Health experts have recently warned about a new danger of the weight loss drugs which could affect people over a period of time.
How Semaglutide aids weight loss
Semaglutide, sold under brand names like Wegovy and Ozempic, helps people lose weight by decreasing their appetite. Changes to diet and exercise are advised along with the medication. The drugs offered hope to people with obesity and at risk of various disorders related to it.
The Food and Drug Administration first approved Ozempic for treating diabetes in the year 2017, while a higher dose of semaglutide to treat obesity was launched under the brand name of Wegovy in 2021. Many people including the who’s who jumped on to the Ozempic bandwagon and talked about its magical benefits.
Ozempic and eating disorders
However, these drugs have also been linked to an increase in eating disorders.
“They start using this drug and next thing you know, they’ve developed what looks very much like anorexia nervosa,” psychologist Tom Hildebrandt of Mount Sinai’s Center of Excellence in Eating and Weight Disorders told NBC.
Many health experts are of the view these drugs may lead to eating disorders or worsen existing ones.
The drugs are known to mimic glucagon-like peptide 1, a hormone that controls blood sugar and reduces hunger and at high doses, patients can lose up to 21% of their body weight. But abusing the drug can lead to serious consequences for the body.
“That level of weight loss can lead the brain to believe the body is suffering from starvation,” which can cause patients to limit their food intake even when it endangers their health, Hildebrandt said.
People with existing disorders may suffer more
Some people may tend to go overboard on the restrictive eating, depriving their body of nourishment and the required calories. This can lead to serious side effects. People with already existing eating disorders are especially at risk.
“The restrictive eating unintentionally spirals out of control” until people can’t help themselves, Dr. Aaron Keshen, co-director of the Nova Scotia Eating Disorder Provincial Service in Canada and an associate professor of psychiatry at Dalhousie University told NBC News.
“If someone is experiencing any side effects while taking any Lilly medication, we encourage them to speak with their healthcare provider,” Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro told NBC News, adding that the company “actively monitors, evaluates, and reports safety information for all its medications.”
Veggies for Weight Loss and Better Health Outcomes
