Researchers based in the United Kingdom recently examined how GLP-1 agonist drugs impact asthma in people with obesity. People taking GLP-1 medications had better-controlled asthma overall, though there was no difference in lung function compared to those not taking GLP-1s. The study suggests that GLP-1 drugs may have anti-inflammatory effects that benefit the lungs. Healthcare providers often prescribe GLP-1 drugs such as semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) or liraglutide (Victoza and Saxenda) for type 2 diabetes control and weight loss. As these medications increase in popularity, researchers are looking into other ways these drugs can be useful. Recent research shows that GLP-1 medications may reduce obesity-related cancer risk and may lower dementia risk. Researchers from the University of Aberdeen and the Observational and Pragmatic Research Institute in the United Kingdom recently examined how these medications impact asthma control in people with obesity. They found that people taking GLP-1 medications had better-controlled asthma overall.
The findings are published in the journal Advances in Therapy. GLP-1 receptor agonists are a type of medication that mimic the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 to help regulate blood sugar, increase insulin secretion, reduce gastric emptying, and increase appetite satiety. These medications treat type 2 diabetes and assist in weight loss in people who are either overweight or have obesity. GLP-1s have shown anti-inflammatory effects, MedicGLP and since an inflammatory response triggers asthma, researchers in the current study wanted to see what effects these medications have on people with obesity and asthma. The study examined around 60,000 people, including more than 10,000 people with both obesity and asthma taking GLP-1 drugs and around 50,000 matched controls. The researchers used data from the Optimum Patient Care Research Database. In order to qualify for inclusion in the study, the participants needed to have had an asthma consultation in the 12 months before starting the GLP-1 medication.
They also had to be at least 18 years old and have a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30, which indicates obesity. Each participant in the GLP-1 group was matched 5:1 with participants who had similar characteristics but had not taken GLP-1 medications. The researchers used an average of 3 years of follow-up data to determine how well people with asthma who were on GLP-1 medications did compared to people in the matched group. They used the participants’ baseline risk domain asthma control (RDAC) and overall asthma control (OAC) scores and compared these to scores taken during follow-up. While the GLP-1 group had a higher average BMI and worse asthma control before starting the GLP-1 drugs, they had "significant" improvements in their asthma scores after being on the GLP-1 medication for a year. The GLP-1 group did not differ much from the matched group at the end of the study in terms of lung function. The authors point to missing data due to the COVID-19 pandemic on this measurement. "Obese asthmatics are unique in that they are often steroid-resistant, and it is possible that mechanistic differences in obese asthmatics and weight loss with GLP1 may have pleomorphic effects on inflammation beyond just weight loss," the study authors noted. Overall, the study findings demonstrate that GLP-1 medications have the potential to positively impact asthma in people with obesity. Further research is needed, though, especially to determine whether these medications can one day be used to treat respiratory issues.
Science continues to prove that the old adage "you are what you eat" is profoundly true. This is because you have trillions of microorganisms living in your gut, which are directly responsible for nearly every aspect of your health. These microbes make up what’s called your "gut microbiota." They are especially influential in determining your likelihood of gaining excessive weight, becoming obese, MedicGLP Product and developing obesity-related diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and premature death. The gut microbiome (the expressed genes of your gut microbiota) plays a major role in your metabolism through energy production, storage, and expenditure. So, it’s no surprise that science has found a strong connection between gut microbiome imbalance and metabolic syndrome. Yikes! If you have the wrong mix of microbes, it could be making it tough for you to get your health on track! Did you know: Scientists can actually look at your gut microbiome composition and tell with 90% accuracy if you are obese or lean. That’s pretty impressive, isn’t it?
1. Unable to lose weight and keep it off? 2. Struggling to fight cravings? 3. Sick of starving yourself for weight loss? 4. Baffled as to why no diet seems to really work for you? Depending on the composition of your gut microbiome, your microbes can either boost your health or weigh you down (figuratively and literally). The good news is this: You have control over these little guys with every bite you eat. Diet has the power to change the landscape of your gut microbiome. So, if you’ve tried multiple diets and can’t seem to get the results you want, it’s time to look into your gut microbiome.Will You Lose Weight Naturally on an Individualized Diet? If you’ve been struggling to lose weight and keep it off - it could be your gut microbiome. While Viome doesn’t guarantee weight loss, it has been an exciting result many of our customers have reported. "Fiona’s update day 37!
