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Apr 6

Fatty Fish To Green Tea; 5 Best Foods That Help In Quick Weight Loss – Jagran English

MOST OF us struggle to find the right diet plan that can be beneficial for weight loss. Factors such as sleep schedule, foods we consume, how much we move our body, and many others affect the bodys ability to lose weight. Choosing the right foods for weight loss is extremely important. Certain foods which are high in sugar, refined carbohydrates and fats should be avoided when trying to lose weight. Whereas, foods that are loaded with essential nutrients such as fibre, minerals, vitamins and proteins should be included in the weight loss plan. According to Healthline, foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and certain antioxidants may help promote weight loss. Therefore, we bring you a list of foods that can help burn fat and boost the weight loss process.

1. Fatty Fish

Fatty fish such as salmon, herring, sardines and other oily fish contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids that help in reducing inflammation and decrease the risk of heart disease. Fish are also an abundant source of protein, which promotes the feeling of fullness and increased metabolic rate.

2. Coffee

According to Healthline, coffee is a great source of caffeine, which helps in enhancing mood and improve mental and physical health. The major benefit of consuming coffee is that it helps in burning fat. Several studies state that the caffeine present in coffee helps in increasing the metabolic rate based on the quantity consumed.

3. Eggs

The benefits of eggs for good health are well-known. According to Healthline, whole eggs are among the best food options for weight loss as they are high in nutrients which keep you full and satiated for longer periods. They may help reduce hunger, increase fullness, boost fat burning, and protect heart health.

Green tea is known as one of the best beverages for weight loss. Green tea contains an antioxidant known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which helps in burning fat and losing belly fat. Consuming green tea regularly reduces the amount of body fat and effectively helps in weight loss.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

According to the Mayo Clinic, apple cider vinegar isn't likely to be effective for weight loss. Proponents of apple cider vinegar claim that it has numerous health benefits and that drinking a small amount or taking a supplement before meals helps curb appetite and burn fat.

(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.)

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Fatty Fish To Green Tea; 5 Best Foods That Help In Quick Weight Loss - Jagran English

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Apr 6

Menopause and nutrition expert shares simple tip for weight loss – key foods to ‘increase’ – Express

Trainer shares 5 exercises to 'burn fat' fast during menopause

During perimenopause - the transition to menopause where the ovaries start to produce less oestrogen - many women find that they are gaining weight suddenly. Menopause and nutritional expert Jennifer Mo toldExpress.co.ukwhy this happens and how women can combat it.

Weight gain during perimenopause is inevitable for many women, but does not have to be a life-sentence, according to Jo. It's possible to lose weight with some simple diet and exercise tips.

The expert toldExpress.co.uk: "During the menopause, women experience hormonal changes including declining oestrogen levels which can influence where fat is distributed in the body.

"Menopausal women often notice weight gain around their abdomen, often known as menopausal belly fat."

However, biology isn't wholly to blame and perimenopausal women can also gain weight due to a variety of self-inflicted factors such as eating poorly and not moving enough.

READ MORE:Expert shares ideal desserts for 'significant weight loss'

The expert said: "Whilst hormonal changes can influence this weight gain, it is often lifestyle choices such as lack of exercise and poor food choices that are the main culprits.

"The great thing about lifestyle factors is that you can take control of these and make the changes needed to look and feel better."

Jo recommended women going through this change to take a look at their diet and exercise habits in order to see weight loss results.

According to the expert, losing weight does not require women to be miserable and diet all the time.

It's possible to enjoy treats in moderation whilst making nutritious choices most of the time.

Jo advised: "Make sensible and mindful food choices to encourage a healthy diet. Increase your fruit and veg intake and eat more fish, especially oily fish."

Examples of oily fish to stock up on include salmon, mackerel, anchovy, herring, salmon, tuna and trout.

Another benefit of oily fish is that it is jam-packed with long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, which can help to prevent heart disease.

READ MORE:Princess Charlene stays in great shape by sticking to three main foods

According to the NHS, people should be eating at least one portion (around 140g when cooked) of oily fish per week.

However, because oily fish contains higher levels of pollutants than other types of seafood, girls, women who are planning a pregnancy or may have a child one day and pregnant or breastfeeding women should limit their intake to no more than two portions of oily fish per week.

