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The Independent
27 minutes ago
- The Independent
Experts reveal potential unintended side effect of Ozempic – and whether we should worry
The use of weight-loss jabs in the UK has skyrocketed, with an estimated 1.5 million people using them. Yet drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy don't just help people lose fat, but potentially muscle too, new research has suggested. A study that tested weight loss jabs on mice found that although muscle mass changes less than expected, muscles still get weaker and tissues like the liver also shrink. Weight-loss injections, also known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, work by mimicking the natural hormone which regulates blood sugar, appetite and digestion. The medications, known as semaglutides, predominantly treat diabetes but are also available on the NHS or via private providers to help adults with a high body mass index (BMI). For example, although Ozempic is used for type 2 diabetes, it is sometimes prescribed off-label as a weight-loss drug. The results of the study, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, revealed Ozempic -induced weight loss decreased muscle mass by about 10 per cent. Most of this lost weight wasn't from skeletal muscles, which surround bones and joints, but instead from other tissues like the liver, which shrank by nearly half. However, because the Ozempic was tested on mice, researchers emphasise that more research is needed to determine whether similar changes to organ size occur in humans and whether those changes come with any risks. 'Loss of mass in metabolically active organs, such as the liver, is expected as part of healthy weight loss,' said Dr Ran Hee Choi, research instructor in nutrition and integrative physiology at the University of Utah college of health, and co-first author on the study. In both mice and humans, weight gain and loss can affect the size of organs like the liver without affecting their function. 'It's unlikely that the observed lean mass loss represents a serious adverse effect,' added Dr Takuya Karasawa, another co-first author on the study. Researchers found some skeletal muscles did shrink by about 6 per cent as the mice lost weight, but not enough to explain the overall muscle loss. However, when someone gains fat, they also tend to gain skeletal muscle. Study authors explain this is because the body needs to work harder to move around. As a result, losing extra fat can lead to a loss of muscle, which will not affect the person's overall quality of life. Researchers also tested the amount of force the mice's muscles exerted and found that some muscle strength decreased as the mice lost weight, even when the size of the muscle stayed roughly the same. This potential loss of strength when taking Ozempic could be a particular concern for adults over the age of 60 who are at a higher risk of muscle loss and reduced mobility. 'The loss of physical function is a strong predictor of not just quality of life but longevity,' added Dr Katsu Funai, professor of nutrition at the University of Utah and the senior author on the study. Dr Funai concluded that further clinical trials of weight loss jabs should check for changes in muscle strength. A spokesperson for Novo Nordisk, which makes Ozempic, said: 'In clinical trial for Wegovy or Ozempic we did not specifically study the medicine's impact on muscle mass. In a sub-study of 140 patients with a BMI of 40 or less, analysis suggested that treatment with Wegovy was accompanied by reductions in both fat and lean body mass, with a greater reduction in fat mass than lean body mass. 'We recommend that any patients experiencing side effects while taking Wegovy or Ozempic contact their healthcare provider.'
The Independent
27 minutes ago
- The Independent
Suicidal teen warned mental health hospital staff ‘slept on shifts' and urged ‘shut this place down'
A suicidal teenager revealed staff 'slept on shifts' and said the scandal-hit mental health hospital she was being held in should be 'shut down' in a note before her death, an inquest has heard. Ruth Szymankiewicz, 14, died on 14 February 2022, after she was left alone at Huntercombe Hospital, near Maidenhead in Berkshire, despite requiring constant one-to-one observation, Buckinghamshire Coroner's Court was told. In the 15 minutes she was left alone, Ruth, who had an eating disorder, made her way to her room, where she self-harmed. She was found and resuscitated before being transferred to hospital, but died two days later from a brain injury. In a note written before she died, which was read aloud to the inquest into her death on Tuesday, Ruth said there was a lack of therapy at the hospital, which she said had an 'unsafe number of staff'. It read: 'I don't really know who this is really directed too [sic]... Huntercombe, it doesn't deserve a capital H. 