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Lupus Signs, Symptoms, and Co-occuring Conditions

Lupus Signs, Symptoms, and Co-occuring Conditions

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Lupus affects everyone differently, but certain signs and symptoms are common. [A sign is a medical evidence your doctor finds during a physical exam, such as a specific rash; a symptom is a subjective indication of disease, such as joint stiffness or a headache.] In addition, other conditions, such as fibromyalgia, occur commonly in people with lupus but are not directly due to disease activity. These co-occurring conditions are known to doctors as “comorbidities.” Several signs, symptoms, and comorbidity of lupus are detailed below.

Fever
The average human body temperature is around 98.5°F, but many people run just above or below that mark. A temperature of 101°F is generally accepted as a fever. Many people with lupus experience reoccurring, low-grade temperatures that do not reach 101°. Such low-grade temperatures may signal oncoming illness or an approaching lupus flare. Fever can also signal inflammation or infection, so it is important to be aware of the patterns of your body and notify your physician of anything unusual.

Joint Stiffness
Many lupus patients experience joint stiffness, especially in the morning. People often find that taking warm showers helps to relieve this problem. If this habit does not offer comfort and joint stiffness prevents you from daily activity, be sure to speak with your doctor. He/she will examine you for any signs of joint swelling and can speak with you about medications that may ease some of this pain and inflammation, such as over-the-counter pain treatments and NSAIDs. Tenderness of a joint in known as arthralgia, and it is important that your doctor distinguish this from the arthritis (true swelling) that may accompany lupus.

If you experience a fever lasting a few days or fevers that come and go over a few days, you should take your temperature twice daily and keep a record. Certain trends may alert your doctor to specific processes occurring in your body. In addition, a fever of 101°F or more should be given medical attention. If you are taking steroid medications such as prednisone, be alert for any sign of infection, since steroids can suppress your immune system while also masking symptoms of infection. Immunosuppressive medications such as azathioprine, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, and mycophenolate also suppress the immune system, so if you begin to feel ill when taking one of these medications, notify your doctor immediately.

Weight Changes / Weight Loss
Increased lupus activity can sometimes cause weight loss, and certain medications can cause loss of appetite. No matter what the cause of your weight loss, you should speak to your doctor to ensure that the loss does not indicate a more serious condition. If you experience a loss of appetite due to your medications, your doctor may suggest alternative medications or solutions to ease stomach discomfort.

Weight Gain
Other medications, such as corticosteroids, can cause weight gain. Therefore, you must speak to your doctor about maintaining a balanced diet while taking these medications. You may need to reduce your calorie consumption; your physician can refer you to a nutrition counselor if needed. Light to moderate exercise can also help you to maintain a healthy weight and cardiovascular system, while also boosting your mood. Please remember that it is very easy to gain weight, especially when taking steroids, but it is much more difficult to lose it. You must try to achieve a healthy weight because women with lupus between the ages of 35 and 44 are fifty times more likely to experience a heart attack than the average woman. In addition, maintaining a healthy weight helps to alleviate stress on your joints and keeps your organs working productively and efficiently.

Fatigue and Malaise
Ninety percent of people with lupus will experience general fatigue and malaise at some point during the disease. Some people find a short 1 ½ hour afternoon nap to be effective in reducing fatigue. However, exceeding this time frame might lead to problems sleeping at night. If you feel that you are tired throughout most of the day and that fatigue prevents you from engaging in daily activities, speak to your doctor. Fatigue accompanied by pain in certain parts of your body may be a sign of a treatable condition called fibromyalgia. Other fatigue-inducing conditions, such as anemia, low thyroid, and depression, can also be treated. If you and your doctor decide that your malaise is due solely to lupus, try to stay as active and mobile as possible during your daily routine. Often this can be difficult, but many people find that slightly pushing themselves to engage in light to moderate exercise actually increases their energy levels. However, you should never push yourself beyond reasonable discomfort.

Sjogren’s Syndrome
As many as 10% of people with lupus may experience a condition called Sjogren’s syndrome, a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the glands that produce tears and saliva do not function correctly. Sjogren’s can also affect people who do not have lupus. People with Sjogren’s often experience dryness of the eyes, mouth, and vagina. They may also feel a gritty or sandy sensation in their eyes, especially in the morning. This dryness occurs because the immune system has begun to attack the moisture-producing glands of the eyes and mouth (the lacrimal and parotid glands, respectively), resulting in decreased tears and saliva.

You must speak to your doctor if you experience dryness of the eyes and mouth since the medications for these conditions must be taken regularly to prevent discomfort and permanent scarring (especially of the tear glands). The Schirmer’s test is usually performed to check for Sjogren’s and involves placing a small piece of litmus paper under the eyelid. Eye symptoms can be relieved by frequent use of Artificial Tears, and an eyedrop medication called Restasis is often used to prevent the worsening of Sjogren’s. Evoxac (or pilocarpine) can be used to increase both tear and saliva production, and certain lozenges (Numoisyn) can also be helpful for dry mouth.

Depression
Depression and anxiety are present in almost one-third of all people with lupus. Clinical depression is different than the passing pangs of sadness that can haunt all of us from time to time. Rather, clinical depression is a prolonged, unpleasant, and disabling condition. The hallmark characteristics of depression are feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, general sadness, and a loss of interest in daily activities. Depression also often involves crying spells, changes in appetite, nonrestful sleep, loss of self-esteem, inability to concentrate, decreased interest in the outside world, memory problems, and indecision. In addition, people who are depressed may suffer from certain physiologic signs, such as headaches, palpitations, loss of sexual drive, indigestion, and cramping. Patients are considered to be clinically depressed when they experience symptoms that last for several weeks and are enough to disrupt their daily lives. Patients suffering from depression also often experience a general slowing and clouding of mental functions, such as memory, concentration, and problem-solving abilities. This phenomenon is sometimes described as a “fog.” The cause of depression is not known; sometimes a genetic component predisposes an individual to the condition. Depression is rarely due to active lupus in the brain.

While clinical depression can be caused by the emotional drain of coping with a chronic medical condition and the sacrifices and adjustments that are required of the disease, it can also be induced by steroid medications (e.g., prednisone) and other physiological factors. You must speak with your doctor if you feel you are experiencing clinical depression because many people who are physically ill respond well to anti-depressant medications. In addition, your doctor may treat your depression in different ways depending on the cause.

