Nutrition Round Up
Why Ozempic doesn’t work for everyone
A new study reveals that popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy may not work as effectively for about 10% of people due to specific genetic variants. These individuals may have what researchers are calling “GLP-1 resistance,” meaning their bodies already produce higher levels of the hormone these drugs target, but don’t respond to it as expected.
The study looked at how these medications impact blood sugar control and found that individuals with certain genetic variants were less able to lower their blood glucose levels, even after six months of treatment.
While GLP-1 injections can be effective tools for weight loss, they’re not suitable for everyone. If you’re considering them, it’s important to discuss your options with a healthcare professional. There are also increasing reports of malnutrition, and even rare cases of scurvy, linked to their use, largely due to reduced appetite and inadequate nutrient intake.
BMI gets it wrong for over one third of adults
I’ve always said Body Mass Index (BMI) is a very crude marker of measuring your health and a recent study agrees! A new study suggests that one of the most commonly used health measures, BMI, may not be as accurate as we think. When researchers compared BMI categories with more precise body fat measurements using advanced DXA scans (Gold standard of measuring), they found that over a third of adults were misclassified. Some individuals labelled as overweight or obese didn’t actually have excess body fat, while others with higher body fat levels were missed altogether.
Be mindful, a measure of your health status is more than a simple calculation.
Japanese eating habit could help you live longer
The traditional Japanese practice of eating until you’re about 80% full, is gaining attention as a simple yet powerful way to improve health and reshape your relationship with food. Rather than promoting strict dieting, it encourages slowing down, tuning into hunger cues, and eating with awareness and gratitude. Research suggests it may help reduce calorie intake, support healthier food choices, and prevent long-term weight gain.
Great news if you’re a lover of Japanese food!