Health and Me

Riya Baibhawi

US Researchers Develop At Home Saliva Test That Detects Hidden Depression Risks

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati, US have developed a portable "lab-on-a-chip" device that offers a rapid, objective method to assess <span>stress</span> and <span>mental health</span> risks by measuring cortisol levels from saliva. This innovative device consists of a disposable saliva collector and a handheld reader that transmits the results to a smartphone in minutes.

Unlike conventional mental health questionnaires that rely on self-reporting, this device provides biochemical data, allowing clinicians to make timely and accurate mental health interventions. It also has potential applications beyond stress detection, such as identifying cardiac biomarkers like troponin, which could aid in diagnosing heart attacks.

The device, developed by UC College of Engineering and Applied Science Distinguished Research Professor Chong Ahn and his team, was recently featured in the journal Biomedical Microdevices. The study highlights how elevated cortisol levels can indicate chronic stress and mental health disorders like anxiety and <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/depression">depression</a></span>, even in patients who do not report feeling stressed in standard assessments.

Doctoral student Supreeth Setty is further exploring how another hormone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), interacts with cortisol. Research indicates that a high cortisol-to-DHEA ratio is a potential marker for chronic stress, making it a critical factor for clinicians in diagnosing mental health conditions.

The device’s user-friendly design enables patients to conduct the test themselves and share results with doctors via a smartphone app. This point-of-care testing approach not only facilitates quicker interventions but also reduces the subjectivity associated with mental health assessments.

Beyond mental health, UC researchers are investigating the device’s potential to detect heart conditions. In another study published in Analytical Chemistry, the team developed a blood test to measure cardiac troponin levels. Elevated troponin levels indicate heart damage and could signal a heart attack in progress. The researchers aim to use this rapid test to monitor troponin levels in heart attack survivors, potentially preventing subsequent cardiac events.

UC doctoral graduate Vinitha Thiyagarajan Upaassana, a lead author of the study, emphasizes the significance of immediate test results in critical care settings. “The test provides immediate results, which is vital when a patient is in need of urgent care,” she said.

The research was partially funded by UC’s Technology Accelerator Project, and the team plans to collaborate with psychiatrists to conduct clinical trials to validate the platform’s effectiveness in real-world scenarios.

If successful, the lab-on-a-chip technology could revolutionize mental health and cardiac care by providing rapid, point-of-care biochemical tests that deliver immediate, actionable data to clinicians.

Health Conditions A-Z

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Mental Health

Depression

Stress

Depression symptoms

International Health News

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What Is Japanese Walk—The Fitness Trend That Makes You 10 Years Younger

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Researchers at the University of Cincinnati, US have developed a portable "lab-on-a-chip" device that offers a rapid, objective method to assess stress and mental health risks by measuring cortisol levels from saliva. This innovative device consists of a disposable saliva collector and a handheld reader that transmits the results to a smartphone in minutes.Unlike conventional mental health questionnaires that rely on self-reporting, this device provides biochemical data, allowing clinicians to make timely and accurate mental health interventions. It also has potential applications beyond stress detection, such as identifying cardiac biomarkers like troponin, which could aid in diagnosing heart attacks.The device, developed by UC College of Engineering and Applied Science Distinguished Research Professor Chong Ahn and his team, was recently featured in the journal Biomedical Microdevices. The study highlights how elevated cortisol levels can indicate chronic stress and mental health disorders like anxiety and depression, even in patients who do not report feeling stressed in standard assessments.Doctoral student Supreeth Setty is further exploring how another hormone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), interacts with cortisol. Research indicates that a high cortisol-to-DHEA ratio is a potential marker for chronic stress, making it a critical factor for clinicians in diagnosing mental health conditions.The device’s user-friendly design enables patients to conduct the test themselves and share results with doctors via a smartphone app. This point-of-care testing approach not only facilitates quicker interventions but also reduces the subjectivity associated with mental health assessments.Beyond mental health, UC researchers are investigating the device’s potential to detect heart conditions. In another study published in Analytical Chemistry, the team developed a blood test to measure cardiac troponin levels. Elevated troponin levels indicate heart damage and could signal a heart attack in progress. The researchers aim to use this rapid test to monitor troponin levels in heart attack survivors, potentially preventing subsequent cardiac events.UC doctoral graduate Vinitha Thiyagarajan Upaassana, a lead author of the study, emphasizes the significance of immediate test results in critical care settings. “The test provides immediate results, which is vital when a patient is in need of urgent care,” she said.The research was partially funded by UC’s Technology Accelerator Project, and the team plans to collaborate with psychiatrists to conduct clinical trials to validate the platform’s effectiveness in real-world scenarios.If successful, the lab-on-a-chip technology could revolutionize mental health and cardiac care by providing rapid, point-of-care biochemical tests that deliver immediate, actionable data to clinicians.

