"The most effective weight loss drug to date" Understand the benefits and side effects of GLP-1 injections. Once you stop taking the drug, will it be more difficult to lose weight again?
Eat less and move more but fail to lose weight? Why GLP-1 injection drugs can help you lose weight
The global obesity population is increasing rapidly. Obesity not only increases the risk of complications such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and arthritis, but is also inextricably linked to diabetes. The main current medical treatments for weight loss include regular exercise, diet control, behavioral changes, bariatric surgery (such as gastric sleeve resection, intragastric balloon insertion) and prescription drug treatment. However, complex hormonal secretion, endocrine metabolism regulation and human body neurochemical adaptability have led to many people trying to lose weight by “eating less and moving more” but often failing. “Slimming injection”, which can regulate appetite and achieve effective weight loss, has become the most popular weight loss drug in recent years.
The so-called “slimming injection” is actually an injectable drug of the enterocrine GLP-1 type. It has become a craze because of its significant weight-lowering effect. In some controlled studies, the enterocrine GLP-1 type of drug has been found to have a weight-loss effect. It can reach 20% and was once regarded as “the most effective weight loss drug to date.” However, in recent years, GLP-1 injection drugs have become very popular. It has been repeatedly reported that the drug supply is insufficient and the self-pay price is high. It is not suitable for everyone, and there may also be a risk of regaining weight after stopping the drug.
Incretin is an intestinal hormone secreted by epithelial endocrine L cells in the distal ileum and part of the large intestine, including glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent Insulin-stimulating polypeptide (GIP, glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide) helps pancreatic B cells secrete insulin and inhibits A cells from secreting glucagon, thereby regulating blood sugar. It not only acts on the pancreas and liver and participates in blood sugar regulation, but also inhibits gastric emptying and regulates appetite through the central nervous system. Moreover, incretin is a glucose-dependent stimulation of insulin secretion, and the risk of hypoglycemia is lower.
Not only can it help you lose weight, but can it also help you quit eating sweets? What are the side effects of enterocrine GLP-1?
Incretin had been discovered before the 1960s. However, the total amount of insulin stimulated by oral GLP-1 drugs is only one-quarter of that of injections, which is called the “incretin effect.” Follow-up studies further confirmed that incretin GLP-1 drugs can significantly reduce body weight, protect cardiovascular and related death risks in patients with diabetes.
In addition, GLP-1 drugs have also been found to enhance exercise ability and improve quality of life in patients with diabetes. Some studies even believe that enterocin GLP-1 injection drugs can affect the reward center of the brain and help get rid of addiction-like behavioral pathways such as craving for sweets. For people with “sugar obesity”, it can significantly control their appetite.
The enterocrine GLP-1 injection drugs (Semaglutide, Liraglutide, Tirzepatide) that have obtained indications were originally used to treat diabetes, and then studies have successively proven their weight loss benefits and safety. However, GLP-1 used in obesity Drugs like these usually have higher doses. Common side effects include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and constipation, which usually disappear within a few weeks. Clinically, the dose will be gradually increased to improve adaptability. In rare cases, it may cause small intestinal obstruction, pancreatic inflammation and other conditions. Animal experiments show that long-term use of GLP-1 drugs may increase the risk of thyroid C-cell tumors.
Who is suitable for using GLP-1 drugs? Is it more difficult to lose weight once you stop taking the medicine?
As the most widely discussed weight loss drug today, the indications for incretin GLP-1 injection drugs are severe obesity (BMI value greater than 30) or overweight (BMI value 27-29.9), and those with chronic diseases (hypertension) , hyperlipidemia) and have weight control problems. It may also be used outside the manual after evaluation.
Although the enterocrine GLP-1 injection drug has a significant weight loss effect, it may not be able to achieve the effect of “getting all the results in one battle”. In many cases, if diet and exercise adjustments are not simultaneously involved, long-term use of the enterocrine GLP-1 injection is required. Only medications can maintain weight. Once medication is stopped, weight gain will occur. Repeated weight regain may cause a “yo-yo effect”, leading to an increase in visceral fat, making it more difficult to lose weight in the future.
In addition, enterocrine GLP-1 injection drugs are expensive to pay out of pocket, and may not be covered by medical insurance. Coupled with the tight supply of medicines after the epidemic, online advertisements related to slimming pens have been circulated in many areas. Their ingredients and safety have not been checked by drug licensing authorities, causing great doubts about drug safety. The public is reminded not to believe in online drug advertisements, and if they have any weight management problems, they should consult a specialist before receiving legal and formal treatment.
Source: GLP−1 receptor agonists for the treatment of obesity: Role as a promising approach
Extended reading: One injection a week can reduce weight by 15%? Why do I still gain weight even after taking slimming pills? Doctor reveals “weight loss devil”
