Latest news with #Ozempic
Newsweek
5 hours ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Men Are Gaining More Confidence From Ozempic Than Women: Report
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. While some may associate Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications with women trying to lose weight, it turns out that men are the ones gaining the most significant confidence boosts from it. In a Kinsey Institute and survey of GLP-1 users, men were three times more likely than women to say GLP-1s gave them more confidence. They also experienced more notable improvements in their dating lives and libidos. Why It Matters In recent years, the use of weight-loss medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists has surged. Popular products include Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy and Zephound and have been a game changer for many Americans who are obese or have type 2 diabetes. For patients who successfully lose weight, there can be significant changes in their mental health as well as their personal dating lives, but this impact appears to be more pronounced among male users. Ozempic is medicine for adults with type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is prescribed for long-term weight loss in adults and children. Both contain the active ingredient semaglutide, on January 13, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. Ozempic is medicine for adults with type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is prescribed for long-term weight loss in adults and children. Both contain the active ingredient semaglutide, on January 13, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. Steve Christo - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images What To Know Across the entire survey sample, drugs like Ozempic were having major effects on users' dating lives. While 59 percent of users said the drugs changed their dating experiences, men experienced a more notable impact on their confidence levels and sex lives, according to the report. Men were three times more likely than women to say GLP-1s boosted their confidence and two times more likely to say they were going on more dates. They also reported higher libido, more matches and increased sexual activity. Still, there were some negative implications for men, of which 60 percent said they feared being judged for using GLP-1s and worried they'd be seen as "less masculine" for doing so. Of all GLP-1 users surveyed, 12 percent said they were going on more dates, and 14 percent said they were getting more matches on dating apps. Meanwhile, a whopping 52 percent reported changes in their sex lives. What People Are Saying Dr. Justin Lehmiller, the Kinsey Institute study lead, said in a statement: "I think there's a very nuanced story to tell here. How these drugs impact your sex life will depend on a variety of factors, including drug dosage and drug type, speed of weight loss, starting and ending weight, and how much you changed your health and fitness habits at the same time." "Sexually speaking, it appears that men are experiencing more positive and more negative impacts of GLP-1 medications." What Happens Next The long-term implications of GLP-1 medication use are so far unclear. A recent study discovered a new link between taking GLP-1 drugs and elevated risk of pancreatitis and kidney conditions, including kidney stones. GLP-1 medications are also associated with a higher risk of digestive problems, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and even stomach paralysis in rare cases.
Vancouver Sun
6 hours ago
- Health
- Vancouver Sun
Obesity in Canada jumped almost 8% after onset of pandemic: CMAJ study
Obesity climbed 7.74 per cent in Canada thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a new report released Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, obesity increased at an accelerated rate after the onset of the pandemic. Investment in research and interventions is needed, say the authors, to prevent and treat obesity in Canada. It should be an urgent priority for policymakers, they insist. Obesity was recognized early on as a significant risk in exacerbating the severity of COVID-19, as well as the risk of death, say the authors. However, the impact of the pandemic on chronic disease, such as obesity, has received less scientific attention. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Researchers Laura N. Anderson, Rabiul Islam and Arthur Sweetman looked at a cross-section of data collected from 2009–2023 as part of the Canadian Community Health Survey. They drew on two studies, one pre-pandemic (2009-2020) and a second completed during the pandemic (2020-2023). 'The pandemic led to unprecedented and rapid changes in the daily lives of people in Canada, including adverse changes in sedentary time, physical activity, diet, food insecurity, stress, mental health, and the worsening of many socioeconomic factors, including job loss and higher costs of living,' they write in the report. 