Diane is a leading authority on modern celebrity and royalty who has written for Newsweek, People, and many other national publications. She is a New York Times best-selling author of five books, including Diana: The Secrets of Her Style and Imagining Diana. She is a frequent television commentator on the royal family and has appeared on CNN, CBS News, and NBC News. You can follow her on Twitter @DianeClehane and on Instagram @Diane.Clehane
It's no secret that Duchess Meghan has proven to be a polarizing figure in Britain. Last month, a U.K. poll conducted by YouGovfound that her popularity (as well as Prince Harry's) dropped to its lowest level in the aftermath of Prince Philip's funeral. The survey found that only 29 percent of Britons have a positive view of her while Harry, who was once second in popularity only to Queen Elizabeth, has seen his favorability ranking plummet to 49 percent. That's a far cry from their earliest days a couple.
When it was announced that Harry and Meghan had gotten engaged in Nov. 2017, they received glowing coverage in the British media. The Financial Times called Meghan, who's biracial, American, and has been married before, "a breath of fresh air" for the monarchy. Coverage of their May 2018 wedding was nothing short of jubilant (The Daily Mail's front page trumpeted: "A Magically Modern Royal Wedding" on the big day; Sunday Mirror dubbed the couple "Harry & Glorious," devoting an entire section to the "joy at the wedding that rewrote [the] royal rulebook"). But it would not stay that way for long.
Rumors and reports that Meghan had changed Harry (and not for the better) began bubbling up within months and only increased once Meghan became pregnant with their son, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor. In Jan. 2019, an insider told Best Life at the time that Meghan's safety had become something of "an obsession" with Harry. "He's also been a bit short with the people around the couple and taken charge in a way he hadn't done before," the source said.
A year later, Page Six reported royal insiders believed Harry had "completely changed" since he met Meghan, who had "taken control of his life." They said that she was behind their decision to step down as senior royals and leave Britain. “Everyone is convinced Meghan is the driving force behind this move to quit the royal family," a source said. "She is the one who most wants to be back living in Canada and California, where she feels happy, and to bring their son, Archie, up away from the restrictive and intrusive politics of Buckingham Palace.” The pervasive narrative that Meghan had Harry "under her spell" had become accepted as truth in both the press and on social media and has dogged the duchess ever since.
Then, last week, the persistent rumor that it was solely Meghan's idea that she and Harry step down as senior royals and live full-time in California was finally proven to be a lie. Read on to find out the surprising way the rumor was debunked and why the truth might be harder for the royals to swallow.
Prince Harry wanted out long before Meghan came along.
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It was a sexist and stereotypical excuse to surmise that Meghan had beguiled Harry and convinced him to leave everything he's ever known for a laid back (but luxurious) life in California as an international A-lister. On May 13, Harry's explosive interview with the cohosts of the Armchair Expert podcast proved otherwise. The prince revealed it was his idea for him and Meghan to step down as senior royals and leave the U.K., saying he did so to protect his family.
In fact, Harry said he has wanted out of royal life since his 20s. “I was in my early 20s, and I was thinking, I don't want this job, I don't want to be here. I don't want to be doing this. Look what it did to my mum. How am I ever going to settle down and have a wife and family, when I know it's going to happen again," he told podcast co-hosts Dax Shepard and Monica Padman. “I've seen behind the curtain, I've seen the business model and seen how this whole thing works and I don't want to be part of this."
Meghan may have gotten Harry to give up smoking and heavy drinking, and even turned him on to yoga, but the prince was looking for the off-ramp long before she came along. "Meghan was the match that lit what was already a ticking time bomb," said one royal source. "Harry had been looking for a way out for years and Meghan gave him one."
Harry said he was leaving England in search of privacy, but has embraced the media in the States.
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Whether influenced by Meghan or not, Harry was complicit in their decision to go for a much more profitable and freer life in the States. "Harry seems to have embraced the California lifestyle," an insider said. "He has a new job, the Netflix and Spotify deals, and loves his freedom to do as he likes without playing second fiddle to [Prince] William. That's been an issue for a long time that came to a head when he met Meghan."
