Heart Health
Are Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Similar Drugs Good for Your Heart Health?
If you’ve been following the news lately, you’ve probably seen much coverage on using OzempicTM, a diabetes drug approved in 2017 by the FDA, and WegovyTM (with the same active ingredient), approved in 2022 for certain obese patients. These drugs, and others like MounjaroTM and RybelsusTM, have been in such high demand that we are experiencing the effects of production shortfalls. Notably, while Ozempic and Mounjaro are diabetes drugs, they can still be prescribed “off-label” by qualified physicians and clinicians.
Let’s discuss whether these drugs make sense for a patient concerned about heart disease, and in doing so, we will focus on the two drugs (both Semaglutides) that have garnered the most headlines – Ozempic and Wegovy. Ozempic has apparent positive effects on type-2 diabetes by reducing blood sugar levels through improved insulin sensitivity in type two diabetics. While taking the drug, most patients ate less and lost weight, leading the developer to seek FDA approval for a new higher-dose indication as a weight loss therapy – Wegovy was brought to market last year.
Discussing Questions Raised by a Recent Study on Intermittent Fasting
There has been quite a bit of debate in the medical and diet community about a recent study entitled Calorie Restriction with or without Time-Restricted Eating in Weight Loss which showed, in essence, that intermittent fasting was no more successful in providing weight loss than caloric restriction.
First, let’s talk about how this study was misinterpreted. Many media outlets interpreted this study as saying intermittent fasting was ineffective. However, other studies have shown this not to be the case. Some thoughts:
Confusion & Misinformation Around Heart Health, Fats, & Misunderstood Carbs
There’s plenty of information out there to help in supporting your heart health through solid dietary choices. This includes details like what to eat more often, what to eat less frequently, and what to avoid entirely. Unfortunately, not all the information is accurate, with hundreds, if not thousands, of “influencers” giving their opinions each day. With free-flowing medical advice and information, it can be difficult to know what is fact and fiction. Most importantly, it’s essential to understand that a single food group is not inherently bad. There are undoubtedly bad choices within that food group, but there are also decidedly good ones.
Women’s Heart Health: The Surprising Statistics About Heart Disease in Women
Heart disease is a common concern for people of all genders, shapes, sizes, and backgrounds. Some factors for heart disease can be controlled, like daily habits, dietary choices, and exercise habits. Others, like genetics and family history, pose a risk that cannot be altered. Most importantly, everyone should know their risk of heart disease and speak to their doctor about appropriate screening now and in the future.
Is Vaping Better for Your Heart Than Smoking?
Smoking is implicated in various cancers, including lung cancer, but its effect on the cardiovascular system is somewhat less discussed. However, smoking profoundly affects our blood vessels and, ultimately, our long-term heart health. Smoking traditional cigarettes can worsen atherosclerosis (the narrowing of the arteries) both in the heart and peripheral extremities, causing problems with limb health and even dramatically increasing the risk of a heart attack. Traditional smoking also constricts blood vessels around the body, meaning that the heart must work harder to pump blood. For example, the body will have a more challenging time fighting off infection after an injury or surgery. Healing is often compromised too. With the advent of E-cigarettes and so-called vaping, many believe it is an appropriate and significantly lower-risk alternative to traditional tobacco products. But is this the case? Should vaping be considered a suitable option for those trying to quit smoking? There is a lot we know and even more that we don’t.
Does Supplementation Improve Your Heart Health?
We are consistently inundated with advertising and information about improving our general health. It’s no wonder, therefore, that most patients are confused as to what works and what doesn’t. Most importantly, the patient should recognize that changing anything related to their diet or exercise program should be supervised by a qualified medical professional to help ensure it doesn’t cause adverse reactions. This is especially true for patients with existing cardiovascular disease.
Does The Mediterranean Diet Really Work?
If you have excess weight to lose, you’ve likely heard of the Mediterranean diet and its substantial benefits. You may even have been told to follow it by your cardiologist or primary care physician. But what does the Mediterranean diet entail; and how is it different from other diets that you may have tried and ultimately failed?
It’s important to remember that the Mediterranean diet is more of a lifestyle change and less of pure weight loss challenge. The goal is to lower your risk of heart disease and other conditions exacerbated by poor diet and excess weight. Of course, losing weight is a very welcome part of the Mediterranean diet, if followed closely, and you can enjoy fresh wholesome foods while you’re at it.