Latest news with #FITBOOK
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New Coronavirus Variant ‘Stratus' Noted for Mild Symptoms
In Germany, 'Nimbus' is currently the most prevalent coronavirus variant by far. Meanwhile, in Southeast Asia and gradually in Europe, another cloud-named variant is gaining significance: 'Stratus' (XFG). Indian doctors have noted frequent reports of hoarseness as a distinctive feature of XFG. In the Southeast Asia region, a new coronavirus variant called XFG, or 'Stratus,' is gaining momentum.1 The World Health Organization currently assesses the health risk from 'Stratus' as low. Approved vaccines are expected to remain effective against severe illness. However, as the spread of 'Stratus' increases globally and several Southeast Asian countries report a rise in new cases and hospitalizations, the WHO has classified it as a 'variant under monitoring.'1 FITBOOK explains what doctors have reported about the symptoms so far and how the virus is currently spreading in Germany. XFG ('Stratus') is a SARS-CoV-2 variant that has emerged from the LF.7 and LP.8.1.2 lineages. Despite the rapid spread of this variant, there is currently no evidence that 'Stratus' causes more severe illness than other circulating variants. In previous COVID-19 waves, loss of taste and smell were characteristic symptoms. For 'Nimbus,' first detected in Germany at the end of March and currently responsible for 60 percent of COVID-19 infections according to the Robert Koch Institute, it was the 'razor blade-like sore throat.'2 What are the specific symptoms of 'Stratus'? The WHO risk report contains no information on the symptoms of 'Stratus' (XFG). Nor are there any official statements from national health authorities on specific symptoms of this new variant. However, various media sources, particularly from India, report observations from doctors. A notable feature of the current wave is the frequent reporting of hoarseness in COVID patients, as reported by the 'Times of India' on May 30.3 Many patients this time are complaining of 'dry or irritated cough, accompanied by sore throat and hoarseness.' Doctors from various hospitals have confirmed that hoarseness is now a common symptom in clinics across India. Hoarseness manifests as a scratchy or rough voice. Also interesting: 9 new COVID symptoms added to the official list Because 'Stratus,' like the other currently globally dominant variant 'Nimbus,' has the potential to trigger a COVID wave, the choice fell on another meteorological term for cloud types – 'Stratus' – said virologist Dr. Ryan Gregory to the website The organization Gavi is one of the world's key players in vaccination programs. Virologist Gregory is part of a network of researchers that assigns unofficial nicknames to new virus variants. 'The Sun,' a British tabloid, refers to 'Stratus' as the 'Frankenstein Variant' because it resulted from the combination of two different COVID-19 strains.5 This occurs when a person is simultaneously infected with two different variants, which then merge into a new hybrid variant. Participate in our FITBOOK survey! According to virologist Gregory, 'Nimbus' and 'Stratus' are currently competing for dominance worldwide. Despite their rapid spread, there is currently no evidence that 'Stratus' (XFG) or 'Nimbus' (NB.1.8.1) cause more severe illness than other circulating variants. According to 'Gavi,' both variants have mutated spike proteins. This means they may be better able to evade immunity built up from previous infections or vaccinations. In other words, this likely makes it harder for the immune system to recognize and combat the virus. Also interesting: Largest study to date on COVID vaccinations identifies potential follow-up illnesses The spread of 'Stratus' is still in its early stages in Europe, with the WHO reporting it at around 16 percent in the region. In England, the share of XFG rose from 10 percent in May to 40 percent by mid-June 2025. In Germany, 'Stratus' last appeared in the Robert Koch Institute's statistics on coronavirus variants in early June, with a percentage share of 5.56 percent; the week before, this share was 8.33 percent. The highest percentage recorded for 'Stratus' (XFG) was in mid-May 2025. Currently, 'Nimbus' dominates in Germany (60 percent). The situation is developing dynamically, so continuous monitoring remains important. Even though XFG has the highest relative growth advantage among the current lineages, the WHO currently sees no evidence of more severe illness or atypical clinical patterns. Approved vaccines continue to protect against symptomatic and severe cases, according to the risk paper on 'Stratus.' The post New Coronavirus Variant 'Stratus' Noted for Mild Symptoms appeared first on FITBOOK.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The Link Between Weight Loss Injections and Alcohol Consumption
