Advertisement
Here are the top medical news for the day:
Can a Handful of Almonds Help Lower Cholesterol and Blood Sugar?
A new consensus study has reinforced the role of almonds in supporting cardiometabolic health, including lowering “bad” cholesterol, supporting weight management, and promoting a healthy gut. The findings, published in the journal Current Developments in Nutrition, reviewed extensive existing research on almond consumption and health outcomes.
The research team analysed previously published meta-analyses and clinical studies on almonds and their effects on health parameters such as blood glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure, body weight, and gut microbiota. This consensus approach aimed to compile the most reliable and consistent evidence on how almonds affect metabolic and cardiovascular health.
The analysis showed that almond consumption could lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol by about five units and bring down diastolic blood pressure by 0.17 to 1.3 mmHg. Among Asian Indians with pre-diabetes, daily intake of almonds improved fasting blood glucose and HbA1C levels, suggesting benefits for early diabetes management.
The review also found that consuming more than 50 grams of almonds daily may lead to slight reductions in body weight—debunking the myth that almonds contribute to weight gain.
Moreover, almonds were shown to support gut health by increasing beneficial gut bacteria and the production of short-chain fatty acids, which are crucial for metabolic regulation.
Study co-author Dr. Anoop Misra, chairman of Fortis Centre for Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol, said, “Almonds can support weight loss efforts due to their nutrient composition — protein, fibre, and healthy fat content — which helps people feel satisfied for longer periods and may reduce overall calorie intake.”
“These benefits aid weight loss efforts by stabilising energy levels and reducing appetite fluctuations,” Dr. Misra noted. “When combined with proper nutrition and physical activity, almonds can be a health-promoting part of a weight loss plan.”
Dr. Misra advised incorporating almonds into daily routines based on individual goals: “Have them at breakfast for steady energy, post-workout for recovery, or as a healthy snack during the day. Almonds are easy to carry and provide lasting nourishment.”
With their blend of protein, fibre, unsaturated fats, and essential nutrients like magnesium and vitamin E, almonds remain a powerful ally in promoting long-term heart, metabolic, and gut health.
Reference: Trumbo, P. R., Ard, J., Bellisle, F., Drewnowski, A., Gilbert, J. A., Kleinman, R., ... & Hill, J. (2024). Perspective: Current Scientific Evidence and Research Strategies in the Role of Almonds in Cardiometabolic Health. Current Developments in Nutrition, 9(1), 104516.
GLP1 Drugs May Pose Mental Health Risks, New Study Warns
A new study published in Current Neuropharmacology has raised alarms about the potential mental health risks associated with Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP1) receptor agonists—popular medications used in weight loss and diabetes management, including drugs like Ozempic. The international team of 24 researchers used advanced pharmacogenomic computational analysis to uncover links between GLP1 agonists and genes associated with mood regulation, depression, and suicidal ideation (SI).
The study highlights that while GLP1 agonists may benefit individuals with hyperdopaminergia (excess dopamine activity), they could be harmful to those with hypodopaminergia (low dopamine function). Genes such as DRD3, BDNF, and CREB1, which play key roles in mood and reward pathways, were found to be affected by these drugs. Chronic use, researchers say, may disrupt dopamine signaling and increase the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts.
“This study should not be ignored, despite the hype surrounding the positive clinical outcomes of GLP1 receptor agonists,” said senior author Dr. Kenneth Blum of Western University Health Sciences and Ariel University. “We urge the clinical prescribing community to proceed with caution to avoid another tragic wave of ‘people dying to lose weight.’”
Dr. Mark S. Gold, an addiction psychiatry pioneer and co-author, emphasized, “The paper provides critical evidence for re-evaluating the widespread use of GLP1 receptor agonists. The FDA and other regulatory agencies should carefully consider our findings when it comes to labeling and monitoring these drugs.”
The study advocates for personalized medicine approaches, including genetic testing for hypodopaminergia, to identify individuals at risk before prescribing GLP1 receptor agonists.
As GLP1 drugs grow in popularity, the study serves as a timely reminder of the need to balance benefits with long-term mental health considerations.
Reference: Sharafshah, A., Lewandrowski, K. U., Gold, M. S., Fuehrlein, B., Ashford, J. W., Thanos, P. K., ... & Blum, K. (2025). In Silico Pharmacogenomic Assessment of Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP1) Agonists and the Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS) Related Pathways: Implications for Suicide Ideation and Substance Use Disorder. Current Neuropharmacology.
Meta-Analysis Supports Medical Cannabis in Cancer Care and Treatment
A meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Oncology has revealed strong scientific consensus supporting medical cannabis for cancer symptom relief and potential anti-cancer properties. With over 10,000 studies analyzed, this is the largest research effort to date evaluating cannabis’s role in oncology.
“Our goal was to determine the scientific consensus on the topic of medical cannabis, a field that has long been dominated by a war between cherrypicked studies,” Ryan Castle, Research Director at the Whole Health Oncology Institute explained.
The research team synthesized data from 10,000+ peer-reviewed papers, encompassing 39,767 data points. Utilizing AI-driven sentiment analysis, they categorized the evidence into positive, negative, or unclear correlations across health outcomes, cancer dynamics, and treatment impact. The results showed that support for cannabis as a medical tool was 31.38 times stronger than opposition.
The findings were particularly strong in areas such as anti-inflammatory properties, relief from pain, nausea, and appetite loss. Perhaps most notably, cannabis was also shown to potentially inhibit cancer cell growth and promote apoptosis—the programmed death of cancer cells.
Castle says his team hoped to find “a moderate consensus” about cannabis’s potential as a cancer treatment, and expected the “best case scenario” to be something like 55% of studies showing that medical cannabis improved cancer outcomes. “It wasn’t 55-45, it was 75-25,” he said.
“That’s a shocking degree of consensus in public health research, and certainly more than we were anticipating for a topic as controversial as medical cannabis,” Castle said.
Castle emphasized that the goal is not to lower the bar for treatments, but to recognize that medical cannabis meets or exceeds existing standards: “We are arguing that medical cannabis meets or exceeds those standards, often to a greater extent than current pharmaceutical treatments.”
The authors call for re-evaluation of cannabis policy and expanded clinical trials to explore its full therapeutic potential.
Reference: Castle Ryan D., Marzolf James, Morris Miranda, Bushell William C., Meta-analysis of medical cannabis outcomes and associations with cancer, Frontiers in Oncology, Volume 15 - 2025
DOI=10.3389/fonc.2025.1490621
Our comments section is governed by our Comments Policy . By posting comments at Medical Dialogues you automatically agree with our Comments Policy , Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.