Category: 8. Health

There’s growing evidence that the mix of bacteria in the gut affects obesity risk, and new research backs up the thinking that ‘good’ bacteria transferred via fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) could help boost metabolic health across several years.

In simple terms, metabolic health is how well our bodies are running, and turning food into energy. In this study, it was measured through what’s known as metabolic syndrome: a cluster of health issues including high blood pressure, high levels of sugar and fat in the blood, waist circumference, and cholesterol.

Led by a team from the University of Auckland in New Zealand, the new research follows up on a study published five years ago, for which 87 obese young adults were given fecal transplant capsules containing gut bacteria mixed to promote a healthy metabolism.

Related: Study of Over 400,000 People Links Gut Bacteria With Insomnia Risk

“Metabolic syndrome has severe consequences, including a doubling in risk of death from heart disease or stroke and a five-fold increased risk of type 2 diabetes,” says pediatric endocrinologist Wayne Cutfield, from the University of Auckland.

The transplant didn’t have a noticeable effect on weight loss, but it did seem to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome, thus limiting the likelihood of related diseases. Now, it’s been shown that these health improvements can last for years.

“What is impressive is that just a single [FMT] treatment produced a dramatic reduction in metabolic syndrome that lasted at least four years,” says Cutfield.

“This means participants are at much lower risk of developing diabetes and heart disease over the long term.”

For the new research, follow-up tests were carried out on 55 of the original 87 study participants, 27 of whom had received the FMT treatment, with the remaining 28 given a placebo.

Again, there was no notable difference in body mass index (BMI) between the groups, but volunteers who had been given the FMT still had significantly better metabolic syndrome scores, with improved results across several health markers, including reduced body fat percentage.

In addition, the researchers found that the healthy mix of bacteria that had been transplanted four years prior were still in place to some extent. It means ongoing treatment might not always be needed.

Based on the extensive amount of research that’s been done, it seems there’s a two-way relationship between obesity and gut bacteria: what we eat of course affects the gut, but it seems the gut microbiome also influences weight and metabolism to some extent.

Taking a processed poop tablet may sound a little icky, and there are studies that suggest FMT has its own risks. However, other studies indicate various benefits, with these types of treatments used to tackle cancers, brain diseases, and aging in general.

Now we’ve seen what the long-term benefits might be, the researchers want to see tests on larger groups of people, and further work done to identify the particular mix of gut microbes that can promote metabolic health.

“Imagine being able to program your microbiome to reduce the risk of conditions before they occur,” says geneticist Justin O’Sullivan, from the University of Auckland.

“This work is paving the way for next-generation probiotics that target specific conditions through sustained changes to the microbiome.”

The research has been published in Nature Communications.

Hydrogels-materials like gelatin that can absorb and hold water-can aid wound healing and enable slow-release drug delivery, but they usually break down in acidic environments like the stomach. Inspired by the properties of gastric mucus, a team of researchers and clinicians led by Zuankai Wang of Hong Kong Polytechnic University have developed an acid-resistant hydrogel called “ultrastable mucus-inspired hydrogel” (UMIH). Publishing September 4 in the Cell Press journal Cell Reports Physical Science, they showed that UMIH improved gastrointestinal wound healing in animals and outperformed a clinically approved mucosal protectant (a material used to protect the stomach lining). 

UMIH has potential for treating gastroesophageal reflux, gastric ulcers, and post-surgical wound protection and can be combined with endoscopic delivery for minimally invasive therapy. In both rat and pig models, it not only sticks firmly but also helps wounds heal faster and better.” 

Bei Li, coauthor of Sichuan University

Like other hydrogels, UMIH consists of a meshwork of polymers that absorb water to create a strong but jelly-like consistency. To make it acid resistant, the researchers incorporated three key molecular components into UMIH’s structure: a protein called ELR-IK24 that binds to hydrogen ions under acidic conditions to reduce local acidity; tannic acid, which enhances the hydrogel’s ability to stick to surfaces; and a molecule called HDI that stabilizes the hydrogel’s structure under acidic conditions. 

“UMIH represents a major step forward in biomaterials for gastrointestinal repair,” says Dr. Wang. “Its strong adhesion, durability, and scalable manufacturing process position it as a promising platform for clinical translation.” 

In lab tests under acidic conditions (pH2), UMIH showed 15× stronger adhesive abilities compared to aluminum phosphate gel (APG), a clinically approved mucosal protectant and antacid that is used to manage gastric ulcers and acid reflux. And whereas APG degraded completely after 3 days, UMIH still maintained 50% of its structural integrity after 7 days in acidic conditions. UMIH was not associated with any toxicity issues in lab-grown gastrointestinal cells. It also inhibited the growth of E. coli and S. aureus bacteria, indicating that it has antimicrobial potential.