Jo continued: "Choose high fibre carbohydrates to help you feel fuller for longer. Include spices and herbs to make meals interesting, tasty and full of flavour!"

She advised perimenopausal women to stay away from takeaways, as "cooking from scratch ensures you know what you're eating with no hidden nasties".

Moving onto exercise, Jennifer recommended a combination of strength training and cardio.

She told women: "I am a big fan of strength training which is highly beneficial for weight loss because it helps reduce fat whilst building muscle strength, and muscle burns more calories than fat.

"Combine strength training with cardio / aerobic exercise like swimming, cycling or running; all known to help increase metabolism."

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Menopause and nutrition expert shares simple tip for weight loss - key foods to 'increase' - Express

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Apr 6

5 Foods that help losing water weight(inflammation) – Indiatimes.com

Nibedita Roy | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Last updated on - Apr 2, 2023, 09:23 IST

Are you someone who has literally tried everything to lose weight and stay in shape, but nothing seems to work? Then its time to tweak the diet and move towards a diuretic diet that will help lose weight faster. Heres all you need to know about foods that help in losing water weight.

As per studies, it happens when fluid gets collected in the tissues, resulting in swelling of the tissues. It has been found that it often happens because of excessive salt consumption, foods rich in carbohydrates, hormonal birth control, increased cortisol levels, travelling, poor blood circulation, menstruation, and even during pregnancy. So, during the water weight, instead of flushing out the extra fluid via peeing, the body stores it between the organs and skin, which causes discomfort, but it doesn't mean that you've gained muscle or fat. (Image: istock)

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Increasing inflammation and changing weight can often be a result of water weight, which is basically water retention. The simplest way to fix this is by inducing foods that have diuretic properties and can help in fixing water retention and reduce body weight faster. Diuretic foods help in flushing out toxins along with excess sodium and water, which helps in losing weight faster. Here are some foods that can naturally help in reducing water weight.

Cranberries are naturally loaded with fiber, antioxidants and vitamin C, which works like a diuretic and helps in flushing out excess fluid from the body. This is because these berries contain nondialyzable material (NDM) that helps in preventing urinary tract infections, kidney and bladder infections.

Adding ginger to detox drinks and teas can also help in removing toxins from the body. Consuming ginger tea post meals can help in reducing water weight as well as improve digestion.

Foods that have high water content also help in keeping the body hydrated and also helps in removing excess water weight from the body. Apart from being an excellent diuretic cucumber also contains a compound called caffeic acid that helps in reducing water weight.

Another summer food is watermelon, which contains around 92% water and works as a good diuretic food. Moreover, the presence of fibers and essential nutrients in watermelon helps in replenishing the lost nutrients.

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Adding lemon to detox drinks, tea or consuming lemon water can help in burning belly fat and reducing water weight. This is because lemon has diuretic properties and is also loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants that help boost immunity as well as replenishing the lost nutrients due to flushing out of toxins.

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5 Foods that help losing water weight(inflammation) - Indiatimes.com

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Apr 6

The Anti-Inflammatory Tea Health Experts Say You Should Sip On For Faster Weight Loss: Yerba Mate – SheFinds

Richards explains that yerba mate is a traditional South American beverage made from the leaves of the yerba mate plantand not only does it taste incredible, but it can also offer up a great dose of caffeine that's comparable to coffee. "It is known for its strong, earthy flavor and high caffeine content," she says.

In addition to the taste and the energy boost, this tea may also help you slim down. Richards says there are several benefits to thank for this, starting with the fact that it could help you curb cravings. "It is a natural appetite suppressant, helping to reduce feelings of hunger and prevent overeating," she notes.

Mate has also shown potential metabolism-boosting benefits; "It can boost metabolism, increasing the rate at which the body burns calories," Richards goes on. Then there's the fact that this tea could even help promote healthier blood sugar levels. "It may help to improve insulin sensitivity, which is essential for regulating blood sugar levels and preventing weight gain," she says. Yerba mate, like many other teas, also offers up anti-inflammatory properties, which is fantastic for your overall health and can make a major difference in your ability to lose weight faster.