Gastrointestinal Problems
Many people with lupus suffer from gastrointestinal problems, especially heartburn caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Peptic ulcers can also occur, often due to certain medications used in lupus treatment, including NSAIDs and steroids. Occasional heartburn or acid indigestion can be treated with an over-the-counter antacid, such as Rolaids, Maalox, Mylanta, or Tums. Your doctor may also include an antacid or another form of GI medication (a proton pump inhibitor, histamine2 blocker, or promotility agent) in your treatment regimen. Antacids are effective when used to treat occasional symptoms, but you should try to avoid heartburn and acid indigestion altogether by eating smaller meals, remaining upright after eating, and cutting down on caffeine. If heartburn and acid reflux persist (e.g., for more than two weeks), you should speak with your doctor, because your heartburn symptoms could indicate a larger problem.

Thyroid Problems
The thyroid is the gland in your neck associated with your metabolism the processes by which your body makes use of energy. Autoimmune thyroid disease is common in lupus. It is believed that about 6% of people with lupus have hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and about 1% have hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). A thyroid gland that is functioning improperly can affect the function of organs such as the brain, heart, kidneys, liver, and skin. Hypothyroidism can cause weight gain, fatigue, depression, moodiness, and dry hair and skin. Hyperthyroidism can cause weight loss, heart palpitations, tremors, and heat intolerance, and eventually lead to osteoporosis. Treatment for both underactive and overactive thyroid involves getting your body’s metabolism back to the normal rate. Hypothyroidism is usually treated with thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Hyperthyroidism is treated with anti-thyroid medications or radioactive iodine.

Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis (bone thinning) occurs when the bones lose calcium and other minerals that help keep them strong and compact. This condition can lead to fractures, bone pain, and shorter stature. Everyone is at risk for osteoporosis as they age, but women experience a greater risk of the condition after menopause. Studies have shown that people with lupus are at an increased risk for osteoporosis due to both the inflammation they experience with the disease and the use of prednisone.

Your bones are constantly being remodeled in a process that removes old bone cells and deposits new ones. In people with osteoporosis, the bones lose minerals faster than they can be regenerated. Medications called bisphosphonates (e.g., Actonel, Fosamax, Boniva, and Reclast) can be taken to help prevent your bones from losing calcium and other minerals by slowing or stopping the natural processes that dissolve bone tissue. In doing this, bisphosphonates help your bones remain strong and intact. If you have already developed osteoporosis, these medications may slow the thinning of your bones and help prevent bone fractures. In fact, studies have shown that bisphosphonates can lower your risk of fractured vertebrae bone segments that make up your spine by 50%. Similar studies demonstrate that these medications can lower the chance of breaking other bones by 30-49%. However, when bisphosphonates are unsuccessful, patients may need a daily injection of parathyroid hormone (Forteo) to build bone.

Weight loss is encouraged by a naturally occurring molecule that suppresses appetite.

Weight loss is encouraged by a naturally occurring molecule that suppresses appetite.

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Researchers from Stanford Medicine have discovered a naturally occurring molecule that functions similarly to semaglutide, commonly marketed as Ozempic, in terms of appetite suppression and weight loss. Interestingly, studies conducted on animals also revealed that it was effective without some of the negative effects of the medication, including nausea, constipation, and a marked loss of muscle mass.

The recently identified molecule, BRP, appears to provide a more focused method of body weight loss by activating distinct neurons in the brain and acting through a different but comparable metabolic pathway. In addition to the brain, semaglutide also targets receptors in the pancreas, gut, and other tissues. Because of this, Ozempic has a variety of effects, such as lowering blood sugar levels and slowing the passage of food through the digestive system. BRP, on the other hand, seems to have a specific effect on the hypothalamus, which regulates metabolism and appetite.

Without using artificial intelligence to sort through dozens of proteins in a class known as prohormones, the study would not have been feasible. Prohormones are physiologically inert molecules that become active when other proteins break them down into smaller molecules known as peptides. Some of these peptides then act as hormones to control intricate biological processes in the brain and other organs, such as energy metabolism.

Numerous functional peptide progeny can be produced by splitting each prohormone in different ways. However, it is challenging to separate peptide hormones which are comparatively uncommon from the biological soup of the far more common natural byproducts of protein processing and degradation using conventional protein isolation techniques. The prohormone convertase 1/3, which is known to play a role in human obesity, was the focus of the study. It separates prohormones at particular amino acid sequences. Glucagon-like peptide 1, or GLP-1, is one of the peptide products that control blood sugar and appetite; semaglutide functions by simulating GLP-1’s physiological effects. To find additional peptides involved in energy metabolism, the team looked to artificial intelligence.

Peptide predictor
The researchers created a computer algorithm they called Peptide Predictor to find common prohormone convertase cleavage sites in all 20,000 human protein-coding genes, eliminating the need to manually separate proteins and peptides from tissues and use methods like mass spectrometry to identify hundreds of thousands of peptides. They then concentrate on genes that encode proteins with four or more potential cleavage sites and that are secreted outside of the cell, which is a crucial feature of hormones. By doing this, the search was reduced to 373 prohormones, which is a manageable quantity to check for biological effects.

Prohormone convertase 1/3 was expected to produce 2,683 distinct peptides from the 373 proteins, according to Peptide Predictor. Coassolo and Svensson concentrated on sequences that the brain is probably biologically active. They tested 100 peptides, including GLP-1, for their capacity to stimulate neuronal cells cultured in a lab. The GLP-1 peptide, as anticipated, had a strong effect on the neurons, causing them to become three times more active than the control cells. However, a tiny peptide consisting of only 12 amino acids increased the cells’ activity ten times more than controls. Based on its parent prohormone, BPM/retinoic acid inducible neural specific 2, also known as BRINP2 (BRINP2-related-peptide), the researchers called this peptide BRP.

An intramuscular injection of BRP before feeding decreased food intake over the following hour by up to 50% in both animal models, according to the researchers’ testing of the drug’s effects on lean mice and minipigs, which more closely resemble human metabolism and eating patterns than mice do. Over 14 days, obese mice given daily injections of BRP lost an average of 3 grams, almost entirely as a result of fat loss, whereas control mice gained roughly 3 grams. Additionally, the mice showed enhanced insulin and glucose tolerance.

Behavioral studies of the pigs and mice revealed no differences in the fecal production, water intake, anxiety-like behavior, or movement of the treated animals. Additionally, additional research on brain and physiological activity revealed that BRP activates metabolic and neuronal pathways independently of those triggered by semaglutide or GLP-1. In addition to further deconstructing the mechanisms of action of BRP, the researchers aim to identify the cell-surface receptors that bind it. If the peptide is successful in controlling human body weight, they are also looking into ways to prolong its effects on the body so that a more convenient dosing schedule can be used.

