Six things to know about the popular new weight loss medications
A dosage of Wegovy a GLP- drug used for weight loss Photo by Amanda Andrade-Rhoades Associated Press Weight loss medications continue to be a hot topic from television ads promoting various brands to celebrities discussing their experience taking them But what do people need to know before deciding whether these medications are right for them I want to share six major things to consider about these increasingly popular medications Weight loss medications help regulate appetite and fullness One type of weight loss medication is GLP- These medications mimic a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide- which releases insulin after you eat The medications affect your appetite hormones and send signals to your brain to decrease hunger slow the stomach-emptying process and help you feel full for longer GLP- medications can also improve healthcare conditions such as sleep apnea and diabetes Additionally they can lower the pitfall of heart complaint and fatty liver condition People on GLP- s often have a high BMI or other soundness conditions Weight loss medications are not for everyone The ideal candidate is someone with a body mass index of or higher and at least one weight-related physical condition condition such as high blood pressure or sleep apnea Patients with a BMI of or higher may qualify without other wellbeing conditions GLP- medications are also an excellent tool for patients who have tried traditional weight loss programs and cannot lose weight from exercise and healthy eating alone or people who have regained weight GLP- s work best when combined with lifestyle changes People taking these weight loss medications can lose to of their body weight However the medications alone can only do so much There are four pillars of anatomical weight loss nutrition physical activity behavior changes and curative interventions They all need to be combined for long-term success I advise my patients to reduce their calorie intake by calories daily and exercise at least minutes weekly Making and maintaining these lifestyle changes is essential to ensuring the weight stays off GLP- s have side effects Side effects of weight loss medications can include nausea vomiting fatigue headaches and constipation or diarrhea Selected studies have located that approximately to of people taking GLP- s experience one or more of these adverse effects People on GLP- medications should talk with their doctors to learn avenues to manage side effects Their recommendations may include eating smaller portions of healthy foods more frequently eating slowly exercising regularly and maintaining hydration Additionally because these medications can cause loss of muscle mass in addition to fat loss patients must be closely monitored while taking them Different GLP- medications help with different things The Food and Drug Administration has approved Ozempic and Mounjaro to treat diabetes Wegovy is approved for chronic weight management and to treat people with obesity and cardiovascular ailment Zepbound is approved for chronic weight management and to treat obesity and obstructive sleep apnea Your medical practitioner can help you to find the right medication based on your wellbeing conditions insurance and other demands There are a great number of types of weight loss medications Aside from GLP- s there are other weight loss medications that offer different benefits These include fat absorption inhibitors and appetite suppressants Talk with your physician about what medication is right for you Trying to lose weight can be overwhelming You should not have to confront the process alone which is why choosing the right practitioner and weight loss activity such as Sharp HealthCare s comprehensive weight loss services is essential Dr Pegah Mashayekhi a board-certified expert specializing in obesity medicine is affiliated with Sharp Coronado Hospital
