Until law, GLP-1 drugs were used to treat diabetes, obesity and even the recent evidences suggest that it could as well be used to treat chronic kidney problems. There is yet another research, published in JAMA Psychiatry on February 25, titled Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial that explores if GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide reduce alcohol consumption and cravings in adults with alcohol use disorder.

What Do Studies Say?

The research was conducted over a period of 9 weeks, where in the randomized clinical trial, the participants who were administered semaglutide, it led to reductions in some but not all measures of weekly consumptions. It also reduced weekly alcohol and craving related to placebo, and also led to a greater relative reduction in cigarettes per day.

The research also found that weekly injections of semaglutide, which is the active ingredient in weight loss drugs like Wegovy also helped reduce cravings in people with alcohol use disorder.

The lead author Christian Hendershot said that these findings will help in developing new approaches to treat alcoholism. "Two drugs currently approved to reduce alcohol consumption aren't widely used. The popularity of Ozempic and other GLP-1 receptor agonists increases the chances of broad adoption of these treatments for alcohol use disorder," said Hendershot in news release by the University of Southern California's Institute for Addiction Research, where he is the director.

The study is government-funded research and was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, part of the National Institutes of Health.

How Was The Study Conducted?

The study was small, and took in account for only 48 adults over two months, thus experts say that it is not yet clear how safe these drugs are for people who do not need to lose weight. Though the results do add up with the evidence form animal studies on drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy on how it helps manage cravings, not just for food, but also for tobacco and alcohol. Scientists are also studying these drugs on smokers, people with opioid addiction and cocaine users.

Co-author Dr Klara Klein of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who treats people with obesity and diabetes said, "This is such promising data. And we need more of it. We frequently will hear that once people start these medications that their desire to drink is very reduced, if not completely abolished."

Why Does It Work So Well Against Alcoholism?

The GLP-1 receptor agonists work by mimicking hormones GLP-1 in the gut and brain that regulates appetite and feelings of fullness. This response is what helps one lose weight, and what helps one curb their craving for alcohol. These drugs that mimic the functioning of your brain, which is responsible to tell your body when to stop consuming, are the same hormones that tell your body about other kinds of consumptions, including alcohol. Therefore by consuming the weight loss drugs one can treat alcohol use disorder.

However, the researchers have pointed out on the limited data on the research and have suggested to continue using the three approved drugs by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, namely, Disulfiram, Naltrexone, and Acamprosate to treat alcohol use disorder until large studies confirm these findings.

Lionel Messi is one of the most iconic football players in the world. What many people don't realize is that his athletic career almost ended before it truly began.

As a child, Messi was diagnosed with Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD), a rare medical condition that affects normal growth and development.

With the ongoing FIFA fever, his story has sparked renewed interest, particularly because Barcelona helped shape football history.

What Is Growth Hormone Deficiency?

Growth Hormone Deficiency is a condition in which the pituitary gland does not produce enough growth hormone, a hormone essential for normal growth in children. Without adequate treatment, children with GHD often experience the following symptoms:

• Slower than normal growth
• Short stature compared to other children of same age
• Delayed physical development
• Reduced muscle mass and bone growth

While growth is the most noticeable concern, modern treatment allows many children to achieve normal or near-normal adult height if diagnosed early.

Also read: American Pro Football Players 4 Times More Likely To Die From Diseases Like ALS, Dementia & Parkinson's: Study

Lionel Messi's Diagnosis

Messi himself has spoken in recent interviews about the financial and emotional challenges his family faced during those years.

Doctors recommended regular treatment with synthetic growth hormone, requiring frequent injections over several years.

At the time, growth hormone therapy reportedly cost around $900 to $1,000 per month, an amount that Messi's family could not afford.

Barcelona Stepped In

Messi's local Argentine club, Newell's Old Boys, initially provided some assistance, but not long-term financial support.

His skills on the field eventually caught the attention of FC Barcelona. The Spanish club agreed to sign the young Argentine and help cover the costs of his medical treatment.

The decision required Messi and his family to relocate from Rosario, Argentina, to Spain, which became one of the most significant turning points in football history.

Also read: Former NFL Star Chris Johnson Reveals ALS Diagnosis; Everything You Need To Know About Lou Gehrig's Disease

Did Growth Hormone Make Messi A Better Footballer?

This remains one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding Messi's football career. Messi received growth hormone therapy as a medically prescribed treatment, not as a performance-enhancing drug.

The treatment was meant to correct a hormone deficiency and allow normal physical development under medical supervision.

Sports medicine experts have long emphasized that therapeutic treatment for Growth Hormone Deficiency is fundamentally different from the illegal misuse of growth hormone for athletic performance.

Can Children With GHD Live Normal Lives?

Today, Growth Hormone Deficiency is a recognized endocrine disorder. When diagnosed early and treated appropriately, many children experience significant improvements in growth and can lead healthy, active lives.

• Treatment typically involves:
• Daily or long-acting growth hormone injections
• Regular monitoring by pediatric endocrinologists
• Periodic assessment of growth and hormone levels

Messi's story is more than a football success story. It underscores the importance of early diagnosis and access to specialized medical care. Pediatricians recommend evaluating children whose height or growth pace consistently falls well below expected levels for their age.

The U.S. Department of Defense is introducing a new policy that will require military personnel over 30 and above to undergo an annual testosterone deficiency screening as part of their routine Periodic Health Assessment.

Personnel under 30 can choose to be screened voluntarily. Those diagnosed with testosterone deficiency may opt for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), though treatment will remain voluntary.

