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• For a limited time, Burger King is offering a free Big Dip with its sandwiches.
• The Big Dip is an 8oz tub of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing for dipping.
• Nutritionists say the Big Dip adds excess calories, fat, and sodium to your meal.
• Eating like this regularly can increase your risk of obesity and heart disease.
• Better choices include healthier dressings, portion control, and not eating dip at all.

Burger King has announced that on October 16, 2024, it will collaborate with Hidden Valley Ranch to offer a limited-time offering of what it calls the “Big Dip,” an 8-ounce tub of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing.

To put the size of the Big Dip into perspective, a regular dip cup is only 1 ounce.

However, it won’t be available everywhere. Only BK customers from New York, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco will be able to request a Big Dip.

For those who can get it, however, it will be free with the purchase of any sandwich from Burger King’s lineup, including its signature Whopper.

While ranch dressing is delicious — and who doesn’t enjoy a freebie? — we asked our nutritionists to share whether this is actually a good deal when you consider the potential effects on your health.

Whopper vs the Whopper with the Big Dip: A nutritional comparison

First, let’s take a look at how a Whopper with and without an added Big Dip changes the nutritional value of the sandwich. Assuming that a full 8-ounce tub is eaten, this is what you’d be getting:

How adding a Big Dip to your Whopper might impact your health

Dr. Krutika Nanavati, who is a Registered Nutritionist and Dietician with Nutrition Society New Zealand as well as a Consultant at ClinicSpots, said that a Whopper is “already a fairly heavy meal, but adding the full 8-ounce cup of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing changes things drastically.”

Your calorie intake would be nearly what a person should eat in an entire day, she said.

Additionally, you would be taking in a large portion of the maximum daily 2,300 mg of sodium advised by the American Heart Association.

You would also exceed the 44 to 78 grams of fat and 22 grams of saturated fat that the Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggest as an appropriate upper intake for a person eating 2,000 calories per day.

According to Nanavati, this can have “real consequences” for your health.

“Eating meals like this regularly can contribute to weight gain because those extra calories add up quickly,” she said.

Also, eating this much fat, especially saturated fats, can raise your cholesterol levels and increase your risk of heart disease, according to Nanavati.

“And don’t forget about the sodium,” she added. “[T]oo much can lead to high blood pressure, which puts extra stress on your heart and kidneys.”

Why adding dressing can make even healthy food unhealthy

Nanavati said that even if you are making healthier choices — like a salad or a grilled chicken sandwich — if you’re pouring on copious amounts of dressing, it can cancel out the health benefits.

“Dressings, especially creamy ones like ranch, are packed with calories, unhealthy fats, and often hidden sugars,” she said. “Adding too much means you’re turning a healthy meal into something more calorie-heavy than you might realize.”

Catherine Gervacio, a Registered Nutritionist-Dietitian and a certified exercise nutrition coach with WOWMD, agreed with Nanavati, emphasizing the need to be aware of the nutritional content of what you are adding to your healthier choices.

“It’s easy to forget that sauces and dressings also have calories and fats,” she noted. “They come as hidden fats and sugars which can lead to overeating without realizing it.”

What you can eat that is healthier

Gervacio said there are many brands of dressing that offer low fat or low calorie versions of ranch and other dressings.

“These can cut down on fat and calories without sacrificing taste,” she said.

However, if you really want to have regular ranch dressing, another option is portion control. So, for example, rather than eating the entire 8-ounce Big Dip, follow Gervacio’s advice and opt for a much smaller amount.

“This gives you the flavor without all the extra calories,” she said.

Or, better yet, pass on the Big Dip altogether since you’re only adding unwanted calories, fat, and sodium.

As Nanavati pointed out, “[I]t’s not just a matter of enjoying a tasty treat; it’s also about the long-term impact on your health.”

Takeaway

For a limited time, Burger King will offer a free Big Dip with any of its sandwiches upon request.

The offer, which is only available in a limited number of cities, provides customers with an 8-ounce tub of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing for dipping.

However, nutrition experts say eating the entire tub of dressing with your sandwich will add large amounts of calories, fat, and sodium to your meal.

Eating like this regularly can contribute to weight gain and heart disease.

They advise substituting healthier versions of your favorite dressings or exercising portion control if you do eat regular ranch dressing.

Better still, prioritize your health and forego asking for the Big Dip.

• More than half of Americans who are living with obesity or overweight can’t stop thinking about food.
• Food noise helps explain constant, intrusive thoughts about eating.
• Experts say there are ways to help ease food noise.

Since she was a teenager, 32-year-old Sophia Pena has experienced persistent thoughts about food.

“In my head, I thought it meant I was just weak; I was gluttonous. I’d wonder what’s wrong with me. Why am I always this concerned about my next meal?” she told Healthline. “I might not even need food immediately, but it’s always there…it’s like background noise.”

Throughout her life, the constant thoughts about food ebbed and flowed, and they often intensified during stressful times or when she was trying to lose weight.

“I had to think about the calories or what I’m going to eat. Is it healthy enough, not healthy enough? Am I going to need to justify that meal later?” she said. “It also happened early on when I was pregnant. Is this too much for the baby? It’s always there.”

While she was aware of the persistent thoughts, sharing them with her doctor a little over a year ago helped her identify the intrusive thoughts as “food noise.”

What is food noise?

While there is no clinical definition of the term, some experts refer to “food noise” as a heightened or persistent manifestation of food cue reactivity.

This can lead to intrusive thoughts about food and maladaptive eating behaviors.

“Food noise is part of the pathophysiology driving obesity in many people, perhaps similar to how we understand some of the neurobiochemical adversity in mental health disorders,” Karl Nadolsky, DO, a clinical endocrinologist and obesity specialist at Holland Hospital and clinical assistant professor of medicine at Michigan State University, told Healthline.

Food noise affects many people

Pena found relief when her doctor explained more about food noise and that others who are challenged with weight management often experience food noise, too.

“It’s relieving to know that there is a term for it because it kind of makes you feel weak-minded and that you’re just letting it control you. [In fact], I’m not choosing to think about this. I’d rather not think about this,” she said.

One study found that 57% of people living with overweight or obesity experience continuous and disruptive thoughts about food, yet only 12% are familiar with the term “food noise.”

Nadolsky finds this to be accurate with the patients he treats, as does Katherine H. Saunders, MD, an obesity physician at Weill Cornell Medicine and co-founder of FlyteHealth.

“The majority of individuals with obesity, especially those who have tried different strategies to treat their obesity, can tell you that food noise is a real part of their disease,” Saunders told Healthline.

What causes food noise?

