Top in endocrinology: Ultra-long-acting insulins; plant-based diet for obesity prevention

Two experts recently discussed situations in which ultra-long-acting insulins may be a good choice for patients with diabetes.

Ultra-long-acting insulins may be considered for people whose insurance plans cover more than one treatment option, and those who want to take higher doses with fewer injections or cannot inject at the same time every day, they said.

It was the top story in endocrinology last week.

In another top story, researchers found that eating less meat and adhering to a plant-based diet may be beneficial for people with a high genetic risk for obesity.

“Results from our study suggest that greater adherence to a healthful (but not unhealthful) plant-based dietary pattern is linked to lower BMI, waist circumference and percentage of body fat,” Daiva E. Nielsen, PhD, associate professor in the School of Human Nutrition at McGill University, told Healio. “This relationship appears to be largely independent of genetic risk scores for obesity, suggesting that a healthful plant-based dietary pattern may be beneficial for obesity prevention and management in all adults.”

Read these and more top stories in endocrinology below:

Q&A: What to know about ultra-long-acting insulins

Susan Weiner, MS, RDN, CDCES, FADCES, talks with Katelyn O’BrienPharmD, BCPS, CDCES, BC-ADM, about situations in which an ultra-long-acting insulin may be a good choice. Read more.

Eating less meat may help prevent obesity for adults with high genetic risk

Adhering to a diet containing less meat may be beneficial for people with a high genetic risk for obesity, according to data published in Obesity. Read more.

ChatGPT correctly responds to most patient education questions on thyroid nodules

ChatGPT correctly answered more than two-thirds of submitted questions about thyroid nodules, although its responses may be at a grade level too high for patient education, according to study findings published in Thyroid. Read more.

Non-sugar sweeteners linked to alterations in gut, stool microbiome

Adults who consume non-sugar sweeteners have differences in gut and stool microbiome compositions compared with those who do not consume non-sugar sweeteners, researchers reported. Read more.

Body composition changes at different stages of therapy for transgender boys vs. girls

Transgender girls see most of their body composition changes occur during puberty suppression, whereas transgender boys experience greater body composition changes during gender-confirming testosterone therapy, according to study data. Read more.