dementia risk, study finds Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FAT jabs are better than widely prescribed metformin when it comes to curbing dementia risk in people with type 2 diabetes, say scientists. While both medications demonstrate neuroprotective properties, no comparison has been made up until now. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 GLP-1 receptor agonists have recently gained popularity as a weight loss medication Credit: Getty Metformin is generally the first-line medication for type 2 diabetes, while GLP-1 receptor agonists are often used as second-line or add-on therapy when metformin is not sufficient or tolerated. In recent times, GLP-1 receptor agonists have gained popularity as a weight loss medication due to their ability to suppress appetite and promote feelings of fullness. Previously published research indicated people with type 2 diabetes have a significantly increased risk of developing dementia, with some studies reporting a 70 per cent higher risk compared to those without diabetes. And both GLP-1 receptor agonists and metformin have been shown to protect the brains of people with type 2 diabetes. But in the largest study of its kind, published in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, GLP-1 receptor agonists were found to trump metformin when it comes to dementia risk. Researchers analysed health records from the period 2004 to 2024 to track the development of dementia in patients with type 2 diabetes who were treated with either GLP-1 receptor agonists or metformin for at least six consecutive months. While there was no significant difference in vascular dementia risk between the two types of drug, GLP-1 receptor agonist use was associated with a significantly lower risk of developing dementia, overall. Specifically, taking GLP-1 receptor agonists was linked to a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, and a 25 per cent lower risk of developing non-vascular dementias than metformin use. These positive effects were evident across all age groups, but with the strongest effect among the over 60s, women, and those of white ethnicity. Risk of death from any cause was also found to be lower - nearly 5 per cent of those treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists died compared with nearly 9 per cent of those treated with metformin. The 14 science-backed ways to prevent dementia 'Both medications demonstrate neuroprotective properties, such as reducing neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, improving insulin sensitivity, and enhancing cerebrovascular health, which likely contribute to their benefits in overall dementia,' explain the researchers. But unlike metformin, GLP-1 receptor agonists exert direct central nervous system effects by crossing the blood-brain barrier, they add. The researchers point out their tracking period, while sufficient for observing dementia outcomes, may not fully capture long-term cognitive effects, especially given the progressive nature of Alzheimer's disease. But they conclude: "Given the severe societal, familial , and economic burden of diabetes-related dementia, these findings raise important considerations about the tole of GLP-1 [receptor agonists] as first-line therapies in [type 2 diabetes] management. "While further long-term studies are warranted to validate these results, integrating GLP-1 [receptor agonists] as primary therapeutic agents may represent a paradigm shift in preventing the cognitive complications of diabetes.' All GLP-1 medicines are prescription only medicines, which means they can only be prescribed by a healthcare professional. GLP-1 medicines can also be purchased privately. If you want to get a GLP-1 medicine privately, a consultation with a healthcare professional must happen before the prescription can be issued, so the prescriber can carry out proper checks and make sure you are aware of the benefits and risks of taking the medicine. GLP-1 medicines should not be bought from unregulated sellers such as beauty salons or via social media, or from anywhere without a prior consultation with a healthcare professional. The Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has had reports of people experiencing severe side effects from fake GLP-1 medicines.
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Ozempic found to be better than approved therapies at slashing risk of disease affecting 7M Americans
Weight-loss GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic could be an effective safeguard against dementia in diabetes patients and help prolong lifespan, a study suggests. Diabetes has long been linked to dementia, with an increased risk of around 70 percent, due to high blood sugar levels that can damage vessels supplying blood to the brain, blocking the flow of oxygen. Traditionally, metformin has been used as a first line therapy for diabetes due to its established safety profile and cost-effectiveness, costing less than $25 per month for a typical dose. And recent studies found that it also helped to improve cognition and lower dementia or Alzheimer's risk in people with type 2 diabetes. However, the medication, prescribed 80 million times in the US annually, is known to cause a variety of side effects, including diarrhea, stomach ache and loss of appetite. Vitamin B12 deficiency is also a common side effect of taking metformin in higher doses or for long periods, with tiredness, muscle weakness, mouth ulcers and vision problems being among chief complaints. Now, a new study led by Taiwan-based Professor Szu Yuan Wu and published in the open access journal BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, suggests GLP-1 receptor agonists might be a more effective remedy to safeguard against dementia than metformin by up to 25 percent. These type of drugs were also associated with lower death rates than metformin. GLP-1s - which mimic the effects of the hormone that stimulates insulin release, suppressing glucagon, and slowing stomach emptying - also have a range of other benefits including significant weight loss, improved blood sugar control, and potential cardiovascular benefits. But they too come with negative side effects, including vomiting, mood changes and vision problems. The researchers believe the new findings could help shape future clinical guidelines for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, especially with GLP-1 medication costs decreasing due to market competition. In the new study, the researchers drew on anonymized electronic health records from a global health research network (Trinetx) spanning the period 