“UMIH achieves an adhesion strength 15 times higher than that of clinically approved materials in acidic conditions,” says coauthor Xiao Yang of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. “It remains stable for 7 days and shows excellent biocompatibility and significant tissue repair capability.” 

In pig and rat models of esophageal injury, UMIH adhered tightly to wounds and improved healing compared to control animals and animals treated with APG. UMIH was associated with less tissue damage, reduced inflammation, and it promoted the growth of new blood vessels, which is essential for healing. 

Clinical trials will be needed to validate UMIH’s safety and efficacy in humans, but the researchers say that it has good potential for commercialization. 

“This is a material that’s ready for both the operating room and the production line,” says coauthor Feng Lou of Sichuan University. “UMIH is low-cost, easy –to –mass produce, and built from components with established safety profiles. In [the] future, we plan to integrate UMIH with drug release systems and implantable flexible electronics to create smart gastrointestinal devices that can treat and monitor in real-time.” 

First-year undergraduates who grew up with overly cautious or controlling parents tend to experience increased anxiety when faced with stresses associated with the transition to university, researchers from McGill University and the University of California (Los Angeles) have found.

The researchers asked 240 first-year McGill students to fill out several questionnaires in the first six weeks of the fall semester. The questionnaires used well-established scales to measure the parenting style they were raised with, current anxiety symptoms and different types of stressors they encountered during the transition to university, including housing difficulties, personal loss or even life-threatening situations.

The team then looked at associations among those variables, focusing on how the relationship between exposure to stressors and current experiences of anxiety correlated with different parental behaviours.

“We found that students whose parents are very protective experience a stronger link between exposure to stressful events and feelings of anxiety,” explained Lidia Panier, the study’s lead author. Panier, a PhD student in the Department of Psychology, is a member of the Translational Research in Affect and Cognition (TRAC) Lab led by Professor Anna Weinberg, the study’s senior author and principal investigator.

While cautioning that their study model does not allow them to conclude that overprotective parenting causes anxiety in children, the researchers note that such a conclusion would be consistent with the existing body of research.

Previous findings show that overprotective parenting leads to insecure attachment and poorer emotion regulation, both of which are linked to greater vulnerability to anxiety.”

Lidia Panier, study’s lead author

She said she believes overprotective parenting in childhood and adolescence may not be helpful in teaching kids how to adapt to stressful situations in the long term. At the same time, she noted that the overprotective parenting might in some cases be a response to a child’s anxious behaviours: parents might develop watchful attitudes or controlling habits to protect a child who often appears fearful.

“These interpretations are not mutually exclusive,” explained Panier. “A bi-directional dynamic where child behaviours influence parenting, which then affects child development, is also well-supported in the literature.”

The researcher said she hopes that future studies can clarify these links, as well as explore ways to better support young adults experiencing anxiety, especially during key transitional periods.

“It would be interesting to see if these patterns can change over time, such as whether supportive peer relationships in university can help young adults become more resilient, even if they experienced overprotective parenting,” she said.

ISLAMABAD: Global and local health experts on Thursday warned that chronic obesity is quietly crippling thousands of young Pakistanis every year, with new data revealing that more than three-quarters of the country’s adult population are now overweight or obese.

Speaking at an event to mark the launch of Pakistan’s first generic tirzepatide, organised by Getz Pharma, health professionals described the drug as one of the most promising breakthroughs in obesity and diabetes care worldwide, demonstrating remarkable results in both clinical trials and real-world use.

Experts cautioned that obesity is driving a sharp rise in diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, cancers, infertility, and obstructive sleep apnea, warning that without urgent action Pakistan faces an unprecedented public health crisis.

Prof Waseem Hanif, Professor of Diabetes and Endocrinology at the University of Birmingham, described obesity as “a normal response to an abnormal environment.”

He said nearly 2.5 billion adults worldwide are overweight, with one billion classified as obese, adding that South Asians face heightened risks even at lower body weights.

“The ideal BMI is 18 to 25, but for South Asians it should be around 23. Obesity is a chronic disease that kills young, causes sleep apnea and severely diminishes quality of life. In Pakistan, over 100 million people are obese.

A revolutionary new treatment like tirzepatide offers a fresh breath of hope, capable of reducing weight by up to 25 percent, but it must be combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise. Obesity is a disease, and its main symptom is hunger,” he emphasised.

Prof Saleem Qureshi, Head of Medicine at KRL Hospital Islamabad, welcomed the local availability of the drug as a major relief for patients.

“Until now, patients have had to spend hundreds of thousands of rupees on smuggled, unregistered products. With tirzepatide now available in Pakistan, diabetes remission is becoming a reality.

However, a greater concern is that if current trends continue, over 57 percent of Pakistani children will be obese by the time they reach 35. Obesity must be treated as a chronic disease with medication and lifestyle modification, as most Pakistanis seek medical care far too late,” he warned.

