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.

A whopping $600 million global vaccine aid meant for poorer nations has been put on hold by US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., according to a media report.

The delay in vaccines is putting pressure on the international humanitarian group Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance that distributes them, Politico reported.

Gavi noted that it has not received the funds due for the current and previous fiscal years, which account for about 15 percent of its budget.

The funds are set to expire on September 30 if the Trump administration does not release them.

The organization provides vaccines for 20 diseases, including measles, malaria and polio, to more than 50 low-income countries worldwide.

Sania Nishtar, Gavi CEO, told the newswire AFP, the funding gap, combined with reductions from other donors, has particularly impacted malaria vaccination efforts.

Gavi has delivered 39 million doses of a malaria vaccine to 25 African countries, where the disease predominantly affects children under five. Nishtar warned that tens of thousands of children could die as a result of the funding cuts.

Why Is Kennedy Holding Up Vaccines

Kennedy argues that the shots are obsolete with dangerous ingredients that the US has long since phased out.

“Gavi has refused to provide the United States with the specific data, studies, or detailed accounting of how US funds are used,” Emily Hilliard, senior press secretary at the Health and Human Services Department, said in a statement.

Advocates for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance warn that withholding funds could cost children’s lives. They argue that the vaccines used are safe and better suited for developing regions, where refrigeration is limited and administering booster doses is more difficult.

Hilliard said Gavi has declined to create a plan to phase out thimerosal, a mercury-based vaccine preservative that Kennedy believes may be linked to autism. The administration has asked Gavi to stop using vaccines containing this preservative.

Thimerosal is used in several vaccines distributed by Gavi, including combination shots protecting against multiple diseases, according to former chief executive Seth Berkley. He explained that many developing countries rely on multi-dose vials, which require less refrigeration but may contain thimerosal to prevent contamination.

Without such vaccines, “kids would go without vaccines… and that would lead directly to deaths,” Berkley said.

During testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Kennedy also raised concerns about a vaccine used to protect against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, claiming it had been discontinued in the US due to safety issues.

Gavi responded that the vaccine remains in use because it offers longer-lasting protection and requires fewer doses. The organization said the vaccine “is safe and effective and estimated to have saved 40 million lives in the past 50 years,” the report said.

A plant-based diet is highly recommended for a healthy heart — weight watchers can also benefit from it, as can diabetics. When one goes vegan, the biggest change comes when one moves from dairy milk to oat, almond, or soy milk. Parents, too, are now shifting their children to trendy vegan milk options — little do they realise that this could bring their worst fears to life. According to the British Society for Allergy & Clinical Immunology, drinks that are aimed at children and often marketed as healthy are usually loaded with sugar and offer little or no nutrition.

Why has plant milk become a preferred choice?

Experts found that children under five years of age are more prone to malnutrition, tooth decay, or even obesity. The study is the first of its kind, and its warning will be published in the coming week. It is backed by the British Dental Association and the British Dietetic Association. Doctors say that plant-based drinks are often compared to cow’s milk in terms of nutrition. However, these claims are not supported by current evidence.

Why is plant milk discouraged for children?

Plant milk has gained popularity in recent years because of the health benefits that many believe it offers. While adults may benefit from it in several ways, toddlers must not be given these packaged, sugary drinks. The added sugars can become nothing more than a frequent treat for children, who may lose their milk teeth sooner and suffer from decay. Researchers found that families are often convinced that plant milk is good for children, but these oat, almond, and soy versions of milk are processed and full of sucrose and fructose syrups.

According to a report, most of these drinks contain large amounts of sugar in the form of maltodextrin, glucose syrup, sucrose, and fructose. A 350 ml glass of such milk contains more than double a toddler’s daily sugar allowance. Ideally, toddlers should not be given more than 14 grams of sugar every day. Their young bodies can struggle to absorb vitamin B12 and calcium from plant drinks. The BSACI recommends that parents opt for unsweetened, fortified plant milk instead, as these can play a crucial role in supporting children’s health.

How do ultra-processed foods affect children’s health?