Because obesity is a heterogeneous disease, Saunders said different people experience different symptoms at different times.

Saunders explained that increases in hunger and food thoughts can happen because of dysregulated hormonal pathways that result from obesity itself and metabolic adaptation that happens when a person with obesity loses weight.

Medication can help quiet food noise

Until Pena learned about food noise, she assumed she lacked willpower and felt shame about her weight. Over the years, she tried to lose weight with various methods including regular exercise, the Keto diet, and attending a weight loss clinic.

Each of these worked to some degree in helping her reach a healthy weight, but then she would regain it.  

“But even when I was given a plan and able to stay on track…that noise was still in the back of my mind,” said Pena.

At one point, her doctor prescribed her a weight loss medication that helped stop food noise.

“It didn’t tell me not to eat, it just reminded me not to worry about it,” she said. “[You] think it’s just food, but no, it was something that I was constantly thinking about. It was annoying. I didn’t choose it to be there, but it was there all the time.”

Anti-obesity medications like GLP-1s are effective in helping with food noise, said Nadolsky.

“We are very fortunate to now have a variety of medications in our armamentarium to treat obesity with benefits on the subjective, food noise, along with surgery,” he said.

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in anti-obesity medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, helps people feel full and empty their stomachs more slowly. It also activates receptors for the hormone GLP-1, which are found in parts of the brain connected to motivation and reward.

Both these functions might explain why these medications help quiet food noise.

“I would view food noise as a symptom of someone’s disease or a result of someone’s body fighting weight loss, so managing food noise is a part of treating obesity effectively,” said Saunders.

Nadolsky agreed and noted that providers should have empathy for patients who are challenged by food noise when approaching their medical care.

Natural ways to help manage food noise

In addition to medication, Nadolsky said nutritional efforts may help with food noise, particularly minimizing processed food and focusing on high quality, “volumetric,” whole foods. He suggested vegetables, beans, legumes, pulses, fruit, and high fiber grains, as well as low fat protein and quality fat from nuts, seeds, fish, and plants like olives or avocados.

For Pena, listening to music or podcasts has helped her drown out food noise.

“I don’t physically feel hungry, I’m more mentally thinking of food, so I needed to quiet the thoughts,” she said. “[Doing] something while listening…gave me a moment to just quiet or focus on something else and help me release that obsession in that moment, whatever is triggering me to have those thoughts.”

Make a plan to quiet food noise

Four months ago, she gave birth to twins, making her a mother of four. While she plans on giving her body time to heal, she eventually will focus on getting to a healthy weight again. When food noise interferes, Pena plans to lean on music again.

However, she knows that this will be one part of a bigger plan for her weight and health.

While finding various ways to ease food noise as Pena did is healthy, Saunders said managing food noise won’t end the obesity epidemic, which reveals that more than 100 million adults live with obesity, and more than 22 million adults live with severe obesity.

“Medically treating the underlying cause of the food noise with dietary strategies, behavioral techniques, obesity medications, and/or metabolic surgery is the way to address the epidemic,” she said.

• Researchers say males and females respond differently to their breakfast choices.
• Males do better with high-carbohydrate breakfasts.
• However, females have a better metabolic response to higher-fat breakfasts.
• Differences in muscle, hormones, and nutrient needs may play a role.
• Personalized nutrition based on metabolism can aid in weight loss, energy, and health.

An October 2024 study published in Computers in Biology and Medicine suggests what males and females eat for breakfast can affect them in very different ways.

The researchers found that males do best with carb-rich breakfasts.

Females, on the other hand, had a better metabolic response to a breakfast heavy in fat.

The researchers suggested that these differences could be used to tailor people’s diets to their needs, helping to support weight loss and improve energy.

How the effect of breakfast choices on metabolism was studied

The team reached this conclusion after creating a mathematical model of metabolisms for both males and females.

The model included feeding and fasting scenarios in healthy young people.

It additionally addressed metabolic responses to both high-carbohydrate and high fat meals at the organ and whole-body levels.

Specifically, they modeled the activities of the brain, heart, skeletal muscle, gastrointestinal tract, liver, and adipose tissue (fat).

The study’s stated goal was to examine how carbohydrates and fats are metabolized throughout the body and in the various organs.

They also wanted to learn more about what might be driving the metabolic differences.

The authors said the purpose of creating a mathematical model was to use existing data to quickly test hypotheses and refine studies without having to conduct more involved human studies.

Research like this helps bridge a gap in the scientific literature, the authors wrote, explaining that more tends to be known about metabolic responses to food in males.

Examining gender differences in metabolism can help us learn more about customizing nutrition recommendations for the unique needs of females.

Why breakfast choices can affect men and women differently

Catherine Gervacio, a Registered Nutritionist-Dietitian and a certified exercise nutrition coach with WOWMD, who was not a part of the study, said one reason that males and females respond differently is that males tend to have more muscle mass.

She said this means men tend to use carbohydrates for quick energy, while females tend to use more body fat.

The result is that a female’s long-term energy reserve burns fats more efficiently, according to Gervacio.

“This means men usually rely on carbs for energy, especially during activities, while women’s bodies are better at using fat, especially in times of rest or fasting,” she explained.

Hormonal differences can also play a role, per Gervacio.

“Hormones like estrogen in women promote fat storage and fat burning, particularly during fasting or when energy is needed over a longer time,” she said. “On the other hand, men’s hormones, such as testosterone, support more muscle growth, so their metabolism is more geared toward breaking down carbs for immediate energy.”

Finally, Gervacio pointed to the different energy and nutrient needs of males versus females.

“Due to different muscle-to-fat ratios and how organs use energy, men’s and women’s bodies prioritize different nutrients,” she said. “This results in women being more efficient at conserving and using fats for energy, while men’s bodies burn through carbs faster for quick bursts of energy.”

How personalized nutrition can support your health

Akanksha Kulkarni, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at Prowise Healthcare, who was also not involved in the study, explained that differences in biological sex, hormones, age, and physical activity must all be taken into account, whether you are looking to lose weight or simply to have more energy and better health.

For example, weight loss diets for males might be higher in complex carbohydrates, while females might incorporate more healthy oils.

“Custom nutrition helps people gradually adjust and tailor their meals to provide lasting energy,” she said.

Finally, Kulkarni said that personalized nutrition, especially if it is derived from analyzing the individual metabolic profile, could improve a person’s overall health.

“Taking into account the gender aspects of the metabolism helps with controlling the degree of inflammatory response and blood sugar levels in a better way and managing excess body weight successfully in the future, which translates to better health,” she concluded.

Takeaway

A new study using a mathematical model has found that males and females have different metabolic responses to their breakfast choices.