According to Svensson, the dearth of efficient medications to treat obesity in people has existed for many years. The ability of semaglutide to reduce appetite and body weight is superior to anything we have tested previously. We are very interested in finding out if it works and is safe for people. The study included contributions from researchers at the University of British Columbia, the University of Minnesota, and the University of California, Berkeley.

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Beyond weight loss: Bariatric surgery may reduce cancer risk…

Beyond weight loss: Bariatric surgery may reduce cancer risk…

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You might not associate obesity with cancer when you think about it. Still, scientists have long surmised a connection between weight and some types of cancer. Among them are postmenopausal breast cancer, ovarian, colon, liver, pancreatic, and endometrial cancer, which combined account for 15 to 20 percent of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.

Cancer risk increases with obesity
Over one-third of American adults. S. are deemed obese if their body mass index (BMI) is thirty or greater. The body mass index (BMI) calculates body fat based on height and weight. The number of people with severe obesity, which is a BMI of 40 or higher, has increased significantly. A person’s chance of developing cancer rises by 10% if their BMI rises by even five points, per a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Obesity increases a person’s risk of cancer by two times compared to optimal weight. For instance, a BMI of greater than 40 is associated with a seven-fold increased risk of endometrial cancer. It seems that an elevated risk of cancer is largely attributed to excess weight, primarily in the form of body fat. Obesity triggers an increase in fat cells within the body. With the rise in the number of these fat cells, the body’s hormone release pattern alters. This shift typically boosts the production of pro-inflammatory hormones and estrogen. Over an extended period, this persistent inflammatory condition can induce harm to cells and their DNA, thereby enhancing the likelihood of specific types of cancers.

Researchers are examining the connection between chronic inflammation and body fat. Furthermore, diabetes and other chronic metabolic diseases can be brought on by hormones like estrogen and insulin resistance. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in three adults will have diabetes and related health issues by 2050.

Bariatric surgery and reduction of cancer risk link
More research is needed, but researchers think a decrease in inflammatory fat cells may lower the risk of cancer. Additionally, the amount that nonsurgical, or purposeful, weight loss reduces the risk of cancer is still unknown.
However, maintaining the weight loss for those who have done so through lifestyle modifications can be difficult. The body’s intricate neurohormonal systems prevent starvation, which makes it challenging to keep off weight loss.

Even when weighed against medications and intensive lifestyle therapy, bariatric or metabolic surgery is currently the most effective obesity treatment. Following surgery, patients usually lose 25 to 35 percent of their total body weight or 50 to 70 percent of their excess weight, and these weight losses are frequently maintained for years.

Continuing research
Numerous extensive investigations have been carried out to examine the connection between weight loss achieved through bariatric surgery and the decreased risk of cancer. A 2019 study published in the Annals of Surgery compared 66,000 individuals without bariatric surgery to over 22,000 who underwent the procedure. The study site, BMI, age, and sex of the participants were taken into consideration when matching them. In comparison to individuals who did not undergo bariatric surgery, statistical models were utilized to examine the cancer incidence up to ten years following the procedure.

Individuals who underwent bariatric surgery experienced a reduced risk of developing any form of cancer by 33% over the observation period, contrasting those who did not undergo such surgery. The findings were more substantial when the focus was on cancers linked to obesity.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2022 tracked 30,000 individuals, all of whom had a BMI higher than 35. The subjects were split up into two groups and matched according to age and gender. Approximately 5,000 patients in one group had bariatric surgery, while slightly over 25,000 patients in the other group had no surgery. A follow-up period of roughly six years was the median.

The follow-up data demonstrated a significant reduction in the risk of cancers related to obesity and other malignancies following bariatric surgery. Additionally, it showed that patients who had bariatric surgery had a lower rate of cancer-related mortality when compared to those who had not had the procedure.

More research is required to validate these findings as researchers continue to explore the reasons and mechanisms underlying the reduced risk of diabetes and cancer following bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery, however, holds promise for patients battling obesity as it may lower the risk of cancer and metabolic diseases like diabetes.

This new data regarding the advantages and efficacy of bariatric surgery may help you decide if you’re thinking about having it done. Talk about it further with your bariatric surgery team or primary care physician. M.D Maria Linnaus. is a bariatric surgeon at the Mayo Clinic in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

It seems that having excess body weight in the form of fat is what increases the risk of cancer. The body produces more fat cells when an individual is obese. Hormone release by the body varies with the number of these fat cells. Estrogen and pro-inflammatory hormones are generally elevated by these modifications. This persistent inflammatory condition raises the possibility of developing some cancers by damaging cells and their DNA.

More research is required to validate these findings as researchers continue to explore the reasons and mechanisms underlying the reduced risk of diabetes and cancer following bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery, however, holds promise for patients battling obesity as it may lower the risk of cancer and metabolic diseases like diabetes. This new data regarding the advantages and efficacy of bariatric surgery may help you decide if you’re thinking about having it done. Talk about it further with your bariatric surgery team or primary care physician.

References:
https://cancerblog.mayoclinic.org/2024/04/23/beyond-weight-loss-bariatric-surgery-may-reduce-cancer-risk/
https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/bariatric-surgery-and-cancer-risk

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New weight loss pill Amycretin is more effective than Semaglutide

New weight loss pill Amycretin is more effective than Semaglutide

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The Danish company Novo Nordisk recently revealed the preliminary results of a phase 1 clinical trial, which suggests that amycretin, an experimental medication they developed to treat obesity, may significantly improve weight loss compared to Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide). The business has not yet disclosed when to publish the data in a peer-reviewed publication. Given that adults with type 2 diabetes are primarily prescribed Ozempic and Wegovy to help control their blood sugar levels, this may not come as a surprise. Even though all semaglutide medications seem to be linked to weight loss, only Wegovy has received FDA approval for long-term weight management in adults.

These drugs, which are glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, function by imitating the actions of a hormone that aids in controlling hunger and blood sugar levels. According to preliminary findings, taking amycretin for three months reduced body weight by 13%. According to earlier studies, semaglutide reduced body weight by about 6% over a comparable period. Experts, however, have stressed the need for more comprehensive research to verify the long-term benefits and safety profile of amycretin. Despite these cautions, Novo Nordisk’s stock value surged by over 8% following the drug’s presentation at an investor meeting on March 7, 2024.