'Many of these … factors have been associated with a greater risk of developing obesity.' In 2023, 32.69 per cent of adults in Canada (10.6 million people) were overweight with a Body-Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher (27.5 or higher for people of Asian descent). This was an absolute increase of nearly 8 per cent from 2009, when the prevalence was 24.95 per cent. Compared with the 11 years before the pandemic, obesity increased at a greater rate during the four years after the pandemic arrived. Specific subgroups of the population were affected more than others by increased obesity, particularly females and younger adults, the researchers concluded. The overall findings of an increase in obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic are consistent with studies from several other countries and populations, according to the researchers. GLP-1 medications (such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Contrave or Rybelsus) for treatment of diabetes and weight loss were introduced in Canada during the study period, though they were not widely available for obesity treatment. But the researchers question the impact of these medications going forward, and wonder whether they will dampen pandemic exacerbated obesity trends. The authors conceded that BMI as a measurement tool has limitations. BMI is calculated as the weight in kilograms divided by the height in metres squared. It has been the standard measure for defining obesity because it is quick, inexpensive, noninvasive, and has some correlation to metabolic disease prevalence. However, BMI categories indicating underweight, normal, overweight, obese, etc., differ for Asian Americans who have a higher risk of metabolic disease at lower BMI values. The researchers say they used different thresholds for people of Asian (South Asian, Chinese, Filipino, Southeast Asian, Korean and Japanese) descent. Another anomaly is that some men who are deemed overweight according to BMI but don't have excess middle-body fat can have lower overall mortality risk than men in other BMI weight categories. There is also evidence of an obesity paradox where obesity has protective effects for patients with a history of previously diagnosed heart failure. Despite these caveats, the researchers argue that for population-level screening and surveillance, using 'BMI categories as a proxy for obesity in adults continues to be recommended.' The researchers are advocating for future studies to understand longer-term trends, specifically to evaluate whether the steep increase in obesity during the pandemic continues as a trend or falls to pre-pandemic levels. And they wonder about the causes of upward trends among females and younger adults – whether they were driven by increased stress or adverse mental health related to occupation or caregiving during the pandemic. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
UPI
6 hours ago
- Health
- UPI
GLP-1 drugs increase risk of acid reflux, GERD, study finds
People with type 2 diabetes were more likely to suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease if they were prescribed a GLP-1 drug compared to those taking sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, researchers reported Tuesday in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Photo by Robystarm/ Pixabay July 14 (UPI) -- Folks using GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic are more likely to suffer from severe acid reflux, a new study says. People with type 2 diabetes were more likely to suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) if they were prescribed a GLP-1 drug compared to those taking sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, researchers reported Tuesday in the Annals of Internal Medicine. "We estimated that most GLP-1 [drugs] increased risk for GERD," concluded the research team led by Laurent Azoulay, an associate professor with the Jewish General Hospital's Center for Clinical Epidemiology in Montreal, Canada. The risk for serious GERD-related complications was higher among smokers, people with obesity and folks with existing stomach problems, researchers said. "Although our findings need to be corroborated in other studies, clinicians and patients should be aware of a possible adverse effect of GLP-1 [drugs] on GERD," researchers noted. For the study, researchers tracked more than 24,700 type 2 diabetics newly prescribed GLP-1 drugs, comparing their health to that of more than 89,000 who were prescribed SGLT-2 inhibitors. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs mimic the GLP-1 hormone, which helps control insulin and blood sugar levels, decreases appetite and slows digestion of food. Because the drugs slow the rate at which food passes through the stomach, researchers thought they might increase the risk of acid reflux. GERD occurs when acid reflux happens repeatedly over time, the Mayo Clinic says. If it continues, GERD can cause scarring and narrowing of the esophagus and increase a person's risk of esophageal cancer. Results show that people taking GLP-1 drugs were 27% more likely to develop GERD and 55% more likely to have GERD complications, when compared to people taking SGLT-2 inhibitors. More than 90% of GERD complications involved Barrett esophagus, in which acid damage changes the tissue lining of the esophagus and increases cancer risk, researchers noted. "We also found that the risk for GERD was higher with long-acting GLP-1 (drug) use," researchers wrote. However, they noted that these findings need to be verified by studies involving other groups, including those taking GLP-1 drugs for obesity. "There is limited evidence on the risk for GERD among patients with obesity who do not have type 2 diabetes," researchers wrote. "Use of GLP-1 [drugs] is rapidly expanding in this population, highlighting an important area for future research." More information The Mayo Clinic has more on GERD. Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Weight loss jabs such as Mounjaro linked to lower dementia and stroke risk
