Dr. John Whyte
Prescription weight loss medicationsknown as GLP-1sweep the country. The drugs, which include blockbuster drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, have helped millions of Americans quickly lose excess pounds. About 1 in 8 American adults say they took one.
But as a doctor, I must warn you that these medications may not be the miracle they appear to be.
In fact, GLP-1 could Stronger for doctors to guide patients toward lifestyle changes – the real key to long-term health – and for patients to adopt them.
Questions surrounding medications are particularly relevant now that President Joe Biden has proposed that Medicare and Medicaid cover weight loss drugs for millions of Americans.
GLP-1 acts by mimicking a hormone this tells the brain that the stomach is full. They also slow the rate at which food leaves the stomach, leaving patients fuller for longer. As a result, patients eat less and lose weight.
Medications Can Cause Rapid Weight Loss
After just four months, patients typically lose between 5% and 10% of total body weight. Within a year, it’s about 15%.
This rapid weight loss can feel liberating, especially after years of failed attempts. But there is no magic pill – or injection – and taking GLP-1 for the rest of your life is no substitute for a healthy lifestyle.
Notice:We created a generation of Ozempic users by ignoring the obesity epidemic in the United States.
I noticed a disturbing change in people’s mentalities. A patient recently came into my office 20 pounds lighter than she was a few months earlier. When I asked her what she had done differently – what diet changes or exercise habits she had incorporated – her response was blunt: “Honestly, Doc, I didn’t do anything, I just took the medicine. I just eat less than I used to. eat.”
She is far from an exception. I have seen many patients who lead a sedentary lifestyle and eat mostly unhealthy foods and lose weight on GLP-1. They feel healthier and, according to some indicators, they are healthier: in addition to reducing weight, GLP-1 can reduce blood pressure, blood sugar And cholesterol level.
This positive data makes it more difficult for doctors to convince patients taking GLP-1 that they also need to adopt a healthier lifestyle. After all, what’s the point of going to the gym or eating a balanced diet if your blood tests are good and you look healthy?
It’s a valid question. And that’s why more time is now needed with patients to review the role of diet and exercise. These lifestyle habits aren’t just about looking good – or even feeling good. It’s about keeping our bodies as healthy as possible and preventing disease.
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And the GLP-1s are not – and never will be – the alone solution to achieve this objective.
In many cases, they provide a false sense of security and oversimplify the impact of weight on overall health.
The importance of healthy eating goes beyond weight
Food truly is medicine. A balanced diet that includes the right amount of fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates, fats and proteins is not just about weight management – it’s also about fueling every cell in our body.
Nutrition is so important to our long-term health that switching from an unhealthy diet to a healthy one can add a full decade to someone’s life expectancy.
Health depends not only on what we put into our bodies, but also on what we do with it. As we approach our 50s and 60s, we naturally lose muscle mass, which can cause fatigue and make us more vulnerable to injury. Strength training is essential to counteract this phenomenon, especially for people taking GLP-1.
Although we need more research, there is concern that these drugs could accelerate muscle lossespecially among the elderly. This impacts your daily activities. Thin and weak is not a combination anyone should strive for.
Let’s not forget about bone health. Weight-bearing exercises like walking and running are your best defense against osteoporosisthe loss of bone mass that can accompany aging.
Weight loss medications can help you lead a healthier lifestyle. When muscles and joints support less weight, it’s easier to start exercising. Feeling full more quickly can make choosing a salad for lunch more appealing. But patients should view these medications as a useful tool, not a panacea.
At least a study found that when people stopped taking a GLP-1, they regained two-thirds of the weight they lost. This is often because they have not changed their behavior. There are many reasons why people may stop taking these weight loss medications, including pregnancy and breastfeedingunpleasant side effects or interactions with other treatments such as chemotherapy.
Finally, we need to ask why many patients struggle to make healthy lifestyle changes. Often, patients who turn to GLP-1s feel like they’ve tried lifestyle changes before and it hasn’t worked. But in reality, they didn’t have the right tools or support to be able to succeed.
Doctors bear a lot of the blame for this – we’re not always the best at giving practical, empathetic health advice. Too often we say “Go to the gym” or “Eat healthier” without giving realistic and specific instructions.
We also cannot ignore the role that societal factors play. Healthy foods are often more expensiveand many communities lack of safe spaces for physical activity. If we really want people to make lifestyle changes – whether they’re on GLP-1 or not – we need policies that make the healthier choice the easier choice.
GLP-1 plays an important role in modern medicine. But any doctor will tell you that a number on the scale should never be the only measure of health. A lifestyle that includes a nutritious diet, regular exercise and other healthy habits is equally important.Dr. John Whyte is Chief Medical Officer of WebMD.