The surging interest in a new class of medications known as GLP-1 agonists has propelled Novo Nordisk to become the most valuable company in Europe, despite facing significant supply shortages due to high demand. Amycretin differentiates itself from semaglutide medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, and from Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and Zepbound (tirazepide) by being administered orally as a pill rather than through a weekly injection.

The limited information available suggests this method could be quite promising, but it is important to note that much more data are required. This is because amycretin has yet to be evaluated against other medications in a direct comparison trial. At a recent investor event, a senior development executive from Novo Nordisk highlighted the potential for amycretin to match the effectiveness and safety profile of CagriSema, another GLP-1 agonist drug by the company, targeting amylin. The company anticipates the results of a study on an injectable version of amycretin to be released next year. Based on these findings, Novo Nordisk intends to initiate a comprehensive development program.

In an amycretin trial with sixteen subjects weighing an average of eighty-nine kilograms, the placebo group lost one percent of their body weight over twelve weeks. Research shows that GLP-1 agonist drugs can lower the risk of obesity-related cardiovascular diseases, but they also raise the risk of gastrointestinal problems. Patients must know that studies indicate most people who stop taking these medications end up gaining back most of the weight they have lost.

REFERENCES:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/new-weight-loss-pill-amycretin-more-effective-than-semaglutide-in-early-trial
https://qz.com/ozempic-weight-loss-pill-amycretin-novo-nordisk-1851326591
https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2024/03/07/novo-nordisks-new-obesity-pill-beats-wegovy-in-early-trial/?sh=1bfdece9456e
https://www.sciencealert.com/experimental-weight-loss-pill-twice-as-effective-as-ozempic-trial-shows

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How To Loose Weight Naturally

How To Loose Weight Naturally

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It is advisable to lose weight gradually, according to several specialists. It will probably remain off longer. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, if you lose weight too quickly, you’ll lose water, muscle, and bone instead of fat. The adage “calories in, calories out” means that you must expend more calories than you consume through food and drink. However, as many individuals can attest to from personal experience, it’s not that easy.

You might believe that fasting can help you lose weight quickly. However, it is preferable to have a diet that you can follow over time and that fits with your lifestyle. If fasting is long-term safe, more study is required to determine this. The majority of studies on the effects of intermittent fasting were conducted on middle-aged, overweight adults. If it is safe for those who are older or younger or those who are at a healthy weight, more research is required.

When attempting to reduce weight, both proper nutrition and exercise are crucial. If your nutrition is out of balance, no amount of activity can help you lose weight. However, evidence indicates that whether you’re attempting to reduce weight or not, exercise has significant positive effects on your body and mind. Your body’s ability to convert calories into fuel, or metabolism, is important. Additionally, it’s harmful to limit calories too much. Your metabolism slows down, which can cause you to consume less nutrients.

You can accomplish this in a variety of ways without drastically reducing your calorie intake. You might reduce portions, calculate how many calories you consume on a daily basis, and cut down a little. You could also check food labels to determine how many calories are in each serving and drink more water to help you feel less hungry. To reduce weight, you don’t have to cut out any specific food groups, go vegan, or give up gluten. In fact, if it’s something you can maintain over time, you’re more likely to keep the weight off permanently. However, it does make sense to drastically reduce or eliminate empty calories. As an example. sweet foods There are frequently few nutrients but many calories in foods like cookies, cakes, sugar-sweetened beverages, and other things. Aim to consume added sugars at a rate of no more than 10% of your daily calories.

Consuming enough protein will keep your muscles strong. In addition to lean meat, chicken, fish, and dairy, there are vegetarian and vegan alternatives (nuts, beans, and soy are a few). Depending on your age, gender, and level of activity, you may require more or less protein. Also You might feel fuller and less like you’re on a diet by consuming little amounts of fat. Olive oil, salmon, and nuts and seeds are the healthier options. It may prevent hunger if you eat five to six times each day. Each of those mini-meals may have an equal number of calories, or you could make some larger than others. In order to avoid overeating, you must plan your quantities. Eliminating liquid calories like soda, juice, and alcohol is one simple approach to reduce weight quickly. Replace them with calorie-free beverages like black coffee, unsweetened tea, or lemon water.

Whatever approach you choose, you must prioritize healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein to maintain a balanced diet. However, there isn’t a single, universal healthy eating strategy. A excellent approach is to work with a dietician to create a plan that addresses your unique requirements. Additionally, it’s crucial to follow through with a healthy weight loss plan that you create. The tendency must continue over the long term in order to become healthy and maintain that state.

REFERENCES:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322345
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/managing-your-weight/tips-to-help-you-lose-weight/
https://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-no-diet-weight-loss

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How does eating too much fructose cause obesity?

How does eating too much fructose cause obesity?

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In the United States, more than 40% of adults are obese, with approximately 10% having extreme obesity.

Obesity increases the chance of developing a variety of ailments, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and several malignancies.

An energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories burned is the primary cause of obesity.

Obesity, however, may result from more than just calorie intake—it may also result from the calories.

According to recent studies, the simple sugar fructose, which is present in many foods, may be the cause of obesity and other related health issues.

Around 13% of persons globally, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), are obese. Although obesity rates are rising in low-income nations, the majority are in wealthy nations.

According to National Institutes of Health (NIH) data, 42.4% of adults and 19.3% of children and adolescents in the United States were obese in 2017–18. Additionally, these figures are rising.

Obesity raises the risk of a number of illnesses. It is linked to a poor diet and an unbalanced energy intake, but it may also have a genetic component. These are listed by the NIH as follows:

What connection exists between fructose and obesity?

According to recent study, obesity may not just be caused by an energy imbalance; rather, the source of that energy may be what causes the illness.

According to the study, which was published in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, fructose may be the cause of obesity because of an evolutionary “survival switch” that makes people store energy from fructose rather than utilize it.

The study’s results were discussed by Dr. Eamon Laird, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Limerick in Ireland who was not engaged in the study, he observed:

This is a highly intriguing theory, even though it is only a narrative overview and not a systematic meta-analysis of the available data. It is conceivable that our present energy-dense diets have altered an evolutionary pathway that was advantageous millions of years ago.

Fructose converts to energy reserves.

According to the study, metabolic diseases like obesity may have arisen as a result of overstimulation of an evolutionary-based biological reaction called the “survival switch,” which is meant to safeguard animals before a crisis like hibernation.

Contrary to glucose, which is used as immediate fuel, the researchers contend that fructose causes the body to conserve energy.