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are defined as food groups that undergo a great deal of processing — the most natural foods fall under Group 1, while heavily processed foods are placed under Group 4. While these do not definitively determine how healthy a food option is, they indicate the level of processing involved. Highly processed foods are associated with a range of health problems, which is why it is important to make informed dietary choices.

What are minimally processed foods?

In your kitchen, foods with a minimal level of processing include:

1. Fruits
2. Vegetables
3. Grains
4. Legumes
5. Meat and poultry
6. Eggs
7. Fish and seafood
8. Fresh milk
9. Spices and herbs
10. Coffee and tea
11. Nuts and seeds
12. Plain yoghurt

What are ultra-processed foods in your kitchen?

Some of the most processed foods in your kitchen include:

1. Sweetened yoghurt
2. Soft drinks
3. Biscuits
4. Breakfast cereals
5. Candies
6. Cake mixes
7. Breads and buns
8. Energy drinks
9. Energy bars
10. Frozen foods — pies, pizzas, snacks, sausages, pepperoni, ham, and salami
11. Instant foods — noodles, soups, and sauces

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer reported among women living in metropolitan India. And while the causes have largely been genetic or linked to family history, a new study says that a woman's breast tissue undergoes dramatic changes with age, creating an environment where cancer cells are more likely to flourish. Researchers at the University of Cambridge in the UK and the University of British Columbia in Canada mapped how breast tissue changes over time. Comprising over three million cells, the map tracks how breast tissue undergoes changes in women as they age. It was found that the most striking shift occurs around menopause.

How does age influence breast changes in women?

Researchers found that as women age, their breast tissue undergoes changes. During the 20s, these changes can be attributed to pregnancy and childbirth. However, the major and most dramatic changes occur around menopause. With age, the number of cells in breast tissue declines. As a result, the structure of the tissue also changes. This creates favourable conditions in which cancer cells can thrive and survive more easily, thereby explaining why breast cancer risk increases with age.

Researchers also identified a cluster of cell types in the breast tissue. As per the American Cancer Society, 320,000 women in the US might be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, making it the most common type of tumour in women. Breast cancer rates are also rising in younger women for unclear reasons, but most cases are still diagnosed in women aged 50 years and above. Age is an important risk factor for nearly all types of cancer. Researchers say that this is partly because people accumulate genetic mutations in their cells with age. As a result, abnormal cells spread uncontrollably and develop into tumours.

Why is age a risk factor for breast cancer?

Experts say that despite the rising incidence of breast cancer, it is not well understood how breast tissue changes with age and contributes to cancer risk. To investigate this, experts analysed normal breast tissue samples from 527 women aged 15–86 years who were undergoing breast reduction surgery. Using advanced imaging, experts mapped individual cells in a two-dimensional representation of how breast tissue changes over time.

The map also found that breast tissue divides less often with age, and the number of immune cells declines. The number of epithelial cells that line the milk-producing structures and mammary ducts also declines with age. However, the scale of changes across the breast is surprising.

Why does breast structure change with age?

Researchers found that the structure of breast tissue also changes with age. The milk-producing lobules shrink, blood vessels decrease, and fat cells increase. Stromal and immune cells also move away from epithelial cells, thereby making it easier for cancer cells to spread and escape. Younger breasts also have relatively more immune cells, known as active T-cells and B-cells, that can identify and destroy tumour cells before they multiply.

Older breasts have fewer cancer-fighting cells and immune cells that other studies implicate in cancer development. These changes create an inflammatory environment in which the immune system is less able to hold back cancer cells and is more permissive of carcinogenesis. However, it is unclear why certain types of cells change.

The age when breast cancer risk peaks

Researchers found that ageing peaks in the late 40s, corresponding to menopause. After this, depending on how quickly the breast tissue ages, one could be more prone to breast cancer risk. The study, however, did not analyse genetics and other breast cancer-influencing risk factors. Previous studies suggest that normal breast tissue in women with genetic risk factors in place ages faster than in others.

The research was published in the Nature Aging journal.