us researchers develop at home saliva test that detects hidden depression risks

Aarushi Bhadury

Covid Cases Surge In Singapore: What Do We Know About The New Variant On The Loose?

covid cases surge in singapore: what do we know about the new variant on the loose?

FDA Approves New COVID Vaccine But Not Everyone Qualifies

fda approves new covid vaccine but not everyone qualifies

Longest Covid Infection Reported Lasted 505 Days Nonstop; What Are Persistent Infections?

longest covid infection reported lasted 505 days nonstop; what are persistent infections?

Health & Wellness

Severe Pneumonia Shows 'Differently' In Children, Study Reveals New Models To Help Doctors Distinguish

study reveals new models to help doctors distinguish severe pneumonia in children

Coronavirus epidemic, that is responsible for millions of deaths worldwide, has resurged. With cases rising in countries like India, Singapore and Hong Kong, experts have warned against the new JN.1 variant of Omicron, which is causing the current spike. Notably, as of May 2025, scientists have identified thousands of SARS-CoV-2 variants through global genomic surveillance.

India is battling the epidemic surge too, with 257 active cases and two <span>COVID-19</span> related deaths. Kerala has the most cases with 69, followed by Maharashtra with 44, and Tamil Nadu with 34. Other states such as Karnataka, Gujarat, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Sikkim have also reported new infections. The two COVID-19 related deaths have been confirmed at KEM Hospital in Mumbai, causing some concern locally in that area. Health experts from important groups like ICMR and NCDC have stated that India's overall situation is still under control. 

Health experts from important groups like the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have stated that India's overall situation is still under control. 

<h2>What Is JN.1 Variant of Omicron? </h2>

According to John Hopkins School of Public Health, new COVID-19 variant called BA.2.86, which is a sub-variant of Omicron appeared in late 2023. Scientists noticed it because it had around 30 more changes, or mutations, than other variants. These mutations helped it to better avoid our body's defenses, or immunity. However, BA.2.86 never became the most common variant in late summer or early fall of 2023. 

Now, a new variant called JN.1 has emerged. It's a "child" of BA.2.86. JN.1 has one or two new mutations that make it spread more easily. So, it can still avoid our immunity like its parent, but it's now better at getting from person to person. The symptoms people are experiencing with the current <span>COVID</span> wave are a bit different. While cough and sore throat are still common, some new symptoms include nausea, vomiting, brain fog, and eye irritation (conjunctivitis). 

According to John Hopkins School of Public Health, new COVID-19 variant called BA.2.86, which is a sub-variant of Omicron appeared in late 2023. Scientists noticed it because it had around 30 more changes, or mutations, than other variants. These mutations helped it to better avoid our body's defenses, or immunity. 

However, BA.2.86 never became the most common variant in late summer or early fall of 2023. Now, a new variant called JN.1 has emerged. It's a "child" of BA.2.86. JN.1 has one or two new mutations that make it spread more easily. So, it can still avoid our immunity like its parent, but it's now better at getting from person to person. The symptoms people are experiencing with the current COVID wave are a bit different. While cough and sore throat are still common, some new symptoms include nausea, vomiting, brain fog, and eye irritation (conjunctivitis). 

<h2>Core Preventive Strategies For COVID-19 </h2>

While there have been no urgent changes to the guidelines regarding preventive measures of covid, here are the core strategies for prevention one must partake in according to the Centers Of Disease Control and Prevention. 

Get all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses. While vaccinated people can still get sick, staying current with your shots significantly lowers your risk of becoming severely ill, needing hospital care, or dying from COVID-19. 

