Weight loss drugs could give you more control over your drinking, say experts
Taking semaglutide and liraglutide — a lesser-known active ingredient — medications for weight loss cut their consumption by nearly two-thirds in just four months.
The findings are good news in the fight against alcohol use disorder. Excessive drinking can harm the liver and other organs, in addition to increasing the risk of several types of cancer. In the U.S., approximately 178,000 people die from excessive alcohol use each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 20,000 people die from alcohol-related cancers.
'GLP-1 analogues have been shown treat obesity and reduce the risk of multiple obesity-related complications. Now, the beneficial effects beyond obesity, such as on alcohol intake, are being actively studied, with some promising results,' Carel le Roux, a professor at University College Dublin, said in a statement.
Le Roux is one of the co-author of the work, alongside colleagues in Ireland and Saudi Arabia. The research was published this month in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
To reach these conclusions, they examined more than 260 patients who were being treated for obesity at an Irish clinic. Of those, nearly 80 percent were women, 179 of whom drank alcohol regularly. Their average weight was over 200 pounds.
However, just 188 of patients were tracked for an average of four months. None of them increased their alcohol intake and their average alcohol decreased from 11.3 units a week to just 4.3 units. A bottle of wine contains 10 units.
Regular drinkers saw a reduction of 68 percent, which is comparable to a drug used to treat alcohol use disorder, the authors said.
But, just how does it work? Well, more research needs to be done, but Le Roux said 'it is thought to involve curbing cravings for alcohol that arise in subcortical areas of the brain that are not under conscious control. Thus, patients report the effects are 'effortless.''
The semaglutide drugs mimic a hormone that targets appetite regulating areas of the brain. Millions of Americans use the drugs, which other researchers have found may come with surprising health benefits. One recent study has found semaglutide treats liver disease in two-thirds of patients. A study released on Tuesday found oral treatments can mimic the metabolic effects of gastric bypass surgery.
'GLP-1 analogues have been shown treat obesity and reduce the risk of multiple obesity-related complications. Now, the beneficial effects beyond obesity, such as on alcohol intake, are being actively studied, with some promising results,' Le Roux said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
3 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Prince Harry's striking claim that his mental health struggles were passed on through 'bad parenting'
He has always been a vocal campaigner on mental health, having grown up under the scrutiny of the media and the Royal Family. But Prince Harry has done even more work on the issue since stepping down as a working royal and relocating to California.
Medical News Today
33 minutes ago
- Medical News Today
Eating 1 egg per week linked to lower Alzheimer's risk, study finds
A study finds that eating eggs is associated with a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's brain autopsies, the scientists also showed that those who ate eggs more regularly had less protein buildup in the brain associated with Alzheimer' researchers conclude that this link may be due to eggs' choline and omega-3 have been a dietary staple since before humans evolved to be humans. Although they are packed with nutrients, relatively cost-effective, and easy to source, they have been the subject of much controversy in the health and wellness domain over the years.A study whose results appear in The Journal of Nutrition, however, may help reestablish their good reputation. According to the authors, eating one egg per week was associated with a 47% reduction in Alzheimer's risk compared with eating eggs less than once each month. They also showed that those eating eggs had a reduced buildup of the toxic proteins associated with Alzheimer' we get into the details, we should mention that some of the authors received funding from the Egg Nutrition Center, 'the science and nutrition education division of the American Egg Board.'The trouble with eggs: Are they good or bad for health?Are eggs good for you or bad for you? One hundred years ago, and for thousands of years before that, eggs were considered essential. Nutrient-dense and rich in protein and micronutrients, eggs were a staple throughout the a few decades ago, scientists found that high levels of cholesterol in the blood were a risk factor for heart disease, so high-cholesterol eggs were pushed to the naughty as nutrition science progressed, it became clear that dietary cholesterol did not significantly impact blood levels of to this new understanding, and a healthy dose of research funding from the Egg Nutrition Center, eggs were edged slowly back into saturated fat content, though, is still a concern, so eggs are still partially sidelined. Still, they are likely much healthier than many of the low-fat, highly processed snacks that have replaced eggs in modern kitchens. In fact, eggs contain all essential trace most nutritionists and associated experts have a relatively neutral view of eggs. In general, the advice is that they can form a part of a healthy, well-balanced diet, but at the same time, eating multiple eggs per day could be and Alzheimer's: What is the link?Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, and despite decades of research, there is no cure, and treatments that can slow the disease are severely that reason, understanding the lifestyle factors associated with increased risk is essential. In this vein, many scientists are focusing on dietary research has shown that choline is important for cognitive function. It has also identified a potential link between moderate choline intake and a reduced risk of dementia. As the authors of the latest study explain, eggs are the 'top food source' of choline, so they are worth investigating. Choline has many important functions; for instance, it is a precursor to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, plays a pivotal role in cell membranes, and has neuroprotective powers. Also, as the authors explain, 'choline modulates the expression of key genes related to memory, learning, and cognitive functions via epigenetic mechanisms.'Although our body can synthesise choline, it cannot synthesize enough to meet all the body's needs, so some must be taken in with our diet. Aside from choline, eggs contain essential omega-3 fatty acids, which support brain health as we age. Worryingly, studies show that the majority of adults in the United States do not consume enough of these essential fatty facts led the authors of the new study to investigate links between egg consumption and Alzheimer's risk and less protein buildupThe recent study included data from 1,024 older adults with an average age of 81.4. All participants lived in retirement communities and residential facilities in Illinois. They attended yearly checkups and completed food frequency questionnaires, and the researchers followed them for an average of 6.7 years. During this time, a little over one-quarter of them developed Alzheimer's analysis, the scientists found that individuals who consumed at least one egg per week had a 47% reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's during follow-up compared with those eating one egg per month or the second part of their study, they looked at the post-mortem brains of 578 participants. They found that those who ate one or more eggs each week were more likely to have less Alzheimer's-associated protein and omega-3 synergyOverall, the authors suggest that consuming at least one egg per week may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's. They explain that the choline and omega-3s in eggs might have a 'synergistic' effect, whereby they join forces to protect brain health during News Today spoke to Christopher U. Missling, PhD, president and CEO of Anavex Life Sciences, who was not involved in the study. Missling explained that:'About 39–40% of the protective effect was explained by higher dietary choline intake. Egg yolks also contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have known neuroprotective properties. The combination of choline and omega-3s may be particularly beneficial for brain health.'The study authors also point to previous research demonstrating that people with Alzheimer's are more likely to be deficient in omega-3s and the scientists conclude that, 'once replicated in other prospective cohorts and confirmed by clinical trials, these findings may have important public health implications for reducing the population's risk of [Alzheimer's].'If the results are replicated, this could be a very useful, low-cost intervention. MNT also spokle with Maddie Gallivan, RD, a registered dietitian who was likewise not involved in the recent study.'Eggs are often a go-to food for older adults, as they're soft in texture, which can be helpful for those with dentures, quick to prepare, and packed with key nutrients,' Gallivan explained. 'So it's great to see a study focussing on how they may support cognitive health in later life.'Limitations and future researchHowever, the study does have certain limitations. For instance, they only had a relatively short follow-up — just 6.7 years. This, as the authors explain, increases the risk of reverse causality. 'The study population consisted of older adults from the Rush Memory and Aging Project, a specific U.S.-based cohort,' Missling told MNT. 'The findings may not generalize to younger populations or those from different cultural or dietary backgrounds.'He also reminded us that 'dietary intake was assessed through self-reported food frequency questionnaires, which are subject to recall bias and inaccuracies.' So, participants may not have accurately reported or remembered their egg consumption.'It's important to remember that no single food acts in isolation,' Gallivan told us, 'and it's our overall dietary pattern that really counts. A varied, nutrient-dense diet rich in whole foods is key to supporting brain health and reducing dementia risk.'For now, if you like eggs, enjoy them. They may reduce your dementia risk, but if not, they will certainly provide you with a good dose of protein and a healthy range of micronutrients.
BBC News
33 minutes ago
- BBC News
'I lost eight stone playing football and can see my kids grow up'
A man who lost 8st 7lb (55kg) by playing football said he was happy to have the chance to watch his children grow Hammond, 45, from Ipswich in Suffolk, weighed 21st 6lb (137kg) and was "addicted to food" prior to to change his life, in May last year he joined MAN v FAT Football, a league where men with a body mass index (BMI) of 27.50 or over can play while earning points for losing said he was welcomed with "open arms" and had a "bright future" ahead of him. While Mr Hammond could lose weight easily, he struggled to keep it had heard of MAN v FAT before, but felt he could not take part as he believed he was not good enough at football until a friend convinced him to join."I'm a tryer as they say, but once I went and did the tester I realised it's not about the football, it's about the journey and the weight loss. That's the most important thing," he said."It was nerve-racking going because I thought everyone was going to judge me. "I was a big lad and I couldn't play football, but I was welcomed with open arms."Everyone was really friendly. They took me in as part of the team straight away. They made me so comfortable, it was unbelievable, and it made me want to come back week after week." Mr Hammond added MAN v FAT was not only a place where men could meet friends, but where they could also discuss their struggles openly without being judged. Following his weight loss he said he felt like a "different person", which meant he could be more active with his children as well as the youth football teams he coaches at Ipswich Exiles. "I know it's very much a cliche, but when I was bigger I didn't see living past 50 because I was going down a road that, unless I made changes, I wasn't going to be able to turn around from," he said."Now I see a bright future. Hopefully, I'll be able to see my kids grow up, them have kids, and watch their kids grow up and maybe watch them play football."I'm trying to be a better role model to my children and anyone else I can help." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
