There seems to be a lot of conversation circulating lately, regarding GLP-1 medications like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide as to if these medications are a long-term, sustainable weight loss solution. Depending on the article that you read or the physician you consult with, you may hear a variety of answers. We are happy to join the conversation and provide information from a clinician’s perspective, what we see day to day with hundreds of patients over a 12-month period.
Obesity plagues a large percentage of society, for a variety of reasons. With obesity, a person may encounter a complexity of health issues, disorders, diseases, and depression. For a large portion of these individuals, and if they were able to simply reduce body fat, body, weight, cholesterol, and blood sugar, many and if not most of all health issues these individuals have been dealing with may not be present and for that reason, the importance of reducing body fat, body weight, and becoming a healthier happier person.
Many of the patients that we have consulted with have described this type of weight loss program protocol with Semaglutide or Tirzepatide as life-changing, motivating, and has allowed them to get back on track and to become the person that they once were. To expand on that conversation, many of these same patients we have consulted with have simply said that they had given up on dieting, losing weight altogether after many failed attempts. Although these weight loss protocols may not be appropriate for all individuals, we find that they can be a great help and allow a person to relearn healthy eating habits, portion control, and lifestyle. By eating less, and losing weight, many of these patients become highly motivated and then decide to embark on a new walking, workout, or exercise routine, which only in return, helps them move closer to their personal health goal day by day.
All of these factors are highly important when considering long-term health, happiness, and quality of life!
Additionally, we have seen with many patients and even after stopping Semaglutide and Tirzepatide that weight loss can be permanent and sustainable. The reason, as explained by the patients we’ve consulted with, they’ve learned new habits, have learned portion control, and feel so good about themselves that they never want to return to the unhealthy state in which they once were. Instead of walking around the kitchen, looking through the cupboards and refrigerator, or eating to cope with unhappiness, they find themselves, going for a walk or doing something different that they enjoy because they are emotionally happy and have formed new positive life habits.
Of course, this may not be true with all patients or in all situations, but we thought it was important to note what we have seen, what’s possible, and that Semaglutide and Tirzepatide can offer long-term sustainable weight loss solutions.
The potential health benefits of Semaglutide may include:
Blood Sugar Control: Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It helps increase insulin secretion while decreasing glucagon production, which leads to better control of blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
Weight Loss: When used at a higher dose (2.4 mg once a week), Semaglutide has been shown to promote significant and sustained weight loss in people without diabetes. It can help individuals achieve weight loss by reducing appetite, increasing feelings of fullness, and slowing down gastric emptying.
Cardiovascular Benefits: Semaglutide has demonstrated cardiovascular benefits, reducing the risk of major cardiovascular events in individuals with type 2 diabetes who have established cardiovascular disease.
Reduced Risk of Hypoglycemia: Unlike some other diabetes medications, Semaglutide has a lower risk of causing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) when used as monotherapy.
Improved Blood Pressure and Lipid Levels: Studies have suggested that Semaglutide may have positive effects on blood pressure and lipid profiles, potentially reducing the risk of cardiovascular complications.
Non-Diabetic Benefits: Research is ongoing to explore the potential benefits of Semaglutide in non-diabetic individuals, particularly in the context of obesity management.
The potential health benefits of Tirzepatide may include:
Improved Blood Sugar Control: Tirzepatide, being a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, can simultaneously stimulate the release of insulin and inhibit the release of glucagon, leading to better control of blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
Weight Loss: Clinical trials have demonstrated that Tirzepatide can lead to significant and sustained weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes and obesity. The combined GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonism may result in enhanced effects on appetite regulation and energy balance, leading to weight reduction.
Cardiovascular Benefits: Early data from clinical trials suggest that Tirzepatide may have cardiovascular benefits, similar to other GLP-1 receptor agonists. It may reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in individuals with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease.
Potential Once-Weekly Dosing: Tirzepatide is being evaluated for once-weekly dosing, which can improve patient convenience and adherence compared to some other diabetes medications that require daily dosing.
Non-Diabetic Benefits: Like Semaglutide, another GLP-1 receptor agonist, Tirzepatide is also being investigated for potential benefits in non-diabetic individuals, particularly for obesity management.
It’s important to note that while Semaglutide and Tirzepatide offer several benefits, their usage should be carefully considered under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Like any medication, Semaglutide and Tirzepatide may have side effects, contraindications, and interactions with other drugs that need to be considered when determining their suitability for an individual’s specific medical condition.
Ready to lose the extra weight? Talk with Vitality Health of South Florida!
Their website is www.vitalityhealthsfl.com to learn more about the practice and the services. Give them a call at 1-833-4LOWTEE to schedule your consultation with Dr. Zughbi.