Regularly wash your hands and maintain overall cleanliness. This simple practice helps reduce the spread of germs, including the virus that causes COVID-19. 

Take steps to ensure cleaner air in indoor spaces. This could involve using air purifiers or opening windows to improve ventilation, which helps reduce airborne virus particles. 

If you have symptoms like a cough or fever, stay home and avoid contact with others, even those you live with who are not sick. This prevents the virus from spreading further. 

<h4>Know When to Return to Activities </h4>

Understand the guidelines for when it's safe to resume your normal daily activities after being sick. This ensures you're no longer a risk to others. 

Wearing a mask and keeping a physical distance from others can further reduce the risk of catching or spreading COVID-19. These are extra layers of protection you can choose to use. 

If you have factors that put you at higher risk for severe illness, get tested and seek treatment quickly. Early treatment can significantly lower your risk of serious illness, but it must be started within a few days of symptoms appearing. 

COVID

singapore covid 19 cases india

corona news today

corona cases in india today

coronavirus india

corona cases

covid 19 cases in india

COVID-19

Coronavirus epidemic, that is responsible for millions of deaths worldwide, has resurged. With cases rising in countries like India, Singapore and Hong Kong, experts have warned against the new JN.1 variant of Omicron, which is causing the current spike. Notably, as of May 2025, scientists have identified thousands of SARS-CoV-2 variants through global genomic surveillance.India is battling the epidemic surge too, with 257 active cases and two COVID-19 related deaths. Kerala has the most cases with 69, followed by Maharashtra with 44, and Tamil Nadu with 34. Other states such as Karnataka, Gujarat, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Sikkim have also reported new infections. The two COVID-19 related deaths have been confirmed at KEM Hospital in Mumbai, causing some concern locally in that area. Health experts from important groups like ICMR and NCDC have stated that India's overall situation is still under control. Health experts from important groups like the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have stated that India's overall situation is still under control. What Is JN.1 Variant of Omicron? According to John Hopkins School of Public Health, new COVID-19 variant called BA.2.86, which is a sub-variant of Omicron appeared in late 2023. Scientists noticed it because it had around 30 more changes, or mutations, than other variants. These mutations helped it to better avoid our body's defenses, or immunity. However, BA.2.86 never became the most common variant in late summer or early fall of 2023. Now, a new variant called JN.1 has emerged. It's a "child" of BA.2.86. JN.1 has one or two new mutations that make it spread more easily. So, it can still avoid our immunity like its parent, but it's now better at getting from person to person. The symptoms people are experiencing with the current COVID wave are a bit different. While cough and sore throat are still common, some new symptoms include nausea, vomiting, brain fog, and eye irritation (conjunctivitis). State Of COVID –19 Globally According to John Hopkins School of Public Health, new COVID-19 variant called BA.2.86, which is a sub-variant of Omicron appeared in late 2023. Scientists noticed it because it had around 30 more changes, or mutations, than other variants. These mutations helped it to better avoid our body's defenses, or immunity. However, BA.2.86 never became the most common variant in late summer or early fall of 2023. Now, a new variant called JN.1 has emerged. It's a "child" of BA.2.86. JN.1 has one or two new mutations that make it spread more easily. So, it can still avoid our immunity like its parent, but it's now better at getting from person to person. The symptoms people are experiencing with the current COVID wave are a bit different. While cough and sore throat are still common, some new symptoms include nausea, vomiting, brain fog, and eye irritation (conjunctivitis). Core Preventive Strategies For COVID-19 While there have been no urgent changes to the guidelines regarding preventive measures of covid, here are the core strategies for prevention one must partake in according to the Centers Of Disease Control and Prevention. Stay Up to Date with Vaccines Get all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses. While vaccinated people can still get sick, staying current with your shots significantly lowers your risk of becoming severely ill, needing hospital care, or dying from COVID-19. Practice Good Hygiene Regularly wash your hands and maintain overall cleanliness. This simple practice helps reduce the spread of germs, including the virus that causes COVID-19. Improve Air Quality Take steps to ensure cleaner air in indoor spaces. This could involve using air purifiers or opening windows to improve ventilation, which helps reduce airborne virus particles. Prevent Spread If you have symptoms like a cough or fever, stay home and avoid contact with others, even those you live with who are not sick. This prevents the virus from spreading further. Know When to Return to Activities Understand the guidelines for when it's safe to resume your normal daily activities after being sick. This ensures you're no longer a risk to others. Masking and Social Distancing Wearing a mask and keeping a physical distance from others can further reduce the risk of catching or spreading COVID-19. These are extra layers of protection you can choose to use. Seek Prompt Medical Care If you have factors that put you at higher risk for severe illness, get tested and seek treatment quickly. Early treatment can significantly lower your risk of serious illness, but it must be started within a few days of symptoms appearing. 

