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Halofuginone shows promise for weight loss by boosting key metabolic regulators. Overweight and obesity have quickly become major global health challenges, increasing the risk for a wide range of serious diseases. As people around the world strive for healthier lifestyles, the demand for effective weight loss solutions is growing stronger than ever. Halofuginone (HF), a natural compound extracted from the roots and leaves of the Changshan plant, could emerge as a powerful new option for tackling obesity. For more than 2,000 years, Changshan, the root of Dichroa febrifuga Lour, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat fever caused...

New research suggests that lycopene, which gives fruits like tomatoes and watermelons their bright red color, supports healthy liver functioning and may help prevent weight gain. Lycopene is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory compound that is naturally produced by some plants. It is also available as a dietary supplement. The researchers' interest in studying the impacts of tomato consumption and lycopene on obesity was sparked by a previous study that showed dietary estrogen supplements prevented zebrafish from becoming obese despite being overfed. Since lycopene and other compounds found in tomatoes affect some of the same chemical pathways as estrogen, the scientists wondered...

The ‘Modern Family’ alum tells PEOPLE that he was initially "embarrassed" about his type 2 diabetes and kept his diagnosis a secret from friends and family Eric Stonestreet used to think his health was “fairly good.” He struggled to lose weight like many people, but felt fine overall. “I was just trying to maintain as healthy a lifestyle as I could without doing a tremendous amount about it,” he tells PEOPLE. But in 2009, just as he landed his beloved role as Cameron Tucker on Modern Family, Stonestreet was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. “It was like this crazy happy...

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, the latest crush of the left-wing resistance to President Donald Trump and a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender, appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live Thursday night and found himself on the receiving end of a barrage of jokes about his weight. Kimmel played video of President Trump mocking Pritzker’s weight, saying: “He’s too busy eating, he wants to eat all the time. ‘Would like a hamburger? How many do you want? Five,’” Trump said, imitating the billionaire Hyatt hotel heir ordering food. “He loves to make fun of people any way he can,” Pritzker nervously replied, adding...

Potatoes, often dismissed as fattening carbs, can actually lower the energy density of meals and, when prepared to boost fiber (e.g., boiled, cooled 24 hrs, skins on), support a 5.6% average weight loss and improved insulin resistance over eight weeks. By swapping 40% of meat or fish in entrées for these fiber-rich potatoes, participants ate satisfying portions without conscious calorie restriction, moderating blood glucose responses in people with obesity and insulin resistance. ************************************************************************ Potatoes can aid weight loss and blood sugar control when prepared properly, offering a satisfying, nutrient-rich addition to a healthy diet. Potatoes are one of the world’s...

Researchers have revealed a novel link between body fat (adipose tissue) and anxiety, shedding light on the intricate relationship between metabolism and mental health. The findings are particularly relevant given the rising rates of anxiety and obesity, highlighting the importance of understanding the underlying biological processes. "Understanding the link between adipose tissue and anxiety opens up new avenues for research and potential treatments," says Gregory Steinberg. "Our findings highlight the complex interplay between metabolism and mental health, and we hope this will lead to better outcomes for individuals suffering from anxiety," says Steinberg. The research team discovered that psychological stress,...

A naturally occurring molecule identified by Stanford Medicine researchers appears similar to semaglutide — also known as Ozempic — in suppressing appetite and reducing body weight. Notably, testing in animals also showed that it worked without some of the drug’s side effects such as nausea, constipation and significant loss of muscle mass. The newly discovered molecule, BRP, acts through a separate but similar metabolic pathway and activates different neurons in the brain — seemingly offering a more targeted approach to body weight reduction. “The receptors targeted by semaglutide are found in the brain but also in the gut, pancreas and...

Scientists may have identified a way to naturally regulate blood sugar levels and sugar cravings in a similar fashion to drugs like Ozempic. In mice and humans, the key to unlocking this natural process was found to be a gut microbe and its metabolites – the compounds it produces during digestion. By increasing the abundance of this one gut microbe in diabetic mice, researchers led by a team at Jiangnan University in China have shown they can "orchestrate the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1". Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a hormone that is naturally produced by the body and which helps regulate...

Elderberry juice may be a potent tool for weight management and enhancing metabolic health, according to a recent study. A clinical trial found that drinking 12 ounces of elderberry juice daily for a week causes positive changes in the gut microbiome and improves glucose tolerance and fat oxidation. Elderberry, a small dark purple berry found on elder trees native to Europe, is commonly used as a medicinal plant and supplement to promote immune function. The researchers tested the effects of elderberry on metabolic health in a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial with 18 overweight adults. Participants consumed either elderberry juice or...

Research from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School shows that brown adipose tissue can boost exercise performance and support healthy aging, offering promising insights for future therapies targeting age-related decline. The researchers hypothesize that brown adipose tissue (BAT) offers protection against compromised healthy longevity, including conditions such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and decreased exercise tolerance. A new research perspective published in Aging explores the impact of brown adipose tissue (BAT) on exercise endurance and healthy aging. Conducted by researchers Dorothy E. Vatner, Jie Zhang, and Stephen F. Vatner from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, the study examines...

