Weight loss drugs?

[Rogar]

I'm just catching up on the specifics, but am getting the impression there is a wave of weight loss drugs being pedaled to consumers. My basic understanding is that they are prescribed for diabetes, but they have been so effective in helping people with weight loss that they are becoming widespread solely for that. Not a bad strategy for one of the most overweight countries in the world. They say they also reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, which probably goes along with weight loss but may go beyond that. Down side seems to be that once you stop taking them the weight comes back so it's something like a semi-permanent arrangement?

I have a couple of friends that this could be a great boon for. People who have been grossly overweight for decades and have not been able to control their weight with diet and or exercise. I know we've had discussions here about drugs being pushed on the public by "big pharma". I've basically defended the medical industry, but I'm starting to wonder about this one. It just seems like an opportunity for abuse, but great for the right people. It's not something I would need or consider. It just seems odd.

[catherine]

Yes, there are a couple of drugs on the market, in the class known as GLP-1's. They curb hunger by slowing the food through the intestine. I've heard that people just don't have the appetite they used to. I have a couple of friends who went on one and lost a tremendous amount of weight. There are 9 of them on the market now--some are indicated for diabetes and some are indicated for weight loss. They're not cheap, that's for sure, and insurance companies do not easily pay for drugs that are "just" for weight loss.

So far they seem to be safe--I haven't heard of any crazy safety signals. I think for people who have had a lifelong issue with weight they're a godsend, but I also feel that they aren't the best answer. I look at GLP-1s as methodone for overeaters.

[iris lilies]

my sister-in-law has been on one for a year and lost a ton of weight. I’m skeptical of their overall safety long-term .

I need to drop pounds but I’m not ready to try that yet. I suppose I might do that if I dropped weight and then hit a plateau, still needing to drop more.

[ToomuchStuff]

Let's fill our food full of things that make America fat, then fix them with drugs that they have to keep buying. Let's put the consume, in consumer.

Or as of yesterday (idiot announced retirement without any intention of helping figure out how not to run a place designed for two people with one, when I used to be the third/backup_)

Gain 40lbs in 40 days, eat nothing but our pizza!!!

[Rogar]

I suppose I may answer my questions eventually, but if they lower blood sugar, which is probably a cause of inflammation and which can be a precursor to a number of ailments, whether you are overweight or not, would they ever be advocated for other uses. And since maintaining weight loss could be a long term drug arrangement, are there long term studies on their safety.

[catherine]

The first GLP-1 was Byetta, which I think was approved about 20 years ago. I remember working on it when I was still in corporate.

[pinkytoe]

I remain leery of this class of drugs. No one really knows what long term effects might be...until they do.

[pony mom]

The people taking the drugs are the guinea pigs. As mentioned above, we'll see what the long term effects are. They could start many years from now when no one associates them with the drugs.

Late last year I started researching a different way of eating. I've been eating the SAD (Standard American Diet) of mostly lean meats, vegetables and fruits, "healthy" whole grains. And I've been gaining weight, experienced brain fog, aching joints, constant hunger. In January I started the Carnivore diet and it's been life changing. Starting weight was 124 (I know, not overweight but the most I've ever weighed), and am now holding steady at 107. No more needing to grab something when getting up from the floor, tons of energy, gained muscle/lost fat. I'm 58 and feel 25 again. Nothing but fatty beef, butter, bacon and eggs.

If people stick to unprocessed foods that our ancestors ate, it would change their lives.

[pinkytoe]

I am totally confused about what to eat after a recent blood test showing my A1C and cholesterol are pre-diabetic (glucose still below 100). I have been eating a modified Mediterranean diet for many years with no issues, avoid sugar, sweets, processed food and don't eat a lot of bread or other carbs. I am not overweight. Scratching my head about how to proceed. Maybe it's just getting older? Doc wasn't much help with advice since I am already eating what they recommend.

[catherine]

I am totally confused about what to eat after a recent blood test showing my A1C and cholesterol are pre-diabetic (glucose still below 100). I have been eating a modified Mediterranean diet for many years with no issues, avoid sugar, sweets, processed food and don't eat a lot of bread or other carbs. I am not overweight. Scratching my head about how to proceed. Maybe it's just getting older? Doc wasn't much help with advice since I am already eating what they recommend.

Do you exercise? While most diabetes interventions are rightfully focused on diet, exercise plays a role in prevention.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549946/

My own theory, backed up with some evidence, is that stress contributes to diabetes. Are you experiencing stress at all?

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1425110/