Weight Loss Medication is Not a Magic Pill
Key Takeaways
Obesity is a chronic disease, and using weight loss medications is an acceptable approach, just like treating hypertension or diabetes. There is no shame in turning to weight loss medications to address it.
GLP-1 RAs and dual GIP/GLP-1 RAs help with weight loss by regulating appetite, slowing gastric emptying, and enhancing insulin secretion.
But they are not a magic solution. Sustainable weight loss requires lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise.
Long-term success depends on sustainable habits, including balanced nutrition, regular exercise and having the right support.
Weight loss journey is not straightforward – although many of us wish it were. Weight loss, unfortunately, is often complex and usually requires a combination of lifestyle, nutritional, and medical interventions.
One of the most effective medical weight loss options today are GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and dual GIP/GLP-1 RAs. These classes of medications were initially developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but are now widely prescribed for weight management. Some have been specifically approved for this purpose. These medications, which include semaglutide, liraglutide and tirzepatide, have gained global popularity for helping individuals lose significant weight.
Sounds like a magic pill, doesn’t it?
However, despite scientific evidence proving their effectiveness – with studies showing that patients taking these medications can lose up to 20% of their body weight on average – GLP-1 RAs and dual GIP/GLP-1 RAs are not a cure-all solution for weight issues.
At the end of the day, sustainable weight management requires a holistic approach that goes beyond medication alone.
How Weight Loss Medications Work
GLP-1 RAs, for example, mimic the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is a hormone that plays an important role in regulating one’s appetite and glucose metabolism and is normally produced after meals. GLP-1 RAs have a few different effects in the body:
They increase insulin, which is a hormone that lowers blood sugar.
They decrease glucagon, which is a hormone that causes increased fasting blood sugar.
They slow down emptying of the stomach after eating, causing you to feel full for longer.
They act in the brain to reduce appetite and food cravings.
All of these actions help people to consume fewer calories without battling extreme hunger and cravings. They also help to keep blood sugar under control.
These weight loss medications have been shown to be effective for weight loss, which is why some have been approved for this specific purpose. Studies of semaglutide have shown that it leads to an average weight loss of about 15% of starting body weight, while liraglutide has been found to lead to an average weight loss of 5 to 10% of starting body weight. Recent studies have also found that tirzepatide results in weight loss of more than 26% of starting body weight.
Yet, while these medications have been proven to result in weight loss, they must be combined with dietary and lifestyle changes to achieve sustainable success.
Re-approaching Weight Management
For years, the narrative around weight loss has been framed as a matter of willpower, of eating less and moving more. However, this simplistic approach does not account for other factors which include physiological, genetic, and environmental factors that also account for one’s weight struggles.
GLP-1 RAs and dual GIP/GLP-1 RAs may seem like a magic pill as they have effectively addressed the biological drivers of weight gain, with many individuals seeing their weight drop – in addition to other benefits, including:
Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease in individuals with diabetes.
Improving many weight related conditions such as fatty liver, obstructive sleep apnea and joint pains.
Even potential longevity benefits.
It may sound too good to be true, and some people might wonder: “Isn’t it cheating when we rely on medications to lose weight?”
Well… if your view of obesity and weight management is still the traditional sense – where blame falls on the individual – then you would likely think that taking weight loss medications is a form of “cheating” or an indication of personal failure.
But, if you understand that obesity is a complex medical condition with physiological underpinnings that make losing weight difficult for many individuals, then no, it isn’t.
How so?
With that view, taking GLP-1 RAs or dual GIP/GLP-1 RAs is no different from taking medication for high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels. These treatments help individuals achieve better health outcomes that lifestyle or dietary interventions alone may not be able to achieve. For example:
GLP-1 RAs slow down the emptying of the stomach and acts in the brain to reduce hunger and food cravings. Doing these things helps to reduce the amount of food that a person eats. People with obesity have been shown to have lower GLP-1 levels in their bodies. Using medications that mimic GLP-1 can be considered as a way of restoring a healthy level of GLP-1 activity, which then helps to bring body weight back into a healthier range.
