A Blood Test For Irritable Bowel Syndrome Can Help Build A Better Diet

Updated Feb 28, 2025 | 02:00 AM IST

SummaryAllergies, food intolerances and many other conditions often restrict people to a certain diet. Often people try some foods to realize whether they can eat it or not and that can cause harm or discomfort to them even if it isn’t long term. But a new test may resolve the trial and removal method all together!
(Credit-Canva)

Diet plays a very important role when it comes to your health. There are many people who have to adhere to strict diets because of certain conditions they have. While the basic understanding that we need all kinds of foods to fulfill our body’s needs, sometimes these foods can also cause harm to your body. For example, lactose intolerant people cannot eat or consume any kind of dairy product as their bodies do not have the necessary compounds, known as lactose, to break down dairy foods. Similarly, there are many foods that may be ok for others to consume, but not for people who have digestive issues like IBS. But this new clinical trial may be able to help us know what food we can eat based on our blood test! The blood test, called inFoods IBS, looks for a special type of antibody in the blood. Antibodies are like tiny soldiers that our bodies make to fight off things that could make us sick.

IBS is a very common problem, affecting a large number of people. Many people know that what they eat can make their IBS symptoms worse, but it's often hard to figure out exactly which foods are the culprits. This is because everyone is different, and what triggers one person might not trigger another. Doctors hear from patients all the time, asking for help in determining which foods are causing their problems. So, finding a reliable way to pinpoint those foods is important. This test is attempting to provide that reliability.

How Does This Blood Test Work?

Basically, the test is looking for an antibody called IgG. When the gut reacts badly to a food, it makes more of this IgG antibody. The test checks for reactions to 18 common foods, like wheat, milk, and certain fruits. If the test finds high levels of the IgG antibody for a certain food, it means that food is likely causing problems. Therefore, the patient should try to remove that food from their diet.

Many people with IBS struggle to find relief from their stomach pain and discomfort. This new study looked at whether a special blood test could help. The idea was to see if the test could tell people which foods were making their IBS worse. The results were encouraging. When people changed their diets based on what the blood test showed, about 60% of them felt less stomach pain. This is better than the 42% who felt better when they just tried a general diet change. This shows that the blood test might be a useful tool for people with IBS to get real relief.

How Does This Personalized Nutrition Approach Work?

Many doctors suggest that people with IBS try elimination diets, where they cut out certain foods to see if their symptoms improve. However, these diets can be very hard to follow, because they often require people to cut out a lot of different foods. Doctors are always looking for ways to give patients care that's tailored to their specific needs. In the case of IBS, that means figuring out exactly which foods each person should avoid.

This blood test is a step in that direction. Experts are calling it a move towards "precision nutrition." This means that instead of giving everyone the same diet advice, doctors could use the blood test to create a personalized plan for each patient. While more research is needed, this test brings hope that doctors will soon be able to give much more precise dietary recommendations to those people that suffer from IBS. While this test is yet to be approved by FDA, it could be a world of comfort and ease for people who suffer with IBS.

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Fact Check: Are Nicotine Pouches Safer Than Smoking?

Updated Dec 19, 2025 | 07:49 AM IST

SummaryNicotine pouch use is rising in the UK, especially among young adults. UCL research shows adult use climbed from 0.1% to 1% in five years, adding 522,000 users. While less harmful than smoking, pouches are not risk-free, may affect developing brains, lack age limits, and are heavily used by young men.
Fact Check: Are Nicotine Pouches Safer Than Smoking?

Credit: iStock

Nicotine pouches have become popular in the UK, show many studies, this is especially true in the case of young adults.

In fact, a new study done by the researches from University College London (UCL) has found that in the last five years, there has been an increase from 0.1 per cent to 1 per cent of adults using nicotine pouches. This means, around 522,000 more people in the UK have started using the pouches.

How Does A Nicotine Pouch Work?

The pouches are placed between the lip and gum and it releases nicotine slowly. The pouches are also available in variety of flavors, with sweeteners and plant-based fibers. It does not contain tobacco like vapes do and usually are considered to be a healthier alternative to smoking.

Health and Me ran a fact check on whether it truly is safer than smoking, and here is what we found.

Are Nicotine Pouches Safer Than Smoking?

"This risks are substantially less than some other nicotine products like smoking, because there is no tobacco and there is no combustion," said Dr Harry Tattan-Birch, the lead author of the study, to Mornings with Ridge and Frost.