This is better for an animal going into long-term hibernation than for a person who has constant access to high-sugar diets.

This “survival switch” may be more detrimental than beneficial in areas where people have easy access to food. People develop fat reserves as a result of the constant availability of high-fructose foods, which causes obesity and related health issues.

Metabolic effects of fructose

What causes fructose to make the body store energy rather than use it?

Adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, is often utilised and swiftly replaced from nutritional intake or fat storage. ATP is the chemical that supplies energy to power all cell operations.

Fructose, on the other hand, lowers the amount of ATP present in cells and hinders the production of ATP.

A chain of chemical processes that stop the mitochondria of the cell from making more ATP and put them under oxidative stress are triggered when ATP levels fall low enough.

Fructose consumption increases appetite in addition to lowering ATP levels. Once deposited as fat, these extra calories. The ATP levels eventually rise once more, but the fat reserves are still there.

Repeated exposure to oxidative stress causes mitochondrial dysfunction to become persistent over time. The body of a mammal that is hibernating adjusts to the low ATP levels by lowering the resting metabolic rate.

Without reducing calorie consumption, this lower energy usage leads to weight increase in persons who still have access to plenty of food.

Dr. Laird concurred that this theory could help to explain the rise in obesity.

He said, “I agree it could be one component. But obesity and metabolic syndrome are complex conditions; there is seldom just one contributing cause. Lack of exercise, unhealthy eating habits, vitamin deficiencies, socioeconomic causes, and even risk factors related to one’s race and ethnicity are all significant risk factors.”

Therefore, even if fructose did affect obesity, it would only have a minor impact overall, he continued.

Dietary sources of fructose

Although fruit naturally includes fructose, which gives it its sweetness, a normal Western diet also contains a variety of additional sources of fructose.

The majority comes from table sugar, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), a sweetener manufactured from cornflour, and sucrose, a molecule composed of glucose and fructose chemically bound together.

Fructose can make up to 55% of HFCS. To transform the glucose in corn syrup into the sweeter-tasting fructose, manufacturers must add enzymes.

Since the fructose in HFCS is present as free molecules, it is absorbed more quickly than it is in table sugar.

HFCS is included in practically all processed foods and many other foods. They consist of:

  • sodas
  • fruit juices with added sugar
  • crackers
  • ready-made meals
  • salad dressings and condiments
  • a few pastries and bread.

According to the scientists, the growth in sugar consumption, particularly that found in processed foods, fructose-sweetened beverages, and carbohydrates with a high glycemic index (GI), is related to the global epidemics of obesity and diabetes.

Must you stay away from foods high in fructose?

Although he was not involved in the study, Dr. Mir Ali, a bariatric surgeon and medical director of the MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Centre at Orange Coast Medical Centre in Fountain Valley, California, stated that for people who are overweight or obese, “any source of sugar, including non-processed sugars, such as those found in fruits, can have a similar effect on the body.”

“We advise our patients to minimize all sources of sugar, including fruits,” the doctor added.

However, Dr. Laird cautioned that most people should not worry excessively about fruit’s sugar content: Most of us don’t consume enough fruits, despite the fact that doing so would benefit our overall health by providing fibre, vitamins, and minerals. The modest amounts of fruit we do consume would probably not amount to much.

However, he continued, “The main risk probably arises when the fructose is highly concentrated and added to other foods (these foods often contain high fat, high sugar, and low nutrition), which could result in an increased risk of obesity.”

So maybe avoid that processed snack since it’s probably laden with fructose to help lower your risk of becoming obese.

REFERENCES:

For Type 2 Diabetes medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=20

Time limited eating helps in weight loss & type-2 diabetes.

Time limited eating helps in weight loss & type-2 diabetes.

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According to recent studies, type 2 diabetics who practise time-restricted eating may experience weight loss and better blood sugar control.

According to a new randomized controlled research, those who restrict their eating to the eight hours from midday to eight o’clock lose more weight than people who lower their overall calorie intake by calorie counting.

However, experts advise patients to work closely with their doctor because certain medications and dietary needs may affect how beneficial a patient’s diet plan is.

In a recent study, people who restricted their eating to the hours between noon and eight o’clock lost more weight than those who merely cut their caloric intake overall by counting calories.

Despite the growing popularity of time-restricted eating, no studies had previously specifically examined an eight-hour meal window in people with type 2 diabetes.

In the study, 57 people with type 2 diabetes and obesity were divided into three groups: one group adhered to time-restricted eating, another group engaged in calorie restriction, and the third group acted as the control group.

The people in the time-restricted eating group could only eat between midday and 8 p.m., whereas the people in the calorie-restriction group could eat whenever they wanted as long as they kept track of their calories.

While the control group maintained eating normally without any special modifications, their objective was to cut their caloric consumption by 25% of what was needed to maintain their current weight.

Eating within a time limit reduces body weight.

The time-restricted eating diet resulted in a 3.55% weight loss in comparison to the control group during the course of the six-month study, according to the researchers.

To put this into perspective, it would mean that a person who weighs 275 pounds would have lost about 10 pounds.

Contrary to expectations, the calorie-restricted group did not significantly lose weight when compared to the control group.

In comparison to the control group, the time-restricted eating and calorie restriction groups both showed lower blood sugar levels (HbA1C), with decreases of about 0.91% and 0.95%, respectively.

The researchers also looked into whether these dietary approaches may lower blood pressure, lower LDL cholesterol, and lower fasting glucose levels, which are all cardiometabolic risk factors.

The weight loss brought on by time-restricted eating, however, did not reach the 5% mark usually linked with improvements in these parameters.

An interview with experts, Vicky Pavlou, registered dietitian nutritionist, University of Illinois at Chicago doctoral student, and author of the study, said, “We found that eating all calories within an 8-hour window is a good alternative to calorie counting for people with type 2 diabetes who want to lose weight and improve their A1C.”

“In comparison to the calorie counting group, the time-restricted eating (TRE) group dropped 4.28% of their body weight in six months. In both groups, the HbA1C was lowered by 1%, the expert said.

Calorie restriction versus intermittent fasting

Studies have previously examined the effectiveness of various dietary strategies among obese people. The prospective effects of time-restricted eating in individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes, however, have not been studied.

75 obese persons with type 2 diabetes participated in the new study, which was directed by Vicky Pavlou, a doctorate student at the University of Illinois at Chicago who is also a registered nurse. Three groups of participants, ranging in age from 18 to 80, were created: control, calorie restriction, and time-restricted eating.