Research has found that GLP-1 RAs significantly reduce food cravings and food noise. People taking GLP-1 RAs experience far less strong urges to eat unhealthy, highly-caloric foods. This makes it easier to make healthy food choices and in turn, makes it far easier to lose excess weight, and to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.
Early success in weight loss can enhance motivation. Research suggests that higher levels of motivation results in better weight loss success.
Of course, although taking GLP-1 RAs is one component to kickstart your weight loss (providing the early momentum you need to build healthy habits), it should be part of a holistic weight management strategy that includes diet, exercise and emotional support.
Why are lifestyle and dietary changes still important?
Weight loss medications can help you lose weight, but they are not substitutes for healthy eating and exercise. While these medications can help curb your hunger, and thus, your calorie intake, they do not automatically lead to a better overall health. A balanced, nutrient-rich diet and exercise (which includes cardio and strength training) are still important.
Balanced Nutrition
Studies highlight that when it comes to weight management, focusing on food quality can lead to more sustainable weight loss and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
For example, balancing macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, helps in maintaining energy levels, supporting muscle mass, and regulating hormones.
Complex carbohydrates like whole grains, legumes, and vegetables provide sustained energy and help manage blood sugar levels, reducing hunger spikes.
Protein promotes satiety and helps preserve muscle mass, which is essential for maintaining a healthy metabolism.
Healthy fats, such as those found in avocados, nuts, and olive oil, contribute to hormone production and help you feel full longer.
Recommended Reading: Nutrition and Weight Management Goes Beyond Calories In, Calories Out
In addition to nutrition, regular physical activity is also essential for sustainable weight loss.
Physical Activity to Prevent Muscle Loss
Although weight loss medications are effective, not all weight loss is fat; some are lean mass, which include muscle. Research has shown that individuals taking GLP-1 RAs may experience a reduction in muscle mass, while around 20% to 50% of the weight lost on these medications is muscle, with the remainder being fat tissue.
Why is this a concern?
For one, muscle loss makes it harder for you to lose weight.
Lean mass is healthier and linked to better metabolism. This means that the more muscle you have on your body, the better your resting metabolic rate is (energy expended even at rest). Alarmingly, the more rapid the weight loss, the more muscle mass you’ll lose. This is largely because the body is not getting the energy it needs from food, therefore it derives from energy reserves stored as fat, then from muscle.
Another concern is that muscle loss negatively impacts your blood sugar. Muscles are one of the most energy-demanding tissues in the body that also take up a lot of glucose from the blood. Studies have shown that having more muscle mass is associated with better blood sugar control.
In addition, retaining (and building) lean muscle gives you that sculpted look – giving you that toned, fit appearance.
Recommended Reading: Why Exercise When You Are Already Losing Weight with GLP-1 RAs
What can you do then? You can:
Engage in regular strength training exercises to maintain muscle mass. Resistance-type exercises, added on top of your aerobic activity, also support strong, healthy bones.
Consume adequate protein, as protein is the building block of muscles; and is essential for muscles to build and repair itself.
Not a Magic Pill, but a Component to Holistically Achieving Long-Term Weight Loss… and Better Health
Beyond aesthetic benefits, the goal of any weight management program should be to improve one’s overall long-term health.
These weight loss medications are not magic pills – not in the way the entertainment industry sensationalizes it. Relying solely on weight loss medications without addressing underlying lifestyle and environmental factors can lead to weight regain once intake of these medications end.
So what does long-term weight loss success involve?
It involves a holistic approach that includes:
Developing sustainable eating habits (rather than following highly restrictive diets)
incorporating enjoyable physical activities into your daily routine (think spin classes or aqua fitness)
Addressing emotional and psychological factors that influence eating behaviors
Maintaining regular medical assessments/check-ups to monitor progress and adjust your treatment as needed.
Weight loss medications like GLP-1 RAs and GIP/GLP-1 RAs offer a medically-backed solution for individuals struggling with weight loss. But they are not a shortcut nor a substitute to a healthier lifestyle.
A health coach can help you to design and stick to a healthy lifestyle plan. Our holistic medical weight loss program. This combines a doctor consultation (video or in-clinic), weight loss treatment with free delivery, and an ongoing personalized digital health coaching that provides you with the medical and emotional support you need throughout this journey.