Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, usually referred to as GLP-1s, promote weight reduction by serving to you are feeling full sooner and longer. They had been first used to deal with kind 2 diabetes, and prescriptions elevated by over 700 % between 2019 and 2023.
Now, GLP-1s can be found for weight reduction, however loads of misconceptions exist about how finest to make use of these medication.
1. Fantasy: GLP-1s Are an ‘Simple Repair’ for Weight Loss
It might sound good to consider taking GLP-1s and watching the numbers in your scale fall with out making another adjustments. However these medicines work finest when mixed with a nutritious diet and common train.
“The size is vital, however what makes up that quantity is much extra vital,” says Matthew Fourman, MD, a bariatric surgeon in personal observe in Columbus, Ohio. “These medication don’t take the place of fine vitamin and train as a part of a wholesome life-style.”
Once you take GLP-1s, a nutritious diet, bodily exercise, loads of high quality sleep, and stress administration work collectively that will help you obtain lasting outcomes, says Bronwyn Holmes, MD, a ladies’s well being doctor in personal observe in Silicon Valley, California. Dr. Holmes advises medical suppliers on therapies like GLP-1s. “Weight reduction turns into momentary when sufferers cease taking their medicine, as a result of they lack important weight administration components,” she says.
2. Fantasy: Most Individuals Have Facet Results
“One of many largest myths folks hear about GLP-1s is that most individuals have unintended effects,” says Holly Lofton, MD, an weight problems medication specialist with NYU Langone Well being in New York Metropolis. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are the most typical GLP-1 unintended effects, however these signs aren’t inevitable.
One research evaluation checked out GLP-1 unintended effects and located that solely about 12 % of people that took these medicines skilled any. However unintended effects depend upon the GLP-1 you are taking, and their severity can range.
For instance, two research discovered that semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) causes gastrointestinal signs like nausea extra usually than different varieties, however liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza) causes extra issues with the gallbladder and pancreas.
These unintended effects are commonest if you first begin taking a GLP-1, or when your dose will get elevated, however they usually enhance as you are taking them constantly, says Dr. Lofton.
3. Fantasy: You Can Eat No matter You Need Whereas Taking a GLP-1
Generally folks imagine that their GLP-1 medicine makes all meals selections acceptable, says Holmes. “However GLP-1 medicines produce their finest outcomes when sufferers eat nutrient-dense, protein-based meals whereas sustaining common hydration,” she says.
Due to the decreased urge for food that comes with GLP-1s, some folks might not eat sufficient protein, resulting in muscle loss.
“Ample protein consumption is important to sustaining a good physique composition,” says Holmes. Even in a best-case state of affairs, the place sufficient protein is consumed, some weight reduction nonetheless comes from lean physique mass (muscle and bone).
Your precise protein suggestions whereas taking GLP-1s will rely in your gender, weight, and day by day calorie objective. However specialists counsel making an attempt for 80 to 120 grams (g) of protein per day (16 to 24 % of your energy).
4. Fantasy: Docs Don’t Know if GLP-1s Are Secure
When you suppose GLP-1s are too good to be true, you’re not alone. And a few folks fear in regards to the security of those medicines. However Lofton says she has no qualms about prescribing them. “These medicines had been examined in scientific trials for security and efficacy for a few years earlier than they got here to the market,” she says.
Not solely have large-scale research proven that GLP-1s are protected, they really enhance total longevity by addressing different well being considerations like diabetes and coronary heart illness.
Some weight reduction medicines have been made unavailable due to unintended effects, says Lofton, “[but] GLP-1s stay in the marketplace and are thought-about protected and efficient.”
Nevertheless, some firms and compounding pharmacies have created their very own combination of GLP-1s. These aren’t regulated by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA), and they also will not be as protected as choices prescribed by your healthcare supplier.Additionally, specialists don’t suggest GLP-1s throughout being pregnant.
5. Fantasy: You Can At all times Take Larger Doses if the Weight Stays Put
Healthcare suppliers usually begin GLP-1s at a low dose and enhance it each 4 weeks till you attain your objective dose.
However the dose can’t be raised indefinitely, says Dr. Fourman. Some clinicians enhance the dose slower than each 4 weeks, with the objective of limiting unintended effects and serving to produce sustainable life-style adjustments.
“There must be some nuance and intelligence with regards to managing every affected person,” says Fourman. “Plateaus occur, however frequently ramping up the dose in a constant method can result in elevated frequency of problems.”
Most individuals additionally don’t take GLP-1s long-term, and research have solely noticed folks taking them for a max of three to 4 years.
Some folks get off GLP-1 medicines due to unintended effects. Others cease taking them on account of excessive out-of-pocket prices, lack of insurance coverage protection, or adjustments in insurance coverage protection.
The Takeaway
GLP-1s have helped hundreds drop some pounds by suppressing urge for food, however myths nonetheless exist round these fashionable medicines.
As a result of GLP-1s may cause fast weight reduction, some folks imagine they’ll eat no matter they need, skip train, and enhance their dose as many instances as wanted.
Once you take GLP-1s, you want extra protein in your weight loss program, common train, glorious sleep, and stress administration to realize the very best, longest-lasting outcomes.
