The BA.2.86 strain of Covid-19, often referred to as “new Covid”, isn’t exactly new, says epidemiologist Katrine Wallace. Having been around since summer, it is starting to account for more US cases, now making up 5% to 15% of current variants in the country. However, Covid tests and treatments seem effective against it, and severity of symptoms isn’t different from other strains. Vaccine-generated antibodies also recognize and neutralize this strain.
A clinical study in Japan reports that intake of OptiMSM, Balchem’s brand of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), significantly reduces joint pain. The experiment, carried out on healthy adults, involved a daily dose of two grams of OptiMSM for 12 weeks, which resulted in decreased morning and nocturnal joint pain, along with improved overall health.
Chinese people have traditionally relied on herbal concoctions to cure illnesses, and despite the prevalence of Western medicine, many still turn to traditional remedies. Amid a surge in respiratory illnesses like mycoplasma pneumoniae, China’s health officials are advocating traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) again. However, while TCM garners a significant presence in Chinese healthcare, its health claims show mixed results.
Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have developed successful weight loss drugs, generating high demand and bringing us into a “golden age” of weight loss medication. However, access to these drugs is unequal, with wealthier areas showing higher usage than areas struck with higher obesity rates. The hope is that increased insurance coverage will reduce this disparity and help to alleviate obesity-related health conditions across socioeconomic divides.
Ozempic, a new weight-loss drug, is sparking debates both within and outside of body-positive and weight-related communities. While some see it as a life-changing solution, others perceive it as fueling judgment and creating a divide among groups advocating body acceptance. Furthermore, weight-loss businesses and health companies are adjusting strategies based on the drug’s potential. The vast differences in reactions show how this revolutionary drug is altering personal relationships, societal judgments, and industry dynamics.
Dealing with tempting foods while having IBS involves preparation, discovery of triggers, and self-control, according to gastroenterologist Jacqueline Wolf. She recommends trying the FODMAP diet to uncover problematic foods. Being proactive in food preparation, understanding menu options beforehand, and using over-the-counter products can also help manage IBS symptoms. Wolf suggests clear communication with others about dietary restrictions in social settings.
A new study suggests that a daily fruit-flavored medicine can reduce a child’s risk of developing multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) by over half. TB, preventable and curable, requires an extensive treatment course and can have severe side effects. Historically, children were last to receive therapies due to underfunding. The new medication provides hope for the almost two million children suffering from MDR-TB.
An international clinical trial demonstrated that semaglutide, a medication used for chronic weight management and type 2 diabetes, reduced cardiovascular events by 20%, in addition to standard care, in overweight or obese non-diabetic adults. The medication also triggered an average weight loss of 9.4%. These heart health improvements weren’t solely due to weight loss, suggesting semaglutide has additional, direct beneficial effects.
Research suggests that people with blood type O are less likely to contract Covid-19 compared to those with type A. This is due to the virus’s spike protein binding more effectively to A cells than O cells. However, blood type does not appear to significantly impact the severity or mortality rate. Experts still recommend vaccination for all blood types.
A review by Chinese researchers finds a direct connection between omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) dosage and its effect on depression treatment, with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) showing greater effect than docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The study suggests omega-3 PUFAs supplementation as a potential therapeutic approach for alleviating depression symptoms, noting a significant improvement in most included studies.
Recent studies in the US and Sweden show a link between lower biological age and better cardiovascular and neurological health. Improvements in cardiovascular health, achieved through lifestyle changes like a healthy diet and weight management, can lead to younger biological age. Biological aging also has impacts on dementia and stroke risks, emphasizing the need to address it. Experts assert biological age can be lowered through improvements in lifestyle behaviors.
Research from Northwestern University suggests that staying awake all night can have similar effects to taking the anesthetic, ketamine, on the brain. This is not suggesting sleep deprivation as a health measure, but rather to inform the understanding and approach to developing antidepressant medications. The team traced the behavior back to dopamine release in the prefrontal cortex exclusively, hinting at the importance of this region in mood regulation.
Neurocrine Biosciences is discontinuing two mid-stage developmental programs after their partnered drug candidates for major depressive disorder (MDD) and focal onset seizures (FOS) failed in trials. The partnered drug NBI-1065846 with Takeda did not reduce MDD in patients, while NBI-921352 with Xenon Pharmaceuticals did not demonstrate a significant decrease in seizures. However, Neurocrine is redirecting its focus on market opportunities for NBI-921352 in treating SCN8A developmental and epileptic encephalopathy syndrome.
Psychedelics such as psilocybin and MDMA have shown significant antidepressant effects, according to recent studies. A new generation of nonhallucinogenic psychedelics aims to offer the mental health benefits of traditional psychedelics minus the trip. These substances, currently under testing, have the potential to treat mental illnesses without inducing hallucinatory experiences, and likely will be easier to regulate and more accessible for patients. Psychedelics induce neuroplasticity, which could be central to their therapeutic effects.