It's worth noting, however, that while all of these things can help you on your weight loss journey, drinking tea alone likely won't be enough to reach your goals. "A healthy diet and regular exercise are still essential for long-term weight management," Richards stresses, concluding that "as with any dietary supplement, it's important to talk to your doctor before adding mate tea to your diet, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or take medication." Noted!

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Apr 6

What Happened To David & Benji Bolton From My 600-Lb Life … – Screen Rant

David and Benji Benton are famous stars from My 600-lb Life season 6, and its time to update fans about them. When Benji and David debuted on My 600-lb Life, the brothers weighed 1300 pounds. David, the heaviest at 747 pounds, explained that they grew up poor and would spend all their extra money on junk food. Unlike his brother Benji who weighed just 582 pounds, David explained that he gained weight faster than his siblings and already weighed 140 pounds by the time he was 10 years old. Nonetheless, the brothers were determined to lose weight and change their lives.

After consulting My 600-lb Life Doctor Younan Nowzaradan, AKA Dr. Now, the brothers were placed on a specialized diet that kick-started their weight loss journey. David quickly dropped about 141 pounds which qualified him for bariatric surgery. However, Benji struggled with losing weight, only dropping 14 pounds within the same time frame. Nonetheless, he took inspiration from Davids improvement by working harder. Eventually, Benji also qualified for his bariatric surgery. After their surgery, the two brothers continued working hard to live a healthier lifestyle.

By the end of their My 600-lb Life episode, David had dropped to 420 pounds while Benji weighed in at around 258 pounds, according to Distractify. After leaving the series, David and Benji continued working towards their weight loss goals, and the brothers dropped even more weight. According to Starcasm, David and Benjis sister Cindy Lee Bolton, revealed in a Facebook conversation that the brothers have made monumental strides in their weight loss. David lost around 452 pounds, and Benji was close behind, losing around 382 pounds. Meanwhile, the brothers weight loss achievement became even more profound when David announced his engagement to his girlfriend, Carrie, in March 2020 via his Facebook page.

Related: The Most Inspirational Weight Loss Journeys On My 600-Lb Life

When David and Benji starred in My 600-lb Life season 6, the brothers had a very good relationship. Despite their personality differences, they helped and motivated each other to achieve their weight loss goals. However, when Benji appeared on My 600-lb Life: Where Are They Now, Benji sadly admitted that he and his brother had a falling out. One of the reasons the brothers stopped seeing eye to eye was Davids decision to sue Megalomedia, the studio that produces My 600-lb Life. After their stint on the show, David sued the company and the producers.

The case documents filed by David alleged that the lifestyle changes needed for him to undergo weight loss surgery made him frustrated and depressed and that the show never provided any mental assistance for him. He also accused the studio of promising to pay all medical bills incurred under Dr. Nows care, but they didn't. Although there has been no recent update about David, hopefully, he has stayed committed to his weight loss goals like Benji. Hopefully, the My 600-lb Life stars will reconcile one day.

Sources: Distractify, Starcasm, David Bolton/Facebook

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Apr 6

Im a diet coach heres how to burn fat fast without going hungry… – The US Sun

WANT to burn unwanted body fat but hate the idea of spending months going hungry and missing out on your favourite foods?

What if you didnt have to?

Diet coach and personal trainer for online wellness app RWL Sarah Bockhart says the key to losing weight without over-restricting is to understand how dieting works.

She says: Thanks to fad diet advertising campaigns, most of us have been led to believe that losing body fat is the result of restriction and hunger.

The good news is, this just isnt true.

Achieving fat loss is down to one thing, getting into a calorie deficit.

We all have an energy balance in our bodies which is your daily calories in vs calories out equation.

Put simply, to achieve fat loss you need to consume fewer calories than you use on any given day.

Fad diet companies try to complicate things by making us think we have to consume their product and restrict ourselves from eating anything else.

But once you understand your daily calorie balance, you can make it fit into your own personal lifestyle - without starving yourself.

So, how do you burn fat and lose weight without over-restricting?

Dont want to feel like you are eating tiny portions that leave you hungry for more?

Then moving more is key to helping you burn fat.

Sarah says: The first thing most people do when they want to burn fat is to stop eating as much, or cut out food groups - which is usually what leads to them going hungry and giving up on the idea.

