Weight loss - What’s the risk, and how can you manage it?
Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) are medications that mimic hormones naturally produced in the gut. They help regulate blood glucose, reduce hunger, and slow digestion. For many people this leads not only to weight loss, but also to improvements in metabolic health and cardiovascular health.
All medication carries risk, and medication prescribed for weight loss is no different. An important thing to do when weighing up the risk of any medication is to consider the risk of taking it in comparison with the risk of not taking it. This includes the risk of side effects.
When it comes to weight-loss medication this is complicated by availability (or lack of it). Here in the UK at the current time of writing, weight-loss medications are relatively new to the NHS and not everyone who may benefit from taking them or wants to take them meets the criteria necessary for GPs to be able to prescribe them.
There is scope for them to be obtained privately, sometimes without receiving proper screening, support and aftercare. Not only does this mean a lack of help to understand and weigh-up any potential risks beforehand, but it also means reduced safety and therefore increased risk whilst taking them. This is not the fault of the medication itself, but of the system and the environment within which the medication exists.
For some people weight-loss medication has the potential to be particularly harmful, especially if your relationship with food and/or body image isn’t in a good place; this is a real cause of concern from a mental health perspective. For others, the lack of realisation that weight-loss medications can affect other medications (including for example the contraceptive pill), may present other health-related risks they had not been aware of. So, if you are obtaining weight-loss medication privately, it is important to let your GP know.
That said, risk to health of being overweight or obese is significant. Genetics play a key role, which means not everyone faces the same health concerns or risk, but statistics show that the majority of the UK population is overweight or obese, and that people’s health and quality of life does tend to suffer consequently. Insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes, cholesterol levels and high blood pressure, risk of heart attack, stroke, and alzheimers – these are all risks that may be reduced by the use of weight-loss medication by those who need them, not to mention mobility, energy levels, and quality of life.
An important thing to note is that weight loss, with or without medication, usually comes with a reduced intake of food. Without proper direction this can mean a reduced intake of nutrients. Working with a qualified nutritionist or dietician is crucially important for maintaining health, so you can make sure you get the nutrients you need for things like bone and muscle preservation, a strong immune system, making sure you are getting enough fibre, and helping to reduce any digestive issues that may arise.
Your nutritionist should also be working with you towards reducing weight regain and helping to reduce the likelihood of “yo-yo” dieting cycles if this is something you have struggled with in the past. Weight regain is common after any diet, whether weight-loss medication is involved or not, due to complex metabolic and hormonal reason that your nutritionist should be able to discuss with you and help you to manage and understand.
The NICE guidelines (National Institute of Care Excellence) provide guidance for healthcare in the UK. They recommend that you should receive nutrition and lifestyle advice alongside weight-loss medications, but is this actually happening?
How to manage your bodyweight for the long-term and how to establish healthy lifestyle habits that you can stick to are important parts of any successful weight loss story; this is another fact pointed to by research and evidence. And let’s not forget to mention that as genetics are a component of body weight and weight loss, meaning some people are likely to need support from medication for a longer than others, potentially a lot longer, particularly nutrition and lifestyle change is not properly supported or available. This should not come with any stigma or judgement.
I’m a qualified nutritionist. For dietary and lifestyle advice including guidance for healthy weight loss with or without the use of medication please get in touch with me today. Visit my Events page or book an appointment here.
The advice that I give is not medical advice and should not be considered as a substitute for medical advice. Please seek the advice of your GP regarding weight-loss medication.