The prince was emphatic about wanting his privacy away from the prying eyes of the tabloids and paparazzi while in Britain, but since coming to California, he has been in the media spotlight—by choice—more than ever before. From his light-hearted bus trip around Los Angeles with friend James Corden to the shocking list of grievances he and Meghan revealed in their interview with Oprah Winfrey, and finally, the bombshell interview to end all bombshell interviews with Shepard on his podcast, Harry has made more headlines this year than any other celebrity in both Britain and America. "Every day it's something else," an insider told Best Life. "It's as if he just can't stop talking."
Harry's anger at the Royal Family is very real.
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Harry's Armchair Expert interview was supposed to be about his new series on mental health that he produced with Winfrey for Apple TV+, but instead he made several off the cuff remarks that took the interview in a more personal direction as he revealed his anger towards his family runs deep. It was clear Harry's feelings towards Prince Charles and his shocking comments about royal life (which he compared to "being in a zoo") were not crafted by anyone but him.
During the interview, Harry discussed the traumatic "genetic pain and suffering" he suffered as a child, passed down from the Queen and Prince Philip to Charles and then to him, effectively criticizing his father and grandparent as parents.
His mother, Princess Diana, who Harry gets his impulsiveness and high emotions from, came to regret her revealing interview with Martin Bashir in 1995. (Bashir recently resigned from his position of religion editor at the BBC in the shadow of an internal investigation into claims of unethical tactics, including allegations that he used false bank statements to convince the princess to talk). It remains to be seen if Harry will one day rue his decision to criticize his family and the Institution he was born into.
Meghan may have been the one to sue the Mail on Sunday over the outlet publishing excerpts of a letter she wrote to her father, Thomas Markle, but Harry's hatred for the British press runs very deep, starting with Diana's tragic death. However, he always knew being royal involved working with the media. In the past, the prince used to buddy up with some reporters and photographers during official tours, sometimes meeting them in pubs or inviting them for tea.
When Harry and Meghan skipped this tradition during their Australia tour, royal photographer Arthur Edwards knew Harry had undergone a dramatic change. The veteran lensman told The New York Times: “Harry used to be the best of all of them. We’d get together in a pub and we’d talk about everything, get it off our plate. It would be frank and open, and you never reported it. Now, it’s not even ‘Good morning.’ Nothing. He treats us just like telegraph poles now.”
Harry's freedom has become the royals' "ultimate nightmare."
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The Royal Family is not focused on what Meghan's next move may be because they have come to realize Harry poses a far more serious threat. "[The Royal Family] can no longer ignore that the story about Meghan luring Harry away from them is a lie. He wanted to go. It's devastating, but it's true," said an insider.
As Sarah Vine wrote on DailyMail.com: "Harry has always claimed he stepped down as a working royal and moved to America to protect his own family. That he had no choice, that it was the only sane option. But if you ask me it's got nothing to do with that." According to Vine, "he did it to pursue his dream. His own dream of freedom—which is fast becoming the Royal Family's ultimate nightmare."
It Ends With Us opened to $50 million at the domestic box office, but rumors about a behind-the-scenes rift between director Justin Baldoni, 40, and Blake Lively, 36, continue to rumble on. Lively plays Lily Bloom, a florist who ends up in a toxic relationship with Ryle Kincaid (Baldoni), in the first major adaptation of a Colleen Hoover novel. The movie hadn’t even been released before the first rumors started about possible friction on set between Baldoni and the rest of the cast. No one has gone on the record to make a statement either way, but plenty of sources have been leaking gossip from the set. Here’s what’s been reported so far.
Creative Differences?
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The issues between Baldoni and the rest of the cast/crew appear to go beyond mere creative differences. "All is not what it seems," a set source tells PEOPLE. "There is much more to this story. The principal cast and [author] Colleen Hoover will have nothing to do with him."
Social Media Evidence
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Fans note that Hoover, Lively, and Slate do not follow Baldoni back on Instagram. This could be nothing, but it certainly doesn’t look good.
Friction On Set?
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There was alleged friction on set with Lively, who is also a producer on the movie, clashing with Baldoni. “There are all these things that happen every day on set, there’s always friction that happens when you make a movie like this," Baldoni told ELLE. "Then at the end of the day, it’s that friction, I believe, that creates the beautiful art. Everything in life needs friction to grow. We created something so beautiful and so magical, and it was hard, and it was worth it at the same time. And I grew so much as both a filmmaker, an actor and as a person throughout this experience."
Complex Personalities?
