Cutting-edge GLP-1 weight-loss drugs appear to help lower cancer risk even beyond the benefits from dropping excess pounds, a new study says. First-generation GLP-1 drugs like liraglutide (Saxenda) and exenatide (Byetta) were associated with a 41% lower risk of obesity-related cancers, compared with weight-loss surgery, researchers report in the journal eClinicalMedicine. “We do not yet…  read on >  read on >

A new report says rice sold in U.S. stores contains toxic heavy metals, including arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. The report — released by Healthy Babies, Bright Futures — found arsenic in 100% of rice samples tested from stores in 20 metro areas, including New York City, Los Angeles and Miami, CBS News reported. What’s…  read on >  read on >

Low-income Medicare beneficiaries are more likely to die if they lose access to crucial medication coverage, a new study says. More than 14 million poor Medicare beneficiaries receive the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), which further reduces their drug costs, researchers said in background notes. People who lose LIS eligibility are 4% more likely…  read on >  read on >

More U.S. teenagers are getting weight-loss surgery, despite the discovery of new drugs like Ozempic/Wegovy that help people drop pounds surgery-free, a new study says. Weight loss surgeries for teens increased 15% between 2021 and 2023, researchers reported earlier this month in The Journal of Pediatrics. Further, much of the increase in weight-loss surgery is…  read on >  read on >