Weight loss jabs may offer a protective effect against dementia and stroke, according to a new study. Academics said the benefits of drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro – including for managing weight and blood sugar levels – are well known, but other health benefits of the popular drugs remain 'unclear'. People with type 2 diabetes and obesity who are taking the drugs are also less likely to die prematurely, researchers found. The study saw experts from Taiwan examine date on 60,000 people from around the world, with an average age of 58, who had type 2 diabetes and obesity. Key differences between three weight-loss injections: Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic. — Paul Wischmeyer MD (@Paul_Wischmeyer) July 4, 2025 Around half were given GLP agonist drugs semaglutide and tirzepatide – which are sold under the brand names Wegovy and Mounjaro. Semaglutide is also the main ingredient for the type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic. GLP agonists can reduce a person's appetite; slow down their digestion; reduce the amount of sugar the liver makes and they help the body to make more insulin when needed. The other half used other anti-diabetic medication. 📢Important update Eligible people in #Dorset will be able to access Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) weight management medication from autumn 2025. ✅Around 1,000 people in Dorset will qualify under strict national criteria ✅No need to contact your doctor More: — NHS Dorset (@NHSDorset) June 23, 2025 During a seven-year follow-up period, researchers found that people given the GLP agonist drugs appeared to have a 37% lower risk of dementia and a 19% reduced risk of stroke. They were also 30% less likely to die during the follow-up period. And when researchers looked at the data further they found even greater benefits in people aged 60 or older, women, and those with a body mass index score of 30 to 40. They found no differences in Parkinson's disease or brain bleeds. The academics said their findings suggest 'potential neuroprotective and cerebrovascular benefits' of the drugs but they called for more studies to confirm the findings. Recommended reading: Mounjaro sales adverts banned by watchdog Mounjaro patients report unexpected side-effect Who is eligible for free Mounjaro on the NHS? 'These findings suggest that semaglutide and tirzepatide may offer neuroprotective and cerebrovascular benefits beyond glycemic control, potentially improving long-term cognitive and survival outcomes in adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity,' they wrote in the journal JAMA Network Open. Commenting on the study, Professor Tara Spires-Jones, director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh and group leader in the UK Dementia Research Institute, said: 'This is a very interesting study adding to evidence that GLP1 receptor agonists are associated with a lower risk of dementia in people with type 2 diabetes and obesity. 'This type of study cannot determine whether the drugs reduced disease risk by directly protecting the brain. 'It is highly likely that effectively treating type 2 diabetes and obesity would reduce dementia and stroke risk as they are known risk factors for these conditions. 'Further work is needed including randomised clinical trials to confirm these drugs are protective in people with diabetes and obesity and other trials are needed to determine whether these drugs will be protective in people who do not have type 2 diabetes and obesity.' Recommended reading: When will Mounjaro be rolled out on the NHS? Travel insurance warning about certain types of policy Warning as Mounjaro and Ozempic sold without prescription Dr Richard Oakley, associate director of research and innovation at Alzheimer's Society, said: 'It is well established that diabetes and obesity can increase your risk of developing dementia. 'This study supports existing evidence that shows these drugs may reduce dementia risk, particularly for people aged 60 and over who are living with type 2 diabetes and obesity. 'Although interesting, we can't draw conclusions from this study alone as it is an observational study, only a small number of people who took part went on to develop dementia and as the impact of these drugs on different types of dementia is not clear. 'There are clinical trials currently looking at whether drugs like these can be used to treat early-stage Alzheimer's disease, so this is a really exciting area being explored in the research fight against dementia.'