Why Is the Pentagon Introducing The Policy?

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made the announcement on Wednesday, saying the military must ensure that troops remain physically and mentally prepared for the demands of modern warfare.

Hegseth said in a video posted on X, "As we know, the modern battlefield is brutal and unrelenting. It requires and demands maximum psychological and mental readiness. I'm authorizing a new screening program for testosterone deficiency for our service members, ensuring you have the right testosterone levels to operate at your absolute best."

"By addressing these health markers early, we're keeping you on the leading edge of lethality and giving you the same level of support that you give this nation: the absolute best."

The Defense Secretary also said the goal extends beyond active military service.

"We owe our warriors the absolute best medical care in the world. Taking care of your long-term health means ensuring you remain strong, resilient, and capable, not just for your next deployment, but for the rest of your life."

Also read: Donald Trump's 'Two Mangled Hands' Spark Fresh Health Speculation

Does Testosterone Matter?

Testosterone is a hormone that plays an important role in maintaining muscle mass, bone density, strength, energy levels, mood and sexual function in men. Levels naturally decline with age, typically beginning around age 30, falling by roughly 1% each year thereafter.

Military experts say service members may face additional risk factors like high operational tempo, chronic stress, sleep deprivation, traumatic brain injury, blast exposure, and prolonged physical exertion.

Army Major Theodore Crisostomo-Wynne, a urologist at Madigan Army Medical Center, previously told an FDA advisory panel that researchers have observed hormonal disruptions among elite military personnel.

"The high operations tempo and high stress that these service members go through can actually decrease testosterone, sometimes acutely and sometimes even in the long term," he said.

Also read: Expert Highlights Key Vitamins To Combat Male Infertility And Boost Reproductive Health

Experts Warn

While low testosterone is a genuine medical condition, physicians caution that it should not be diagnosed or treated simply because hormone levels decline with age.

The American Urological Association says a diagnosis requires both symptoms of testosterone deficiency and at least two separate early-morning blood tests confirming low testosterone levels.

Experts also note that testosterone replacement therapy is intended for people with clinically confirmed deficiency, not healthy individuals seeking improved athletic performance or anti-aging benefits.

According to the Endocrine Society, using testosterone without a medical indication may increase the risk of acne, infertility, worsening sleep apnea, and other adverse effects.

What Is Testosterone Deficiency?

Testosterone deficiency, also known as hypogonadism, occurs when the body does not produce enough testosterone to maintain normal bodily functions. Common symptoms of testosterone deficiency include:

• Persistent fatigue
• Reduced muscle strength
• Low sex drive
• Depression or low mood
• Difficulty concentrating
• Reduced bone density
• Erectile dysfunction

A diagnosis requires both symptoms and laboratory confirmation, according to medical guidelines.

US President Donald Trump has sparked fresh health speculation after recent photographs appeared to show discoloration on both of his hands.

The 80-year-old president was once again seen with visible discoloration—this time on his left hand—while his right hand has previously drawn attention for recurring bruising that was often covered with concealer during public appearances.

“Bruising and discoloration was visible today on Trump's *left* hand, which is not the one that is usually mangled,” independent journalist Aaron Rupar highlighted this on social media platform X.

The accompanying photograph sparked renewed online discussion, with some social media users speculating that makeup may have been used to conceal the discoloration.

Possible Causes of Hand Discoloration

Trump's right hand has appeared bruised on multiple occasions in recent months, prompting questions about his health. However, both Trump and the White House have previously downplayed concerns.

Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Amit Prakash Singh, Consultant - Internal Medicine at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, explained that hand discoloration can have several possible causes, including:

• Bruising (bleeding under the skin)
• Reduced blood circulation or low oxygen levels
• Swelling due to fluid retention
• Infection or inflammation

"A purple or blue patch often suggests bruising, blue fingers may indicate circulation or oxygen issues, puffy hands suggest fluid retention, and red, warm swelling may point toward infection," he said.

However, there is no official medical update on the discoloration in Trump's left hand. Therefore, any claims remain speculative. But it is not the first time that various speculations have been going around about the health of Trump.

Earlier this year, Trump told The Wall Street Journal that the bruising on his right hand was due to taking aspirin more frequently than recommended by his doctors. He has consistently maintained that he is in "excellent" health.

Previously, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also attributed the bruising to Trump's frequent handshakes, after the discoloration first drew public attention following the 2024 US presidential election.

Fresh Attention After Iran Remarks

The renewed focus on Trump's appearance comes after comments he made during a phone interview with Salem News Channel about Iran.

Trump said, "They would have had a nuclear weapon within two to four weeks had I not hit them... Once they had a nuclear weapon, they would have used it."

The remarks prompted criticism online, with some commentators questioning his phrasing and pointing out that the White House had earlier stated Iran's nuclear infrastructure had been "obliterated."

Some social media users also noted Trump's repeated use of the phrase "two weeks," with one commenter asking why he frequently refers to that timeframe.

Donald Trump’s Physical At Walter Reed

In a recent post, Trump said that his latest physical examination at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center came back clean, renewing public attention to his health and well-being.

Trump wrote, “I just finished a perfect physical at Walter Reed... I do it every six months, and I requested another Cognitive Test... I aced them all. Got every question right.” He also reiterated that “everything checked out perfectly.”

After Trump's post sparked confusion over whether he had undergone a medical checkup recently, the White House clarified that he was referring to the physical examination conducted in May.