Movement can be your best friend in helping you to burn fat - and Im not about to tell you that you have to spend hours in the gym every day.

Burning fat can be hugely impacted by non-exercise activity thermogenesis, or NEAT.

This is just a fancy term for the calories you burn by moving around doing day-to-day tasks like cooking, hoovering, taking the bins out, playing the piano, picking up the kids' toys etc.

These bits of activity throughout the day may not seem like a big deal, but they are huge.

Sitting down and doing nothing results in us burning very few calories, but little movements every hour count when it comes to reducing body fat.

Think about how often you move throughout the day, and see if there are little changes you can make to squeeze more activity in.

Instead of eating fewer things to burn fat, experts believe eating more could actually help you burn fat.

Nutritionist and author of The Science of Nutrition, Rhiannon Lambert says: Having a healthy and balanced diet is important, but as I say to my clients in the Rhitrition clinic, there isnt just one way to achieve this.

It is always a good idea to include a variety of foods in your daily diet to make sure your body is getting all of the important nutrients it needs to function.

If you want to burn fat without over restricting, I recommend increasing the amount of different foods you eat.

Include a wide variety of fruit and veg and as many different types as possible.

For example, if you love peppers, dont always choose red peppers, mix it up with yellow, green and orange too, as each colour brings something different to your gut.

A more diverse diet can impact the gut microbiome (the living bacteria in our gut).

These play a large role with our weight maintenance as they help with nutrition absorption, bloating, digestion and even our mood.

Instead of restricting yourself in order to achieve a calorie deficit, try and enjoy more variety in your diet, especially when it comes to plant based foods like veg, nuts, seeds and beans.

Research shows that the bigger variety of food we include in our diet, the happier our guts, the more likely we are to feel satisfied and the less likely we are to get unnecessary hunger pangs."

Rhiannon says: Increasing your fibre intake can help you feel fuller for longer, therefore reducing the likelihood of weight gain.

Try eating more wholegrains (brown bread/rice/pasta), nuts and seeds, legumes, pulses, proteins, and healthy fats in your diet.

Fibre also helps with digestion and prevents constipation and bloating.

Getting more of this into your diet will help prevent you from feeling hungry.

You might be forgiven for thinking sleep plays no part in us burning fat, but it could be a good nights sleep that helps you burn fat without going hungry.

Sarah says: Unfortunately, we dont burn more calories in our sleep - but sleep can be a vital tool in helping us burn fat.

If we get a good nights sleep of seven hours or more, we start the day with higher levels of energy than if we get six hours and under.

The less sleep we get, the more tired we are - whether you feel it or not and the more likely we are to want to move less and eat more.

When we are tired, our brains receive signals that make us crave quick energy, and this comes in the form of sugar and processed foods.

We are much more likely to reach for bigger portions, more snacks and unhealthy food when we havent had enough sleep, making it harder - and nearly impossible - to achieve calorie deficit and burn fat.

Try and prioritise sleep. Go to bed earlier, start a good bedtime routine and limit high caffeine food and drinks before bed.

Water is incredibly important in keeping our systems working effectively.

Rhiannon says:Hydration plays an incredibly important role in keeping our bodies healthy and functioning optimally.

Water is essential for all of the bodys processes to work, including carrying oxygen and nutrients around the body, filtering out waste products and temperature regulation.

Hydration also helps with regulating mood, productivity and concentration, all of which can contribute to how much we eat.

Hydration is also important because it helps with the absorption of nutrients from the food we eat - keeping you feeling full.

Some research suggests that drinking more water can lead to a larger weight loss, and we know that dehydration may hinder progress in a weight loss journey because symptoms of dehydration include feeling tired, which may lead you to reach for those calorie-dense, sugary snacks as a pick-me-up.

Sarah says: Along with general movement, higher intensity exercise can be really useful in helping you achieve calorie deficit as it increases the amount of calories you use up in a day.

Walking, running, cycling, home workouts and lifting weights all increase your heart rate significantly, increasing the energy your body needs to give out.

Increasing your heart rate for long periods of time requires the body to use up more calories - helping you achieve calorie deficit.

Exercise is also proven to increase your mood and confidence, both things that can help prevent you from reaching for high sugar food and drink.

