The Medical Advisor

Readers ask a variety of questions regarding ultra-processed foods. This article is mainly a result of those questions. With that in mind, please accept the following for what it is: a compilation of processed foods related information that is important to know. In recent decades, ultra-processed foods (such as fast-food hamburgers, instant noodles, cakes, potato chips, etc.) have entered nearly every household. They taste good and are convenient and affordable. However, research shows that ultra-processed foods may cause serious health problems, and excessive consumption can increase the risk of death. Update: The New U.S. Dietary Guidelines : Science, Controversy & Practical Eating Advice (2026) A  2024 umbrella review * (BMJ) of the literature confirmed what multiple studies have shown — the higher your intake of ultraprocessed food, the higher your risk of adverse health outcomes. The analysis, which included 45 unique pooled analyses and 9,888,373 participants,...

Semaglutide, known by the brand names Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus and others, is the latest weight-loss craze to hit Hollywood and beyond. The prescription drug, which is administered via a weekly injection, is intended to treat Type 2 diabetes, but it’s widely used off-label for weight loss. They all belong to the same medication class — glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists ( GLP-1 receptor agonists ).  GLP-1 agonists work by triggering insulin release, blocking sugar production in your liver, and making you feel full. But with all of these brands out there, how do you decide which is right for you? Let’s get to know some of the differences between these major GLP-1 agonist drugs. A 2021 study funded by Novo Nordisk, the drug’s maker, found using semaglutide once a week led to a 14.9% reduction in body weight among adults with obesity. 1  There’s been such a rush on the drugs that the U.S. Food and Drug Administratio...

For decades, the conventional advice for optimal bone health has been to take calcium supplements — but the fact is that without the right co-factors, like vitamin K2, this nutrient doesn't end up strengthening bones, and could cause damage instead. Vitamin K2 ensures that calcium binds to bone where it belongs. Without sufficient amounts of K2, calcium builds up in places where it shouldn't — like your arteries — while leaving your bones weak and brittle. This is why people with low vitamin K2 levels often develop both osteoporosis and hardened arteries, a paradox that drastically increases their risk of fractures and heart disease. Vitamin K2 Strengthens Bones and Protects Against Fractures  Sources:  X,com ,  X.com A 2024 review published in Nutrients examined the role of vitamin K2 in bone health, specifically its impact on bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk in adults. The researchers focused on how K2 influences calcium utilization in the body, ensuring tha...

Introduction Cancers of the female reproductive system, including ovarian, endometrial (uterine), and cervical cancers, represent a significant global health burden, often presenting at advanced stages with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Conventional therapies such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, while effective in some cases, frequently fail in recurrent or metastatic disease, prompting exploration of drug repurposing strategies.  This compilation examines emerging case reports on the off-label use of antiparasitic agents—primarily ivermectin and fenbendazole, alongside related benzimidazoles like mebendazole—in managing these malignancies. Drawing from 19 documented cases, the article categorizes outcomes by cancer type and integrates mechanistic insights from preclinical studies, where these compounds have demonstrated antitumor effects such as microtubule disruption, inhibition of oncogenic signaling pathways (e.g., PAK1, Wnt/β-catenin), induction of apo...