Males responded more favorably to carbohydrate-rich breakfasts.

Females, however, responded better to breakfasts higher in fat.

Experts say factors such as differences in muscle mass, hormones, and nutrient needs can all play a role in a person’s metabolic responses to food.

However, personalized nutrition plans that take this into account can help people lose weight, have more energy, and have better overall health.

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Presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have starkly different approaches to solving the nation’s biggest healthcare issues. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of where they stand.

The state of healthcare has reached a critical stage in the United States, and issues such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and prescription drug prices are some of the focal points of this presidential election.

A research paper released by the Commonwealth Fund in mid-September reports that the U.S. ranks last among 10 developed nations in terms of healthcare. The report notes that, compared with the other nine nations studied, the United States experiences the most avoidable deaths, and more people die at younger ages.

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump have starkly different approaches to solving the country’s biggest healthcare issues.

Many of Harris’s positions are listed on the issues page of her campaign website, while Trump’s can be found on his 20 Core Promises platform and Agenda 47 campaign sites.

To help clarify where each candidate stands on seven key healthcare issues as voters head to the polls, Healthline provides a summary of their positions and analysis by experts on how their different approaches could shape the future of healthcare.

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law by former President Barack Obama in 2010. The program, commonly referred to as Obamacare, provides a marketplace for consumers to buy health insurance with relatively low monthly premiums.

It requires insurance companies to provide coverage to people with preexisting health conditions, including pregnancy, without additional charges. It also allows children to stay on their parents’ insurance coverage until they are 26 years old. It mandates that everyone have some sort of health insurance or face a financial penalty.

What healthcare experts think of the candidates’ stances on the Affordable Care Act

Rosemarie Day, a health reform expert and the founder and CEO of Day Health Strategies, said that the Affordable Care Act has more popular support today than ever before due in large part to its protection of people with preexisting conditions, which is one of the law’s most popular provisions.

“Repealing the ACA would be extremely damaging to the health of millions of Americans who depend on its subsidized coverage through health insurance marketplaces and its protection of people with preexisting conditions,” Day said. “Millions of people would become uninsured. Uninsured people are more likely to die from their illnesses, many of which are preventable or manageable with adequate health coverage.”

Day said there is currently no politically acceptable framework for healthcare in the United States that will work as well as the ACA and that the law needs to be enhanced, not replaced.

“To that end, Kamala Harris is supporting the expanded marketplace subsidies that were enacted during the pandemic and extending them beyond 2025. This will help to ensure that those who have health insurance coverage today will be able to maintain that coverage, which will help them stay healthier,” Day said.

Kanwar Kelley, MD, is the co-founder and CEO of Side Health. He said that expanding the ACA would also allow for lower cost plans and decrease the gap in healthcare for people with lower incomes.

However, Kelley explained that Trump’s efforts to repeal aspects of the ACA during his presidency contributed to higher costs.

“Health insurance is subsidized by young and healthy members who utilize fewer health resources,” Kelley said. “During his presidency, Trump tried to strip the policy of the individual mandate, which had financial penalties for not having health insurance. With no penalty, many chose not to purchase insurance, which led to higher premiums for those seeking plans available under the ACA.”

He noted that Trump also cut funding for marketing and outreach, which decreased enrollment and led to reduced membership and high premiums.

“The ACA addresses health disparities by providing insurance to those otherwise locked out of coverage due to chronic illness or cost. With multiple attempts to repeal with no concrete plan, the Trump administration would risk millions of Americans losing their health insurance, increasing health disparities,” Kelley said.

Abortion

There may not be a hotter flashpoint issue in the 2024 presidential election than abortion.

The political heat was triggered in 2022 when the U.S. Supreme Court, in a case known as the Dobbs decision, upheld a restrictive Mississippi law on abortion and overturned the constitutional protections detailed in the court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling.

In the 2 years since the Dobbs decision, 41 states have adopted abortion restrictions of some sort. Eleven of those states restricted abortion at the stage of fetal viability as defined in Roe v. Wade. Another 14 have restricted abortions after conception.

What healthcare experts think of the candidates’ stances on abortion

Day noted that “women’s health is being put at significant risk through not receiving abortion care and related health services.”

“Even women who are experiencing early signs of a miscarriage are experiencing delays in care in states with abortion bans due to doctors’ fears of being prosecuted for providing treatment that could be construed as performing an abortion,” she said.

This has galvanized many people to take action and could be a deciding factor in the 2024 election, as there are 10 states where abortion will be on the ballot, including several swing states.

“In every state where abortion has been on the ballot (seven so far), the side to protect women who need an abortion has prevailed,” Day said. “People are recognizing that they don’t need to support abortions to agree that government shouldn’t interfere with an individual’s freedom to protect their reproductive health.”

Despite this momentum, Day said there is a growing concern that conservatives will try to enact a national abortion ban. While Trump hasn’t committed to vetoing or supporting a national abortion ban, she said, “He has a profound lack of credibility with pro-choice voters on this issue.”

On the other hand, Day noted that Kamala Harris has vowed to support a national law to protect women who are seeking abortion care and has made a point of reaching out to women who are affected by this issue. She’s also connected with the grieving families of those who have lost a loved one due to a lack of abortion care.

“She has vowed to support a national law to protect women who are seeking abortion care,” Day said, who added that Harris is “exceptionally credible on this issue.”

Reproductive health

Reproductive health, including contraception and in vitro fertilization (IVF), are closely tied to the issue of abortion.

That was demonstrated in February when the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos created during the IVF process could be considered “children.”

Supporters of IVF said the decision could make fertility clinics less likely to provide IVF treatments because of fears they could be prosecuted if frozen embryos were damaged or destroyed.

The issue came to the forefront again in mid-September when Senate Republicans blocked a bill that would have provided a nationwide right to IVF treatments.

What healthcare experts think of the candidates’ stances on reproductive health

Kelley said that while both Harris and Trump have signaled that they support opening access to IVF treatments, both camps are light on specifics on funding for the program and how the legislation would require insurance companies to cover the procedures.

“Despite their agreement in this area, logistically, IVF support may be challenging to implement as embryo-protective laws, like that in Alabama, could become more widespread with Republican leadership,” Kelley said.

He also noted that physicians are reluctant to provide treatments related to IVF in some states due to unclear regulations that open medical personnel and facilities to risk of litigation or, worse, criminal charges.

Additionally, Kelley said that reducing access to contraception will negatively affect lower income households by restricting their access to family planning materials. Without policies supporting expanded paid family leave and other family-friendly social programs, this could put extra stress on many families struggling in the current financial market.
 