Rather than restricting your diet and going hungry, fitting in a few exercise sessions a week can allow you to still enjoy healthy portions of food and healthy snacks but still burn fat.

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Apr 6

The controversial ‘Skinny Pen’ helping celebrities shed weight – The Straits Times

Called Hollywoods worst-kept secret, injectable prescription medicine Ozempic has been making waves in Tinseltown for reportedly helping celebrities drop weight fast.

But many celebrities have distanced themselves from the medication that was created for those with type 2 diabetes, especially after a shortage of the drug worldwide started in 2022.

Ozempic contains semaglutide, which decreases blood sugar levels and curbs appetite, leading to weight loss. It was approved by the Health Sciences Authority for use in Singapore in 2021 to treat type 2 diabetes.

Another semaglutide medication, Wegovy, which is made by the same company that produces Ozempic and comes in a higher dosage, was approved in February by the HSA for weight management.

Despite the controversy, some celebrities have been candid about their use of either Ozempic or Wegovy.

Comedian Chelsea Handler revealed she took Ozempic, but claims she did not know what it was called or that it was meant for people with type 2 diabetes. On a podcast, she said her anti-ageing doctor just hands it out to anybody.

She added that it feels irresponsible to continue using the drug and has since stopped.

Twitter owner Elon Musk gave Wegovy a shout-out after a Twitter user asked him how he got awesome, fit, ripped (and) healthy. The billionaire said he also fasted.

TikTok star Remi Bader was prescribed Ozempic because she had prediabetes and insulin resistance.

When she stopped taking it, she said her binge-eating got so much worse and she gained double the weight back.

Another celebrity hopping on the Ozempic train is former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson, who was worried about getting diabetes. His previous attempts to lose weight in other ways had failed.

In his Sunday Times column in January, he called Ozempics effects genuinely incredible.

He wrote: I can open the fridge, where theres half a chicken and a juicy bottle of rose, and I want neither. Of course, Ill have to insert some balance in the future, or Ill, you know, die.

But for now its tremendous.

However, other celebrities have taken a strong stance against using such weight-loss drugs.

Actress and model Julia Fox has dismissed speculation that she took Ozempic to maintain her slim frame. She told Entertainment Tonight in March: I would never do that. There are diabetics who need it.

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Apr 6

Full-Body Outdoor Workout Will Help You Slim Down – Eat This, Not That

With spring weather in full swing and summer right around the corner, there's never been a better time than the present to take your workout outdoors. If you hate working out at the gym or just want to switch things up while you slim down for the nicer weather, you're in luck. This full-body workout is ultra-effective in getting you fit and lean. The best part is, you can take it outside.

I've coached many group fitness classes outdoors over my years as a trainer. I can safely say that you can get in great shape through bodyweight workouts alone, wherever you happen to be. The following is my favorite full-body workout to slim down this spring. Perform each exercise for the repetitions assigned, rest for one minute, then move to the next exercise. Repeat for three to five total rounds.

Read on to learn all about this total-body workout that'll get you in great shape this spring. And next, be sure to check out The #1 Bodyweight Workout To Shrink Hanging Belly Fat.

Planks are a great core stabilization exercise to include in your bodyweight workout. You can increase the difficulty by dropping your hip to one side and the other, back and forth, to add movement. Keep your core and glutes engaged throughout the set.

To perform a plank, begin in a classic plank position with your hands and forearms flat on the ground, arms pointing forward, shoulder-width distance apart. Keep your core engaged and your spine neutral. Hold this position for 30 to 60 seconds.

Lunges are a great functional exercise that hit the major muscle groups in your lower body, including the glutes, quads, and hamstrings. For this workout, we will do alternating lunges in place.

To perform lunges, begin with your feet shoulder-width distance apart. Take a deep step forward with one foot. Lower your back knee toward the ground. Push through your front foot to return to the starting position. Repeat on one side, then on the other, for 15 repetitions each.

RELATED: The #1 Workout To Change Your Body Shape in 30 Days

Pushups hit your triceps, chest, and shoulders incredibly effectively. You can decrease the difficulty by placing your knees on the ground. You can increase the difficulty by bringing your hands closer together or elevating your feet.

