This week in health research

This bi-center randomized controlled trial (RCT) tested whether a "culinary medicine" (CM) program — combining dietary counseling with 12 short, remote cooking sessions — could help people lose weight over one year. Fifty adults aged 25–70 with overweight or mild obesity (BMI 27.5–35) were enrolled; the intervention group received live 30-minute cooking lessons while the control group received only dietary counseling and written resources.

Participants in the CM group lost an average of about 4% of their body weight at both 6 and 12 months, significantly more than the control group. They also reduced body fat, cut daily calorie intake by roughly 450 calories, and improved their Mediterranean diet scores compared to controls.

The findings suggest that structured remote cooking education, layered onto standard dietary advice, may meaningfully support weight and body fat reduction over the long term. However, the relatively small sample size (50 participants) means results should be interpreted with some caution pending larger studies.

This systematic review with meta-analysis examined whether two classes of diabetes medications — SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) — are associated with better outcomes in patients who experienced acute kidney injury (AKI) during a hospital stay. Researchers pooled data from seven studies (five observational, one randomized trial, and one observational study on GLP-1 RAs), covering a combined 432,048 patients.

Patients exposed to these medications after AKI had 37% lower odds of major adverse kidney events and 64% lower odds of dying from any cause compared to those not on these medications. The odds of needing kidney replacement therapy were also notably reduced. However, the evidence comes largely from observational studies, which cannot fully account for differences between patient groups.

While these findings are encouraging, the authors emphasize that large, well-designed randomized clinical trials are needed before firm clinical recommendations can be made for this patient population.

This 26-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 108 adults with moderate-to-severe alcohol use disorder and comorbid obesity in Copenhagen. Participants were randomly assigned to receive once-weekly injections of semaglutide (2.4 mg) or a saline placebo, alongside standard cognitive behavioural therapy. Eighty-one percent of participants completed the full study.

Those receiving semaglutide experienced a significantly greater reduction in heavy drinking days compared to the placebo group — a difference of about 14 percentage points. Semaglutide also showed positive effects on several secondary outcomes related to alcohol use and physical health. Side effects were mostly mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal symptoms and were more common in the semaglutide group.

The findings suggest that semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist already used for weight management and diabetes, may offer meaningful benefits for people with alcohol use disorder, particularly those with obesity. However, this was a single-centre trial, so larger multi-site studies are needed to confirm these results.

This observational cohort study followed 44 breast cancer survivors — 22 Latina and 22 non-Hispanic White women — who participated in a 12-week mobile health app pilot aimed at supporting weight management. Participants used one of two app versions focused on self-monitoring of health behaviors and symptoms, and researchers tracked changes in BMI alongside four types of social network interactions: support, persuasion, pressure, and undermining.

Both groups showed modest BMI reductions over the 12 weeks, with no significant difference between ethnic groups. Notably, increased social pressure — characterized by criticism or coercion around healthy behaviors — was associated with higher BMI, suggesting it may be counterproductive. Increased social support was linked to BMI reduction among non-Hispanic White participants but not Latina participants, pointing to possible cultural differences in how social network involvement shapes health behaviors.

The study is limited by its small sample size and pilot design, meaning findings should be interpreted cautiously. The authors call for larger studies to better understand culturally specific social dynamics in weight management for diverse breast cancer survivors.

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined whether GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) — a class of drugs commonly used for type 2 diabetes — might benefit people with Parkinson's disease (PD). Researchers pooled data from randomized controlled trials identified across three major medical databases, focusing on motor and non-motor symptoms, quality of life, and safety.

The analysis found no statistically significant improvement in motor function (measured by the MDS-UPDRS Part III) or most non-motor outcomes when GLP-1RAs were compared to placebo. The one exception was a small but statistically significant improvement in quality of life scores (PDQ-39). However, GLP-1RAs were associated with a notably higher rate of gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea, vomiting, and constipation.

The authors conclude that current evidence from randomized trials does not support GLP-1RAs as an effective therapy for Parkinson's motor or non-motor symptoms, and further research is needed before any clinical recommendations can be made.

This meta-analysis pooled data from 11 observational studies conducted across the United States, Europe, and Asia to examine whether childhood asthma is linked to a higher likelihood of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition where breathing repeatedly stops during sleep.

The analysis found that children with asthma had about 66% higher odds of also having OSA compared to children without asthma (pooled odds ratio 1.66; 95% CI 1.21–2.26). The association was strongest in cohort studies and in American and Asian populations, while results from European studies and case-control designs were not statistically significant. No meaningful publication bias was detected.

The authors suggest that sleep-disordered breathing may worsen asthma outcomes in children, and that combined screening for both conditions — especially in high-risk regions — could be beneficial. However, because these were observational studies, a direct cause-and-effect relationship cannot be confirmed.

This randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled trial enrolled 111 adults with chronic insomnia across a 4-week treatment period. Participants were assigned to either real transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), or a sham tDCS plus real rTMS control. Both groups received 20 weekday sessions, and 103 participants provided usable brain imaging data.

Researchers used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure brain activity before and after treatment. The group receiving both active stimulations showed significantly greater improvements in sleep quality scores (PSQI) and displayed stronger activation in the fronto-temporal regions of the brain, along with increased connectivity between these areas. No serious side effects were reported in either group.

These findings suggest that combining tDCS with rTMS may offer a well-tolerated, non-pharmacological approach for chronic insomnia that produces measurable changes in brain network activity beyond those seen with rTMS alone.

This systematic review examined which non-pharmacological approaches best improve sleep quality in people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung condition often associated with disrupted sleep due to breathing difficulties and psychological distress. Researchers searched multiple medical databases under PRISMA guidelines and identified 12 studies involving 783 patients, including 9 randomized controlled trials, 1 cohort study, and 2 cross-sectional studies.

The interventions reviewed included cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), pulmonary rehabilitation, progressive muscle relaxation technique (PMRT), non-invasive ventilation, relaxation exercises, and therapeutic touch. PMRT, relaxation exercises, and therapeutic touch showed meaningful improvements in sleep quality, while CBT-I, general CBT, pulmonary rehabilitation, and non-invasive ventilation did not demonstrate clear benefits specifically for COPD-related sleep problems.

The review's conclusions are limited by the small number of studies, mixed quality of evidence, and varied outcome measures across studies, making it impossible to rank which approach works best. The authors call for larger, more standardized trials.

This randomised controlled trial (RCT) from Canada tested an online cognitive behavioural therapy programme called eCBT+, designed to address both insomnia and anxiety at the same time in older adults. Eighty participants with insomnia were randomly assigned either to the eCBT+ programme (38 people) or a waitlist control group (42 people), with symptoms measured before and after the intervention using validated questionnaires and sleep diaries.

Participants who used eCBT+ showed significantly greater improvements in insomnia severity, anxiety symptoms, and sleep efficiency compared to those on the waitlist. The platform also received generally positive usability ratings, with older adults finding it accessible and easy to use.

While results are promising, this is a relatively small, preliminary RCT, and longer-term follow-up data are needed. Still, the findings suggest that web-based CBT tools could be a practical and accessible option for older adults managing both poor sleep and anxiety.

This updated systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated whether the Twin-Block appliance — a removable oral device that repositions the lower jaw forward — can reduce breathing disruptions in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Researchers searched four major medical databases through October 2025 and identified eight studies involving 259 pediatric patients, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and other controlled study designs.

Pooling data from seven of those studies (219 patients), the analysis found a statistically significant reduction in the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), a key measure of sleep apnea severity, with an average decrease of about 6.7 breathing events per hour. A separate high-quality RCT also showed the device physically enlarged the upper airway, suggesting a structural explanation for the benefit. However, results varied considerably across studies (high heterogeneity), and the overall patient numbers remain modest.

The authors conclude that the Twin-Block appliance appears to be a viable non-surgical option for selected children with OSA, especially those with a recessed lower jaw, though larger long-term RCTs are still needed.

This systematic review and meta-analysis pooled data from 10 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 847 people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks healthy tissue. The researchers investigated whether vitamin D supplementation could improve disease-related outcomes in this population.

The analysis found that vitamin D supplementation significantly raised blood vitamin D levels and was associated with reduced disease activity scores. Levels of complement proteins C3 and C4 — immune markers often low in active SLE — also improved meaningfully. However, no significant effects were seen for inflammation markers like erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), fatigue, or anti-dsDNA antibody levels.

The authors note that results across outcomes were inconsistent, and the total number of participants was relatively modest. They call for larger, higher-quality trials before firm conclusions can be drawn about vitamin D's role as an adjunct strategy in SLE management.

This study examined why a multi-strain probiotic supplement helped people with type 2 diabetes better tolerate metformin, a common diabetes medication that often causes stomach upset. Researchers conducted a post-hoc multi-omics analysis — combining gut microbiome sequencing and metabolite profiling — using stool samples from 34 participants in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (the ProGasMet trial). Participants took either a probiotic or placebo for 12 weeks.

The analysis found that bile acid-related compounds, particularly one called hyodeoxycholic acid, were notably elevated in the probiotic group compared to placebo. Higher levels of this compound were linked to fewer gastrointestinal symptoms among those taking the probiotic. Overall gut bacterial diversity did not change dramatically between groups, suggesting the benefit may be driven by specific metabolic shifts rather than broad microbiome changes.

The authors caution that this was an exploratory, relatively small analysis with notable conflicts of interest (several authors are employed by the probiotic manufacturer). Results are considered preliminary and require confirmation in larger, independent studies.