"And we know the combustion of tobacco is the thing that causes most of the diseases related to smoking," he says.

However, he and his team has warned that while it may not cause serious illness like tobacco can, young people could have a negative impact in their lungs and brains, as they are still in developing stage. This makes them more sensitive to the effects of nicotine, and it could become difficult to stop using it.

A UCL research fellow earlier told Sky News that while nicotine pouches are far less harmful than smoking, their long-term effects remain unclear because they are relatively new. Drawing on what is known about their contents, she noted they are not risk-free, as users are still exposed to some toxic substances, albeit at much lower levels.

Who Are Using These Nicotine Pouches?

Researchers from UCL, supported by Cancer Research UK, analysed survey responses from 127,793 people aged 16 and above across England, Scotland and Wales, collected between October 2020 and March 2025.

Their analysis showed that nicotine pouch use among 16 to 24-year-olds rose to 4% in 2025, up from just 0.7% in 2022. The increase was most pronounced among young men, with one in 13 men in this age group, or 7.5%, reporting use.

Overall, men accounted for 72% of nicotine pouch users between 2022 and 2025, while 47% were under the age of 25. Dr Tattan-Birch said the growth in use has been driven almost entirely by young people, particularly young men, with usage among adults over 35 remaining low and largely unchanged.

He added that this trend also includes children. Since nicotine pouches are not classified as tobacco or vape products, there are currently no age limits. Advertising is also unrestricted, allowing brightly coloured, sweet-flavoured products to appeal to younger audiences.

Do Nicotine Pouches Help Quit Smoking?

The research found that 69 per cent of pouch users were reported using other nicotine products, while 56 per cent of them smoked, as per the survey from January 2022 to March 2025.

1 in 6, which makes it 16 per cent said they never regularly smoked. "Whether nicotine pouches are good or bad for public health depends on who is using them. If it's a young person who would otherwise start smoking, then the use of pouches might help to reduce harm. However, if it's a person who otherwise would not use nicotine at all, then the potential for harm increases," said Tattan-Birch.

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Can A Cyst Grow Teeth And Hair Inside The Body? Everything You Need To Know About Dermoid Cysts

Updated Dec 19, 2025 | 02:00 AM IST

SummaryA woman’s routine ultrasound reveals a shocking growth inside her body—hair, teeth, and more—raising questions about dermoid cysts and their hidden risks. Keep reading for more details.
dermoid cyst

Credits: canva

A woman experiencing abdominal discomfort went to her gynecologist for an ultrasound, only to discover something far more startling than a baby. The mom, who shares her story on TikTok under the handle @sandwitchbread, revealed her medical surprise in a video that has now amassed over 1.9 million views. She said she had been struggling with pain and unusual bleeding since giving birth to her two-year-old son and decided to see a gynecologist fearing she might be pregnant again.

During the ultrasound, she noticed something on the screen, but the doctor quickly reassured her it wasn’t a baby. “When my doctor came in to share the results,” the TikToker recalled, “she looked me in the eyes and told me I had a seven-centimeter cyst, about the size of a chicken egg, called a dermoid cyst.”

What Is A Dermoid Cyst?

A dermoid cyst is a pocket of tissue growth that can contain normal body tissues, sometimes including hair, fluid, teeth, or skin. While this TikToker’s cyst was in her uterus, dermoid cysts are most commonly found in the ovaries. They are generally harmless but often require surgical removal. According to the National Cancer Institute, dermoid cysts are present from birth but may not be detected until later in life. These benign tumors originate from embryonic cells that become “trapped” and develop into tissues in the wrong location. Teeth and hair are frequent components, and surgery is usually recommended if the cyst causes symptoms or complications.

Why Do Dermoid Cysts Have Hair and Teeth?

Dermoid cysts develop hair and teeth because they arise from trapped embryonic cells (ectoderm) that can grow into skin, hair follicles, sweat glands, and even teeth, instead of forming the tissues normally found in the ovary or skin. Essentially, they are benign tumors made up of mature but misplaced body tissues from the outer layer of the embryo, which normally forms skin and related structures.

Dermoid Cysts: Symptoms

Most ovarian dermoid cysts remain symptom-free unless complications occur. When symptoms do appear, the most common one reported is lower abdominal pain.