“Contrary to this, the Harris campaign has championed reproductive health as fundamental healthcare, including the right to contraception and comprehensive reproductive care. By doing so, this would increase accessibility to care for women in low income or rural communities as well as minority populations,” Kelley said.

Learn more about how Harris and Trump differ on abortion and reproductive health with Healthline’s more expansive comparison here.

Maternal health

By most standards, the status of maternal healthcare in the United States is not where it should be.

A June 2024 report by the Commonwealth Fund states that the United States maternal mortality rate — 22 deaths per 100,000 pregnancies — is the highest among the 14 higher income countries it studied. In fact, the U.S. rate was 55% higher than the rate in Chile, the second highest nation on the list.

The report also notes that Black women in the United States have a maternal mortality rate more than double the country’s overall rate.

The report states that differences in health insurance coverage, as well as the use of midwives, contribute to the mortality rate. It also notes that the lack of paid family leave after the birth of a child is another contributing factor because it makes it more difficult for women to receive follow-up care for pregnancy complications.

According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study, 80% of U.S. maternity-related deaths are preventable.

Additionally, the United States is one of only six countries worldwide without national paid family or maternity leave. However, 13 states and the District of Columbia currently have laws mandating some sort of paid family or medical leave.

What healthcare experts think of the candidates’ stances on maternal health

Without specific policies and guidance, maternal health disparities will continue to grow, Kelley said.

“The Trump administration has not made maternal health one of the keystone factors of his previous presidency or current campaign. However, it was championed by his daughter Ivanka, as she detailed her struggle with postpartum depression. Ivanka is not involved in this campaign, so it is unclear who will lead the policy charge if Trump is reelected,” Kelley said.

On the other hand, Kamala Harris has been vocal on the campaign trail about maternal mortality, continuing the focal point she has as vice president.

“Harris has proposed initiatives such as implicit bias training, increased standards for hospitals in maternal health outcomes, and research into the race disparity in maternal mortality. She has also suggested increased access to doula and midwife support, possibly supporting those in lower income and rural areas,” Kelley said.

Additionally, he noted that Harris’s policy on extending Medicaid coverage during the postpartum period also increases access to mothers after giving birth.

While the Trump campaign has not directly addressed maternal health during this election cycle, his previous policies tangentially reduced access and availability of maternal healthcare.

Though it’s not clear what factors are contributing to the excessive maternal mortality crisis, Kelley noted that Harris has “directly attempted to address these issues with policies increasing access and length of care.”

Medicaid

The Medicaid program was approved in 1965 and is funded by federal and state governments.

States administer Medicaid programs but must follow federal standards. Each state has flexibility in determining who can receive coverage, how healthcare should be delivered, and how much medical professionals who provide services should get reimbursed.

According to health policy organization KFF, in 2021, Medicaid spending accounted for 27% of total state expenditures, second only to education programs. It also accounted for about 20% of personal healthcare spending in the United States.

The Affordable Care Act expanded Medicaid coverage to nearly all non-elderly adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level. That’s about $20,000 annually for an individual. So far, 41 states have opted in on this Medicaid expansion program.

Overall, the $800 billion public health insurance program now serves more than 90 million people with lower incomes across the country. That’s about 20% of the total population.

The program also provides services for people with disabilities, people in nursing homes, and people with mental health conditions. Medicaid also covers about 40% of all births in the United States.

It is separate from the Medicare program, which primarily provides healthcare services for people 65 years and older.

What healthcare experts think of the candidates’ stances on Medicaid

Kelley said that Harris and Trump have fundamentally different visions for healthcare in the United States, particularly regarding affordable care and expanding access to more Americans.
 
“The Trump administration has tried to reduce spending on government programs, such as Medicaid and Medicare, by proposing eligibility requirements for coverage. This includes proof of employment, education, or volunteer work to remain on Medicaid,” Kelley said.

“However, introducing these requirements will affect lower income individuals disproportionately who are unable to participate in those activities due to disabilities, caregiving responsibilities, or living in rural areas,” he said.

Kelley also noted that Trump repeatedly endorsed repealing or replacing the ACA, which would have caused millions of Americans to lose coverage without other options.

If the ACA were to be repealed without a replacement, Kelley said that low income communities who depend on Medicaid as their primary healthcare would be disproportionately affected.
 
“The need for medical services will not decrease. [These consumers] will likely use emergency services, increasing uncompensated care and putting additional strain on health systems,” he said.

In contrast, Kelley said Harris’s policies focus on expanding and strengthening Medicaid and undoing restrictions put in place during the Trump administration.

“While not universal healthcare, giving greater access to Medicaid will allow lower income Americans to find care. Creating protections for preexisting conditions and additional subsidies will allow for better access to preventive medicine and other medical procedures,” Kelley said.

Prescription drug prices

People in the United States pay more for prescription drugs than just about any other place in the world.

A 2024 Rand study that used 2022 data reports that U.S. consumers paid 278% more for prescription drugs than 33 other countries.

The report also states that the gross price for brand-name originator drugs was 422% higher in the United States than elsewhere. Even after adjusting for manufacturer-funded rebates, brand-name prescriptions were still triple what people in other countries pay.

However, researchers note that U.S. consumers pay 33% less for unbranded generic drugs than consumers in other nations, but this does not fully offset the costs of brand-name prescriptions.

Insurance companies also pick up a significant portion of prescription drug costs, with consumers sometimes paying only a fraction of the actual cost.

Overall, retail prescription drug spending accounts for about 11% of personal healthcare services in the United States.

What healthcare experts think of the candidates’ stances on prescription drug prices

Trump and Harris agree on lowering prescription drug prices, and their campaign promises reflect that.

“Throughout various executive orders during his presidency, Trump aimed to reduce the cost of the most common pharmaceuticals used, primarily for Medicare recipients, to varying degrees of success,” Kelley said.

Kelley also pointed out that the Biden administration also passed prescription cost control measures as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, which allows the Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to negotiate drug prices for 10 to 20 drugs per year. It’s projected to save billions over the next decade. 

Harris’s policies mostly mirror these priorities.

Kelley noted that Trump has specifically targeted obtaining supplies from foreign companies and directing domestic companies to offer prices similar to those offered to other countries.

“In my practice, several patients admit to going across the border to obtain medication for lower prices. Being able to source from reliable companies in other countries would increase competition and pressure domestic pharmaceutical companies to lower prices,” Kelley said.

“Harris has focused on negotiating prices with companies and capping consumer costs in line with what was passed as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. While this may work on some of the most common and generic pharmaceuticals, newer, brand-name drugs may retain their pricing to offset company losses,” Kelley added.

Mental health

The CDC estimates that more than 1 in 5 U.S. adults live with a mental health condition.