This Cochrane meta-analysis pooled data from 107 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving 31,521 participants to examine whether vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy or early childhood reduces respiratory infections (ARIs) requiring a doctor's visit in children under five years of age.

Researchers found low-certainty evidence that vitamin D may slightly reduce the proportion of children who seek medical care for ARIs compared to placebo (about a 5% relative reduction), but moderate-certainty evidence suggests it probably does not reduce how many ARI-related visits each child makes overall. Comparing higher doses to lower doses showed little benefit on either measure. Serious side effects such as high blood calcium (hypercalcaemia) were rare across all groups.

The authors conclude that while the safety profile of vitamin D looks reassuring, the potential benefits for reducing ARI-related healthcare visits remain uncertain. Larger, well-designed trials are needed before firm recommendations can be made.

This randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigated whether omega-3 fatty acid supplements could reduce inflammation in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on hemodialysis — a group known to experience persistently high levels of systemic inflammation. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 3 grams per day of omega-3 fatty acids or a placebo (MCT oil capsules) for two months, with inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) measured before and after.

The results showed that both CRP and IL-6 levels rose in both groups over the study period, with no statistically significant difference between the omega-3 and placebo groups after adjusting for factors like age, sex, BMI, and smoking. The sample size and two-month duration may have limited the study's ability to detect meaningful effects.

The authors conclude that short-term omega-3 supplementation at this dose did not meaningfully reduce inflammatory markers in hemodialysis patients, and call for larger, longer-duration trials to clarify whether different doses or extended use might yield different results.

This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 120 children with recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs), randomly assigned to receive either a daily probiotic supplement combining Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis XLTG11 and Lactobacillus plantarum CCFM8661 (n=60) or a placebo (n=60) for three months, followed by a six-month follow-up period.

Children taking the probiotic showed notably better clinical outcomes — roughly 77% improved versus 57% in the placebo group. They also experienced fewer and shorter episodes of fever, cough, and throat inflammation. Gut microbiota analysis showed increases in beneficial bacterial strains and reductions in potentially harmful ones, alongside a more balanced immune response.

No safety concerns or adverse events were reported. While results are encouraging, the relatively small sample size and single-country setting suggest that larger, more diverse studies would help confirm how broadly applicable these findings are.

This randomized controlled trial (RCT) enrolled 50 healthy, physically active men in a 28-day residential study designed to induce a severe energy deficit (roughly 2,000 calories per day below needs) through restricted eating and increased exercise. Participants were randomly assigned to receive weekly injections of testosterone enanthate (n=24) or a placebo (n=26) throughout the intervention.

Researchers used multiple analysis methods (multiomics) to track changes in the gut microbiome. Severe energy deficit alone altered gut bacteria composition, reduced beneficial short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and shifted bacterial activity toward breaking down fats and gut-lining mucus — changes potentially harmful to gut health. Testosterone administration partially offset these effects by preserving some SCFA-producing bacterial species and related metabolic pathways, though it did not fully reverse the deficit-related changes.

The findings suggest androgens like testosterone may play a modest but meaningful role in maintaining gut microbiome function during extreme energy restriction, which has possible implications for military personnel, athletes, or others undergoing intense physical and dietary stress.

This systematic review examined the relationship between the mouth and gut microbiomes in people with diabetes mellitus. Researchers searched six medical databases and analyzed studies that looked at the microbial communities in both the oral cavity and gut of individuals with diabetes at the same time.

The review found consistent signs of microbial imbalance (dysbiosis) in both body sites simultaneously. Notably, bacteria typically associated with the mouth — including Streptococcus, Prevotella, and Fusobacterium — were also detected in the gut, hinting at possible migration between sites. Shared disruptions in metabolic pathways linked to inflammation and insulin resistance were also identified, and these microbial changes correlated with clinical markers like HbA1c and fasting glucose.

The authors note important limitations: most included studies used a cross-sectional design, meaning they captured a single point in time, and there was considerable variation across studies. Machine-learning models combining oral and gut microbiome data showed promising accuracy (AUC > 0.83) for diabetes detection. Longitudinal and interventional research is still needed to understand cause and effect.

This article describes the protocol — not yet the results — of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial underway in India. The study plans to enroll 170 adults (aged 25–60) with moderate-to-high cardiovascular risk and dyslipidemia, all of whom will continue standard statin therapy. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either Trikatu, a traditional Ayurvedic herbal formulation (1,000 mg twice daily), or a matching placebo for 12 weeks.

The primary goal is to measure changes in LDL cholesterol from baseline to 12 weeks. Secondary measures include total cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides, blood sugar markers, inflammation markers, blood pressure, and gut microbiota composition. Researchers also hope to identify microbial patterns linked to improved lipid outcomes.

Because this is a published protocol rather than a completed study, no efficacy or safety results are yet available. The trial is registered in India's clinical trial registry (CTRI/2023/04/051942).