To perform pushups, begin in a top pushup position with your core engaged and your hands shoulder-width distance apart. Keeping your core engaged, lower your body down until your chest touches the ground. Push through both hands to raise your body back up. Repeat for five to 15 repetitions or failure.

No great full-body workout is complete without squats. To put it simply, there are very few movements with body weight that work as many big muscles as the squat. Additionally, the mobility and functional movement pattern developed by squatting keeps you healthy as you age.

To perform squats, stand with your feet shoulder-width distance apart. Bend your knees while pushing them outward, and hinge your hips to lower into a squat position. Aim to reach a depth where your thighs are parallel to the floor. Push through both feet to stand back up. Repeat for 15 to 20 repetitions.

RELATED: Drop 10 Pounds Fast With This 10-Minute Daily Workout

Burpees are a full-body exercise that burns a ton of calories, revs up your metabolism, and develops excellent power.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

To perform burpees, begin standing up with your feet shoulder-width distance apart. Lower your body down into a quarter squat position. Then, jump up, reaching overhead. As you land, absorb the force with a squat. Jump your feet back into a plank position. Immediately bounce your feet back to your hands. Explode upward into the next repetition. Repeat for 10 repetitions.

Mountain climbers are a great way to train your hip flexor and abdominal muscles without equipment. You can perform them quickly with rhythm or slow and steady with control. Each method has its benefits. I recommend going slow if you are new to this exercise.

To perform mountain climbers, start in a pushup position with your hands placed shoulder-width distance apart. Bring one knee toward your chest. Jump, and switch legs. Repeat for 30 total repetitions.

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Apr 6

Ozempic and the dark history of weight-loss drugs – Dazed

Welcome to Beauty School, the corner of Dazed Beauty dedicated to learning. From guides to histories, this is where we shed light on past subcultural movements and educate our readers on current trends and various goings-on.

Everybody looks so great, Jimmy Kimmel told the audience while hosting the Oscars earlier this month. When I look around this room, I cant help but wonder Is Ozempic right for me?

Ozempic is everywhere; on the cover of magazines and splashed across New Yorks subway, its the subject of countless memes and jokes, and, the stories are true, coursing through the veins of everyone in Hollywood and Manhattan who can get their hands on it. If weight loss were a religion, Ozempic would be its god, the haunting Oh, oh, oh, Ozempic heard in its TV ad a sinister reimagining of Pilots 1974 anthem Magic its hymn. Much like the diet-entrenched, skinny-obsessed culture we live in, talk of Ozempic is everywhere.

Ozempic is the branded name for semaglutide, which is also sold under the labels of Wegovy and Mounjaro among others. A drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, it helps regulate blood sugar levels by mimicking the action of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). It also greatly suppresses appetite and slows the rate at which the stomach empties, which has made it an extremely popular off-label medication for those wishing to shed some pounds.

Semaglutide has garnered a lot of traction over a very short period of time, so much so that diabetics are now struggling to get their hands on it thanks to consumer demand. Kim Kardashian ever a barometer for Western beauty standards is rumoured to have used Ozempic to fit into Marilyn Monroes dress at the Met Gala. While she denies the claims, she is undeniably thinner than recent years, and as the BBL era is declared over, its clear that body ideals have swung back from slim-thick and returned to just slim.

But really, when has slim ever not been in? Diet pills and weight loss medication are nothing new they have been around for over a century because women have always been pressured to conform to restrictive beauty ideals. Ozempic may be being hailed a silver-bullet weight loss miracle, but so was fen-phen in the 80s. Until it was found that the drug could cause untreatable and often fatal heart conditions. To look back over the history of diet pills and weight loss drugs, is to understand the deadly pressures to be thin that have long existed in our image-obsessed culture.

The story of dinitrophenol goes back to World War I, explains Dr Frank Greenway, chief medical officer and professor at Pennington Biomedical Research Centre. One of the first weight-loss drugs, dinitrophenol was first used in munitions factories as an explosive but after workers who came into contact with it were seen to lose weight, in the 1930s it was sold as antiobesity therapy. Not long after, however, dinitrophenol was shown to be incredibly unsafe at high doses, causing blindness and neuropathy; at very high doses, came death. By 1938, the FDA stated that it was extremely dangerous and not fit for human consumption and it was removed from the market. Its presence in diet pills in the UK is currently illegal, and is to be reclassified in 2023 as poison, such is its high toxicity.