covid-19 update: 257 active cases in india, 2 new deaths in mumbai

Influenza Raises Heart Attack Risk By 6X– Here's Another Reason To Get Your Flu Shot

influenza raises heart attack risk by 6x– here's another reason to get your flu shot

California may be heading toward another record year of <span>Valley fever</span> infections, with early 2025 data already showing a troubling increase in reported cases. Health officials have confirmed over 3,100 infections across the state—figures that surpass last year’s numbers for the same period and nearly double those recorded in 2023.

 Valley fever, medically known as coccidioidomycosis, is a serious lung infection caused by the <em>Coccidioides</em> fungus, which thrives in the dry, dusty soils of the western U.S. California, where the disease was first identified, consistently reports the highest number of cases nationwide. If left untreated, the illness can lead to severe, long-term respiratory issues and even death if it spreads to the brain.

 “There is no question that the number of cases is enormously higher than before,” said Dr. Royce Johnson, director of the Valley Fever Institute at Kern Medical. “If you want to see me, you’d have to wait until July, and that goes for my colleagues, too,” he told NBC News, highlighting the growing strain on healthcare systems in affected regions.

 The majority of recent infections have been reported in Kern, Los Angeles, Monterey, and Fresno counties—areas long known as hotspots. But the illness is now expanding its reach. In Contra Costa County, located in the East Bay region, cases have tripled compared to 2023. Nearby Merced and San Bernardino counties are also reporting significant spikes.

 “It appears to be spreading out,” noted Gail Sondermeyer Cooksey, an epidemiologist with the California Department of Public Health.

 Valley fever infections occur when people inhale spores released into the air from soil containing <em>Coccidioides</em>. These spores can be stirred up by wind, construction, and agricultural activities. While anyone can get infected, those most at risk include people over 60, individuals with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, diabetics, and those of Black or Filipino descent. Outdoor workers also face higher exposure.

 Symptoms typically resemble those of the flu and may include fatigue, cough, fever, shortness of breath, and skin rashes. While most recover, about 10 percent develop chronic lung issues, and approximately 1 percent experience dissemination of the infection to the skin, bones, joints, or brain.

 Health experts also point to a concerning link between <strong>climate change</strong> and the disease's rising prevalence. Shifts from prolonged drought to intense rain—common in California’s recent weather patterns—create favorable conditions for the fungus to grow and later release spores as the land dries.

 “As climate change alters the timing and intensity of precipitation in California, we see longer high-risk periods for <em>Coccidioides</em> exposure,” said Simon Camponuri, a PhD researcher at the University of California, Berkeley.

 With forecasts predicting a hot and dry summer following recent floods and mudslides, health officials are bracing for continued spikes in Valley fever cases in the coming months. Public health campaigns are urging increased awareness, especially among vulnerable populations and those living in high-risk regions.