The calorie intake needed to maintain a person’s present weight (maintenance calories) was lowered by 25% for those in the calorie restriction group and remained unchanged for those in the control group. At any time of day, they could eat.

The time-restricted eating group, on the other hand, was only permitted to eat between noon and 8 p.m. every day without having a set calorie goal or keeping track of their consumption.

For the first three months of the trial, participants in both groups met with a dietician once per week; for the next three months, they met every other week.

Pavlou stated that the dietician “helped them with any challenges in following the diet and gave general nutrition advice,” emphasizing “the importance of reading labels and understanding calories.”

What kind of diet is best for those who have diabetes?

The researcher who was not engaged in this study, Dr. Seun Sowemimo, a board-certified surgeon at Prime Surgicare in Freehold, New Jersey, stressed that “using a combination of disease management tools is more effective than a single effort.”

“Time-restricted eating (intermittent fasting) is a powerful strategy for weight loss and blood sugar control because it allows the body to switch from burning sugar to burning fat, resulting in weight loss,” he claimed.

Additionally, it helps diabetic control and lessens the frequency of blood glucose spikes, which can result in insulin surges.

Consuming whole meals with a high fibre content rather than processed foods with added sugar can also help people with diabetes maintain better blood sugar control. Unlike processed foods with free sugar, which are quickly absorbed and cause increased sugar levels and insulin spikes, natural fibre foods help regulate sugar absorption by allowing for a steady release into the bloodstream. Since the idea that fruit contains a lot of sugar is untrue, I also advise persons with diabetes to eat fresh fruits, stated Dr. Seun Sowemimo

Time-restricted eating “may help improve blood sugar control in individuals with type 2 diabetes,” according to registered dietitian Crystal Scott of Top Nutrition Coaching, who was also not involved in the study.

“The insulin response may become more efficient by avoiding constant grazing and giving the body longer periods without food intake,” Scott said. Studies have revealed that time-restricted meals can increase insulin sensitivity, glucose levels, and HbA1c levels, which are indicators of long-term blood sugar control. But it didn’t in this study.

Potential effects on type 2 diabetic patients

Dr. Sowemimo stated that this “study adds another layer of clinical evidence that the timing of food consumption is a major contributing factor to diabetes management, weight loss, and overall well-being.“

“Patients with diabetes can safely be prescribed time-restricted eating, but they should do so in partnership with their physician,” Dr. Sowemimo stated.

Scott also emphasized the significance of investigating potential confounders, such as participant water intake, activity level, and stress-reduction techniques, as well as their use of diabetes medications.

Many additional factors must be addressed concurrently in order for a study like this one on dietary regimens to be entirely successful, according to Scott.

Scott further emphasized that this study shows there are “easier approaches to weight management that don’t involve tracking every piece of food,” even though people may recognize the necessity to implement time-restriction tactics to observe weight loss.

REFERENCES:

For Weight loss medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=20

Changes in Cholesterol & triglyceride may affect dementia.

Changes in Cholesterol & triglyceride may affect dementia.

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Researchers looked into the impact of varying triglyceride and cholesterol levels on dementia risk.

They discovered that varying amounts of triglycerides and cholesterol raise the incidence of dementia by 19% and 23%, respectively. To comprehend how these results might influence patient treatment, more investigation is required.

Globally, dementia affects around 55 million individuals. This number is anticipated to nearly quadruple to 152 million by 2050 as the world’s population ages.

Strategies for dementia prevention are essential for maintaining health. Finding techniques to mitigate potential risk factors that raise the likelihood of dementia is one way to develop these solutions.

Regular medical care includes tests for triglyceride and cholesterol levels. In order to create hormones and cells, the liver produces a form of fat called cholesterol. A form of fat used for energy is triglycerides.

Clinicians may be able to screen patients for dementia risk and maybe stop or delay the start of the disease by looking at the relationship between blood lipids and dementia risk.

Some evidence suggests a connection between cholesterol fluctuation and dementia. Despite conflicting findings in studies on whether high cholesterol levels increase dementia risk.

Future dementia screening methods and treatments may benefit from a deeper understanding of which lipid components raise dementia risk.

To evaluate whether there is a connection between cholesterol levels and the risk of dementia, researchers recently examined medical records.

“While not necessarily altering practice, this study highlights the need to pay close attention to people with fluctuating cholesterol levels. It will need more research to ascertain if this variance is a real factor in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease or only a side effect of dementia,” said Dr. Dmitriy Nevelev, associate director of cardiology at Staten Island University Hospital and a non-participant in the study.

High risk of dementia associated with fluctuating cholesterol

The average age of the 11, 571 participants the researchers gathered for the study was 71. 54% of the participants were female, and none had ever been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia.

All of the individuals had their blood lipid levels checked for several factors at least three times in the five years before to the study. These comprised:

  • cholesterol overall
  • triglycerides
  • LDL, short for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol
  • HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Following the participants lasted an average of 12.9 years. 2,473 people experienced the onset of dementia during this time.

Based on how much the individuals’ blood lipid measurements changed, the researchers divided the people into five groups.

In the end, they discovered that those with total cholesterol variability in the highest 20% band had a 19% increased risk of dementia compared to those in the lowest 20%.

Those with triglycerides in the top 20% of the range had a 23% higher risk of dementia than those in the bottom 20%.

The findings persisted after taking into account potential confounding variables like education, initial cholesterol levels, and adherence to lipid-lowering therapies, according to the researchers. They also discovered that changes in HDL and LDL did not correspond to a higher risk of dementia.

Why are changes in lipid levels important?

We discussed how varying triglyceride and cholesterol levels may raise the risk of dementia with Dr. James Giordano, Pellegrino Centre professor of neurology and biochemistry at Georgetown University Medical Centre who was not involved in the study.

He stated that it is unclear whether or how varying cholesterol levels affect the risk of dementia. Nevertheless, he talked about plausible mechanisms from his own study.

According to Dr. Giordano’s research, “a number of blood-borne factors may cause changes in inflammatory mediators that affect cerebral blood vessels, nerve, and glial cells of the brain cells that remove waste from the brain and deliver nutrients to neurons.”

“This shift to a pro-inflammatory phenotype might interact with existing genetic predispositions in certain individuals. This may increase the risk of several neurodegenerative diseases, including some types of dementia,” he said.

Dr. Nevelev concurred that there is currently no conclusive explanation for why cholesterol fluctuation may raise the risk of dementia.