2004 to 2024 to track the development of dementia in patients with type 2 diabetes. The patients had been treated with either GLP-1s or metformin (there were 87,229 patients in each group with an average age of 58) for at least six consecutive months. From the data, the researchers found that GLP-1 drugs were associated with a significantly lower (10 percent) risk of developing dementia, overall, with an incidence of about 2.5 percent compared with an incidence of nearly five percent for metformin. And specifically, taking this type of drug was associated with a 12 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, and a 25 percent lower risk of developing other non-vascular dementias than metformin use. Further in-depth analyses showed that these positive effects were evident across all age groups, but with the strongest effect among people over 60, women, and those of White ethnicity. Risk of death from any cause was also lower. Nearly five percent of those treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists died compared with nearly nine percent of those treated with metformin. With metformin, the researchers note that the benefits primarily derive through a variety of metabolic processes that impact the entire body. These include reducing glucose production in the liver, increasing insulin sensitivity, and influencing gut health. Meanwhile, GLP-1 receptor agonists exert direct effects on the central nervous system by crossing the blood-brain barrier. This allows them to act on GLP-1 receptors within the brain, influencing various functions. Therefore, this could make them a more effective solution than metformin, especially when it comes to dementia. This is an observational study, and as such, no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect. And the researchers point out that the tracking period, while sufficient for observing dementia outcomes, may not fully capture long-term cognitive effects, especially given the progressive nature of Alzheimer's disease. They conclude: 'Given the severe societal, familial, and economic burden of diabetes-related dementia, these findings raise important considerations about the role of GLP-1 [receptor agonists] as first-line therapies in [type 2 diabetes] management. 'While further long-term studies are warranted to validate these results, integrating GLP-1 [receptor agonists] as primary therapeutic agents may represent a paradigm shift in preventing the cognitive complications of diabetes. 'Both medications demonstrate neuroprotective properties, such as reducing neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, improving insulin sensitivity, and enhancing cerebrovascular health, which likely contribute to their benefits in overall dementia.'
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
Ozempic-like fat jabs are BETTER than common drug at reducing dementia risk, study finds
FAT jabs are better than widely prescribed metformin when it comes to curbing dementia risk in people with type 2 diabetes, say scientists. While both medications demonstrate neuroprotective properties, no comparison has been made up until now. 1 Metformin is generally the first-line medication for type 2 diabetes, while GLP-1 receptor agonists are often used as second-line or add-on therapy when metformin is not sufficient or tolerated. In recent times, GLP-1 receptor agonists have gained popularity as a weight loss medication due to their ability to suppress appetite and promote feelings of fullness. Previously published research indicated people with type 2 diabetes have a significantly increased risk of developing dementia, with some studies reporting a 70 per cent higher risk compared to those without diabetes. And both GLP-1 receptor agonists and metformin have been shown to protect the brains of people with type 2 diabetes. But in the largest study of its kind, published in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, GLP-1 receptor agonists were found to trump metformin when it comes to dementia risk. Researchers analysed health records from the period 2004 to 2024 to track the development of dementia in patients with type 2 diabetes who were treated with either GLP-1 receptor agonists or metformin for at least six consecutive months. While there was no significant difference in vascular dementia risk between the two types of drug, GLP-1 receptor agonist use was associated with a significantly lower risk of developing dementia, overall. Specifically, taking GLP-1 receptor agonists was linked to a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, and a 25 per cent lower risk of developing non-vascular dementias than metformin use. These positive effects were evident across all age groups, but with the strongest effect among the over 60s, women, and those of white ethnicity. Risk of death from any cause was also found to be lower - nearly 5 per cent of those treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists died compared with nearly 9 per cent of those treated with metformin. The 14 science-backed ways to prevent dementia 'Both medications demonstrate neuroprotective properties, such as reducing neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, improving insulin sensitivity, and enhancing cerebrovascular health, which likely contribute to their benefits in overall dementia,' explain the researchers. But unlike metformin, GLP-1 receptor agonists exert direct central nervous system effects by crossing the blood-brain barrier, they add. The researchers point out their tracking period, while sufficient for observing dementia outcomes, may not fully capture long-term cognitive effects, especially given the progressive nature of Alzheimer's disease. But they conclude: "Given the severe societal, familial , and economic burden of diabetes-related dementia, these findings raise important considerations about the tole of GLP-1 [receptor agonists] as first-line therapies in [type 2 diabetes] management. "While further long-term studies are warranted to validate these results, integrating GLP-1 [receptor agonists] as primary therapeutic agents may represent a paradigm shift in preventing the cognitive complications of diabetes.' All GLP-1 medicines are prescription only medicines, which means they can only be prescribed by a healthcare professional. GLP-1 medicines can also be purchased privately. If you want to get a GLP-1 medicine privately, a consultation with a healthcare professional must happen before the prescription can be issued, so the prescriber can carry out proper checks and make sure you are aware of the benefits and risks of taking the medicine. GLP-1 medicines should not be bought from unregulated sellers such as beauty salons or via social media, or from anywhere without a prior consultation with a healthcare professional. The Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has had reports of people experiencing severe side effects from fake GLP-1 medicines. Ways to lower dementia risk with type 2 diabetes Manage blood sugar levels Strictly follow a diabetes management plan, as prescribed by a healthcare professional. This includes medication, diet and exercise. Regularly monitor blood sugar levels and manage insulin appropriately. Adopt a healthy lifestyle Follow a balanced diet in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein, with limited saturated fat, sugar, and salt. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and other conditions linked to dementia. Weight management through diet and exercise can help mitigate these risks. Engage in activities that challenge your mind, such as puzzles, reading, learning new skills, or socialising. Address other risk factors High blood pressure and cholesterol can damage blood vessels, increasing the risk of both cardiovascular disease and dementia. Regular check-ups and appropriate treatment are essential. Excessive alcohol consumption can negatively impact brain health. Moderate drinking or abstaining from alcohol can be beneficial. Hearing loss can contribute to cognitive decline. Addressing hearing problems through hearing aids or other interventions can help maintain cognitive function. Seek professional guidance Regular medical check-ups are important for monitoring overall health and identifying and addressing potential risk factors early on. Work with your doctor, diabetes educator, or other healthcare professionals to develop a personalized plan for managing your diabetes and reducing your risk of dementia.
BreakingNews.ie
3 days ago
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
What kind of exercise can help improve your sleep?
People with insomnia often endure long, uncomfortable nights without rest, but new research indicates that specific forms of exercise may offer relief. A team of researchers in China reviewed 22 clinical trials involving 1,348 participants and assessed how 13 different methods impacted sleep, including seven types of exercise: yoga, Tai chi, walking or jogging, combined aerobic and strength training, strength training alone, aerobic exercise paired with therapy, and various aerobic routines. Advertisement Published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, the study found that yoga was particularly effective, increasing total sleep time by nearly two hours and reducing the amount of time spent awake after falling asleep by almost an hour. This research highlights the powerful link between physical activity and sleep quality. However, it also raises an important question: how exactly does exercise prepare the body and brain for sleep – and which types of exercise are most effective in doing so? Brain 'Exercise can have a direct impact on our brain activity during sleep, including an increase in slow-wave sleep (the stage of sleep that is restorative) and increases our total sleep time,' explains Dr Greg Elder , associate director of Northumbria Sleep Research at Northumbria University. 'This means that we have better sleep for longer.' Hormones 'Exercise can also affect relevant hormones,' says Elder. 'For example, exercise can affect our melatonin levels, which is a hormone involved in sleep-wake regulation, as well as cortisol levels, which is a stress hormone.' Advertisement Mood Exercising outdoors will help boost your mood (Alamy/PA) 'Exercise is also beneficial for our mood, and mood is closely linked with sleep. Bad sleep is usually associated with mood disorders,' notes Elder. 'If we exercise outside and go for a morning run or cycle, for example, then we are typically exposed to bright, outdoor light which in itself is a good thing for our sleep.' If you are struggling with sleep, here are four types of exercises to try… 1. Aerobic exercise like cycling or running Cycling or running can help ease anxiety and improve mood (Alamy/PA) 'Aerobic exercises that increase your heart and breathing rates can make falling asleep easier by lowering your blood pressure and reducing stress,' says Dr Hana Patel, resident sleep expert at Time4Sleep . 'For example, running and cycling are perfect for tackling any anxiety that is keeping you up at night.' Luke Cousins, health and wellbeing physiologist at Nuffield Health agrees and adds: ''It's important to remember though that timings of when you workout is equally important to consider, because exercise can also cause a spike in adrenaline, which keeps your body in an alert state. Advertisement 'For maximum benefit, try to get your exercise about five to six hours before trying to sleep but no later than two hours before bed.' 2. Strength training Strength training can be beneficial (Alamy/PA) Try lifting some weights in the gym or workout using some resistance bands in the comfort of your own home. 'A mix of aerobic exercise and strength training can be beneficial, like lifting weights and using resistance bands,' says Patel. 'But remember to only do what feels comfortable and gradually increase the difficulty as you progress.' 3. Yoga Deep breathing and yoga have a plethora of benefits (Alamy/PA) Slow down and take time to stretch and breathe before bed. Advertisement 'Yoga is also great for improving mindfulness and reducing stress, helping our bodies relax and reducing tension,' says Patel. 'Deep breathing techniques can help to improve sleep quality and relax the nervous system, allowing us to properly unwind before bed.' Elder agrees and adds: 'I would suggest avoiding any activity or exercise that is likely to cause you to be mentally stressed when you go to bed because that is more likely to be an issue, because stress is very bad for our sleep.' 4. Walking Vitamin D and fresh air do wonders for the body and mind (Alamy/PA) A brisk walk in the fresh air can help lower stress and anxiety that might be keeping you up at night. 'Walking is suitable for all fitness levels and can be a huge mood booster as it helps to lower cortisol levels, something which can also impact our sleep quality and our energy levels,' says Samuel Quinn, personal training lead at Nuffield Health. 'If we're walking outdoors – and hopefully away from a screen – this can also help reduce anxiety.' Advertisement
BBC News
3 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Emotionally-based school avoidance: What is it and what is the impact?
