Published October 5, 2024
Morning Report — Not Your Typical Medical Newsletter
We get it, you see a lot of medical newsletters, so hear us out. Once a month, we’ll highlight important medical news sprinkled with witty commentary, fun facts, giveaways, and more… because learning should be fun! Subscribe to receive the Morning Report directly.
|
Good morning! Scientists are turning invisibility into a reality—fulfilling the dream of anyone who’s ever waved to the wrong person in public. This breakthrough hinges on FD&C Yellow 5, or tartrazine, the FDA-approved food dye responsible for the signature glow in dorm-favorites Doritos, Mountain Dew, and Kraft Mac & Cheese. Taking a page from Orwell’s The Invisible Man, researchers tested the theory that applying a light-absorbing agent (tartrazine) could make skin transparent by reducing light scattering in tissue. In a mouse study, they achieved this within five minutes, yielding an unobstructed view of the rodents’ internal organs. Let’s imagine the possibilities for humans: fewer biopsies, enhanced imaging depth, and—with improved targeting of the pigment beneath the skin—easier removal of that prematurely inked “[insert ex’s name] 4-eva” tattoo from your 16th birthday. |
Fork in the Road: Which IBS Diet Takes the Plate?
GI GIST
For a decade, the low FODMAP (fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides, and polyols) diet has reigned supreme in nonpharmacologic management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). But its restrictive nature tanks adherence faster than Tom Brady’s TB12 diet. Now, a new studypromotes an alternative that won’t require patients to BYO dinner to a dinner party.
A lot to digest
The more inclusive diet, SSRD (starch-and sucrose-reduced diet), emerged after researchers discovered a genetic variation common in patients with IBS that impairs sugar and starch digestion. A previous study showcased SSRD’s efficacy at reducing IBS symptoms. Now, a randomized controlled trial of 155 participants with IBS has set the table for a head-to-head matchup between the two IBS dietary regimens. Prior to launch, researchers encouraged participants to indulge in a pre-study Mardi Gras, inviting them to eat essentially “everything.” Then, all were randomly assigned to either of the diets for four weeks. The results offered food for thought:
- IBS symptoms improved in 75-80% of patients in both groups, exceeding expectations.
- The SSRD group saw greater reductions in weight and sugar cravings after four weeks.
- The SSRD emerged as the top choice among the study participants.
Key takeaways
According to this study, the SSRD offers patients with IBS a dietary approach with fewer restrictions with the same or better results. Patients who can’t say no to apples, onions, wheat, dairy, beans, sweeteners, and other FODMAP foods may have a home with SSRD if they can limit their sugar and starch (eg, cookies, pasta, bread). Corresponding study author Bodil Ohlsson, MD, PHD, says, “We wouldn’t really even call SSRD a diet. It’s how everyone should eat, not just those with IBS. And unlike low FODMAP, SSRD is easy to understand and easier to follow. You can eat everything when you are invited to dinner, just less of certain things.”
For more education on IBS management, check out Pri-Med's Frankly Speaking podcast episode: Your Gut Doesn’t Have to Be Irritated: Treatment Options for IBS
Dialing Down the Hype on Cell Phones and Cancer Risk
CANCER CONCLUSIONS
Do cellphones pose a cancer risk? This question has loomed since Zack Morris first brandished his brick-shaped portable phone 30 years ago. While early research—often based on flawed case-control studies—hinted at a link between cell phones and cancer, a new study—the largest to date—aims to take cellphones off the hook for these risks.
No signal for cancer
The World Health Organization (WHO) commissioned 11 top researchers from 10 countries—a WHO’s who of experts—to conduct a review of the literature on associations between cancer and exposure to radio frequencies from devices like cellphones. They didn’t just phone it in. The team scoured >5,000 studies from 1994 to 2022, whittling the list down to 63 scientifically sound observational studies. The findings delivered relief to both humanity and Big Tech:
- No clear link between mobile phone use and cancer
- No increased risk with long-term use (10+ years)
- No impact from frequency or duration of phone calls
- No increased risk of cancer in children near radio/TV transmitters or cell towers
Key takeaways
If you’re reading this newsletter on your mobile device right now, continue without concern, according to this review. Says lead author Professor Ken Karipidis, “These results are very reassuring. Cellphone use has skyrocketed, [but] there has been no rise in the incidence of brain cancers.” But given the ubiquity of wireless devices, the evolution of technology, and the proximity of these devices to our heads, the proverbial call likely hasn’t dropped on this issue.
A Dose of Reassurance in GLP-1 RA Safety
ENDO END POINTS
|
Recent concerns about possible links between glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and suicidal ideation have punctured the illusion of safety surrounding this drug class, challenging its “wonder drug” status. But new evidence from two sources may help restore confidence in GLP-1 RAs, reaffirming their role in the management of diabetes and obesity. A tale of two studies The first study, drawing from nearly 300,000 patients in Sweden and Denmark, pitted GLP-1 RAs (mostly liraglutide and semaglutide) against sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is). Over 2.5 years, suicide deaths remained rare and nearly identical between groups, with depression and anxiety rates following the same pattern. Meanwhile, the second study, mining data from the STEP trials, revealed that patients taking semaglutide not only achieved slightly better depression scores butalso were less likely to see their mental health deteriorate than those on placebo. Crucially, <1% of trial participants reported suicidal thoughts. All reassuring, but … An accompanying editorial throws a wet blanket on these results:
Key takeaways While these findings erase some of the blemish left by earlier safety concerns surrounding GLP-1 RAs and suicidality, a stain still lingers. The bottom line: Prescribe them with more confidence, but don’t drop your guard. The FDA urges caution, advising close monitoring of mental health symptoms, particularly in patients with a psychiatric history. Routine mental health screenings, like the PHQ-9, should be woven into follow-up visits to intercept any issues before they escalate. |
|
|
- Habitual coffee, tea, and caffeine consumption, circulating metabolites, and the risk of cardiometabolic multimorbidity
- Pregnancy completely rewires mothers’ brains — study
- New bone cancer treatment has 99% lab success rate
- Just salt and water: scientists discover simple remedy to help treat childhood colds
- No needles required: The FDA approves an at-home flu vaccine
- Sitting all day can cause dead butt syndrome
- Depression might sometimes be early sign of Alzheimer disease
|
Morning Report is written by:
Did You Enjoy This Issue of Morning Report? Absolutely! | For the most part | Not at all Click above, or share your feedback via email. Drop us an email at morningreport@pri-med.com to let us know how we’re doing.
Please note that the summaries in Morning Report are intended to provide clinicians with a brief overview of an article, and while we do our best to select the most salient points, we ask that you please read the full article linked in each summary for clarification before making any practice-changing decisions.
Enjoying Morning Report? Share It with Colleagues! Is Morning Report for you? It is if you’re someone who needs quick-hitting, accurate medical news—but with some flair. You don’t just need to know about the latest metabolism study—you also need to know how it parallels an Alanis Morissette hit. If you’re reading about acupuncture treatment, you need us to skip the needle puns and get straight to the point. We keep things simple, but when we do get into the scientific weeds, we always remind you to check for ticks. Subscribe to receive Morning Report directly in your inbox the first Saturday of every month.
|