The functioning of our blood vessel lining is impaired by endothelial dysfunction, which is caused by cholesterol variability. This impairment contributes to irregular blood flow. According to Dr. Nevelev, “Cholesterol variability is also associated with [the] instability of blood vessel plaque, which can likewise obstruct blood flow and harm brain tissue.

He continued, “This study seeks to account for another possibility, which is the effect of sporadic adherence with cholesterol-lowering medicine.

The study did not take into consideration every factor.

We requested an explanation of the study’s main shortcomings from Dr. Howard Pratt, a board-certified psychiatrist and medical director of Community Health of South Florida who was not engaged in the investigation.

“The study’s participants had higher levels of comorbidity than the non-study control group, which did not. Therefore, there can be confounding factors that are harder to identify. Another drawback of the study is that it only included participants from one area, so it’s still not clear whether the conclusions apply to the entire community, the author pointed out.

The apolipoprotein-E (Apo-E) gene, which may have impacted the results of the study, is one genetic risk factor for dementia that was not taken into consideration, according to Dr. Giordano.

Dr. Nevelev was questioned about the study’s constraints as well. He pointed out that it is vital to know whether triglyceride levels were evaluated in samples that were fasting or samples that were not, as triglyceride levels change while a person is fasting.

He continued by saying that variations in body weight are associated with poor health outcomes and that triglyceride and cholesterol levels are related to body weight.

The researcher said, “It is possible that the observation in this study is reversed perhaps those in the early stages of dementia have changes in behaviour or changes in body weight that lead to significant variation in triglyceride levels.”

What effects does this have on preventing dementia?

UTHealth Houston’s McGovern Medical School professor of neurology and director of the Neurocognitive Disorders Centre, Dr. Paul E. Schulz, who was not engaged in the study, said the following to us:

How to apply the findings of this study to the real world is one important question. There are numerous drugs available that lower triglycerides or cholesterol, but I am not aware of any that do the same for fluctuations. Conversely, nutrition has a huge role in managing diabetes. I also wonder if dietary adjustments could also assist lower triglyceride or cholesterol fluctuations, which would lower the risk of dementia.

But given the overwhelming evidence that lower cholesterol is linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease, he added, “I would still advise people at risk for Alzheimer’s disease to think about taking their statin if their doctor prescribes it to lower their risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease.”

REFERENCES:

For Cholesterol medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=47

Exercise & weight loss can improve obesity and prediabetes.

Exercise & weight loss can improve obesity and prediabetes.

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According to new research, people who are overweight and have prediabetes may benefit significantly from regular exercise when accompanied with weight loss via diet.

The goal of the study was to ascertain whether exercise had benefits in addition to those provided by diet-only weight loss.

The study examined two groups, one of which followed a diet plan plus exercise training and the other of which followed a diet plan alone.

According to the findings, the group that combined diet and exercise improved their insulin sensitivity by twice as much as the diet-only group, which is essential for controlling prediabetes.

Researchers from the Centre for Human Nutrition at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, examined the results of regular exercise paired with a nutrition programme for people in a recent study.

The individuals’ bodies’ sensitivity to the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels, was tested by the researchers.

According to the findings, those who made changes to their eating and exercise routines saw a twofold increase in their insulin sensitivity compared to those who only made dietary changes.

This indicates that their bodies used insulin to regulate blood sugar levels more effectively.

The participants’ muscles were also examined by the researchers, and they discovered that the group that changed their diet and exercise regimens had higher expression (activity) of genes related to the production of new mitochondria, which are cells’ energy factories, energy metabolism, and the development of new blood vessels.

They discovered no discernible differences between the two groups in terms of the amounts of specific amino acids or particular inflammatory blood indicators.

The composition of their gut bacteria also changed similarly in both groups, which can have an impact on general health.

Exercise for managing and treating obesity

We spoke with Dr. Sergio P. Ramoa of Atrius Health, who was not a part of the study, and he stated that “despite the growing focus and treatment of obesity and diabetes, diabetes-related mortality increased in the first 20 years of the 21st century.”

“The approach to treating obesity has altered, with a focus on treating it like a chronic illness like hypertension or asthma. There have been considerable advancements in the treatment of weight reduction and weight maintenance, according to Dr. Sergio P. Ramoa, as a result of changes in social, educational, and therapeutic attitudes.

In his statement, Dr. Romoa said that “This article demonstrates why exercise continues to be a pillar of not only weight management treatment but the overall health of the community.”

“Exercise should always be used in conjunction with pharmaceutical treatment for persistent lifestyle changes,” he advised.

The National Coalition on Healthcare’s (NCHC) Kelsey Costa, a registered dietitian and health research specialist who was not involved in the study, concurred, saying that “the study findings imply that combining exercise training with a calorie-restricted diet can enhance insulin sensitivity and metabolic health beyond the benefits achieved solely through diet-induced weight loss.”

As Costa said, “It is essential to understand how effectively this combination of therapies can improve metabolic health given what we know about the barriers to exercise in people with obesity.”

For managing prediabetes, insulin sensitivity is essential.

Prediabetes is characterized by persistently elevated blood glucose levels that are not yet high enough to progress to type 2 diabetes.

Although it acts as a warning sign for an elevated risk of getting diabetes, it is frequently preventable or deferred with lifestyle adjustments.

Enhancing insulin sensitivity through exercise

According to Dr. Romoa, “GLUT4, the main insulin-driven glucose transporter, exercise improves insulin sensitivity.”

“GLUT4 is present in adipose and muscular tissue. The amount of these transporters varies depending on a person’s diabetes and obesity condition.

While they drop in adipose tissue, they hold steady in muscular tissue. As a result, exercise can keep enhancing glucose regulation. Due to insulin resistance, adipose tissue can no longer adequately regulate blood glucose. Additionally, exercise will increase the body’s GLUT4 levels. Walking can help lower blood sugar levels, according to Dr. Sergio P. Ramoa.

It was said by Costa that this study showed that “exercise enhances insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, likely due to changes in skeletal muscle biology induced by exercise.”

This includes an improvement in mitochondrial content and function as well as an increase of genes related to substrate oxidation and mitochondrial energy metabolism. The diet plus exercise group consequently saw a more significant rise in muscle insulin sensitivity,” Costa said.

Type 2 diabetes treatment through exercise

Exercise is strongly advised as a main treatment for type 2 diabetes, according to prior research.

Combining 150 minutes per week of moderate to strenuous exercise with dietary and behavioural adjustments can stop, delay, or even reverse the condition.

