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Elevate Your Practice: Curated Insights for Your Medical Office
Navigating the ever-expanding volume of information in the medical field can be a daunting task. How do you efficiently discern critical insights that truly make a difference in your daily practice? At MLMIC, we recognize this challenge. That’s why we’ve meticulously compiled a selection of vital articles, providing you with clear, concise summaries and direct access to the most impactful industry news and analysis. Think of this as your essential guide to staying sharp and comprehensively informed.
Join us as we explore our curations for the month of November.
Consumption of Low-and No-Calorie Artificial Sweeteners Affects Cognitive Function in People Under 60 Years of Age
Based on an 8-year prospective study of over 12,000 Brazilian civil servants, consumption of low and no-calorie artificial sweeteners was associated with an accelerated rate of cognitive decline, particularly in younger participants (under 60 years old). The study suggests that long-term consumption of these sweeteners, including aspartame and saccharin, may have a harmful effect on cognitive functions like verbal fluency and global cognition.
Even Low Alcohol Consumption Linked to Increased Cancer Risk
A study found that even low levels of alcohol consumption may be responsible for thousands of breast and colorectal cancer cases annually, highlighting a significant public health burden that extends beyond heavy drinking. This finding reinforces the recommendation that for cancer prevention, it is best to avoid alcohol entirely, as the risk for certain cancers, particularly breast cancer, may begin to increase with less than one drink per day.
New Menopause Drug Offers Relief from Hot Flashes, No Hormones Required
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Lynkuet (elinzanetant), a new once-a-day, non-hormonal pill from Bayer for treating moderate to severe hot flashes and night sweats (vasomotor symptoms) associated with menopause. Expected to be available in November, the drug is a first-in-class dual neurokinin receptor antagonist, meaning it works by blocking the brain chemicals (neurokinins) in the hypothalamus responsible for regulating body temperature, addressing the root cause of the symptoms. Clinical trials demonstrated its effectiveness, showing a rapid and significant reduction in the frequency and severity of hot flashes with one study reporting a more than 73% reduction in symptoms after 12 weeks offering a crucial new option for women who cannot or choose not to use traditional hormone therapy.
Costco to Offer GLP-1s but Experts Say That Will Not Affect the Market
Wholesale retailer Costco has joined the growing direct-to-consumer market for GLP-1 weight loss drugs, offering Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Ozempic at a discounted price of $499 per month for out-of-pocket patients through its pharmacies. Although this move is not expected to cause a major market shift, as the same price is already available through other large pharmacy partners, experts note that the partnership is significant because it raises awareness of more affordable options among Costco’s large and loyal customer base. The effort by Novo Nordisk, and competitors like Eli Lilly, to offer discounted pricing is primarily a strategy to compete with the cheaper, unbranded compounded versions of GLP-1 medications being sold by companies like Hims & Hers.
Poor Sleep and High Blood Pressure May Increase Risk of Dementia
A new study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association investigated the complex relationship between cardiovascular health, poor sleep and dementia risk by focusing on the brain’s crucial waste clearance system, known as the glymphatic system. This system, which relies on the flow of cerebrospinal fluid primarily during deep sleep to flush out toxic waste and proteins associated with dementia, was found to be impaired in people with an increased risk of developing the condition. Utilizing MRI scans from over 45,000 UK Biobank adults, researchers confirmed that common cardiovascular risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking all correlate with impaired glymphatic function by disrupting the flow of fluids in the brain. The findings highlight that improving both sleep quality and aggressively treating cardiovascular risks are essential, interconnected strategies that may enhance the brain’s waste removal efficiency and help reduce the overall risk of dementia.
As we wrap up this edition of MLMIC’s medical news, we hope these curated articles offered valuable insights and kept you abreast of medicine’s dynamic world. Our goal is to empower your practice by delivering the most relevant industry research and developments.
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This document is for general purposes only and should not be construed as medical, dental or legal advice. This document is not comprehensive and does not cover all possible factual circumstances. Because the facts applicable to your situation may vary, or the laws applicable in your jurisdiction may differ, please contact your attorney or other professional advisors for any questions related to legal, medical, dental or professional obligations, the applicable state or federal laws or other professional questions.