Valley Fever

US Health News

Valley Fever symptoms

How To Identify Valley Fever

California valley fever

California may be heading toward another record year of Valley fever infections, with early 2025 data already showing a troubling increase in reported cases. Health officials have confirmed over 3,100 infections across the state—figures that surpass last year’s numbers for the same period and nearly double those recorded in 2023. Valley fever, medically known as coccidioidomycosis, is a serious lung infection caused by the Coccidioides fungus, which thrives in the dry, dusty soils of the western U.S. California, where the disease was first identified, consistently reports the highest number of cases nationwide. If left untreated, the illness can lead to severe, long-term respiratory issues and even death if it spreads to the brain. “There is no question that the number of cases is enormously higher than before,” said Dr. Royce Johnson, director of the Valley Fever Institute at Kern Medical. “If you want to see me, you’d have to wait until July, and that goes for my colleagues, too,” he told NBC News, highlighting the growing strain on healthcare systems in affected regions. The majority of recent infections have been reported in Kern, Los Angeles, Monterey, and Fresno counties—areas long known as hotspots. But the illness is now expanding its reach. In Contra Costa County, located in the East Bay region, cases have tripled compared to 2023. Nearby Merced and San Bernardino counties are also reporting significant spikes. “It appears to be spreading out,” noted Gail Sondermeyer Cooksey, an epidemiologist with the California Department of Public Health. Valley fever infections occur when people inhale spores released into the air from soil containing Coccidioides. These spores can be stirred up by wind, construction, and agricultural activities. While anyone can get infected, those most at risk include people over 60, individuals with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, diabetics, and those of Black or Filipino descent. Outdoor workers also face higher exposure. Symptoms typically resemble those of the flu and may include fatigue, cough, fever, shortness of breath, and skin rashes. While most recover, about 10 percent develop chronic lung issues, and approximately 1 percent experience dissemination of the infection to the skin, bones, joints, or brain. Health experts also point to a concerning link between climate change and the disease's rising prevalence. Shifts from prolonged drought to intense rain—common in California’s recent weather patterns—create favorable conditions for the fungus to grow and later release spores as the land dries. “As climate change alters the timing and intensity of precipitation in California, we see longer high-risk periods for Coccidioides exposure,” said Simon Camponuri, a PhD researcher at the University of California, Berkeley. With forecasts predicting a hot and dry summer following recent floods and mudslides, health officials are bracing for continued spikes in Valley fever cases in the coming months. Public health campaigns are urging increased awareness, especially among vulnerable populations and those living in high-risk regions.

valley fever cases surge in california-how to identifiy this lung infection

Tanya Dutt

GLP-1 Drugs Fight Fat, Curb Appetite And May Also Reduce Cancer Risk

Nutrition

Ozempic Without The Side Effects? Try This Drug-Free Method

ozempic without the side effects? try this drug-free method

Losing Weight= Losing Health? Ozempic Risks You Can’t Afford To Ignore

losing weight= losing health? ozempic risks you can’t afford to ignore

Joe Biden Is Diagnosed With Aggressive Prostate Cancer: All That You Need To Know

joe biden is diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer: all that you need to know

About 2 Out Of 5 Heart Failure Patients Don’t See A Cardiologist Even Once A Year

about 2 out of 5 heart failure patients don’t see a cardiologist even once a year

What if the one injection that is helping you lose weight and manage diabetes also protect you from <span>cancer</span>? That's the surprising promise emerging from a new study on <span>GLP-1 drugs</span>, drugs already drawing attention for their ability to battle obesity and regulate blood sugar. Now scientists have discovered a potential new advantage: a much reduced risk of cancers related to obesity.

While the global use of GLP-1 agonists such as Saxenda and Byetta is gaining speed, this research unlocks a thrilling new era in preventive care. But just how do such medications function and why could they be protecting us against cancer?

After once being touted as miracle drugs for treating obesity and type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 medications such as Saxenda and Byetta are now uncovering a new benefit: a reduced risk of cancer. New research in the journal eClinicalMedicine identifies that these initial weight-loss medications may have more to their credit than just reducing waistlines—they can cut the risk of developing obesity-linked cancers by a dramatic 41%.

This finding has the potential to change forever the way that we think about the wider ramifications of GLP-1 treatments, particularly in a world where metabolic diseases are closely associated with cancer susceptibility. But why might this new benefit exist? And how do these drugs actually work?

<h2>What Are GLP-1 Drugs and How Do They Work?</h2>

GLP-1 agonists (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) are a type of drug that mimics the effect of an endogenous hormone involved in the modulation of appetite, blood glucose levels, and digestion. Initially approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, they've become very popular due to their capacity to cause weight loss by reducing hunger and slowing gastric emptying.

Drugs such as liraglutide (Saxenda) and exenatide (Byetta) are usually given through subcutaneous injection. Newer forms, including semaglutide (<span>Ozempic</span>) and tirzepatide (Zepbound), have greater efficacy in weight loss and metabolic control, although they were not part of this specific study.

