Navigating the Newest Weight Loss Drugs Can Weigh Heavy.
We’re Here to Lighten the Load.
Asked what comes to mind when you hear the word “summer”, there’s a good chance that alongside sunshine, vacations, and beaches, the quest for the ideal “bathing suit body” would make an appearance! Many of us have a nagging feeling as soon as spring hits about cutting back, but this year, reports of a new class of weight loss drug, semaglutide, which is marketed under various brand names, has dominated news cycles, adding an intriguing option for the 49% of Americans who are trying, or considering trying, to lose weight.
So What’s the Skinny?
In simple terms, doctors prescribing semaglutide to treat type 2 diabetes noticed weight loss among many of their patients and in 2021, the FDA approved the use of a higher dose of semaglutide as a treatment especially for weight loss. Fast forward to 2023, and by June, an estimated 600,000 Americans had been prescribed one of the branded treatments which contain this ingredient.
Could these drugs be the safe, easy fix many of us crave to fix our cravings once and for all? To help unravel the mystery and figure out the real deal, we took a deep dive into the data and the thousands of news stories covering these treatments to bring you our simple, easy guide.
Here’s what you need to know:
How Does it Work?
Semaglutide works by slowing the passage of food through the digestive system as well as increasing the feeling of being full.
When You Stops, it Stops.
The semaglutide brands currently offered are administered as once-weekly injections, and in trials, patients using one of these drugs in combination with a reduced calorie diet and increased exercise lost 15% of their body weight over 17 months. However, the benefits only last as long as the drug is used, with most people regaining 70% of the weight lost within a year of stopping treatment.
Demand Outstrips Supply.
Significant shortages of semaglutide and dulaglutide (a similar drug also currently on the market) have been reported nationwide, and manufacturers say that supplies are not set to stabilize until at least December 2023.
Price and Access.
High demand also means a surge in new claims for insurers, and many decline to cover this type of weigh loss medication. The monthly cost is between $1,000 – $2,000, with most pharmacies charging around $1,300. Medicare does not typically cover obesity medication, and Medicaid only covers these medications for people with BMI over a particular level, which varies by state, and usually only for those with a related diagnosis (such as diabetes).
The Side Effects Can be Hard to Stomach.
Alongside the usual suspects of nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, bloating, upset stomach, etc. some people have experienced a much more serious side effect using semaglutide known as gastroparesis, or stomach paralysis, which can slow digestion to a degree which is harmful, and cause debilitating symptoms such as frequent vomiting, which can in turn cause dehydration. Although these stories are not common, they are a cause for concern and should be weighed alongside cost, access, and efficacy considerations.
What’s the Alternative?
As an integrated health practice, we welcome all advances that create opportunities for people to live healthier, happier lives. For us, that means working to support the body’s natural processes and addressing the root causes of health concerns – of which excess weight is one of the most common – as well as the symptoms. Semaglutide treatments bring benefits but are rarely a simple, easy fix, and nor are they available to or suitable for everyone.
In 30 years of treating patients at Teton Valley Health Clinic, our founder, Kevin, has developed unique formulas to help those seeking to refine their bodies and raise their performance. Our patented supplements are designed to work in harmony with your body, helping to optimize its own functions and support the body’s natural ability to help balance itself.
One of the most significant factors in weight management is blood sugar; high levels increase insulin which in turn leads to fat storage. If you are looking to support healthy blood sugar balance, why not try Meehan Formulations’ Tolerance Factor? This proprietary blend is a powerhouse of clinically studied ingredients.* Among people using Tolerance Factor, many report weight loss, which may be due to the support of incretin glucagon peptide-1 (GLP-1).* Such is its popularity that 90% of those who try Tolerance Factor reorder it month on month, and given its many benefits, can we understand why!
Whatever your health goals, our goal is to help you reach them, and our commitment is to support you along the way. Want to know more? Email us at: support@meehanformulations.com We’re here to help!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
