New Delhi: The so-called weight loss drugs have gained a lot of popularity in the past times and because of their ability to combat obesity and to reduce the risk of chronic health problems like diabetes. But according to a new study, skinny jabs like Wegovy could be key to fighting the risk of 10 types of cancer. Researchers discovered that people who took glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) like Wegovy and Ozempic were less likely to be diagnosed with obesity-triggered cancers like those of the bowel, pancreas and stomach.
For this, researchers evaluated the health records of 1.6 million people suffering from type-2 diabetes who were either takint insulin or GLP-1RA or metformim from 2005 to 2018. During this period, researchers looked for diagnoses of 13 types of cancers associated with obesity over 15 years. It was found that those who were taking GLP-1RA had a lower risk of being diagnosed with these 10 as compared to patients who took insulin. These include:
Oesophageal cancer
Womb cancer
Bowel cancer
Gallbladder cancer
Kidney cancer
Liver cancer
Ovarian cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Meningioma
Multiple myeloma – a form of blood cancer
All these diseases are associated with obesity in some way or the other and the excess fat is linked to an increased and even worse prognosis. Researchers also said that there was no dip in cancer risk linked with GLP-1RAs in comparison to metformin. The findings, experts said, support further studies on the subject for prevention of obesity and tumours associated with it. GLP-1RAs is often prescribed to diabetes patients to bring blood sugar under control and eventually trigger weight loss.
How do weight loss drugs work?
Weight lossw drugs work in the body by mimicing a hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 which is released in the stomach when one eats. This helps the body make more insulin, and the hormone also controls the amount of sugar in blood, and it reduces the amount of sugar and glucose that the liver makes. It also slows down the pace at which food is digested so as to reduce appetite and reduce calorie intake.
What are the side effects of weight loss drugs?
Weight loss drugs are likely to contribute to some side effects as well, such as:
Constipation
Diarrhoea
Nausea
Dizziness
Headaches
Flatulence
Acid reflux
Vomiting
For this, researchers evaluated the health records of 1.6 million people suffering from type-2 diabetes who were either takint insulin or GLP-1RA or metformim from 2005 to 2018. During this period, researchers looked for diagnoses of 13 types of cancers associated with obesity over 15 years. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
