The new generation of weight-loss drugs, based on a molecule called GLP-1, have helped many people attain significant weight loss, with attendant benefits. Unfortunately they also have serious side-effects, which cause the majority of those prescribed the drugs to stop using them in a few weeks or months, and once their use is stopped, it is hard to keep the weight off. Now new research suggests a potential more serious side effect–a higher risk of suicide among users. The World Health Organization gathered information from a variety of adverse drug event databases around the world and identified a potential signal in regard to suicidal ideation in regard to one of the drugs, semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) but not another, liraglutide. The only reason I pay attention to this research is that my personal experience with drug companies is that they will design clinical trials to try to minimize the presence of adverse events, and we often see far higher rates of such events once the drugs are released to the market. Other research has not yet found an association between the drugs and suicide, and the total number of events appears to be small, but even if people don’t kill themselves, having more of these thoughts is not a pleasant experience. I wouldn’t discourage people from using the drugs if they have a substantial weight issue, but as always, study up for yourself and be an informed consumer. (JAMA Study)
I was prescribed Ozempic for my type-2 diabetes. My pharmacist commented when I stopped to pick it up – “I’m guessing you aren’t getting this for weight loss.” I was at about 185 lbs, 6’1″, male, over 60. But I have lost weight since, I’ve learned, the primary effect is to slow down digestion (down to 170 in 9 weeks). The slower digestion rate allows the body to more efficiently process the carbs/sugars (to help with diabetes) and causes a person to just feel fuller most of the time, making the person less prone to eat (or eat as much). I find out soon whether this has brought down my A1C.
You should look into a ketogenic diet. There are lots of diabetics having success on a low carb diet and they are able to get off drugs long term.
no carbs is generally good, have to be a little careful about excess protein, it brings its own problems.