Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / Tanning Risks, Allergy Prevention, and Muscle Health with Obesity Medications

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Tanning Risks, Allergy Prevention, and Muscle Health with Obesity Medications · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

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  Hello and welcome to another episode of Morning Medical with Dr.
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  Chow.
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  I'm your host, Chi-Ming Chow, here to bring you up to speed on the latest medical and health
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  news from around the globe.
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  Today, we're diving into a hot topic—both literally and figuratively—about the resurgence
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  of tanning, a trend known as "tanmaxxing."
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  It seems like tanning is making a comeback, despite the well-documented health risks
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  associated with excessive sun exposure.
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  If you've noticed more young adults basking in the sun this summer, you’re not alone.
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  Recent trends show a significant increase in the number of people actively seeking out
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  tanning, with search terms like "tanning bed" and "tanning oil" seeing noticeable spikes.
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  This isn't just a casual sunbathing session; it's a calculated effort to achieve the darkest
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  tan possible, as quickly as possible.
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  Cheryl Rosen, who leads the division of dermatology at the University Health Network
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  and is a professor at the University of Toronto, explains that tanmaxxing involves
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  checking the ultraviolet index and deliberately choosing to be in the sun when it's at its
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  peak.
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  It's about getting those tan lines and showing them off, which seems to be the latest fashion
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  statement.
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  Canada is experiencing a hotter-than-average summer, which only fuels this trend.
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  Temperatures in southern Ontario are already soaring into the high twenties, with
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  meteorologists predicting even higher humidex levels soon.
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  The heat is widespread across the country, adding to the allure of a sun-kissed glow.
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  However, this trend is not without its dangers.
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  Experts warn that tanning without proper protection is akin to playing Russian roulette
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  with your health.
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  Overexposure to the sun can lead to premature aging, sunburn, and more alarmingly, an
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  increased risk of skin cancer.
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  It's troubling to see that many young people are choosing to ignore these risks,
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  prioritizing aesthetics over health.
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  A recent study by the American Academy of Dermatology Association highlights a concerning
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  lack of awareness among Generation Z.
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  Many in this age group are unaware of the risks associated with tanning, often forgetting to
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  apply sunscreen, and some even prioritize getting a tan over protecting their skin.
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  This is despite the fact that skin cancer rates, particularly melanoma, continue to rise.
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  Dermatologists like Dr.
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  Paul Cohen emphasize the importance of sun-safe behaviors, such as using sunscreen with at
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  least SPF 30, wearing hats, and opting for loose clothing to protect against both the sun
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  and heat.
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  These precautions are essential, especially as the Canadian Cancer Society predicts over
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  11,000 new melanoma cases this year.
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  Ultimately, while the desire for a tan might be tempting, it's crucial to weigh the long-term
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  health implications.
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  A tan today could lead to serious health issues tomorrow.
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  As always, staying informed and taking preventive measures is key to enjoying the sun
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  safely.
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  Today, we're exploring an intriguing development in the realm of childhood
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  allergies, specifically concerning egg allergies.
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  Historically, parents were advised to keep allergenic foods, like eggs, away from infants,
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  especially if there was a family history of allergies.
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  However, a recent study published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics is turning that
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  guidance on its head, suggesting that introducing eggs around six months of age can
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  significantly reduce the prevalence of egg allergies in children.
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  The study, conducted in Australia, found that after the introduction of new infant feeding
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  guidelines in 2016, the prevalence of egg allergy among children fell by more than 17
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  percent.
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  This change in guidelines recommended introducing egg and other allergens in the
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  first year of life, rather than delaying exposure until the child was older.
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  The study's lead author, Jennifer Koplin, emphasized that these findings underscore the
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  importance of basing guideline changes on high-quality evidence.
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  When widely adopted, such changes can lead to meaningful reductions in food allergy
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  prevalence.
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  It's fascinating to see how the science of allergy prevention has evolved.
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  In the early 2000s, the American Academy of Pediatrics advised that infants at high risk
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  for allergies avoid eggs until age two.
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  This was based on the belief that delaying exposure might prevent allergic reactions.
