There has been a great deal of discussion lately about Diabetes medications increasingly being prescribed for weight loss in individuals without diabetes. These belong to a class of drugs called GLP-1 agonists. GLP-1 agonists work to slow digestion and increase feelings of fullness. This results in less food being eaten over time, and significant weight loss may follow. These drugs are usually injected once per week, and their cost without insurance may be approximately $1300 per month.
Effects in those With and Without Diabetes
In those with type-2 diabetes, these drugs can lower blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. In research, diabetics that were overweight or obese lost approximately 10% of their body weight over one year. In those without diabetes that were overweight or obese, approximately 15% of body weight was lost over one year. One study revealed that 40% of the weight lost was in the form of lean body mass (muscle).
Side Effects and Potential Risks
Common side effects experienced during the first 20 weeks of use included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. Additionally, some studies showed higher risks for pancreas, gallbladder, and kidney disease, as well as thyroid cancer.
Weight Regain
In research, individuals regained approximately 66% of their original weight within one year of discontinuing the drugs. This is believed to be caused by a dramatic return of hunger hormones.
A Better Long Term Plan
Sundrops offers comprehensive nutritional, exercise, and lifestyle counseling to successfully support burning fat for energy without expensive medications. Additionally, the following natural molecules are available that support weight loss:
- Green Coffee Extract has shown weight loss of 11 lbs. over 12 weeks
- Adipromin has shown weight loss of 10 lbs. over 16 weeks
- EGCG from Green Tea has shown 29% increased fat burning after exercise
- Forskolin has shown increased fat burning and higher levels of energy production
- LOWAT has shown a significant reduction in the hunger hormone ghrelin over 8 weeks
Trends in Cardio Med, 2022; New England Journ of Med, 2021; Drugs in Context Endocrin, 2015
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure. or prevent any disease.
