The year 2023 has been the biggest breakthrough in the world of weight loss facts and mechanisms. Obesity is the most rising concern in the United States and all over the world. There has been a lot of research on weight loss and its tools. The latest medical interventions make it more clear for health trainers and obese people.
The CDC(Center for Disease Control and Prevention) has revealed from its research that me than 41% of Americans are obese, where the medical cost of managing it neared $173 billion in year 2019. Around 35% of adults are obese according to the adult obesity prevalence report. However, the innovation in the year 2023 has given some hope to overcome this obesity problem.
The most upbeat is the approval of medication such as Zepbound which aids obese people to lose weight. The GLP-1 medication helps the person to lose weight and control the blood glucose level.
What is GLP-1?
This is commonly called glucagon-like peptide 1. Another class of medication helps in weight loss and blood sugar control, is known as Sodium Glucose Cotransporter 2 (SGLP-2) inhibitor.
SGLP-2:
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- canagliflozin (Invokana)
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- dapagliflozin (Farxiga)
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- ertugliflozin (Steglatro)
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- empagliflozin (Jardiance)
Does GLP-1 drug help in weight loss?
Weight loss is a complex mechanism. The amount of weight loss depends upon the drug and its usage. According to the studies, the drug GLP-1- Liraglutide can help lose between 10.5 and 15.8 pounds of weight, whereas Semaglutide with dietary changes can make one lose 33.7 pounds of body weight. This class of drug is taken through shots weekly or daily.
GLP-1 drugs are Dulaglutide, Semaglutide, Exenatide extended release, Exenatide, Liraglutide, and Lixisenatide.
How does GLP-1 work?
GLP-1 imitates the action of glucagon-like peptide 1 hormone. This hormone stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin as someone eats, which helps in lowering the blood sugar level. This helps in managing type 2 diabetes. Also, the drug reduces hunger by delaying the processing of food from the stomach to the intestine which makes one feel satiated. But technically how the drug helps in weight loss is not still known.
Along with reducing the blood sugar level, both inhibitors offer other benefits as well. Some drugs in this agonist reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. Studies have shown the results with lower blood pressure and reduced cholesterol levels.
In the year 2014, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved the usage of the GLP-1 Glucagon-like Peptide drug against weight loss for people too, who are not suffering from diabetes. This year GLP-1 has been a heated topic with most of the health news revolving around it to tackle the obesity epidemic. In November, the FDA approved another drug Zepbound- tirzepatide too for chronic weight management.
Exercise is still important even after taking drugs:
Drugs like Zepbound and Wegovy are popularly known for reducing body weight among people suffering from underlying medical conditions. However new studies suggest that weight loss requires physical activity as an essential part of routine even while someone is taking drugs.
“There must be 150 minutes of moderate exercise such as a brisk walk or Yoga class along with resistance training for the desired weight loss results.” With a proper health plan, one gets the desired weight loss results. One clinical trial says that people taking Zepbound lost around 22% of their body weight, which is a game changer for the people who have tried and failed with the first-line treatments such as diet and exercise.”.
But still, doctors suggest that 150 minutes of physical activity every week is essential because the weight loss drugs are designed to give the best results when combined with diet and workout. Workout gives cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, and physical mobility.
What should be the intensity of the workout for people taking GLP-1 drugs?
The workout must be moderate, which is a good place to start. Moderate exercise means the intensity level of exercise where you can speak while doing exercise. Whereas if you need to pause for breath while speaking, it is considered high-intensity exercise.
The moderate aerobic workout you can start with is:
Walking, Stationary Bike, Yoga, push-ups. Some training with light dumbbells, bodyweight workouts, and resistance training.
Source : Healthline
