The introduction of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, resembling semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) is a breakthrough within the administration of weight problems. These medicines have confirmed to be very efficient in selling weight reduction and enhancing blood sugar ranges.
Whereas lots of people might imagine that I’ve one thing in opposition to GLP-1s – whether or not as a result of they’re ‘competitors’ for my observe (they aren’t), or that perhaps I don’t agree with utilizing prescribed drugs over weight loss program for weight reduction. I wrote all about that right here.
I consider the brand new class of weight reduction medicines are unimaginable instruments that can assist to vary individuals’s lives for the higher. However they aren’t the complete puzzle; they’re solely only a piece, and there are some very actual limitations to their use.
Latest analysis means that weight problems charges within the US have dropped very barely – from 46% in 2022 to 45.6% in 2023. There was a 700% enhance in the usage of GLP-1 agonist medicines between 2019 and 2023.
Though even a 0.04% change in weight problems charges might point out a normal downward development that could be attributed partly to GLP-1 medicines, there are good causes to consider that these medicine won’t drastically scale back the prevalence of weight problems…a minimum of, not now. However why?
The reply to this query is multifaceted and sophisticated.
Limitations of GLP-1 Drugs in Addressing Inhabitants-Huge Epidemic
Value and Accessibility: These medicines are tremendous costly – as in, over $15,000 a yr in some instances. It is a enormous barrier for individuals who can’t afford to pay out of pocket, or who don’t have personal insurance coverage protection. Even for these with personal insurance coverage, firms usually cap spending or length for GLP-1 medicines. Whereas some individuals qualify for GLP-1 meds via Medicare or Medicaid, many don’t.
A latest listening to of the US Senate Committee on Well being, Training, Labor, and Pensions revealed that Ozempic prices 15x extra in the US than in Germany. Knowledge on affected person discontinuation of GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines is inconclusive, however numbers vary from round 50% inside 3 months to 75% by the two yr mark. The explanations for going off the meds embody price, unwanted side effects, or gradual weight reduction.
In different phrases, so many individuals who would doubtless profit vastly from these medicines, simply can’t entry them in any respect, or for lengthy sufficient. Entry is decrease for individuals in sure racial and ethnic teams, that are additionally the teams which have the best charges of weight problems (and the bottom entry to healthcare total).
The patents for a number of of those medicines are up in March, 2026, that means that cheaper generic variations of semaglutide will doubtless be in the marketplace shortly after that. Will they be way more inexpensive? Solely time will inform.
Sustainability of Results: Whereas GLP-1 medicines are efficient for weight reduction, analysis means that these medicines are most likely a long-term dedication. For many individuals, their advantages are contingent on continued use. A examine from the STEP 1 trial highlighted that two-thirds of the burden misplaced utilizing semaglutide was regained inside a yr after therapy discontinuation. Because the numbers point out, some weight regain is probably going, however that’s not essentially true for everybody.
After I work with shoppers who’re on GLP-1 agonist medicines, we focus not solely on meals, but additionally on relationship with meals and with way of life modifications resembling growing bodily exercise.
Limitations on Efficacy of GLP-1 Agonist Drugs: In response to Dr. Spencer Nadolsky, D.O. and Weight problems and Lipid Specialist, these meds do have their limits.
Proper now, the common is round 20% weight reduction with Tizepatide (Mounjaro). For a 400 pound particular person, that might imply 80 kilos misplaced. That particular person nonetheless has weight problems.
Along with this, Dr. Nadolsky bolstered the truth that not everybody responds to those medicines.
Root Causes of Weight problems: Weight problems is pushed by complicated elements, together with socioeconomic disparities, meals system points, and sedentary existence. Conversely, GLP-1 medicines primarily goal processes resembling urge for food regulation and insulin sensitivity. These are clearly essential, however to actually impact change on weight problems charges, there must be a complete focus not solely on pharmacology, but additionally public well being interventions. A 2023 assessment in Nature Medication proposed that initiatives to handle this difficulty which have 4 elements: informing the general public about vitamin, enabling them to make health-promoting selections, motivating them to make modifications to their routines and habits, and influencing behaviour through social norms and different strategies.
The assessment steered growing energetic transport, growing healthcare payor incentives, enhancing entry to and affordability of wholesome meals, limiting availability and media advertising and marketing of high-calorie meals, enhancing meals labeling, reformulating meals merchandise to be extra healthful, and growing entry to weight administration packages and bariatric surgical procedure.
Facet Results and Contraindications: Frequent unwanted side effects of GLP-1 medicines, resembling nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal discomfort, can deter adherence. Moreover, these medicine are contraindicated for people with sure circumstances, resembling kidney illness, sure cancers, and a historical past of pancreatitis.
The Position of Dietary Interventions
GLP-1 medicines are efficient for most individuals, however modifications in weight loss program do must be a part of their use. Dietary methods can improve the efficacy of therapy whereas supporting long-term well being.
Listed here are some ideas for consuming whereas on a GLP-1 medicines:
Prioritize Protein and Fiber: GLP-1 medicines gradual gastric emptying, selling early satiety. Which means that most meals and snacks must be nutrient-dense to keep away from nutrient deficiencies and promote total well being. A weight loss program wealthy in lean proteins (e.g., meat and fish, tofu, eggs, Greek yogurt and ricotta, beans and lentils) helps to keep up muscle mass. Getting ~25+ grams of fiber per day from greens, entire grains, and fruits, helps maintain fullness and helps blood sugar management. Don’t sleep on beans or soy meals as a solution to get high-quality protein and fibre in a single place!
Reduce Extremely-Processed Meals: Processed meals excessive in refined carbohydrates, added sugars, and unhealthy fat can counteract the advantages of GLP-1 medicines. I like to recommend specializing in entire, minimally processed meals to enhance total metabolic well being. That additionally means minimizing alcohol and different lower-quality meals to assist maximize vitamins in your weight loss program.
Hydration and Small, Frequent Meals: Folks on GLP-1 medicines usually expertise nausea, which could be mitigated by staying hydrated and consuming smaller, extra frequent meals. On nauseous days, incorporating meals which can be mild on the abdomen, resembling soups and smoothies, can assist.
Conscious Consuming Practices: GLP-1 medicines scale back urge for food, creating a possibility to observe conscious consuming. Slowing down throughout meals, savoring meals, and listening to starvation cues can assist reinforce wholesome consuming behaviors.
Rising Weight Loss Drugs
Along with current GLP-1 receptor agonists, a number of promising weight reduction medicines are underneath growth or awaiting approval:
- Orforglipron Eli Lilly is creating Orforglipron, an oral GLP-1 receptor agonist. This remedy may present an alternate for sufferers preferring to not use injectables.
- CagriSema (Cagrilintide/Semaglutide Mixture) Novo Nordisk is advancing this mix remedy, displaying important weight reduction results in early trials.
- Retatrutide Retatrutide is a triple-hormone receptor agonist, with early research reporting substantial weight discount.
- VK2735 Viking Therapeutics is exploring VK2735, an oral remedy with promising preliminary outcomes.
Conclusion
GLP-1 medicines provide important advantages for people scuffling with weight problems, however they don’t seem to be a panacea for the broader epidemics. Addressing these complicated, multifactorial challenges requires a complete strategy that mixes medical innovation with sturdy public well being efforts. By integrating dietary methods, selling equitable entry to care, and tackling systemic points, we are able to make significant progress towards reversing the traits in weight problems.
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