Research published in the last week revealed that for the first time in more than a decade, obesity rates among US adults fell slightly last year, decreasing from 46% in 2022 to 45.6% in 2023. While we might need a few more years of data to conclusively tie these results to the rise of semaglutide drugs like Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic, it feels impossible to ignore the timing, with Novo’s sales booming in recent years and hitting a record ~$10 billion in its latest quarter.Sales of these GLP-1 treatments — drugs that mimic the effects of blood-sugar-regulating hormone GLP-1, a feature...

Calling all carb lovers! A TikTok cook has shared a simple hack for cutting calories from starchy foods like rice and bread without having to shrink your portion size — and a doctor says it really works. Linda (@mamalindacooks) shared her “Asian mom secret” to cut up to 50% of carbs and calorie absorption from rice with just a few easy steps. And Dr. Karan Rangarajan, also known as Dr. Karan Rajan, says it’s not a myth, breaking down the science to back it up. “If you love rice and you love leftovers, this is gonna be your favorite food...

The importance of this technique becomes even clearer when considering the larger context. An astonishing 100 million Americans are affected by obesity and related cardiometabolic disorders, notes S. Thai Thayumanavan, a distinguished biomedical engineer and chemist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. "We were really excited about this work," he says. The brilliance of this method lies in the nanogel itself. These tiny carriers are packed with a synthetic thyroid hormone drug called a thyromimetic. While thyroid hormones are crucial for liver metabolism, they often prove ineffective and cause adverse side effects when taken systemically. "We came up with a...

Trendy weight-loss drugs making headlines for shrinking waistlines may also be shrinking the human heart and other muscles, according to a new University of Alberta study whose authors say should serve as a “cautionary tale” about possible long-term health effects of these drugs. “If people have been prescribed these drugs, then the benefits should likely far exceed the risks,” says Jason Dyck, lead author on the study, pediatrics professor in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry and a member of the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute. “However, the growing number of people who may be taking these drugs who...

Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic have gained popularity recently for their ability to support weight loss, which can mostly be attributed to their appetite-suppressing effects. Ozempic is in a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic the hormone GLP-1. This slows down gastric emptying and sends signals of fullness to the brain. Basically, this means food stays in the stomach longer and tells the brain that you are full and don't need more food. This leads to less calorie consumption and, eventually, weight loss.

It’s hard to imagine a life without sugar. But how much sugar is too much? The American Heart Association recommends that women eat no more than six teaspoons of sugar a day; for men, no more than nine. This means no more than 25-36 grams or about 100-150 calories a day of sugar. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends eating a maximum of 50 grams, but preferably no more than 25 grams of sugar per day. Does that sound like a lot or a little? Well, when you consider that a 12 oz can of regular Coke has 39 grams...

In a phase 1 trial, the oral drug Amycretin helped individuals lose up to 13.1% of their body weight in three months by targeting key appetite-regulating hormones, presenting a potential breakthrough in tablet-form obesity treatments. ============================================================================= Amycretin, an oral weight loss drug, led to up to 13% body weight reduction in three months, showing potential for continued weight loss. While well-tolerated, further long-term studies are needed to evaluate its safety and efficacy. Individuals who received a once-a-day oral weight loss drug had lost up to 13% of their body weight over three months, according to a recent presentation at the...

Excess abdominal fat is associated with widespread chronic pain, particularly in women, finds the first study of its kind. Reducing excess fat deposits in the abdomen may help reduce chronic musculoskeletal pain, especially if it's experienced at multiple body sites, suggest the researchers. Previously published research has shown that obesity is associated with musculoskeletal pain, but it's not known if excess fat tissue is linked to chronic musculoskeletal pain and at multiple body sites. To find out, they drew on data for 32,409 participants in the UK Biobank study who completed questionnaires and underwent health assessments. Around half (51%) were...

Research on the gut microbiome has triggered a 'revolution' in nutritional science, and in the last few years, dietary fiber has become the "new protein" – added to foods in abundance to feed our gut and boost our health. A recent study on mice, however, suggests not all fiber supplements are equally beneficial. A form that is readily found in oats and barley, called beta-glucan, can control blood sugar and assist in weight loss among mice fed a high-fat diet. Researchers at the University of Arizona (UA) and the University of Vienna say it is the only type of fiber...

An international study has found that inadequate vitamin C status is significantly linked to increased body weight. The results show that heavier people require a substantially higher recommended daily allowance (RDA) of the essential vitamin to maintain good health. "Current international vitamin C recommended daily allowances for men, women and children are all extrapolated from calculations for a healthy, young, 70-kilogram male," Professor Carr says. New Zealand has a current daily vitamin C recommendation of 45 milligrams per day as recommended by the World Health Organization. She says these new findings estimate that an additional 17 mg to 22 mg...