There are some positives and negatives to new weight-loss medications used by patients struggling with obesity.
Drugs in the GLP-1 agonist family like Ozempic are incredibly effective for weight loss as well as managing diabetes. GLP-1 agonists were initially developed to treat type 2 diabetes but have now picked up in usage for their efficacy in weight loss.
KTRH Medical Expert Dr. Joe Galati calls these medications "marvelous tools" for people battling with weight loss through diet and exercise.
"They work and there is a lot of growing research that shows it prevents and reduces the risk of dying from heart disease, cuts down on cholesterol and extends your life," Dr. Galati explained.
There are some downsides however. Dr. Galati says people could rely too much on these medications and they could bring up more long-term consequences.
"Potentially, we are becoming dependent on these medications to fix these problems when at the root of the problem it is obesity through excessive eating and not enough physical activity," he said.
Some clinical trials have shown that patients can lose up to 15-20% of their body weight while on these medications. Dr. Galati said doctors are still learning whether drugs like these will be administered long-term.
"We'd hate to think that a solution to a behavioral problem is a drug," said Dr. Galati. "A better relationship with food, understanding how to cook, prepare meals, exercise and take care of your body is hopefully the first step in wellness and controlling your weight."