It also notes that 1 in 5 young people 13 to 18 years old, either currently or at some point in their lives, have had a severe mental health condition.

In addition, the agency states that 1 in 25 U.S. adults live with a serious mental health condition, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.

Mental Health America reports that 1 in 4 U.S. adults with frequent mental distress are unable to see a medical professional due to cost, and about 10% of adults with a mental health issue are uninsured.

In addition, about 10% of adults and 8% of youth have private insurance that does not cover mental health.

Furthermore, a 2023 report states that more than half of the U.S. population lives in areas that have shortages of mental health professionals. Many of them tend to be reimbursed by insurance plans at lower rates than physical health providers.

What healthcare experts think of the candidates’ stances on mental health

During his presidency, Trump focused his response on the opioid crisis and veteran mental health but failed to address mental health in the larger population, Kelley said.

“His most recent recommendation for the reinstitution of ‘mental institutions,’ to separate those dealing with mental health issues from the general population, will perpetuate the stigma of mental health by branding individuals. It is unclear how these institutions would be funded, if they would include government or private institutions, or how an individual would qualify to be admitted,” Kelley said.

He also noted that the Trump administration’s lack of a comprehensive mental health policy failed to address stigma and educate the public on mental health issues, and that the focus on specific populations left many without access to mental health treatment.

“Harris, however, has made mental health a focus of her public health initiatives. This includes maternal mental health and mental health in underserved communities. Specifically, she aims to extend Medicaid coverage postpartum to expand access to new mothers. This addresses the disparities in low income populations and minorities,” Kelley said.

Harris has also recommended addressing mental health in kids and teens by expanding mental health coverage in schools. This is another area in which increased access could reduce potential mental health crises, Kelley said.

• McDonald’s Chicken Big Mac is rolling out in restaurants nationwide this week.
• The sandwich will feature two tempura-battered chicken patties, cheese, McDonald’s special Big Mac sauce, lettuce, and pickles on a sesame seed bun.
• From a nutrition perspective, experts say there’s little difference between the Chicken Big Mac and the original, though the latter is made with fewer ingredients.
• You can make the Chicken Big Mac slightly healthier by asking for more lettuce and no sauce. 

McDonald’s will be selling its hotly anticipated Chicken Big Mac in the U.S. for the first time nationwide beginning Thursday, October 10 for a limited time.

Like the original triple-decker Big Mac, the Chicken Big Mac will feature cheese, McDonald’s special Big Mac sauce, lettuce, and pickles on a sesame seed bun.

The only difference? The two all-beef patties —that are a staple of the original Big Mac—are swapped out for two tempura-battered chicken patties.

So, how do the original Big Mac and the new Chicken Big Mac compare from a health and nutrition standpoint? Let’s take a look.

Nutritional comparison of the original vs the Chicken Big Mac

Here’s how the nutritional breakdown for the original Big Mac and the Chicken Big Mac, as listed on the McDonald’s website, compare:

Is the Chicken Big Mac healthier than the original?

It probably won’t come as much of a surprise that neither sandwich is particularly healthy. 

“I’m a fan of a good quality burger, but Big Macs always feel a little unnecessarily ‘extra’ with the additional bread in the middle,” said Natalie Burrows, nutritional therapist and clinic director at Integral Wellness. 

Chicken is often thought of as a healthier choice than beef. However, Burrows said by having crispy chicken in this sandwich, McDonald’s has reduced its nutritional value by processing it, frying it, and adding ingredients. 

Still, looking at the numbers, there’s little to tell these two sandwiches apart. 

The protein, fiber, and salt content of both sandwiches are roughly the same. There isn’t much difference in calories either. 

“What stands out most is the saturated fat change between beef and chicken Big Macs and the carbohydrate total,” said Burrows. 

“Beef does have more saturated fat than chicken, and this is because the fat content in chicken is more concentrated in the skin than the meat,” she explained. 

As for the carbohydrate increase, Burrows said the 19g of extra carbohydrates in the Chicken Big Mac are likely due to the way the chicken patties have been made. 

One of the biggest differences between the Chicken Big Mac and the original is the number of ingredients. 

“Only 44% of the chicken patty is chicken breast meat. The rest is a combination of flour, starch, breadcrumbs, flavorings, raising agents, and sugars, including glucose syrup and dextrose,” Burrows said. “If we compare this to a beef patty in the original Big Mac, the ingredients are just one item: 100% pure beef.” 

Because of this detail, Burrows said she would have to say the Big Mac is the healthier option. 

“Although I do not believe fast, processed food such as McDonald’s can be classed as healthy, the more natural the ingredients, the better they are for us,” she noted. 

Simple swaps that can improve the Chicken Big Mac’s nutritional value

Still, if you’d like to try the Chicken Big Mac, there are a few swaps you can make when placing your order to make it a little healthier. 

“Ask for extra lettuce,” said Dr. Peter Brukner, nutritionist at Fatlotofgood. “This adds more crunch and fiber without many calories.” 

“You can also ask for light or no sauce. The special sauce can have many calories and fat, so using less or none is better,” he added. 

Another way to make a Chicken Big Mac meal a little healthier is to choose a side salad instead of fries.

“This gives you more vegetables and less calories,” Brukner said. 

If you aren’t feeling too peckish, he also suggested sharing a sandwich instead of eating a full one. 

Nevertheless, Burrows said it’s difficult to make a menu item like this healthier without drastically changing it. Eating foods like the Chicken Big Mac only in moderation is always a better choice. 

“When we are eating fast food, we have to acknowledge that it is not healthy for us, and to try to make it healthy may lure us into a false sense of illusion that we can eat it more often than we should,” she said. 

Healthier items on the McDonald’s menu 

If you really want to make a healthier choice when dining at McDonald’s, you may want to order something else on the menu. 

Brukner suggests the grilled chicken salad.

“This salad comes with lean protein and many vegetables, making it a very good choice — you just need to be careful with too much dressing,” he said. 

Burrows also suggests considering the grilled wraps on the McDonald’s menu. 

She said that opting for grilled items rather than crispy options reduces the amount of frying and processing the chicken has gone through, which is a plus.

However, she noted that many of these are ultra-processed and can still have a high fat content. 

The grilled McChicken sandwich is another option. 

“This item has less calories and fat compared to the fried chicken sandwich, but still tastes delicious,” says Brukner. 

Takeaway 

Neither the original Big Mac nor the Chicken Big Mac are healthy choices.

However, from a nutrition standpoint, the original Big Mac may have a slight edge because it’s made with fewer ingredients and has a lower carbohydrate content. 

Bottom line, it’s best to eat ultra-processed fast food in moderation.