'It is the s******t mental health institution you could get, the lack of therapy, the unsafe number of staff, how the place makes you worse, the staff literally sleep on their shifts. I don't want this to happen to any other patients ever. My suggestion is, shut this place down. On 7 February, days before her fatal self-harm incident on 12 February, Ruth was able to self-harm in a similar way, the court heard. On Monday, the court heard the support worker responsible for monitoring Ruth was working under a false identity and had completed just a day or a day and a half of online training the day before his first shift at the children's psychiatric hospital. Evidence to the inquest also revealed that on the day of Ruth's death, he was working on another ward in the hospital, but had been assigned to Ruth as the Thames Ward she was being cared for on was short-staffed. According to evidence from Thames Valley police, the worker is thought to have entered the country under his real name, which police did not disclose, and later assumed his fake identity, Ebo Achempong. Sergeant Francesa Keen, of Thames Valley Police, who investigated the care worker, told the inquest he had been employed at the trust through an agency called Platinum Care. Sgt Keen confirmed a fake passport had been found at the home of another suspect as part of a fraud investigation launched after Ruth's death. According to Sgt Keen, the agency contacted referees provided by the care worker; however, it is not clear whether the referees gave a photo verification of him. The worker attended the agency's office in person following his training and showed a passport. The inquest previously heard the care worker 'just left' Ruth after his shift ended, meaning she was left alone for 15 minutes during which time she was able to self-harm. On Tuesday, the court heard that although he left Ruth alone, he was still on the premises when the ambulances arrived after other staff found her. He returned to the hospital the next day to give a statement, but left the country for Ghana 'never to be seen again'. The Huntercombe Hospital in Maidenhead, also called Taplow Manor, closed in 2023 after joint investigations by The Independent and Sky News. It was part of a group, formerly run by The Huntercombe Group and now taken over by Active Care Group. The inquest continues. If you are experiencing feelings of distress or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans in confidence on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@ or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to to find a helpline near you. For anyone struggling with the issues raised in this article, eating disorder charity Beat 's helpline is available 365 days a year on 0808 801 0677. NCFED offers information, resources and counselling for those suffering from eating disorders, as well as their support networks. Visit or call 0845 838 2040
Daily Mail
28 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Have YOU been wearing the wrong trainers for walking? Clarks just launched what might be their most comfortable (and stylish) shoe yet
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Clarks has launched a pair of scientifically backed performance walking shoes designed to help you walk further and for longer. The £99 Clarks Pace are the brand's first-ever performance walking shoes. Specialist-designed and scientifically backed, the snazzy new trainers have been crafted specifically for the performance activity of walking. And it could make all the difference in racking up the miles this summer. Clarks Pace Clarks is celebrating 200 years of craftsmanship and innovation with the launch of its first-ever performance shoe: Clarks Pace. Specialist-designed and scientifically backed, the trainer is designed for walking, engineered to help you walk further, for longer. You can add the code AFAG10 for 10 per cent off orders over £65 and AFAG20 FOR 20 PER CENT OFF RDERS OVER £100. £89.10 (save £9.90) Shop Lacing up in the right pair of shoes could be the secret behind getting your 10,000 steps a day. And Clarks have launched a new innovative pair that could quite literally propel you forward this summer. The new Clarks Pace shoes have been specifically designed to support the movement of walking with clever features that are targeted to walking gait, stance and swing patterns. In short, these new £99 pair of breathable knit trainers could be the secret that helps you stay on your feet for longer, keeping you supported through your fitness journey. Walking is a brilliant way of staying fit. The NHS website states that 'walking briskly can help you build stamina, burn excess calories and make your heart healthier.' And it's becoming an increasingly popular form of exercise with Brits. In fact, Clarks have revealed that recent studies show that over half of Brits walk for fitness each week, averaging 230 miles a year. But did you know your regular trainers may not be up to the challenge? Running and walking place unique pressures on the feet and joints. The Clarks Pace is the brand's first-ever performance shoe that is scientifically backed, crafted specifically for walking. Unlike your bog-standard trainers, these have innovative design features that include Infinity Energy Capsules embedded in the sole. These compress and rebound with each step to propel you forward. Better still, the Pace shoes have a dual-layer sole with a two-part C360 foam to deliver cushioning that reduces impact and stabilises every stride. In short, Clarks have made a walking shoe that will keep you up and out all day with no complaints about comfort or support. Helping you hit your 10,000 steps a day without a blister in sight, the Clarks Pace shoe also has an S-curve molded heel counter that provides a secure fit and reduces pressure on the Achilles during heel strike. In short, this means there's no need to break these in before a busy day in the city - you're promised instant comfort right out of the shoe box. And the best news? These look far from your frumpy pair of walking shoes. Surprisingly stylish, the sleek silhouette is made from breathable knit materials and comes in a range of colours for men and women. From classic black and white to grey, blue and rose, there's sure to be a colour you love. And don't forget to use the code AFASG10 for 10 per cent off orders over £65 and AFAG20 for 20 per cent off orders over orders over £100.