In the 1940s, the amphetamine Benzedrine became the diet pill of choice. Originally sold as a decongestant, Benzedrine salts were then discovered to be powerful stimulants and when World War II came, the military in the US, Germany, UK and Japan placed large orders of the pills to keep soldiers going on the battlefield. As the war came to an end, pharmaceutical company Smith, Kline, and French shifted focus to a different demographic: housewives to whom they marketed amphetamines for weight loss. This was only the beginning of an amphetamine-fuelled race to thinness.

Next, in the 50s came human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) a hormone produced in the placenta of pregnant women after boys with pituitary tumours werent going through puberty. In order to stimulate the process of going on the golden elevator to adolescence, they were given HCG, and were found to lose fat and gain muscle. After that came a study from Dr Albert T. W. Simeonswhich found that, if combined with a strict, low-calorie diet, people could lose 20lbs in six weeks. But due to scepticism that the HCG was effective, there were several clinical trials that compared a diet with saline shots with a diet with HCG shots, Dr Greenway explains. It showed that both groups lost 20lbs in six weeks, and that HCG was unnecessary. The FDA now has as part of the label for the HCG shots that it is not indicated or effective for treating obesity.

In 1960, Obetrol a formulation of amphetamine mixed salts, including methamphetamine and dextroamphetamine was approved by the FDA to treat obesity. Evidence that demonstrated the adverse side effects of amphetamines had been steadily accumulating thanks to the Benzedrine salts, and it didnt take scientists long to figure out meth was incredibly harmful. By 1965, the FDA banned the inhalers completely and limited amphetamines to prescription use only. But, having been approved as a weight-loss drug, vast quantities of amphetamines like Obetrol started to be dispensed by diet doctors. Civilian use went through the roof and by 1970, 5 per cent of Americans (or roughly 9.7 million) were using some kind of prescription amphetamine, the so-called rainbow diet pills.

As well as weight loss, many people were using pills like Obetrol as recreational drugs. In 1963, Andy Warhol received a prescription for Obetrol and it became his drug of choice (Warhol was on his way to the drug store to pick up his prescription Obetrol on the morning he was shot by Valeria Solanas). By now, widespread consumption helped to illuminate not just how truly addictive amphetamines were, but also their negative health effects, like psychosis, hallucinations and death. Not that it mattered. Profits were astronomical; one dispensing diet doctor paid $71 for 100,000 amphetamine-containing tablets and sold them for $12,000. Although not banned by the FDA, Obetrol underwent reformulations, eventually rebranding and sold as Adderall, of which has never received FDA approval for weight loss.

Then came 1985: the year when the National Institutes for Health declared obesity to be a chronic disease and, as such, required chronic treatment. It was also the year that fen-phen came onto the market. The latter (phentermine) and the former (fenfluramine) were shown to help people lose weight and a lot of it. But, due to regulations, it wasnt supposed to be used for longer than 12 weeks; the women who did, developed cases of heart valve abnormalities. Due to the way in which serotonin was affecting the body, it was suspected that fenfluramine was to blame, and unsurprisingly, this led to it being taken off the market. In 1999, American Home Products (now Wyeth) agreed to pay up to $3.75 billion to settle the numerous lawsuits the drug faced in the USA, in what was believed to be the largest legal settlement ever against a pharmaceutical company at the time. Its estimated that Wyeth has since spent $10 billion in total damages.

1999 brought the next iteration of a weight-loss drug: orlistat, often sold under the brand Xenical. Though understood to be safe and is still FDA-approved Xenical inhibits the digestion of fat, leading to 30 percent of the fat in the diet passing out in the stool as oil. People can develop anal leakage, pass oil when they think it is air, and sometimes lose control of their bowels, explains Dr Greenway. This is not dangerous, but it can be very socially embarrassing. While orlistat is approved for children and adolescents, overweight children are stigmatised, and if they have faecal accidents, it just makes the stigmatisation worse and so it hasnt been prescribed much.