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  However, by 2008, the guidance shifted to support introducing eggs by six months of age,
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  as evidence suggested that earlier introduction could actually reduce the risk of developing an
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  egg allergy.
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  The study involved over 7,000 infants in Melbourne, Australia, who were part of two
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  distinct groups: those who had immunization visits between 2007 and 2011 and those between
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  2018 and 2019.
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  The data revealed that the proportion of infants introduced to eggs by six months more
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  than doubled from about 25 percent in the earlier group to 57 percent in the later group.
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  Correspondingly, the prevalence of egg allergy decreased from 9.2 percent to 7.6 percent,
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  marking a 17.7 percent relative decrease.
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  Notably, the study also examined infants with early eczema, a known risk factor for
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  developing food allergies.
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  In these infants, the prevalence of egg allergy decreased from 34.6 percent to 21.9 percent.
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  This real-world evidence supports the early introduction of allergens as a strategy to
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  prevent food allergies.
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  While this study was conducted in Australia, it holds potential insights for trends in the
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  United States.
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  Professional bodies like the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology recommend
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  introducing egg from around six months of age.
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  However, the rate of timely egg introduction in the United States remains lower than in
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  Australia, with only about 15.5 percent of infants introduced to egg before seven months
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  as of 2021.
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  The findings offer reassurance to parents who may be hesitant about introducing allergenic
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  foods early.
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  It's important to ensure that infants are developmentally ready to manage solid foods.
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  Signs of readiness include being able to sit up with support, controlling their head and neck,
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  and showing interest in food.
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  Parents should monitor their children for any allergy symptoms and consult with a
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  pediatrician about how to safely introduce solid foods.
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  In conclusion, this study highlights the positive impact that evidence-based guideline
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  changes can have on public health.
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  By carefully considering the timing of introducing allergenic foods, we can make
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  strides in reducing the prevalence of food allergies among children.
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  As always, it's crucial to stay informed and consult healthcare professionals when making
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  decisions about your child's diet.
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  Our last story today focuses on a new drug that could address a side effect some patients
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  experience with obesity medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro.
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  Known as "Ozempic butt," this condition involves the loss of muscle and tissue volume,
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  particularly in the buttocks, as people rapidly lose weight.
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  However, a promising solution may be on the horizon with a drug called apitegromab.
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  According to research published in the journal Nature Medicine, apitegromab could help
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  maintain muscle mass while still allowing for fat loss when used in conjunction with obesity
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  jabs.
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  In a study involving 102 adults, primarily women, those who received apitegromab alongside
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  their obesity medication retained more muscle mass compared to those who did not.
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  The data suggests that apitegromab helps by blocking a protein involved in muscle
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  breakdown.
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  It's important to understand that the muscle loss associated with these obesity medications
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  isn't due to the drugs themselves but rather the rapid weight loss they induce.
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  As weight drops quickly, both fat and muscle can be lost, leading to changes in body shape
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  that some find undesirable.
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  This has led to an increase in consultations with plastic surgeons as individuals seek
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  solutions for these changes.
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  Currently, apitegromab is only available through clinical trials and is administered as
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  an infusion.
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  However, the company behind it is exploring the possibility of a self-injection option, similar
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  to how GLP-1 medications are administered.
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  While the initial findings are promising, experts like Dr.
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  Marie Spreckley from Cambridge University caution that more extensive studies are needed
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  to confirm the drug's long-term benefits.
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  For those on GLP-1 drugs, maintaining muscle mass through diet and exercise remains crucial.
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  Activities that engage muscles, such as resistance training, heavy gardening, or even
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  climbing stairs, can help preserve muscle strength and endurance.
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  Additionally, ensuring adequate protein intake is key to supporting muscle health.
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  As we wrap up today's episode, it's clear that advancements in medical research continue to
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  offer new hope and solutions for those managing obesity.
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  While apitegromab shows potential, it's important to consult healthcare professionals
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  before making any changes to your treatment plan.
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  Thank you for joining me today on Morning Medical with Dr.
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  Chow.
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  Stay informed and stay healthy.
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  Until next time, take care.