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Baldoni also made some comments to TODAY that hint at friction. “Every movie is a miracle… You’re navigating complex personalities and trying to get everybody on the same page with the same vision. And mistakes are always made, and then you figure out how to move past them."
Who’s Directing Next?
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When asked about directing the sequel, Baldoni seemed reluctant. "I think that there are better people for that one,” he told Entertainment Weekly. “I think Blake Lively's ready to direct. That's what I think." Hoover adds, "I think that whoever decides to take charge of the next one would do it justice. But, you know, it’s a lot of people to get the same schedules again."
Chauvinistic Behavior?
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A source told the Daily Mail Baldoni created an uncomfortable atmosphere on set. “During scenes depicting abuse, Justin failed to consider Blake’s character’s perspective, instead focusing solely on what he believed was the abusive male viewpoint,” the source says. “His approach was very chauvinistic, creating a tense atmosphere on set.”
Method Acting?
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The Daily Mail source suggests Baldoni might have taken method acting too far. “Justin almost became the character in the sense that some women on set felt he was borderline abusive to them and that he was unprofessional and unapologetic,” the source says. “Directing a film so serious and so important about domestic abuse without allowing the women to be included in this process is disturbing.”
Script Rewrites?
Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Sony Pictures
The Daily Mail source alleges Baldoni would take any script rewrite requests from Lively and Hoover personally. “Without Colleen's book, none of this would have been possible,” the source says. “Parts of the film were rewritten under the instruction of Colleen - they had to be. He took their script decisions very personally, even though they weren’t intended that way. His behavior extended beyond the main players. Once he felt ganged up on, he became even less empathetic.”
Clashes Behind the Scenes?
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Some of the friction behind the scenes may be down to Ryan Reynolds being involved. “The iconic rooftop scene, my husband actually wrote it,” Lively told E! News. “Nobody knows that but you now. We help each other. He works on everything I do. I work on everything he does. So his wins, his celebrations are mine and mine are his. I mean, he's all over this film."
Spotlight on the Issue
Photo by Nils Meilvang / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP) / Denmark OUT (Photo by NILS MEILVANG/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images
A source tells PEOPLE that Baldoni is respectful and aware of the issues highlighted in the movie. “In every bit of press he has done, he has placed an emphasis on the importance of spotlighting this issue and breaking the cycle of violence,” the source says. “Though this is Justin’s biggest directing and acting role to date, this film has never been in the interest of self-promotion. It has, and will continue to be about the message with the goal of touching real lives and inspiring people to speak out against DV. Ultimately, it is about the survivors and hope.”
Have we reached peak hydration culture? It’s become totally normalized for people to walk around carrying giant tumblers of liquids (remember the Stanley cup craze?) but is it necessary, or even dangerous to be drinking this much water? “People have this fear that they’re always dehydrated or underhydrated and they need to fix that regularly,” Colleen Muñoz, director and co-founder of the Hydration Health Center at the University of Hartford, tells the Wall Street Journal. “That’s probably not usually the case.” So how do you know if you’re overdoing it with the water? Here’s what the experts have to say.
Severe water intoxication is dangerous and comes with alarming symptoms. “Water intoxication comes from drinking too much water," nurse practitioner Elizabeth Clay tells OSF HealthCare. "And it can lead to some severe symptoms. You can get a headache, disorientation, confusion, nausea, vomiting – it can even be fatal.”
2. Blood Pressure
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Muscle weakness, double vision, and a rise in blood pressure are also symptoms of water intoxication. “The amount of water that a person should consume is going to be individualized," Clay says. "But overall, your kidneys can only handle so much. And that's between 0.8 and one liter. So, you really don't want to be taking in more than that per hour in water.”
3. Low Sodium
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Drinking too much water can cause hyponatremia. "This is where sodium in the body is too low from excessive sodium loss in sweat or urine," pediatrician and sports medicine specialist Jeffery Cline, MD, tells University of Utah Health. "Or it is diluted by taking in too much free water without any electrolytes."
5. Nausea and Vomiting
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6. Dehydration and Intoxication
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Be careful not to let dehydration lead to drinking too much water in a short amount of time. “Dehydration can play a major role in water intoxication because when a person feels that they're getting dehydrated, they may try to overcompensate and may drink too much water at one time, and your body can't handle that," Clay says. "So, you'll start to get these symptoms whether it's nausea, vomiting, confusion – just disruption of your brain activity – and that comes from that depletion of sodium. And so, your cells inside your brain are holding on to that water and it causes swelling inside your brain and that can lead to some serious complications.”