Echoing these concerns, Prof Jamal Zafar acknowledged the effectiveness of tirzepatide but stressed that medication alone is insufficient.

“Doctors must guide patients towards exercise, physical activity and a balanced diet. Exercise does not increase appetite – it reduces it. Lifestyle change is essential alongside treatment,” he added.

Dr Khurram Hussain, Managing Director of Getz Pharma, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to providing affordable, evidence-based solutions for obesity and its complications.

“With GLP-1 and GIP therapy, we aim to support effective weight reduction and reduce the risks of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. For over 17 years, the company has led efforts to make life-saving biologics accessible in Pakistan, from insulin to interferons, and we remain dedicated to advancing innovative, affordable treatments for weight management.”

Sharing data from the PAK-SEHAT study, Dr Khurram Nasir, Co-Primary Investigator and Chief of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention & Wellness at Houston Methodist, said the findings were alarming.

“Only one in five adults in Pakistan falls within a normal BMI range. Nearly three out of four are obese, making obesity the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and hypertension. These results were recently presented at the American Society for Preventive Cardiology in Boston,” he added.

The event was attended by numerous endocrinologists, medical specialists, pulmonologists, general practitioners and gastroenterologists, who welcomed the arrival of this new anti-diabetic and anti-obesity therapy in Pakistan.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

• The study followed 12,772 adults with an average age of 52
• Researchers tracked seven artificial sweeteners typically found in ultra-processed foods like flavored water, soda, energy drinks, yogurt and low-calorie desserts
• People who consumed the highest total amounts of these sweeteners had faster decline in overall thinking and memory skills compared to people who consumed the lowest amounts
• The faster decline equaled about 1.6 years of aging
• Researchers found a link in people under 60 but not older than 60
• While the study found links, it does not prove that sweeteners cause cognitive decline

Some sugar substitutes may come with unexpected consequences for long-term brain health, according to a study published in the September 3, 2025, issueofNeurology^®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The study examined seven low- and no-calorie sweeteners and found that people who consumed the highest amounts experienced faster declines in thinking and memory skills compared to those who consumed the lowest amounts. The link was even stronger in people with diabetes. While the study showed a link between the use of some artificial sweeteners and cognitive decline, it did not prove that they were a cause.

The artificial sweeteners examined in the study were aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame-K, erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol and tagatose. These are mainly found in ultra-processed foods like flavored water, soda, energy drinks, yogurt and low-calorie desserts. Some are also used as a standalone sweetener.

“Low- and no-calorie sweeteners are often seen as a healthy alternative to sugar, however our findings suggest certain sweeteners may have negative effects on brain health over time,” said study author Claudia Kimie Suemoto, MD, PhD, of the University of São Paulo in Brazil.

The study included 12,772 adults from across Brazil. The average age was 52, and participants were followed for an average of eight years.

Participants completed questionnaires about diet at the start of the study, detailing what they ate and drank over the past year. Researchers divided them into three groups based on the total amount of artificial sweeteners they consumed. The lowest group consumed an average of 20 milligrams per day (mg/day) and the highest group consumed an average of 191 mg/day. For aspartame, this amount is equivalent to one can of diet soda. Sorbitol had the highest consumption, with an average of 64 mg/day.

Participants were given cognitive tests at the start, middle and end of the study to track memory, language and thinking skills over time. The tests assessed areas such as verbal fluency, working memory, word recall and processing speed.

After adjusting for factors such as age, sex, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, researchers found people who consumed the highest amount of sweeteners showed faster declines in overall thinking and memory skills than those who consumed the lowest amount, with a decline that was 62% faster. This is the equivalent of about 1.6 years of aging. Those in the middle group had a decline that was 35% faster than the lowest group, equivalent to about 1.3 years of aging.

When researchers broke the results down by age, they found that people under the age of 60 who consumed the highest amounts of sweeteners showed faster declines in verbal fluency and overall cognition when compared to those who consumed the lowest amounts. They did not find links in people over 60. They also found that the link to faster cognitive decline was stronger in participants with diabetes than in those without diabetes.

When looking at individual sweeteners, consuming aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame-k, erythritol, sorbitol and xylitol was associated with a faster decline in overall cognition, particularly in memory.

They found no link between the consumption of tagatose and cognitive decline.

“While we found links to cognitive decline for middle-aged people both with and without diabetes, people with diabetes are more likely to use artificial sweeteners as sugar substitutes,” Suemoto said. “More research is needed to confirm our findings and to investigate if other refined sugar alternatives, such as applesauce, honey, maple syrup or coconut sugar, may be effective alternatives.”

A limitation of the study was that not all artificial sweeteners were included. Also, diet information was reported by the participants, who may not have remembered accurately everything they ate.

The study was supported by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development.