The number of children missing more than half of school in Oxfordshire has increased more than five-fold over the past 10 of these cases are now referred to as "ghost children", with the cause of the absences often put down to emotionally-based school avoidance (EBSA).The term was previously sometimes called school refusal but this has become less common, with many parents feeling it has negative child and adolescent psychotherapist Gerry Byrne said the "problem has doubled [in the UK] since the [Covid] pandemic". What is EBSA? Emotionally-based school avoidance is when a child is regularly absent from school, or cannot attend at all, due to anxiety or other emotional or physical to a report in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), it "does not constitute a psychiatric diagnosis in its own right but often co-occurs with diagnoses of anxiety and/or mood disorders".The BMJ found EBSA resulted in missed schooling for an estimated 1%–5% of the school population across total number of pupils in Oxfordshire missing more than half of school has risen sharply from 427 in 2015/16 to 2,305 in 2023/24, according to Department for Education (DfE) figures. Common factors Mr Byrne, from Uffington, said "things that happen in the classroom or in the school are often the starting point"."Whether that's the experience of bullying, academic pressure or being overwhelmed by the sheer size of the class," he each case, there will be a number of different factors but the common ones will be "school pressures, sometimes family complications, mental health difficulties within the family and some background of separation anxiety or low self-confidence", he added. Feeling overwhelmed Mr Byrne, who has spent more than three decades working in specialist children services across Oxford, said the natural state for any child was "to be curious, to be social and to trust and be able to learn and to thrive".But this could only happen, he said, if children had a "sense of a peer community, of fellow students who you are comfortable being with, and you have sensitive, supporting care and your curiosity is stimulated."It was not about a child saying "I'm just simply not doing something", he explained."It's very much a feeling of 'I can't do it'."If they're saying 'I won't' then it's coming from the only solution they can offer to a situation where they feel overwhelmed." Impact on education According to the BMJ report, EBSA can have "significant negative consequences for children and their families".Only half of pupils with an attendance rate below 90% achieve the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics at the end of Key Stage 2, the report compares with 71% of pupils with an attendance rate of more than 99%.The BMJ report said "even when children are managing to attend school", the anxiety associated with EBSA "may impair learning in the classroom"."Lower attendance is further associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing mental health problems, fewer friendships and poorer employment prospects," it added. Help for parents BBC Bitesize has six top tips for parents to protect their mental health while supporting a child with health charity Anna Freud features videos with parents who have children with EBSA, as well as other advice and charity YoungMinds has a guide for parents and carers who have a child with school anxiety or Action Line can offer further advice for parents on a number of issues touched on Oxford, charity Ark-T runs therapeutic sessions at Orchard Meadow Primary in Blackbird Leys, where small groups of children work on art-based projects in a quiet, protected teacher Heather Richards said missing school could become a "vicious circle" but that the sessions had led to "real improvement" in attendance figures."They have a stronger connection with some of the children in their year group," she added. "They also build their confidence." National effort In a statement, the DfE said the government had "inherited a broken system", with children and families "facing poor outcomes and barriers to opportunity".It said: "The case for tackling the epidemic of school absence could not be clearer: improved grades, higher wages, better life chances."Tackling this issue is everyone's responsibility – government, schools, parents, and children – and we need a national effort to get our kids back in the classroom."As part of our plan for change, we are determined to turn the tide on poor attendance and break down barriers to opportunity - whether it's through attendance mentors, free breakfast clubs, improved mental health support, additional investment in family support, or more focus from Ofsted." You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