7. Mental Confusion
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Mental confusion could be a sign of overhydration. “In severe cases symptoms could include mental confusion, seizures, unconsciousness and even coma,” says Gundersen Health. “The first treatment is to stop drinking fluids which will help someone recover in a few hours. However, with more severe symptoms, immediate medical attention may be necessary.”
8. Fatigue
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Loss of energy, drowsiness, and fatigue are all possible symptoms of too much water, says the Mayo Clinic. “You may feel nauseous or sleepy, and you may develop vision problems, muscle cramps or elevated blood pressure levels,” Candacy George, D.O., tells ChristianaCare News. “In rare cases, overhydration may cause breathing difficulties, seizures and even death.”
9. How Much Water?
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So how much should you drink? “Everyone has individualized hydration needs, but generally, women should drink 9 cups of water daily, and men should drink 13 cups, according to the National Academy of Medicine. Look at your urine to gauge how well you’re hydrating; it should be pale yellow. Darker urine may be a sign of dehydration. Clear urine, combined with excessive water intake, may suggest overhydration,” George says.
It's no secret that a well-laid-out workspace can do wonders for your productivity. But even outside getting all the tools you need and eliminating distractions, your design decisions can also have an impact on your work—including what shade you have on your walls. If you want to ramp up your output, you might want to consider grabbing a roller and going with one of these options. Read on for the best colors to paint your office, according to productivity experts.
There's nothing wrong with wanting your workspace to feel a little lively. That's why a pale yellow might be one of the better options for keeping your spirits lifted throughout the day.
"Scientifically, this warm, sunny color has been shown to increase office creativity and output," Mary Poffenroth, PhD, a biopsychology faculty member at San Jose State University, tells Best Life.
Research also shows yellow is connected to better recall and memory. "Studies find that participants exposed to yellow backgrounds did better on memory tests than those exposed to other colors. Yellow's capacity to activate the left side of the brain—associated with logical thinking and memory—is thought to be the source of this effect," she says.
Other experts agree that it's also an overlooked color for offices. "Yellow is naturally an inspiring color, as it reminds our body of the energy of the sun, and it is also calming to our nervous system, as it is close enough to a neutral color to not overstimulate our senses," says Olivia Howell, a clinical hypnotherapist and certified life and success coach.
2. Light Blue
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Stress can be the biggest enemy of productivity. If you're feeling too much pressure in the office, you might want to choose a soothing paint color.
"Light blue is known to be very calming, as it reminds our body of both the sky and the ocean, and our primal brain responds well to anything nature-related," says Howell. "It's both stimulating enough to keep us motivated during the work day and always keeps our nervous systems from feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated."
3. White
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Some people look at white walls as an easy way out from making a decision on a paint color or picking up a brush. But Poffenroth says the neutral choice can actually be fairly effective at helping you get things done.
"This simple and adaptable color scheme can greatly improve workplace output," she explains. "Effective reflection of light by soft white walls maximizes both natural and synthetic lighting in the office."
Research has also linked greater alertness and cognitive ability to this enhanced brightness. "White light exposure during working hours enhanced alertness and performance on cognitive tasks, according to studies," says Poffenroth.
4. Light Green
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Looking for something that can help keep you going throughout the day besides that afternoon cup of coffee? Consider picking a paler shade of green for your workplace for a consistent boost.
"Light green is another nature-inspired paint color that will help our senses feel calm and also help our body stay active and motivated throughout the day," says Howell. "Green is known to be a color of abundance and happiness, as well as a nature-inspired color, of course, and it's very motivating to surround ourselves with the color of abundance every day!"
It can be all too easy to focus on specific color schemes for your office in an attempt to keep things looking professional. But if you are willing to be a little playful with the possibilities, Poffenroth says pink is a standout option.
"The uplifting but not overpowering character of soft pink makes continuous productivity possible throughout the day," she says. "Because of their connection with ideas like peace, relaxation, and compassion, lighter pink tones—like blush or rose—cause emotions of calmness. Soft pinks help the mind to enter a condition of calm focus by releasing tension and anxiety."
