Cheers!

This is High on Health. Your weekly prescription for cutting-edge insights and rejuvenating revelations. 👀✨

Final week of remote working (and some time out of the office) at the Baltic Sea. Although work never completely stops, a change of scenery and valuable family time are great treats.

Firstly, I have to admit that I love the fall and winter season. 🍂🍁🎃🧣 I prefer the cold over the heat, but that’s a topic for another time. While spending time with my kids, a few amazing things happened:

1️⃣ We went mushroom hunting multiple times. 🍄🔍🕵️‍♂️ Everybody is still alive. It’s amazing how many different mushrooms you can find when you take the time to pause and pay close attention! We even came up with a challenge to see who could find the most species - we counted 15 in a small meadow the size of a large office desk.

2️⃣ Karla, my youngest, taught herself how to ride a bike! 😲👧🚲 She is only three years old, and while this probably doesn't break any records, she is still the fastest of my three kids. She is a born auto-didact and hates it when you try to tell her how to do things. After a few weeks of observing her siblings and some trial and error, she all of a sudden rode the bike through the yard, pedaling, and smiling.

This last episode reminded me of the things we all inherently have as kids but instantly lose when we become adults. One of these things, for sure, is curiosity, and related to that, a lack of fear of failing and trying again. How must she have felt when she finally made it? The emotions in her little brain were firing: "I did it!" You can sense it; the dad was proud. 🏆💪😊

My sincerest advice to you: make time to experience and enjoy the wonders outside and take some inspiration from kids. They have figured it out!

I hope you enjoy this newsletter, and please feel free to leave a comment!

Take care,

Andre 🤔💡👨‍⚕️

Weight-loss drug Wegovy could get expanded FDA approval within six months, Novo Nordisk says

Wegovy shown to cut risk of stroke and heart attacks, company says

Employers grapple with the weight loss drug craze

I’ve talked about the weight loss drug craze before (→ Linkedin). I have to come back as the topic is still so hot…🔥🔝This may not be yet burning in Europe, but in the U.S., the issue has expanded into a broad social, economic, and lifestyle debate.

Novo Nordisk, a pharmaceutical company, has become the largest company in Europe. They produce a number of drugs, including Wegovy and Saxenda which are approved for weight loss, and Ozempic, a diabetes medication. These drugs are known as glucagon-like peptide agonists, or GLP-1s, and have been found to effectively help people lose excess weight. 🍽️🚫🤐 This is important as being overweight is linked to many health conditions.

To put the commercial success into further perspective, Novo Nordisk is said to have singlehandedly saved Denmark from a recession.

This week, the story developed in two ways:

1. Weight-loss drug Wegovy could receive expanded FDA approval within six months.

2. More companies can directly experience the ripple effects or speculate about what's next.

Enough reasons to take another look. 🔎🔬

Ozempic, a heart hero?

Weight-loss medication, Ozempic, could soon have another use as a heart protector. The FDA is fast-tracking its approval for this new purpose, which means that Ozempic could become a double-duty medication, helping people to lose weight and protect their hearts from heart attacks and strokes.

This is big. If the FDA gives the green light, it could change the weight-loss medication industry. Last August’s teaser—Wegovy slashing heart risks by 20%—was just the opening act.

Novo Nordisk’s CFO Karsten Knudsen's dropping hints: FDA green light? Likely within six months. Another medication, Mounjaro by Eli Lilly, is also chasing this new use.

Ozempic's influence is reverberating through the stock market with the force of Taylor Swift of pharmaceuticals—commanding headlines, overturning industry norms, and capturing the spotlight in public discourse.

A few weeks back, other news spooked the markets. 🔻💰📉

In a swift (pun intended) market shift, Novo Nordisk's Ozempic emerges as a potential game-changer in delaying kidney disease for diabetics, and the dialysis industry is feeling the heat. Shares of DaVita and Fresenius Medical saw a significant tumble, at 17% and 17.6%, respectively, indicating a market bracing for a shift in the landscape of diabetes management. Investors seem to be anticipating a shift in the landscape of diabetes management. However, more long-term outcome data is needed to confirm the real potential of Ozempic and the like.

Is Ozempic even the one to rule them all?

The market is currently receptive to the news. The impact is not limited to the dialysis industry. Have you ever heard of Krispy Kreme doughnuts? Honestly, I hadn't until recently. It's owned by JAB Holdings, a company that also owns other popular consumer brands such as Keurig Dr. Pepper, Panera Bread, Peet's Coffee, Pret A Manger, Einstein's Bagels, and Coty.

