- There appears to be no need to stay on GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs used for weight reduction — such as Wegovy — forever if one accompanies their use with regular exercise, according to a new Danish study.
- The medications, originally developed for diabetes, are becoming increasingly popular for weight loss, but until now, it seemed as if once a person started taking them, they had to take them forever to keep weight off.
- The study found that people who combined such medications with exercise were more likely to maintain a weight loss of 10% a year compared to their starting weight after they had stopped taking the drugs.
The conventional wisdom regarding the class of effective new weight-loss drugs is that if one stops taking them, the lost weight will automatically return.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen and Hvidovre Hospital in Denmark finds that this is not necessarily the case.
The key, researchers find, is taking such medications while participating in a structured weight-loss program that extends beyond the use of the drugs.
Participants in the study maintained their weight loss up to a year after ending their medication treatment.
The new weight-loss drugs mimic glucagon-like peptide-1, GLP-1, which promotes a sense of satiety, and thus reduces the desire to overeat.
They release an agonist after a meal that travels to the brain, signaling fullness. It also slows down the emptying of stomach contents, reinforcing the sensation.
The new study appears in
These drugs have generally been developed for people with diabetes, with some being available for nearly 20 years. Only in the last few years have they become popular for weight loss. They are mostly injectable drugs, though the number of oral formulations is growing.
There are various GLP-1 medications on the market based on several compounds. Semaglutide is the drug known by the following brand names: Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus. Saxenda is a brand name for liraglutide, for…
Read the full article here