6. Gray
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Neutral tones might seem like a default choice for wall color. However, they can still affect one's mood and output.
"Gray is an excellent color that determines a sophisticated and professional atmosphere," says Lucas Botzen, a human resources expert and CEO of Rivermate. "It is the most flexible color to blend with other colors to strike a perfect balance and harmony in your working space."
He adds that gray can help reduce visual distraction by providing a clean slate "through which one may focus and be productive."
It wouldn’t be quite accurate to say COVID is back when it never left, but the virus is making itself felt again. “We've seen a bit of a seasonal pattern emerge where we've had an uptick in COVID in the summer and then another one in the winter—usually the winter one being more severe,” Michael Ben-Aderet, MD, associate medical director of Hospital Epidemiology at Cedars-Sinai, tells Cedars-Sinai Newsroom. “The FLiRT variants is just a technical term for the continued mutation of the Omicron variants of COVID-19. And for the last year or so, pretty much all the variants of COVID-19 that we've seen circulate in the United States have been variants of Omicron.”While it’s natural to get nervous about COVID spikes, summer surges are not unusual. “This has been the case for a couple of years,” Dr. Ben-Aderet says. “Why that is, I don't think anyone truly understands. A lot of viruses are seasonal in nature. Some viruses are seasonal in summer; some are in winter. COVID-19 seems to be in both. Some of that has to do with the virus itself—the virology, how it spreads. And another aspect of it is human behavior: School being out, people being on vacation, people traveling, people mixing and doing more activities does play a role in that summer surge.”
With COVID surging in places, here’s how to protect yourself—and others—from getting sick.
The right mask can help prevent transmission. “Make sure to wear a good, well-fitting mask. They’ve been proven to help prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Dr. Ben-Aderet says. “If you haven't been vaccinated, vaccines are still available, and it's really best to be up to date on your vaccinations. Avoid being around others who are sick. If you are exposed or if you're sick, stay home if you don’t need to go out.”
Vaccines and Boosters
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The CDC recommends staying up to date with vaccines and boosters. “Although vaccinated people sometimes get infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines significantly lowers the risk of getting very sick, being hospitalized, or dying from COVID-19.”
"Everyone six months or older should get the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine, including pregnant moms,” says CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen. “For RSV, all infants under 8 months and children 8-19 months with risk factors should get nirsevimab. Pregnant moms between 32-36 weeks gestation can get the maternal RSV vaccine. All adults over 75 should get an RSV vaccination, and adults 60-74 with risk factors should get a one-time lifetime dose."
Clean Air
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The CDC recommends taking steps for cleaner air. “If your home has a central heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC, a system with air ducts that go throughout the home) that has a filter, set the fan to the ‘on’ position instead of ‘auto’ when you have visitors and use pleated filters. Change your filter every three months or according to the manufacturer's instructions.”
Get Tested
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If in doubt, get tested. “All available testing, both commercial and home testing, will still test against the FLiRT variants,” Dr. Ben-Aderet says. “Paxlovid is still widely available and still works very well. So there hasn't been any reduction in activity of Paxlovid, and it’s still recommended for high-risk individuals with COVID-19.”
Stay Home
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If you test positive for COVID, the CDC recommends staying home to stop the spread of the virus. “When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next 5 days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors. This is especially important to protect people with factors that increase their risk of severe illness from respiratory viruses.”
Good Hygiene
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Continue practicing good hygiene, like stringent hand-washing. “Handwashing has always been one of the most effective ways of keeping diseases at bay,” says Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region. “It is a simple act that pays dividends when it comes to keeping ourselves healthy and safe. Handwashing is also one of the key cornerstones of COVID-19 prevention. Now more than ever, as we embrace the new normal and live with COVID-19, hand hygiene needs to become an integral part of our daily routine and our lives as we live through this pandemic and beyond to protect us from diseases.”
Don’t hesitate to get treatment if you feel unwell.” Seek health care promptly for testing and/or treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness,” says the CDC. “Treatment may help lower your risk of severe illness, but it needs to be started within a few days of when your symptoms begin.”
Right now, just 9 percent of people over the age of 65 are currently taking Ozempic to manage their weight or treat their type 2 diabetes. According to a recent article published in The Wall Street Journal, many doctors wish that more seniors would follow suit.