As the cyst enlarges, it can cause noticeable abdominal swelling and problems with the urinary or digestive system.

In more severe cases, individuals might also experience:

  • Fever
  • Intense abdominal pain
  • Unusual vaginal bleeding
  • Unexplained weight loss

The Office on Women’s Health notes that cysts on the ovaries can also cause:

  • Pressure in the abdomen
  • Bloating
  • Abdominal swelling
  • Pain in the lower abdomen

Dermoid Cysts: Possible Complications

Some potential complications include:

Rupturing of the cyst: Though rare, ovarian dermoid cysts can burst. If the cyst’s contents leak into the abdominal cavity, it may lead to chronic inflammation of the abdominal lining (peritonitis). In some cases, leakage into the intestines or rectum can result in the material being expelled through the anus.

Ovarian torsion: This occurs when the cyst twists the ligaments holding the ovary in place, which can cut off blood supply to the ovary and fallopian tube.

Infection: The risk of infection is around 1–4%. Severe infections may lead to cyst rupture.

Malignant transformation: Dermoid cysts are almost always benign, but in rare instances, they can become cancerous.

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Is Retatrutide The Next Weight-Loss Breakthrough After Ozempic And Mounjaro? Here’s How It Works Differently

Updated Dec 18, 2025 | 09:00 PM IST

SummaryRetatrutide is drawing attention after new trial data showed dramatic weight loss and pain relief. Here’s how the experimental drug works and how it differs from Ozempic and Mounjaro. Keep reading for details.
retatrutide

Credits: Canva

A new weight-loss drug often described as the “triple G” treatment because it mimics three hormones linked to hunger and metabolism has delivered striking results in fresh data shared Thursday by its developer, Eli Lilly. In a clinical study involving more than 400 people living with obesity and knee osteoarthritis, the experimental drug retatrutide led to an average weight reduction of 71 pounds, or close to 29% of total body weight, over a period of 16 months, according to figures released by the company. Participants who received retatrutide also reported a 76% drop in knee pain by the end of the study period, based on the same data. So is

What Is Retatrutide?

Retatrutide is an experimental weight-loss drug developed by Eli Lilly and is widely seen as a next-step advancement beyond current GLP-1-based medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide. While semaglutide acts on a single hormone pathway and tirzepatide works on two, retatrutide targets three.

It activates GLP-1 and GIP, along with an added glucagon pathway, which is why it is sometimes informally referred to as a “GLP-3” drug. Researchers believe this third pathway could explain the greater weight-loss effects seen so far, although retatrutide remains under investigation and has not yet received FDA approval.

Why Is Retatrutide Trending?

Even without regulatory approval, retatrutide has gained attention among gym enthusiasts, fitness creators, and online weight-loss communities. On platforms like TikTok, where direct searches for #reta or #retatrutide are restricted, users often refer to it using coded terms such as “ratatouille.”

At the same time, the drug has been in the news due to growing concerns about counterfeit versions. Reports from the UK recently revealed that authorities seized more than £250,000 worth of fake weight-loss injection pens labelled as tirzepatide and retatrutide from a hidden factory in Northampton. These products are especially concerning because retatrutide is still in clinical trials and has not been approved for use anywhere in the world.

How Is Retatrutide Different Than Other Weight-Loss Drugs?

Retatrutide works by mimicking three hormones that play a role in appetite and metabolism: GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon. In contrast, most weight-loss drugs currently available target only one or two of these pathways. Ozempic and Wegovy, made by Novo Nordisk, copy the effects of GLP-1, a hormone that influences the brain, pancreas, stomach, liver, and muscles, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Mounjaro and Zepbound, on the other hand, act on both GLP-1 and GIP, a hormone involved in blood sugar regulation through insulin stimulation. Retatrutide’s added glucagon effect is key, as glucagon is known to support fat burning, even when the body is at rest. Ozempic and Mounjaro are approved by the FDA for treating Type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy and Zepbound are approved for people with overweight or obesity. As with any prescription drug, it is important for individuals to consult a healthcare professional to determine whether these treatments are appropriate for them.

When Is Retatrutide Expected To Be Available To Consumers?

There is currently no confirmed timeline for when retatrutide might become available by prescription. Its launch will depend on the FDA’s detailed evaluation of clinical trial data once it is formally submitted. Based on current expectations, approval is unlikely before late 2026 and could potentially extend into 2027 or even 2028.

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