You’ve all heard by now about a new class of weight loss medications: GLP-1 receptor agonists. These injectable medications are gaining attention for their potential to help people lose weight. But are they really as good as they sound? As a family doctor with over 24 years of experience treating patients with obesity, I’m excited to share what I’ve learned about these medications and why I believe they’re truly remarkable—not just for weight loss but for overall health improvement.
Let’s dive into the facts and see if they live up to the hype.
The Power of GLP-1s for Weight Loss
I’ve made a handy review graph showing the effectiveness of all the popular weight loss meds here:
When it comes to effectiveness, GLP-1 receptor agonists are truly in a league of their own. The most impressive of these medications is Tirzepatide, marketed as Zepbound (also known as Mounjaro but that’s indicated for diabetes). It has shown an average weight loss of 21%, which is groundbreaking. In comparison, Semaglutide, which you may know as Wegovy (or Ozempic for diabetes), results in around 16% weight loss.
To put this into perspective, traditional weight loss medications, like Phentermine and Topiramate (sold as Qsymia), typically result in only about 10% weight loss, while Contrave (a combination of bupropion and naltrexone) offers around 6%.
Clearly, GLP-1s are far more effective, but weight loss alone isn’t the only reason these medications are making waves.
Weight Loss Is Just the Beginning
Weight loss, in and of itself, doesn’t automatically translate to better health. You can lose weight in unhealthy ways (e.g., dangerous habits or extreme diets, including keto and carnivore, which I’ve blogged about here), which is why it’s so important to focus on methods that support overall well-being. The real magic of GLP-1 medications lies in their additional health benefits.
- Heart Disease Prevention: Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in adults. A study on Semaglutide showed an
Semaglutide helps with heart disease incredible 20% reduction in heart attacks and strokes among people with existing heart disease. This is major news for cardiovascular health and one of the key reasons many doctors are excited about GLP-1s.
- Chronic Kidney Disease: A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that GLP-1 medications
Semaglutide helps CKD graph reduce the progression of chronic kidney disease by 24%. This is a game-changer, as it could help many people avoid dialysis and severe kidney complications.
- Sleep Apnea: Another recent study showed a 40% decrease in sleep apnea symptoms for people using GLP-1 medications. This is a huge relief for those who struggle with the condition, whether or not they use a CPAP machine.
- Diabetes Prevention: GLP-1 medications were originally developed to treat diabetes, and they’re now proving highly effective in preventing the progression to type 2 diabetes. Tirzepatide has shown a 94% reduction in the risk of developing diabetes in people who are at risk, which is astonishing.
- Heart Failure: Studies have demonstrated a 41% decrease in heart failure events and a 31% reduction in heart failure-related
semaglutide helps heart failure death for people taking GLP-1 medications, making them vital for anyone with cardiovascular concerns.
What About Side Effects?
As with any medication, GLP-1s do come with some side effects. The most common are gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea and stomach discomfort, which affect about 10% of patients. These side effects are usually temporary, and newer forms of the medication are being developed in pill form to reduce these issues further.
Medication Alone Isn’t the Answer
It’s essential to remember that no medication, including GLP-1s, is a magic bullet. While these injections can significantly boost weight loss and improve health outcomes, they work best when combined with lifestyle changes. A plant-based, whole-food diet that’s low in processed foods and refined carbs is still the gold standard for long-term health. No pill can replace the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. That includes a multivitamin, which as I recently wrote is a waste of money.
If you’re interested in GLP-1 medications, it’s crucial to pair them with healthier eating habits and exercise. These injections are an incredible tool, but they’re most effective when used in combination with a sustainable, balanced lifestyle.
The Bottom Line
As a family doctor, I’m thrilled that we finally have medications that not only promote weight loss but also offer significant benefits for heart health, kidney disease, diabetes, and more. Tirzepatide (Zepbound) and Semaglutide (Wegovy) are changing the landscape of obesity treatment in ways we haven’t seen before.
However, it’s essential to understand that lifestyle changes remain at the core of good health. If you’re considering these weight loss injections, make sure you’re also ready to embrace long-term habits that support your well-being.
In my opinion, GLP-1s are definitely worth the hype—but only if they’re part of a bigger picture that includes healthy eating, regular exercise, and a commitment to improving your overall lifestyle.
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts and presenting the data so convincingly. While not established as causal, its association with NAION, while rare, risk of vision loss has me delaying taking GLP-1 before further study. I did see an ophthalmologist (first time in decades), so I now have a baseline on my eyes (good) health, to make a more informed decision about GLP-1. Given the exponential growth in how many people recently starting taking these drugs, personally, I’ll feel more confident about going ahead in a few months time. Upside is very persuasive.
It’s totally fine to wait for more data, these meds will be getting safer and easier. Also don’t forget that these are not new meds, we have 20 years of data already from diabetic patients.