Reframe Daily: FDA OKs first Menkes treatment + a “once-a-week” workout trial cut belly fat

Reframe Daily—curated by Christin Chong (neuroscience PhD, Buddhist chaplain, healthtech strategy consultant)—delivers optimistic and credible health research updates you won’t find in most popular news outlets, from sources scientists and healthcare providers read and trust.

Today in one sentence: The FDA approved the first U.S. treatment for Menkes disease, researchers found a lidocaine patch can ease hernia-surgery pain, a once-weekly interval workout plan helped people with belly fat lose fat and get fitter, and two early trials tested new immune therapies—mRNA CAR-T for myasthenia gravis and low-dose IL-2 to calm inflammation after a heart event.

Good news: A numbing skin patch helped people have less pain after hernia surgery (especially when coughing), which could make recovery more comfortable.

The efficacy and safety of 5% lidocaine patch for postoperative pain in unilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy: prospective randomized controlled pilot study

Market readiness: 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂 (Lidocaine patches are already available in the U.S.; this specific post-surgery use could be done off-label today.)

Good news: Doing short “interval” workouts just once a week (or three times a week) helped adults with belly fat lower body fat and improve fitness.

Once and thrice weekly interval training in adults with central obesity: a randomized controlled trial

Market readiness: 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂 (It’s an exercise plan people can start now; a clinician or trainer can help tailor it safely.)

Good news: A new immune-cell treatment improved daily-life symptoms for people with generalized myasthenia gravis in a placebo-controlled trial.

BCMA-directed mRNA CAR T cell therapy for myasthenia gravis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2b trial

Market readiness: 🙂🙂🙂 (Mid-stage clinical trial; not available for routine U.S. patients yet.)

Good news: A low dose of a medicine called IL-2 lowered blood vessel inflammation after a heart event and boosted “peacekeeper” immune cells. This could help prevent future heart problems if larger trials confirm it.

Anti-inflammatory therapy with low-dose IL-2 in acute coronary syndromes: a randomized phase 2 trial

Market readiness: 🙂🙂🙂 (Phase 2 results—promising, but not standard U.S. care yet.)

Good news: The FDA approved the first treatment for children with Menkes disease, giving families a real, FDA-cleared option.

FDA Approves First Treatment for Children With Menkes Disease

Market readiness: 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂 (FDA-approved in the U.S.; can be prescribed/obtained through the normal U.S. system.)

Thank you for taking the time to take care of yourself and your loved ones.