Exercise of all kinds, including resistance and aerobic training, can regulate blood sugar levels. Small bursts of exercise spread out throughout the day and high intensity interval training are both good.

Exercise in the afternoon or right after a meal, for example, may have additional benefits.

Exercise guidelines that are ideal Working with healthcare experts is crucial for personalised diabetes management because individual aspects are continuously being researched.

Costa stressed “the significance of integrating a calorie-restricted diet with exercise training to enhance metabolic health and physical function.”

Exercise caution

Be sure to consult your doctor before beginning a new workout routine. Make sure you drink enough water before, during, and after the activity.

To keep your blood sugar levels within the desired range, be sure to closely monitor them as well.

REFERENCES:

For Diabetes medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=13

Is high BMI linked with an increased risk of death?

Is high BMI linked with an increased risk of death?

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The validity of body mass index (BMI) as the only predictor of all-cause mortality is further questioned by a recent study.

The majority of earlier research, according to the study’s authors, rely on more dated data that isn’t sufficiently diverse, so they’re hoping the current study may remedy that.

A BMI that indicates overweight or obesity can increase the chance of developing several chronic, fatal diseases, but it may not be a reliable predictor of mortality as a whole.

According to a recent study, it is advisable to take into account a person’s body mass index, or BMI, together with other risk variables when forecasting all-cause death. As an independent variable, BMI might not be a reliable predictor of premature death.

There was no variation in the risk of death from all causes among persons in the healthy and overweight BMI categories, from a BMI of 22.5 to 27.4, according to the research.

However, the study found that in persons with a BMI greater than 30, the risk of all-cause death rose by 21% to 108%.

No appreciable increase in mortality was observed in older persons between BMIs of 22.5 to 34.9, the higher range indicating obesity.

Older statistics on BMI and early death are displaced by new data.

Data from the 1970s that concentrated on non-Hispanic white adults formed the basis of the majority of research on BMI and mortality.

The new study examined more recent, comprehensive data while keeping in mind the changes in lifestyles since that time, including the rise in overweight and obesity, and sought a more varied study population sample.

Self-reported BMI data from 554,332 American individuals who took part in the National Health Interview Survey from 1999 to 2018 and data from the 2019 US National Death Index were used in the analysis.

The average age was 46, there were equal numbers of males and women, and 69% of the population identified as non-Hispanic white, while 12% identified as non-Hispanic Black.

Among the individuals, 35 percent had a BMI between 25 and 30, which is normally regarded as overweight, and 27.2 percent had a BMI of 30 or more, which is categorised as obesity.

A total of 75,807 fatalities were reported throughout the average follow-up period of 9 years and the maximum follow-up period of 20 years.

Why BMI is a poor indicator of health?

We spoke with Dr. Pedro J. Caraballo, medical director of the Mayo Clinic Clinical Decision Support Programme, who was not engaged in this investigation.

“It is extremely debatable whether or not BMI alone should be used to define obesity or health. Different types of obesity that may have an impact on health have clearer definitions. BMI may be easily calculated and found in any medical records, though.

A person’s BMI is calculated by dividing their weight in kilogrammes by the square of their height in metres.

However, BMI ignores other aspects of the body, such as the ratio of fat to muscle, how fat is distributed throughout the body, and metabolic health. For instance, having excess fat around the waist raises your risk of getting sick.

“[BMI] does not distinguish between muscle mass and fat mass, and some individuals, like bodybuilders, may have a high BMI because of more muscle mass,” said Dr. Dagfinn Aune, a research associate in the Faculty of Medicine, the School of Public Health at Imperial College London in the United Kingdom, who was not involved in this study.

Despite these drawbacks, according to Dr. Aune, BMI performs a good job of capturing the elevated risk of chronic disease and mortality that is connected to obesity at the population level.

BMI as a measure of obesity is “not a suitable tool”

Dr. Aune provided a lengthy list of chronic diseases linked to an oversized BMI. These included kidney stones, gallstones, diverticular disease, coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure, sudden cardiac death, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and a dozen distinct cancers.

Additionally, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, stillbirth, and infant death are just a few of the pregnancy issues that are linked to being overweight or obese while pregnant, according to Dr. Aune.

The results of this study are outdated in Dr. Caraballo’s eyes. He referenced his own research, which “showed that BMI is an independent risk factor only in extreme values, very low (20) or very high (>40), with risk stratification based on comorbidities.”

Multiple studies, according to Dr. Caraballo, have found that mild to moderate obesity “may help survival when considering a specific subpopulation that is under stress.”

He noted various papers on this subject for “heart disease, kidney disease, cancer, stroke, and rheumatoid arthritis, etc.” and concluded that maintaining energy reserves may be beneficial for people.

According to Dr. Visaria, “the United States has undergone a significant transformation since the 20th century in terms of racial/ethnic makeup, age distribution, healthcare access and treatments, and sociocultural behaviours.”

It is crucial to comprehend the relationship in a more modern population since all of these can affect the association between BMI and all-cause mortality, he said.

Dr. Visaria further emphasized the importance of utilizing the most rigorous techniques to eliminate bias and ensure that observational data is as nationally representative as feasible.

Lower risk of older adults having greater BMI

Dr. Visaria proposed theories as to why this would be the case, given that older adults did not exhibit an increased mortality risk up to a BMI of 35.

We believe that the decline in bone mineral density and sarcopenia that occurs as people age have a role in this. Despite having large quantities of fat, losing these two types of weight can cause you to have excessively normal BMIs, he warned us.

Because of their maintained bone and muscle mass, those with higher BMIs may actually be in better health.

What factors predict total mortality more accurately?

According to Dr. Caraballo, the link between fat and mortality is extremely convoluted.

“Obesity by itself, in the range of mild to moderate, may not be an independent risk factor,” he said. “However, obesity is a significant risk factor for the emergence of numerous metabolic disorders that, over time, raise the mortality risk (diabetes, heart disease, etc.). People may also put on weight when they have a chronic illness because they do less exercise and eat poorly.

In his recommendation, Dr. Visaria said that “physicians should consider supplementing BMI with other measures such as waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and waist-to-hip ratio.”

According to Dr. Visaria’s study, “We show that waist circumference significantly modifies the association between BMI and all-cause mortality.”

Dr. Visaria stated, “Bioimpedance scales are another alternative to determine total body fat percent, but they still need to be verified and are known to have some mistakes. Additionally, doctors should consider patients’ cardio-metabolic health factors like blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels when interpreting adiposity measurements.

REFERENCES:

For Obesity medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=20