What is weight loss medication?
Find out what weight loss medication is and how it works
In short, weight loss medication works by mimicking the body’s own satiety hormone (GLP-1), thus reducing the urge to eat.
Are you tired of the struggle against being overweight?
Have you struggled with being overweight at one or more points in your life? Then you know how unfair and exhausting a process it can be. Thoughts about food and weight take over and fill most of your thoughts, tormenting you with feelings from all parts of the spectrum: guilt, frustration, surrender, and inferiority on one side, and determination, fighting spirit, willpower, and perseverance on the other. A constant exhausting balancing act where ups and downs go hand in hand – on repeat.
You have probably tried everything. One diet and lifestyle change after another, exercise, and mental work. You have likely succeeded several times in achieving weight loss, perhaps even significant weight loss. But after some time, the pounds quietly return. The feeling of giving up is understandably close at hand.
More than half of us are overweight or obese
This scenario is all too familiar to many people. In fact, data from Sundhed.dk tells us that 52% of the adult population in Denmark is overweight or obese*. For a large portion of people living with being overweight who have tried various methods for weight loss over the years, weight loss medication may be justified and the right choice. However, it is a complex decision that requires consideration of many different issues. It is always wise and important to be as informed as possible before deciding whether weight loss medication is the right choice for you.
How does obesity and being overweight affect your body and health?
It is possible to be healthy while being overweight. Being overweight is measured using BMI. BMI is a calculation that assesses your body weight in relation to your height, i.e., whether your weight is appropriate for your height. It does not take into account the distribution of body weight, how much is fat tissue or muscle mass. Therefore, one may have an elevated BMI if very muscular and not very tall. Similarly, one can be healthy, defined by not having any diseases, and still have an elevated BMI.
If you are overweight due to increased fat mass, you will be at risk of developing lifestyle diseases. Much research shows that overweight is associated with an increased risk of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. You will also be at greater risk of developing musculoskeletal pain.
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Calculate your BMI hereHow does weight loss medication work?
Weight loss drugs work by mimicking the body’s own satiety hormone, thus reducing the urge to eat. Here is a bit of detailed information for those who want to dive deep: Weight loss medication contains the drugs Liraglutide and Semaglutide, both used to treat type 2 diabetes. Liraglutide and Semaglutide are artificially created drugs that resemble the natural hormone GLP-1, which lowers blood sugar and suppresses appetite. GLP-1 is secreted from the gut but only works for a relatively short time after a meal. Liraglutide has the same effect as GLP-1 but is much more stable than the natural hormone. Semaglutide does the same but is even more effective and works longer than Liraglutide.
*Measured by BMI, where one naturally has to account for the inaccuracy in this calculation method, which can incorrectly classify very short or very muscular individuals as overweight without having a large fat mass.
Source: Sundhed.dk
Get answers to typical questions about weight loss medication
The latest weight loss medications are drugs designed to help with weight loss by mimicking the body’s own satiety hormone, GLP-1. This hormone reduces the urge to eat by increasing the feeling of fullness and reducing hunger. It increases the chance of achieving a calorie deficit, which will lead to weight loss. The drugs Liraglutide and Semaglutide are examples of such medications used for both type 2 diabetes treatment and weight loss purposes.
Many people struggle with being overweight and experience constant weight fluctuations. This is often due to a combination of physical, mental, and emotional factors that make it difficult to achieve and maintain lasting weight loss. Feelings such as guilt, frustration, and surrender can also play a significant role in this struggle.
Being overweight is often assessed using Body Mass Index (BMI), which is a calculation that relates body weight to height. A BMI over 25 is considered overweight, and a BMI over 30 is considered obesity. It is important to note that BMI does not account for body composition, including the distribution of muscle mass and fat mass.
Being overweight, especially when due to high fat mass, increases the risk of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, being overweight can lead to musculoskeletal pain and generally reduced quality of life.
Weight loss medication works by mimicking the effect of GLP-1, a satiety hormone, which reduces appetite and thus food intake. This leads to a calorie deficit, which can result in weight loss. The medication can also reduce cravings for high-calorie food and, for some, cause side effects like nausea and stomach pain, further contributing to reduced food intake.
The choice to use weight loss medication is complex and should be based on an individual assessment of your health, weight, and previous experiences with weight loss attempts. It is recommended to discuss this with a doctor who can provide guidance based on your specific situation.
To start weight loss medication, you must first have a medical evaluation from a doctor. This ensures that the medication is safe and suitable for you. Your doctor will assess your medical history, current health, and weight before making a decision.
Common side effects of weight loss medication include nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, and dizziness. These side effects are not pleasant and can, in some cases, lead to discontinuing the treatment. It is important to have an open dialogue with your doctor about any side effects.