• Gold medalist swimmer Caeleb Dressel shares the positive impact his pets have on his life.
• Dressel says his dog and cat provide him with mental and emotional support.
• Studies suggest that pets can help boost the mental and physical health of people.

Olympic swimmer Caeleb Dressel returned home from the Paris Olympics with two gold medals and a silver. Being welcomed by his wife, son, their dog Jane, and cat Rems brought him the comfort and perspective he needed.

“[I] get caught up in very much the hustle of everything and media and sponsors and training and making sure I’m getting to bed on time that I forget to take a breath,” he told Healthline.

Sitting on his porch watching Jane happily relax gives Dressel a reality check he said he appreciates.

“[I’ll] give it another couple weeks or a month, no one is going to be talking about Paris. They’re on to the next thing, so I know it’s a lot bigger deal in my mind, and certainly, Jane and Rems help me forget about that,” said Dressel.

A lifelong love of animals

Dressel’s dad is a retired veterinarian. Growing up, his family had many pets, including a bird, guinea pigs, hamsters, and a rat. He bought Jane the day after he graduated college.

“[As] soon as my college career finished, I got 5 hours of sleep, woke up, and drove to go get Jane at 8 weeks old,” he said.

Because his dad’s first dog was a black lab, Dressel wanted the same.

“She’s been with me since literally day one of my professional career, so she’s technically seen more than anybody else in my circle. She’s seen all the bad practices, all the rough days. She’s been really special, just to be there with me,” said Dressel.

His wife Meghan brought their cat Rems into the relationship.

“Rems has such a funny nighttime routine where we’ll get into bed, and it’s usually about 10 minutes on the dot, we’ll hear him jump up on the bed, and then…he’ll paw to get under the covers, and then he spoons with Meghan the whole night,” he said.

How pets can provide mental health support

Pets have long been known to provide significant emotional and physical benefits to their owners. 

Studies suggest having a pet reduces depression and anxiety and helps maintain social connections with others and the community.

“Owning a pet provides feelings of comfort, security, and unconditional love. Further, the need to care for one’s pet helps provide a sense of structure, purpose, and leads to boosts in self-confidence and self-care,” Deborah Serani, PsyD, professor of psychology at Adelphi University, told Healthline.

The bond between humans and pets furthers the notion that they are not just furry companions but valued and special family members, she added.

So is the case for Dressel who welcomes Jane to sleep on his side of the bed.

“So anytime I travel, it’s kind of tough to get used to not having her paw next to me, her farts, her bad breath, all that stuff,” he said. “It’s the same thing with Rems…it’s funny the dynamic me and my wife have with Jane and Rems, we have a kid, but they’re truly our kids. I refer to Rems as our first-born son, and Jane is my daughter.”

There are also benefits to interacting with animals even if they’re not your own pet, said Beth Steinberg, PhD, RN, senior researcher with the Center for Integrative Health at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

As the principal investigator of a recent study, Steinberg and colleagues evaluated the effects of regular therapy dog visits on healthcare workers in high-stress inpatient hospital units. They found that healthcare workers who interacted with therapy dogs during their work shifts reported decreases in stress and burnout and significant increases in self-reported mood.

“While these findings indicate that interactions with therapy dogs offered immediate benefits for these essential healthcare workers, future research is needed to better understand longer-term benefits, as well as downstream effects for patient care and satisfaction,” she told Healthline.

Pets can provide physical health benefits, too

The simple act of petting or interacting with a dog, cat, or other companion animal can lower a person’s blood pressure and increase the endorphins or feel-good hormones in the brain, said Steinberg.

According to the American Heart Association, pet ownership, particularly dog ownership, is probably associated with decreased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and may have a causal role in reducing CVD risk. Having a pet may also help lower cholesterol and blood sugar.

“Pets can also help us be more active and make activity more enjoyable,” said Steinberg. “Studies show that people diagnosed with cardiovascular disease have increased activity levels and better outcomes when a pet accompanies them on daily walks.”

In addition to walks, Dressel enjoys playing catch with Jane and especially swimming with her.

“She loves baseballs and an orange rubber ball we have. On the weekends, we go to the pool…she loves to swim, and we try to get her exercise,” he said.

Why Dressel is joining fellow Olympians to promote better pet health

Along with other Olympians, including sprinter Gabby Thomas and gymnast Simone Biles, Dressel is part of Nulo’s Fuel Incredible campaign, which highlights the connection between eight USA athletes and their pets.

The collaboration aims to inspire pet parents everywhere to elevate their pets’ nutrition, ensuring they can fully participate in every aspect of their mutually active lives.

Leading up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Dressel said he had more sponsors than he did heading into the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“I didn’t want to do that again. I have my family now, and I want to be very particular about who I take on, and because I want to be there for the companies I take on, and also I want to be organic,” he said.

Teaming up with Nulo felt right to him. He said the initiative is about more than selling dog food.

“It’s not just a product. I’m associated with [them for] truly the love of pets,” said Dressel. “I want to take care of [Jane] the best I can. She’s been in my corner her whole life and has given me so much joy.”

• A North Carolina woman says she lost 35 pounds after consuming nothing but sardines and MCT oil for more than three months.
• The sardine-only diet was popularized in 2023 as a 3-day challenge, but some people extended it to weeks or months.
• Experts caution that limiting your diet to a single food for extended periods can have negative health effects.

A North Carolina woman ate nothing but sardines for more than three months — a diet that, she said, improved her health.

In addition to eating four cans of sardines a day, she also consumed MCT oil. This supplement is popular among athletes and bodybuilders and is used as a quick energy source and may support weight loss.

However, Jane Crummett, of Mint Hill, North Carolina, doesn’t consider her eating pattern a “diet.”

“To me, a diet insinuates a beginning and an end. This is my lifestyle and I have no intention of introducing plants back into it,” she recently told Fox News Digital.

Before her months-long sardine-only lifestyle, Crummett was following a “zero carb/carnivore” diet — eating no carbohydrates at all. She also skipped dairy because she “finds it inflammatory,” she told Fox News Digital.

She ended her dalliance of eating only sardines on September 30 after 135 days. While only eating sardines, she lost 35 pounds over three months, she said, and felt better overall.

“My pain has resolved” and her inflammation has decreased, she told Fox News Digital. 

Despite her restrictive diet, Crummett said she is healthy and sees a doctor regularly. She plans on reintroducing other meats back into her diet under the guidance of a doctor.

“My ultimate goal is to have sardines for breakfast every day with MCT oil and incorporate normal beef, pork and/or chicken back into my diet,” she told Fox News Digital. 

Is the sardine diet healthy?