GLP-1 acts via a cascade of hormonal action:

<ul><li>It triggers the release of insulin from the pancreas, lowering blood sugar.</li><li>It inhibits the release of glucagon, a hormone that increases blood sugar.</li><li>It reduces the rate at which the stomach empties following meals.</li></ul>

Perhaps most importantly for managing weight, it sends satiety messages to the brain to make people feel fuller for longer.

<h2>Missing Link Between Cancer Risk and Obesity </h2>

Both type 2 diabetes and obesity are firmly established as risk factors for many forms of cancer, such as breast, colon, uterine, pancreatic, and liver cancer. This can be explained by the chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and hormonal imbalance that accompany excess fat stores.

For their new study, scientists from Clalit Health Services in Tel Aviv, Israel, analyzed electronic health records of more than 6,300 adults age 24 and above. Everyone involved had both type 2 diabetes and obesity and received either GLP-1 medication or weight-loss surgery between 2010 and 2018. The group was followed through to December 2023 to record cancer diagnoses.

During a median follow-up of 7.5 years, approximately 300 individuals developed cancer of the obesity type—predominantly breast (26%), colon (16%), and uterus (15%).

Although bariatric surgery has been the obesity treatment gold standard for decades—and was in turn found to lower cancer risk—scientists discovered obesity-associated cancers were equal in both the surgery and GLP-1 groups. This was unexpected because surgery tends to induce greater and more immediate weight loss.

Still, additional statistical examination found that the GLP-1 medications offered a 41% lower risk of cancerous developments than surgery indicated that their anti-cancer benefit might extend beyond weight loss alone.

<h2>Reason Behind the Anti-Cancer Effect</h2>

According to co-lead researcher Dr. Dror Dicker, who heads the Obesity Clinic at Hasharon Hospital-Rabin Medical Center, the anti-cancer effects of GLP-1 drugs likely stem from multiple mechanisms. “Reducing inflammation, improving insulin sensitivity, and altering cellular growth pathways may all play a role,” he noted in a news release.

While more recent, more powerful GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Zepbound were not included in the study, researchers are convinced they may provide even stronger protective effects. However, additional long-term studies are necessary to determine their impacts on cancers that are not related to obesity.

This new evidence indicates a paradigm shift of foundational importance in the way we think about metabolic health interventions. GLP-1 medications could soon be hailed not merely as weight-loss supplements or treatments for diabetes but as prevention against one of the world's most dreaded illnesses.

Nevertheless, prudence is still advisable. Long-term experience with these drugs is lacking, and their side effects, including nausea, gastrointestinal upset, and possible hazards for thyroid tumors, need to be weighed. A boxed warning is now placed on the list of the FDA for some GLP-1 drugs for thyroid C-cell tumors, although this has so far been seen most commonly in animal models.

With the worldwide obesity epidemic on the rise, so is the need to know how drugs such as GLP-1 agonists can change not only waistlines, but also long-term health endpoints. The notion that a single class of medication might lower the risk of cancer in addition to managing blood glucose and reducing appetite is revolutionary.

Additional research, particularly with next-generation GLP-1 drugs, will be necessary to more fully investigate and validate these benefits but for the time being, this study introduces an exhilarating and promising new chapter at the nexus of <span>cancer prevention</span> and obesity treatment.