“These drugs would really benefit seniors but there’s always these additional worries,” Sun Kim, MD, an associate professor in the division of endocrinology at Stanford University School of Medicine, told the publication. “I think sometimes we prioritize the risk over benefit when people get older.”
Speaking with Best Life, HaVy Ngo-Hamilton, PharmD, a pharmacist and clinical consultant at BuzzRx, says that though certain potential health risks associated with Ozempic in this patient population exist, many of them can be successfully managed by a healthcare provider who is experienced in providing care to older adults.
“While there may be more caution when starting an older patient on Ozempic or another GLP-1 agonist, it's feasible—especially when the potential benefits, which can significantly improve the patient's quality of life, outweigh the risks,” the pharmacist says.
The best way to find out if Ozempic is right for you is to ask your doctor to review your individual medical history. However, there are a few key reasons that semaglutide medications may be especially beneficial if you’re over 65, doctors say. Read on to learn the seven ways that the Ozempic appears to help your health as you get older.
As you get older, it’s not uncommon to notice more aches and pains in your joints. However, joint pain isn’t necessarily a foregone conclusion—losing weight can help you prevent arthritis, and relieve pain and stiffness in the joints.
In fact, Katherine H. Saunders, MD, an obesity medicine physician at Weill Cornell Medicine and co-founder of FlyteHealth, told the WSJ that for every pound you lose, you’re essentially taking 2 to 4 pounds off each joint. “If somebody loses 25 pounds that’s up to 100 pounds taken off their joints,” she says.
2. Improved mobility and balance
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Weight loss and its resulting improvements in joint health can ultimately boost seniors’ quality of life by preserving or restoring their mobility.
“Obesity can negatively impact the quality of life for older adults, contributing to mobility issues and exacerbating other potential comorbidities. Weight loss can improve mobility and balance, reduce fall risk, and allow patients to be more active in their daily lives,” says Ngo-Hamilton.
3. Improved blood sugar management
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If you have type 2 diabetes, the benefits of taking Ozempic or another semaglutide medication may outweigh the risks.
“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that nearly one-third of older adults have diabetes. Semaglutide is proven safe and effective for the ongoing management of blood sugar levels, which can prevent health complications associated with diabetes, such as nerve damage, vision impairment, and increased risk of kidney and heart disease, to name a few,” says Ngo-Hamilton.
4. Improved heart health
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Many seniors may also experience cardiovascular benefits from taking Ozempic, Ngo-Hamilton says. In fact, the drug has been linked with reduced incidence of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular mortality.
“Recent clinical studies have demonstrated semaglutide’s potential cardiovascular benefits outside of weight loss and blood sugar regulation, which is important considering that this population of patients is at higher risk than younger patients for heart disease and heart failure,” she tells Best Life.
Your sleep needs change with age: People over 65 require less sleep overall. However, seniors are also more vulnerable to sleep disorders that can interrupt their sleep patterns and detract from their quality of life.
With this in mind, studies suggest that Ozempic and other semaglutide medications can actually enhance sleep by improving symptoms of sleep apnea.
6. Enhanced mental wellness and mood
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Experts also note that seniors are at higher risk for depression than their younger counterparts.
“There are many factors that can contribute to this mental health problem, such as chronic health problems, significant life changes (loss of independence, passing of a life partner, etc.), social isolation, and poor sleep quality,” explains Ngo-Hamilton. “Achieving and maintaining a desirable weight can positively affect mental health for people of all ages.”
The pharmacist adds that for older adults who have retired, a healthy weight not only allows them to participate in other hobbies and activities but also fosters social connections. “This makes them feel included and part of a vibrant community, which in turn promotes their quality of life,” she notes.
7. Improved aesthetics and confidence
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When you lose weight rapidly, you may notice that your skin appears to age more quickly thanks to skin sagging and fine lines and wrinkles.
“When managed properly, weight loss with Ozempic can actually enhance one’s appearance,” says Joel Kopelman, MD, FACS, a top-rated facial plastic surgeon at Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery. “For older adults struggling with obesity, shedding excess weight can improve body contour, reduce strain on joints, and contribute to a healthier, more vibrant appearance. I find that when weight loss is gradual and controlled, the risk of adverse cosmetic effects is minimized, making it a viable option for those seeking both health and aesthetic benefits,” he says.