Crummett is not alone in embracing a sardine-only diet.

Last year, Patti Bodner, a 67-year-old Florida grandmother, told Yahoo Life that she lost weight while following a three-day sardine challenge. She also said her blood sugar levels went back to normal, and she was able to stop using the insulin she was taking for type 2 diabetes.

It is not clear if she was able to maintain these changes after the end of the three-day experiment.

This challenge, as the name suggests, involves eating only sardines in oil for 72 hours. You are also allowed a carb-free hot sauce or other seasoning, salt, water and black coffee.

This trend was popularized in 2023 by Annette “Dr. Boz” Bosworth, MD, a Florida-based internist who is an advocate of low-carb, high-protein keto diets.

Eating only sardines may lead to nutrient deficiencies

While the sardine-online diet has gained in popularity, there are no scientific studies to back up the claims or to show how safe it is, especially when followed for months instead of days.

“I have significant concerns about anyone consuming a single food — like sardines — exclusively for several days or months,” said Grace Derocha, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 

“While sardines are a nutrient-dense food packed with omega-3 fatty acids, protein, calcium and vitamin D, relying on one food alone poses serious nutritional and health risks,” she told Healthline. 

Kim Shapira, a registered dietitian and nutrition therapist and author of “This Is What You’re Really Hungry For,” agreed.

Keeping in mind “that food is fuel and the ingredients in that fuel supply every cell in our body with what they need to maintain health, there would be some long-term negative effects of eating a single food,” she told Healthline.

This might include muscle loss, bone loss, nutrient imbalances, and malnutrition, she said, with the negative effects more likely to occur with a long-term restrictive diet.

Shapira added some people might experience short-term side effects, such as:

• diarrhea
• fatigue
• mood changes
• constipation

Derocha pointed out that sardines lack certain “key nutrients such as vitamin C, fiber, magnesium, and certain B vitamins, all of which are critical for immune function, digestion, energy production, and overall health.”

Also, following a sardine-only diet long-term “could lead to deficiencies in antioxidants like vitamins A and E, and phytochemicals — important compounds found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes that help protect against chronic diseases,” Derocha said.

Excessive nutrient intake from single-food diets

Eating a single food for extended periods can also lead to excessive intake of certain nutrients.

Although these may not be harmful in lower amounts — and in some cases are helpful — they can cause problems if you consume too much.

A key one with sardines is sodium, which can increase the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, especially if consumed in large quantities over time, said Derocha.

In addition, ”while sardines are excellent sources of vitamin D and calcium, excessive intake could lead to an imbalance in these nutrients, with potential side effects like high calcium levels in the blood, which can affect heart and kidney function,” she said.

There is also a risk of excessive intake of mercury or other heavy metals that are found in certain fish.

“While sardines are lower in mercury compared to larger fish, a diet exclusively made up of fish still raises concerns about cumulative exposure to heavy metals and other environmental contaminants, especially over long periods,” said Derocha.

“For the average person, eating a single food for an extended period of time is not advisable and should be avoided,” she said. “Variety in the diet is crucial to ensure you’re meeting all your nutrient needs and to support overall health and well-being.”

Takeaway

For over three months, a woman in North Carolina ate only four cans of sardines and MCT oil each day. She says this diet helped her lose 35 pounds, resolved her pain, and decreased her inflammation. She plans to reintroduce other meats into her diet but will continue to follow a “low-carb/carnivore” lifestyle.

The sardine-only diet was popularized in 2023 as a three-day challenge by Annette “Dr. Boz” Bosworth, MD, a Florida-based internist who is an advocate of low-carb, high-protein keto diets. Some people have extended this challenge to weeks or months.

Experts caution that limiting your diet to a single food for days or longer can lead to negative health effects. This may include short-term effects such as diarrhea, fatigue, mood swings and constipation, or long-term ones like muscle loss, bone loss, nutrient imbalances or malnutrition.

• A study found that vitamin D is linked with better cardiometabolic health.
• People taking it had better blood pressure, total cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose.
• Some groups did even better, such as those with vitamin D deficiency or lower BMI.
• Experts say it’s a good idea to get tested by a doctor before taking larger doses.
• Sunlight and vitamin D-rich foods are the best ways to get this important nutrient.

According to a large meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, taking vitamin D supplements was linked with better cardiometabolic health.

The study, published online on July 26, 2024, in the journal Engineering, found that a daily median dose of 3,320 International Units (IU) was necessary to achieve these benefits.

Study participants consuming vitamin D had better blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic), total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1C, and fasting blood insulin.

However, the effect was stronger in non-Westerners, older adults, people with lower baseline vitamin D levels, those with lower body mass index (BMI), and those who took the supplement longer. This was especially true regarding glycemic-related measurements.

The study authors additionally highlighted the importance of providing each person with an individualized dose, given these differences in response.

“Our findings suggest that higher vitamin D levels are required to maintain cardiovascular health in non-Westerners, obese, and older populations,” they wrote. “Consequently, consideration should be given to administering higher doses for longer durations when designing personalized intervention strategies aimed at enhancing cardiometabolic health in these populations.”

How vitamin D supplements were linked with better cardiometabolic health

To conduct their study, the team searched several large databases of medical research to identify all relevant studies.

Altogether, 99 suitable studies were found that included a total of 17,656 participants.

These participants ranged in age from 6 to 75 years, with a median age of 50.35.

Both Western and non-Western countries were included.

The researchers extracted data from the studies in order to learn how effective vitamin D supplementation was in improving cardiometabolic risk factors.

They also looked at how people’s ethnocultural background (Western versus non-Western), baseline vitamin D levels, BMI, vitamin D dosage, age, and length of supplementation influenced the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Their analysis found that, overall, vitamin D supplementation improved all measures of cardiometabolic health throughout the entire population.

The groups who benefited the most were non-Westerners, those who started with a 25-hydroxy vitamin D level of less than 15.0 ng/mL (below 20 ng/mL is generally deemed to be vitamin D deficiency), those having a BMI less than 30 kg/m² (non-obese), those 50 years of age or above, and those using vitamin D supplements for longer than three months.

How much vitamin D should you take per day?

Akanksha Kulkarni, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at Prowise Healthcare, who was not involved in the study, advised that it is necessary to get a blood test prior to supplementing to see what your current vitamin D levels are.

“This test is usually performed by your doctor, who will also give you guidance on how to administer the dose if necessary,” she said.

She urges caution because vitamin D can build up to toxic levels if taken in excess for too long.

It can cause calcium to build up too high, contributing to kidney stones and even bone damage, according to Kulkarni.