In the 00s came lorcaserin, which was marketed under the brand name Belviq. It was approved by the FDA in 2012, but within a mere eight years, the FDA requested that its manufacturer voluntarily withdraw the drug from the US market because a safety clinical trial showed an increased occurrence of cancer. And now we have semaglutide, alongside a range of weight loss jabs available from the high street.

The long-term effects of semaglutide are as yet unknown, particularly when it comes to weight-loss purposes, although the history of weight-loss drugs counsels extreme caution. But its rapid rise in popularity says a lot about where we as a culture are right now when it comes to attitudes around weight. Thin is purportedly in again, but given societys rapid embrace of a size-zero aesthetic and our repeated willingness to try weight-loss drugs, did coveting thinness ever really go away? Despite the body positivity movement from the last few years, there is still a long way to go before we move past the fatphobia that is so pervasive in our obesogenic lives. In New York Magazines cover story about Ozempic, Aubrey Gordon is quoted as saying that the hype around the drug boils down to: Can we finally be rid of fat people? Can we finally stop having fat people around so I dont have to look at them anymore?

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Ozempic and the dark history of weight-loss drugs - Dazed

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Apr 6

Genetics And Genomics: Game Changer In Identifying And Treating … – Cityairnews

Authored by:Dr. Ameet Sattur, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, HCG Suchirayu Hospital HubliCardiovascular Disease (CVD) refers to a group of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, heart failure, and stroke. Although lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and smoking are crucial in the development of CVD, genetics and genomics also play a significant role in the disease's pathogenesis.Genetics refers to the study of individual genes and their impact on health and disease. Genomics, on the other hand, is a broader field that investigates how all the genes in an individual's DNA interact with each other and with the environment. Advances in genetics and genomics have revolutionised our understanding of CVD and are helping to pave the way for new and more effective treatments.How Genetics And Genomics Are Used To Study CVDIdentifying risks through genetic variants: One of the primary ways genetics and genomics are used to study CVD is through genome-wide association studies (GWAS). GWAS is a method that analyzes the entire genome of a large population to identify genetic variations that may increase or decrease the risk of developing a specific disease. In 2018, a GWAS discovered a new genetic variant linked to a higher risk of developing coronary artery disease. This variant was found to regulate the production of an enzyme that contributes to inflammation and atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by the accumulation of fatty deposits in the arteries, which can lead to stroke or heart attack.Developing personalised medicine: Genetics and genomics are also crucial in the advancement of personalized medicine for CVD. This approach involves considering an individual's genetic profile, lifestyle factors, and other clinical characteristics to customize treatments for that person. By understanding a person's genetic predisposition to CVD, doctors can develop personalized prevention and treatment plans that are more effective and have fewer adverse side effects.One of the most exciting areas of personalised medicine in CVD is the use of genetic testing to identify rare genetic mutations that cause inherited forms of the disease. These mutations, which are often passed down through families, can cause CVD at a much younger age than is typical for the general population. Identifying these mutations through genetic testing can help doctors diagnose CVD earlier and develop personalised treatment plans that are more effective in managing the disease.Gene therapy: Genetics and genomics not only aid in understanding CVD, but they also have a significant impact on the development of new treatments. Gene therapy is a promising area of research in CVD, particularly for inherited forms of the disease. The technique involves introducing healthy copies of a defective gene into the body to replace or repair the defective gene, and early-stage clinical trials have shown promise in treating heart disease.New drug treatments: Another area of CVD research that is benefitting from genetics and genomics is the development of new drug treatments. By understanding the genetic and genomic mechanisms that underlie CVD, researchers can identify new drug targets and develop more effective treatments. For example, a drug called evolocumab, which targets a specific gene involved in cholesterol metabolism, has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in high-risk patients.Genetics and genomics have revolutionized our understanding and treatment of CVD, providing personalized medicine, gene therapy, and innovative drug treatments that enhance patient outcomes and reduce the impact of CVD. With appropriate regulation and oversight, genetics and genomics hold great potential for uncovering novel complexities in CVD and developing effective treatment strategies. For more information on the vital role of genetics and genomics in your treatment plan, please speak to a cardiologist.

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Genetics And Genomics: Game Changer In Identifying And Treating ... - Cityairnews

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