cancer

glp-1 drugs

cancer prevention

weight loss medication

obesity-related cancer

saxenda study

glp-1 cancer risk

diabetes and cancer

ozempic

What if the one injection that is helping you lose weight and manage diabetes also protect you from cancer? That's the surprising promise emerging from a new study on GLP-1 drugs, drugs already drawing attention for their ability to battle obesity and regulate blood sugar. Now scientists have discovered a potential new advantage: a much reduced risk of cancers related to obesity.While the global use of GLP-1 agonists such as Saxenda and Byetta is gaining speed, this research unlocks a thrilling new era in preventive care. But just how do such medications function and why could they be protecting us against cancer?After once being touted as miracle drugs for treating obesity and type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 medications such as Saxenda and Byetta are now uncovering a new benefit: a reduced risk of cancer. New research in the journal eClinicalMedicine identifies that these initial weight-loss medications may have more to their credit than just reducing waistlines—they can cut the risk of developing obesity-linked cancers by a dramatic 41%.This finding has the potential to change forever the way that we think about the wider ramifications of GLP-1 treatments, particularly in a world where metabolic diseases are closely associated with cancer susceptibility. But why might this new benefit exist? And how do these drugs actually work?What Are GLP-1 Drugs and How Do They Work?GLP-1 agonists (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) are a type of drug that mimics the effect of an endogenous hormone involved in the modulation of appetite, blood glucose levels, and digestion. Initially approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, they've become very popular due to their capacity to cause weight loss by reducing hunger and slowing gastric emptying.Drugs such as liraglutide (Saxenda) and exenatide (Byetta) are usually given through subcutaneous injection. Newer forms, including semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Zepbound), have greater efficacy in weight loss and metabolic control, although they were not part of this specific study.GLP-1 acts via a cascade of hormonal action:It triggers the release of insulin from the pancreas, lowering blood sugar.It inhibits the release of glucagon, a hormone that increases blood sugar.It reduces the rate at which the stomach empties following meals.Perhaps most importantly for managing weight, it sends satiety messages to the brain to make people feel fuller for longer.Missing Link Between Cancer Risk and Obesity Both type 2 diabetes and obesity are firmly established as risk factors for many forms of cancer, such as breast, colon, uterine, pancreatic, and liver cancer. This can be explained by the chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and hormonal imbalance that accompany excess fat stores.For their new study, scientists from Clalit Health Services in Tel Aviv, Israel, analyzed electronic health records of more than 6,300 adults age 24 and above. Everyone involved had both type 2 diabetes and obesity and received either GLP-1 medication or weight-loss surgery between 2010 and 2018. The group was followed through to December 2023 to record cancer diagnoses.During a median follow-up of 7.5 years, approximately 300 individuals developed cancer of the obesity type—predominantly breast (26%), colon (16%), and uterus (15%).GLP-1 vs. SurgeryAlthough bariatric surgery has been the obesity treatment gold standard for decades—and was in turn found to lower cancer risk—scientists discovered obesity-associated cancers were equal in both the surgery and GLP-1 groups. This was unexpected because surgery tends to induce greater and more immediate weight loss.Still, additional statistical examination found that the GLP-1 medications offered a 41% lower risk of cancerous developments than surgery indicated that their anti-cancer benefit might extend beyond weight loss alone.Reason Behind the Anti-Cancer EffectAccording to co-lead researcher Dr. Dror Dicker, who heads the Obesity Clinic at Hasharon Hospital-Rabin Medical Center, the anti-cancer effects of GLP-1 drugs likely stem from multiple mechanisms. “Reducing inflammation, improving insulin sensitivity, and altering cellular growth pathways may all play a role,” he noted in a news release.While more recent, more powerful GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Zepbound were not included in the study, researchers are convinced they may provide even stronger protective effects. However, additional long-term studies are necessary to determine their impacts on cancers that are not related to obesity.Can It Change Cancer Treatment?This new evidence indicates a paradigm shift of foundational importance in the way we think about metabolic health interventions. GLP-1 medications could soon be hailed not merely as weight-loss supplements or treatments for diabetes but as prevention against one of the world's most dreaded illnesses.Nevertheless, prudence is still advisable. Long-term experience with these drugs is lacking, and their side effects, including nausea, gastrointestinal upset, and possible hazards for thyroid tumors, need to be weighed. A boxed warning is now placed on the list of the FDA for some GLP-1 drugs for thyroid C-cell tumors, although this has so far been seen most commonly in animal models.With the worldwide obesity epidemic on the rise, so is the need to know how drugs such as GLP-1 agonists can change not only waistlines, but also long-term health endpoints. The notion that a single class of medication might lower the risk of cancer in addition to managing blood glucose and reducing appetite is revolutionary.Additional research, particularly with next-generation GLP-1 drugs, will be necessary to more fully investigate and validate these benefits but for the time being, this study introduces an exhilarating and promising new chapter at the nexus of cancer prevention and obesity treatment.

glp-1 drugs fight fat, curb appetite and may also reduce cancer risk

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