Excess calcium buildup can also cause symptoms such as:

• nausea
• vomiting
• weakness
• frequent urination

People should avoid taking large amounts of vitamin D without visiting a doctor, she stressed.

However, if you do opt to take a supplement, the National Institute of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements says the recommended amount of vitamin D for adults 19-70 is 600 IU daily. This amount rises to 800 IU over the age of 70.

Up to 4,000 IU daily is considered to be safe. Anything above this should only be taken under a doctor’s supervision.

What are the healthiest ways to get vitamin D?

Michael Lahey, MD, a physician and preventive healthcare specialist with My Weight Loss Partner, who was also not a part of the study, said that one of the best ways to get adequate vitamin D is through sun exposure.

“Natural production of vitamin D requires only moderate amounts of sunlight, 10-30 minutes, 2-3 times a week,” he said.

“But one should not expose their skin to the sun without protection to prevent skin harm,” added Lahey, noting that too much unprotected sun exposure can raise your risk for skin cancer.

“Tanning beds are the worst and should be strongly discouraged,” he added.

You can also get plenty of vitamin D from foods like fatty fish, fortified dairy products, and egg yolks, said Lahey. There are times, however, when supplementation could be advisable.

“This is especially important during winter or in such regions where the sun does not shine through most of the year,” he said. “Lack of sun and proper diet can be met with supplements to ensure that your body has the right vitamin D it requires.”

Takeaway

A new study has found that vitamin D supplementation was associated with improved cardiometabolic health.

People who took vitamin D supplements had better blood pressure, total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1C, and fasting blood insulin.

However, some people — such as non-Westerners, older adults, people with lower baseline vitamin D, those with lower BMI, and those who took the supplement longer — responded even better.

Experts say most adults should stick with the recommended amount of vitamin D — 600 IU — unless they have been tested and advised by a doctor to take more.

Exposure to sunlight (within limits) and eating foods rich in vitamin D are the best ways to maintain vitamin D levels.

• GLP-1 medications are most often used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity.
• However, new research has found that they may have other applications.
• They may help lower the risk of opioid overdose as well as early death.
• They might also help reduce the symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa, a chronic skin condition.

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound have gained popularity in recent years due to their ability to help manage type 2 diabetes and aid with weight loss.

However, researchers are finding other promising applications for these drugs as well.

From protecting against heart attacks and strokes to lowering the risk of developing severe COVID-19, a number of new studies suggest GLP-1s could help prevent and treat several conditions, including brand-new research that has linked them with three additional health benefits: treating the chronic skin condition hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), lowing the risk of an opioid overdose, and reducing the risk of early death.

Semaglutide linked with reduced risk of opioid overdose

A September 25, 2024, study published in JAMA Network Open found an association between semaglutide use and a significantly lower risk of opioid overdose over the course of one year.

Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy.

According to Dr. Ramit Singh Sambyal, a General Physician associated with ClinicSpots who was not involved in the study, this could be because of how GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide impact the brain’s reward and appetite pathways.

“GLP-1 affects areas of the brain involved in regulating food intake and cravings such as the hypothalamus and the mesolimbic reward system,” he said. “These same areas are also involved in addiction-related behaviors.”

Sambyal went on to explain that modulating the brain’s reward system could theoretically reduce people’s cravings and make addictive drugs like opioids less rewarding.

“If true, this could help people with opioid use disorder by reducing the desire to misuse opioids or by making them less appealing overall,” he said.

Fewer episodes of hidradenitis suppurativa linked with semaglutide use

Another potential area of risk reduction is the chronic inflammatory skin condition hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).

New research presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2024, held September 25-28 in Amsterdam, found that patients receiving semaglutide had fewer HS flare-ups, going from having them about once every 8.5 weeks to once every 12 weeks.

Also, their C-reactive protein, a marker for inflammation, dropped significantly, going from 7.8 to 6.9.

Sambyal said that GLP-1 receptor agonists’ anti-inflammatory effects might explain why they can help manage HS.

He also believes that their ability to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce systemic inflammation could potentially reduce the chronic inflammation that contributes to the painful nodules seen in HS.

“Since inflammation is a driving factor in many chronic conditions, including autoimmune diseases, the anti-inflammatory properties of GLP-1 drugs may extend to skin conditions like HS, even though direct evidence is still limited,” said Sambyal.

Lower risk of early death associated with GLP-1 drugs

Additionally, GLP-1 drugs could help reduce people’s risk of early death.

According to an August 30, 2024 study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, patients treated with semaglutide had lower rates of death from any cause.

Death rates were driven by both cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular causes, according to the authors, however, non-cardiovascular deaths were mainly because of fewer people dying from infections.

“The suggestion that GLP-1 drugs might lower the risk of early death could be linked to the broad range of benefits they offer for overall metabolic health,” said Sambyal. “These drugs improve glycemic control, reduce body weight, and lower blood pressure—three major factors that influence long-term health and mortality risk.”

Sambyal added that even in people without diabetes, improving these factors could reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

“Theoretically, if GLP-1 receptor agonists can help people maintain a healthier metabolic profile over the long term,” he said, “it might explain why some early studies have found an association with reduced mortality.”

Sambyal further noted that GLP-1 drugs can improve heart health directly.

“These drugs have been shown to have cardioprotective effects, including reducing inflammation in blood vessels and improving endothelial function,” he said, explaining that this could lower people’s risk of heart disease even if they don’t have diabetes.

Other potential health benefits of GLP-1 agonists

Jana Abelovska, Superintendent Pharmacist at Click Pharmacy, added that, in addition to these three recent studies, scientists are “discovering a slew of other benefits.”

There’s some evidence that people had a lower risk of cognitive problems as well as being less likely to be addicted to nicotine, she said.

“Although this link is not yet fully understood, it means that the drug may be useful in preventing cognitive decline in later life, as well as helping people give up smoking,” said Abelovsak.

Additionally, there is ongoing research looking at whether semaglutide could be used to treat Alzheimer’s disease, which is thought to be linked with brain inflammation.

Abelovska further noted that semaglutide might be a potential treatment for chronic kidney disease.

“[P}eople taking it were less likely to need dialysis or lose kidney function,” she said

Finally, Abelovsia pointed to a study that found that semaglutide reduced the risk of 10 different types of cancer in people who were taking the drug for diabetes.

Takeaway

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are most often used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity.

However, recent research indicates that they might also benefit health in other ways, such as reducing people’s risk for opioid overdose, lowering the inflammation associated with hdradenitis suppurative, and preventing early death.

Other promising applications that scientists are looking at include reducing the risk of cognitive problems, helping people to stop smoking, treating chronic kidney disease, and lowering the risk of several types of cancer.