After just a few months of using the 'weight loss injection,' 262 participants in an Irish study experienced a drastically reduced craving for alcohol. While this finding is not yet clinically significant, the study serves as an important indicator of a potential dual benefit of GLP-1 analogs. Alcohol abuse is a serious illness responsible for 2.6 million deaths annually. This accounts for 4.7 percent of all deaths worldwide, according to a publication by the European Association for the Study of Obesity.1 Treatment methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy can usually only help in the short term, as 70 percent of patients relapse within the first year. A new study now seems to confirm a previously suspected side effect of the so-called weight loss injections: They dampen the craving for alcohol. It feels like half of Hollywood is injecting themselves, and Ozempic, Semaglutide, and similar drugs have long since reached mainstream society. These substances are known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which not only regulate blood sugar levels and curb appetite but apparently also dampen addiction cravings. Initial studies on mice had already provided indications of this (FITBOOK reported). Researchers at University College Dublin wanted to investigate further and recruited 262 adults for their study, of whom 188 completed it. The results were published in the journal 'Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.'2 The participants (79 percent women) all had a BMI over 27 at the start and were treated with either Semaglutide or Liraglutide. The average age was 49 years, and the average weight was 98 kilograms. They were divided into Non-drinkers (31 people or 11.8 percent of the participants) Occasional drinkers with less than 10 alcohol units per week (52 people or 18.8 percent of the participants) Regular drinkers with more than 10 alcohol units per week (179 people or 68.4 percent of the participants) An alcohol unit corresponds to eight grams of pure alcohol, which is equivalent to a small glass of beer, a small glass of wine, or a shot. Four months later, the researchers took stock. None of the participants had increased their alcohol consumption. On the contrary, the reduction in alcohol consumption was statistically significant. The average consumption of 11.8 alcohol units per week dropped to 4.3. So, those who previously enjoyed 12 small drinks only reached for the glass about four times. Heavy drinkers also benefited greatly. Their alcohol consumption dropped from a risky 23.2 units to 7.3 units per week. The reduction by about one-third is comparable to the effect of Nalmefene, a medication used to treat alcohol abuse, according to the study report. Additionally, participants lost an average of 7.7 kilograms. The study analyzed differences between male and female participants regarding the reduction in alcohol consumption and found that these differences were not significant. The study also found a weak positive correlation between the reduction in alcohol consumption and weight loss. Weight loss injections, specifically GLP-1 medications, seem to significantly reduce not only weight but also the craving for alcohol—and apparently without self-discipline. Patients report an 'effortless effect.' How is this possible? 'How exactly GLP-1 analogs reduce alcohol consumption is not yet fully understood,' says study leader Professor le Roux. 'They likely work by suppressing the craving for alcohol—in brain areas that lie outside our conscious will.' There, the medications apparently reduce dopamine release in response to alcohol. The assumption that weight loss injections like Semaglutide or Liraglutide not only influence eating behavior but also the craving for alcohol was further strengthened by the study. However, there is no control group, and the researchers had to rely entirely on the self-reports of the participants. This can lead to recall bias and socially desirable responses. Additionally, the study period was relatively short at four months, and about 28 percent of participants were 'lost' during the study. While the results clearly suggest that these medications could play a supportive role in treating alcohol abuse, the findings will only become clinically significant when randomized controlled studies with longer observation periods, control groups, and more objective measurement methods confirm the hypothesis. The study shows only an association, not causality. European Association for the Study of Obesity. Weight-loss drugs cut alcohol intake by almost two-thirds, research in Ireland suggests (accessed May 12, 2025) ↩︎ O'Farrell, M, Almohaileb, F.I. le Roux, C.W. (2024). Glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues reduce alcohol intake, Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. ↩︎ The post The Link Between Weight Loss Injections and Alcohol Consumption appeared first on FITBOOK.
