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528 Chama, N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87108 http://www.cbass.com |
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New Weight-Loss Drugs We'll look at my weight management approach and then see what the Harvard Health Letter (January 2024) has to say about the newly approved anti-obesity drugs. * * * If you eat the right foods it's actually hard to overeat. You become full and satisfied before you take in more calories than you burn. My diet is near vegetarian, along with full-fat dairy, eggs, and fish. There's plenty of high quality protein for the hardest training athlete. All the macro- and micro-nutrients are there. It's healthy--and satisfying. * * * I never count calories. You won't need to either once you master my approach. Put on the table what you plan to eat and put everything else away. That gives you time to decide if you "really" want more. Weighing myself every week gives me time to adjust as necessary. I can't remember a time when I found it necessary to cut back. With that background, let's look at the newly approved anti-obesity drugs. The Harvard Health Letter begins by calling them "expensive, scarce, and not right for everyone." About the New Anti-Obesity Medications The new drugs suppress appetite by slowing stomach emptying. (They also enhance the ability to exercise.) "The medications may even affect the reward center of the brain, the part that enables you to eat chocolate cake even though you're full," says Dr. Caroline Apovian, an obesity medication specialist. "These drugs seem to dampen the reward response, which also may reduce addictive behaviors like craving for alcohol, sugar, and nicotine," she added. Previously approved under the brand names Ozempic, Victoza, and Mounjaro for diabetes, the FDA has now approved the medications for weight loss, under these new brand names: Wegovy, Saxenda, and Zepbound. Originally coming in injection forms that you give yourself daily or weekly, the drugs are now available in a pill form called Rybelsus, approved for treating diabetes, but not yet been approved for weight loss. (Several other pill forms are being tested.) For overweight or obesity, the prescribed doses are usually higher. Sounds promising, but there are side effects to keep in mind. Side Effects Common side effects include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Dr. Apovian says these usually go away after a few weeks. In rare cases, they might cause an obstruction in the small bowel, stomach paralysis, or inflammation of the pancreas. "As far as I know, these side effects are not permanent. They go away if you stop taking the medications," Dr. Apovian relates. The very long-term effects are not known, the Harvard Letter adds. Sounds worrisome. Who Are Candidates? These drugs are approved only for people diagnosed with obesity or medical problems related to excess weight, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol. That, of course, hasn't stopped some people who don't meet the criteria from using them. "Because these drugs are new and powerful, and are the subject of intense study, it is expected that recommendations as to who should use them will change in the coming years," the Harvard Letter tells us. You will very likely regain the weight if you stop taking the medications. (You are between a rock and a hard place.) "Overweight and obesity, like diabetes and hypertension, are serious conditions that often require ongoing, even lifelong treatment," Dr Apovian says. "There are no 'one-and-done treatments." Price and Availability These drugs are not cheap, ranging from $900 to $1600 per month. Moreover, insurance companies are reluctant to pay for them--and Medicare coverage is partial at best. Dr. Apovian says only about 20% to 30% of private insurers are covering these drugs. "The companies are trying desperately to make enough supplies as we speak," Dr. Apovian adds. * * * The Harvard Letter closes by telling us that "many people with serious medical conditions are finding that they must forgo the most effective anti-obesity drugs we've ever seen." (Another mixed message.) My Take It's good news that these earth-shaking drugs are coming down the pike, but Carol and I will be interested observers--and no more. I enjoyed passing on what I learned from the Harvard Health Letter, but my approach has never sounded better.
This photo taken by Bill Reynolds on the mountain crest over-looking Albuquerque shows the results of the RIPPED approach: Regular Exercise and Sensible Eating No Drugs * * * Readers who suffer from obesity related problems may want to sit down with their health care providers and discuss the new anti-obesity medications. Clearly, there are situations where these drugs can be a godsend. February 1, 2024 Comment on this article: FEEDBACK Ripped Enterprises, P.O. Box 51236, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87181-1236 Home | Products Index | Ripped Bks | Lean Adv. Bks | Lean For Life | Recommended Bks | |Consultations | Tapes | To Order | Feedback] Copyright © 2024 Clarence and Carol Bass. All rights reserved.
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