NDTV
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
From Kapil Sharma To Bhumi Pednekar: 7 Bollywood Celebrities Who Dropped Serious Weight, And How They Did It
In a country where cinema is a religion and Bollywood stars are idolised as icons, it is no surprise that their every move becomes a talking point. From fashion choices to fitness routines, fans across India closely follow their favourite celebrities not just for entertainment but for lifestyle inspiration. Weight loss, in particular, has become a subject of fascination. When a celebrity sheds the kilos, it sparks curiosity: How did they do it? Their transformations are not just physical; they also reflect dedication, discipline and a strong sense of personal well-being. Let us take a look at seven Bollywood celebrities who stunned fans with drastic weight loss and shared the diet and lifestyle changes that helped them get there, earning them the spotlight they truly deserved. 7 Bollywood Celebrities Who Stunned Us With Drastic Weight Loss: 1. Karan Johar Says OMAD Helped Him Lose Weight Without Quick Fixes Recently, shutting down rumours about taking Ozempic for weight loss, filmmaker Karan Johar credited the OMAD diet (One Meal A Day) as the real reason behind his transformation in an interview with Raj Shamani. Combined with a cleaner, portion-controlled diet without glucose, gluten and lactose, Karan says this routine helped him feel lighter and more energetic. He also mentioned that staying consistent was key, rather than following extreme diets or quick fixes. 2. Bharti Singh Lost 16 Kilos Without The Gym Comedian Bharti Singh stunned fans by losing 16 kilos over 10 months-without hitting the gym. Her secret? She stopped eating after 7 PM and stuck to a simple time-restricted eating pattern. Bharti did not follow a strict diet but focused on eating home-cooked meals during the day. She also did not cut out her favourite foods, making her journey feel sustainable. The result was improved energy, confidence, and better health, all without drastic lifestyle changes. Read the full interview with NDTV Food. 3. Vidya Balan Switched To Anti-Inflammatory Foods Actress Vidya Balan is often candid about her health struggles. In an interview with Galatta India, she revealed that inflammation was the reason behind her weight gain and that switching to an anti-inflammatory diet helped her shed extra weight. Along with proper hydration and a focus on mindful eating, Vidya's transformation was gradual but noticeable. She believes in listening to her body and not falling for diet fads. Click here to learn more about her weight loss journey. 4. Ram Kapoor Dropped 55 Kilos With Intermittent Fasting TV and film actor Ram Kapoor underwent a major transformation, dropping 55 kilos in 18 months. He followed a rigorous intermittent fasting schedule and reportedly did not eat for 16 hours a day. He eliminated dairy, oil, most carbs and sugar from his diet. Ram emphasised that the journey was more mental than physical, requiring a shift in lifestyle and attitude more than anything else. Ram Kapoor revealed more details about his journey. Read here. 5. Adnan Sami Lost 150 Kilos Through Diet And Medical Support Singer Adnan Sami's transformation remains one of the most talked-about in the industry. He lost a staggering 150 kilos in just over a year. Adnan followed a strict low-calorie, low-carb and high-protein diet, completely cutting out sugar and oil. He also stopped eating after 6 PM. With the help of doctors and nutritionists, he made long-term changes to his food habits, proving that determination can truly change one's life. Learn more about his weight loss diet here. 6. Bhumi Pednekar Dropped 25 Kilos In Four Months Actress Bhumi Pednekar lost 25 kilos in just four months through sheer commitment. She did not rely on crash diets; instead, she focused on a balanced diet, cutting out sugar, junk food and refined carbs. Her meals were loaded with fruits, vegetables and lean proteins, and she started her day with aloe vera juice. She paired this with regular exercise, including weight training and cardio, highlighting that sustainable weight loss comes from consistency and lifestyle balance. Here is the full story. 7. Kapil Sharma Followed The 21-21-21 Rule For Healthier Habits Comedian Kapil Sharma lost an impressive 11 kilos by returning to basics, eating home-cooked food and staying away from fried items. He adopted the 21-21-21 rule to change his diet habits gradually and gave up liquor and coffee. Kapil's approach was holistic, blending mindful eating with regular activity. He also spoke about the importance of mental well-being and reduced stress playing a major role in his health journey. Click here to know more. Weight Loss Is About Consistency, Not Shortcuts These celebrity transformations remind us that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to weight loss. Whether it is intermittent fasting, clean eating or portion control, what works is consistency, balance and listening to your body. After all, the real "diet plan" is one that you can stick to for life, not just for the camera.
