The weight loss journey can be an emotional rollercoaster. In the past year or so, many folks have found hope in popular GLP-1 medications, like Ozempic®, that can dramatically speed up the weight loss process. But these GLP-1s come with legitimate health risks. You should carefully consider all the facts when making the decision about what’s right for you and your body.
Popular GLP-1s: Ozempic®, Wegovy® & More
Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Mounjaro®, Trulicity® – the cute names and catchy jingles seem to be popping up everywhere these days. With GLP-1 usage on the rise, many people have been able to shed extra pounds – fast. The sudden popularity and availability of GLP-1s has been so prominent that there’s even a tongue-in-cheek name that the media is using to describe noticeable weight loss transformations: Ozempic® face.
But before you jump on the bandwagon, be sure to familiarize yourself with the potential risk and reward of GLP-1s. While obesity poses serious health risks, so can certain medications if they aren’t suited for your body’s needs.
How Do They Work?
GLP-1s help manage blood sugar levels in folks with Type 2 diabetes. But GLP-1s have also been used for weight loss. Most of these medications involve injecting a liquid product that mimics the naturally occurring GLP-1 hormone.
The GLP-1 hormone is produced naturally in the small intestine. This hormone plays many roles in the process of digestion, hunger and blood sugar regulation. This includes triggering the pancreas to release insulin, limiting the amount of glucose that enters the bloodstream, slowing digestion, and sending signals to the brain to make you feel full.
By mimicking this hormone, GLP-1 medications like Ozempic® and Mounjaro® are designed to have a similar effect. They slow down digestion and help individuals control cravings by making the body feel fuller, faster. Ultimately, this can be a catalyst for weight loss.
GLP-1 Side Effects
The FDA approved the first GLP-1 in 2005, which means this type of medication is fairly new to the medical world. In other words, we’re all still learning how these medications can affect immediate and long-term health.
As of now, the most commonly reported side effects are loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Other side effects include dizziness, racing heart, headaches, infections, and indigestion. Though rare, some severe side effects of GLP-1s include pancreatitis, medullary thyroid cancer, sudden kidney injury, and worsening diabetes-related retinopathy. Allergic reactions and hypoglycemia are additional risks to keep in mind before taking GLP-1s.
Because there are so many people now taking GLP-1s for weight loss, we can expect to have a lot more data on potential health risks in the years to come. So, stay tuned!
Who Is Best Suited for GLP-1s?
GLP-1s can be effective for individuals who have struggled with persistent obesity (BMI 30+) that shows no sign of improvement with other remedies like diet and exercise. The FDA approves the use of GLP-1s in these cases. Some healthcare providers will also prescribe GLP-1s for overweight individuals (BMI 25-29.9). This is more common if there’s another existing health condition that can be improved with weight loss.
But it’s also important to know that, while GLP-1 medications can help you lose weight, once you stop them, the weight can come back. So, they are a band-aid of sorts that just speeds up weight loss but doesn’t do anything to maintain it. That is why it is important that while taking these medications, you also focus on changing your behavioral and lifestyle triggers to ensure long-term weight management.
With both risks and rewards – and a considerable lack of historical data – there are many things to consider when determining whether or not GLP-1s are right for you.
