Who should take medications to lose weight? Doctors share the best candidates
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The medications for weight loss continue to grow in popularity, and market researchers predict that the global demand of medicines could reach $ 150 billion by 2035.
GLP-1 agonists, including semaglutids such as Ozempic and WGOVY and Tirzepatides such as Mounjaro and Zepbound, are intended to treat diabetes and type 2 obesity.
However, recent studies have related these medications with additional benefits, such as a reduction in the risk of heart disease and dementia, as doctors recommend them to a growing number of patients.
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Even so, Yale’s recent investigation found that only 3% of eligible adults received a recipe.
Who should take drugs to lose weight?
The majority of adults who have obesity are good candidates for these medications, according to Dr. John Anderson, internal medicine doctor and diabetes specialist at the Frist Clinic in Nashville, Tennessee.
The majority of adults who have obesity are good candidates for these medications, doctors told News Digital. (Istock)
“However, the most important group that we really want to address are patients who have obesity along with other comorbid conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, the obstructive sleep apnea and the important osteoarthritis,” said Anderson, who is also a member of the Board of the Diabetes Leadership Council, News Digital said.
“Anyone who wants to lose weight that is obese is a good candidate, but from the medical point of view, we are more concerned about this population of patients at greater risk.”
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To qualify for a weight loss medication, the patient must first work with a doctor to make changes in the lifestyle in the areas of diet, exercise, sleep and stress management, according to Dr. Michael Aziz, a specialist in regenerative medicine certified by the Board based in New York City.
“A healthy and balanced diet with many low sugar vegetables and fruits should be the first step in weight loss,” he told News Digital.
“But some people, despite their best efforts, cannot lose weight. This could be related to injuries that prevent them from exercising or a slow metabolism.”
“By treating obesity before, we can prevent the progression of the disease.”
Insurance pays weight loss medications if the patient’s body mass index is over 27 years old, according to Aziz.
(Patients are considered overweight if they have an BMI of 25 to 29.9, and are considered obese if the number is greater than 30, according to national health institutes).
Beyond high -risk groups, Anderson said he would like to see these “available and affordable” medications “for the vast majority of patients affected by obesity.
GLP-1 agonists, including semaglutids such as Ozempic and WGOVY and Tirzepatides such as Mounjaro and Zepbound, are intended to treat diabetes and type 2 obesity. (Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Image Group through Getty Images)
“When dealing with obesity before, we can prevent the progression of the disease,” he said. “It has been shown that GLP-1 reduce the progression of prediabetes to type 2 diabetes by 94%, and significantly reduce the risk of important cardiovascular events.”
He added: “Obesity is connected to 200 comorbidities, including heart disease, kidney disease and 40% of all types of cancer, so addressing early disease is key.”
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Patients do not have to be diabetic to benefit from GLP-1 medications for weight loss, according to Dr. Wiljon Beltre, a bariatric and metabolic surgeon certified by the Board and the founder of Beltre Bariatrics in Orlando, Florida.
“I also agree that patients with lower levels of obesity (BMI of less than 30) can obtain great benefits of these medications,” said News Digital.
“These patients can be excellent candidates for LPG-1, since they seem to lose weight faster and notice almost immediate change.”
Benefits beyond obesity and diabetes
Several current studies are exploring the use of weight loss medications to treat a variety of conditions, including alcoholism and addiction, Alzheimer’s and dementia, liver disease and more, according to Anderson.
“The way in which these medications work is to make the stomach emptying so that it feels more full for longer, but they also have feedback to the center of the hypothalamus appetite in the brain, which turns off the noise of the food,” he said.
“The most important group that we really want to address are patients who have obesity along with other comorbid conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea and significant osteoarthritis,” a doctor told News Digital. (Istock)
“Experts from all over the country are discovering that it also seems to reduce alcohol cravings in patients, which their rewards center is turning off the desire for alcohol.”
More research is needed to confirm this effect, but Anderson said these drugs could be “to change life” for those who fight against addiction.
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Aziz said that GLP-1 medications have also been shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke by 20%.
“They also help reverse a fatty liver and improve sleep apnea,” he added.
Risks and limitations
Diabetes and obesity medications are widely known to cause gastrointestinal problems in some patients, mainly nausea, and some report vomiting, constipation and diarrhea.
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“Most of them occur by making a dose escalation, and the vast majority can overcome that,” Anderson said. “This usually happens early in therapy and goes out over time.”
Those interested in weight loss medications should consult with a doctor to explore possible benefits and risks. (Istock)
According to experts, patients with family history of spinal thyroid cancer or pancreatitis should avoid these medications. Pregnant women are also advised to take them.
Some patients have also reported a loss of muscle mass, thinning or hair detachment, humor changes and other unwanted results.
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“People should understand that LPG-1 is not a magical solution for weight loss, but a leg of a three-legged stool: they must be combined with eating habits and healthy exercises,” said Beltre.
It is also important that patients understand that these medications cannot take forever, the doctor said.
“People should understand that LPG-1 is not a magical solution for weight loss, but a leg of a three-legged stool.”
However, many doctors report that the benefits exceed possible side effects.
“It is important to note that I am seeing many patients who can now participate in activities for the first time in many years after significant weight loss: ice skating, walks, cancellation of knee replacements and eliminating blood pressure medications,” Anderson said.
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Those interested in weight loss medications should consult with a doctor to explore possible benefits and risks.
Melissa Rudy is a senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle in News Digital. The advice of history can be sent to melissa.rudy@News.com.