This week, Krispy Kreme's shares took a dip, and Bloomberg suggested that the rise of weight loss drugs like Novo Nordisk's Ozempic could be to blame. If people are taking these drugs, they may not want to indulge in sugary treats as much, which could be bad news for Krispy Kreme and other snack and beverage sectors. Similar share price dips have been seen with Nestle (KitKat, Smarties), Mondelez International (Oreos), Constellation Brands (Modelo Especial), and others. Even Walmart has noticed a decline in food sales, signaling a change in consumer habits.

On the other hand, clothing retailers are hoping for a boost as customers who lose weight may need to refresh their wardrobes. And the airline industry may benefit from lighter planes and lower fuel costs if passengers are slimmer.

So, Ozempic for all now?

While there is excitement surrounding drugs like Ozempic and their potential to transform people's lives, caution is necessary as healthcare professionals consider their long-term effects. It's not yet clear how many people will adopt these drugs, and what the full implications will be. Although the stock market is responding to the news, it's unclear whether these drugs will live up to the hype. 🤔🤷‍♂️

However, there is evidence to suggest that these drugs could lead to healthier lives by reducing symptoms of heart failure. And with new GLP-1s on the horizon, including user-friendly non-injection options, we could be entering a new era in medical treatment. 🚀⏰

Ultimately, the success of these drugs will be measured by their impact on patient health and well-being. As we wait to see how things unfold, it's important to keep in mind that the true effects of these drugs won't be fully understood for some time.

I would love to get your thoughts and comments!

The body's internal clock, or circadian rhythms, governs various biological processes, including hunger. However, these rhythms can be disrupted by irregular schedules, such as shift work or travel across time zones (looking at you, busy business travelers 👀), potentially leading to weight gain. In a revealing study, rats experiencing a simulated form of jet lag consumed a staggering 460 percent more food during their normal rest period compared to their undisturbed counterparts.

The study involved two sets of rats: a control group living with normal day/night cycles, and another group subjected to shifted light/dark cycles to mimic jet lag over a period of five days. Researchers tracked their eating patterns and examined levels of glucocorticoids - hormones that affect behavior, circadian rhythms, and metabolism.

The "jet-lagged" rats exhibited an imbalance in orexigenic hypothalamic neuropeptide, a glucocorticoid that influences hunger, which led them to eat significantly more during their normal rest hours, up to 460 percent more than the control group. Interestingly, these overeating rats did not gain weight within the study's timeframe, which could be due to its brief duration.

The study indicates that disruptions in circadian rhythms can modify glucocorticoid levels in rats, leading to increased food intake. While no weight gain was observed in the short term, the study suggests that prolonged periods of rhythm disruption, such as those experienced by shift workers, could lead to substantial weight gain. The researchers recommend sticking to a regular daily routine and consistent meal times to counteract the effects of circadian rhythm disturbances.

Aus den Lagen Spätburgunder 2020, A. Christmann

Anamnesis

"Unter den Lagen" is the name of the new estate wine series by Christmann winery, Pfalz/Germany. Many vineyards that were previously used for estate and local wines have now been transferred to the Christmann and Kaufmann sparkling wine estate. As a result, Gimmeldingen winery now primarily owns only first-class and grand-cru sites. The aim of the winery is to offer only one additional wine per grape variety, similar to the second wines of Bordeaux, alongside its top wines. This wine will be a cuvée from various sites, excellently representing the diverse terroirs of the Mittelhardt region.

The 2020 vintage was particularly suitable for producing juicy and polished Pinot Noir. Only fully ripe and healthy grapes were harvested and carefully vinified, with just 15% of new French barrique barrels used in the process.

Examination

The wine has a distinct red berry aroma that can be noticed right from the first sniff. The playful and enticing aromas of raspberry and sweet cherry are not overpowering or intrusive, but rather enchanting and fragrant.

On the palate, the wine has a very direct minerality and spiciness, with notes of graphite and bay leaf, along with the clear presence of berry fruit again. It is well-balanced with a finely etched line of acidity and an impressive length for an estate wine ("Gutswein").

Diagnosis

I recently re-discovered German Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), and I must say, I absolutely love it. One may tend to always look for the big French or Italian wines, but there are some amazing options available in Germany as well. Considering that this is only their second in line wine, I am truly impressed. I plan to keep a few bottles and observe how this one develops over the years. I am looking forward to it!

DISCLAIMER: None of this (such as text, graphics, images, and other materials) is medical or health advice. This newsletter is strictly for informational, educational, and entertaining purposes only. While I’m a medical doctor and a dentist by training, I’m not your doctor. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on High on Health! Please be careful and do your own research.