Pros & Cons of Weight Loss Drugs

[madman]

In this video, Mark Scholz and Mark Moyad discuss the pros and cons of weight loss drugs, particularly those that have shown significant weight loss results in patients. They emphasize that these drugs are not for cosmetic purposes, but for individuals with severe weight-related health issues. While the drugs have shown positive outcomes, there are also concerns and potential risks associated with their use, such as the need to stop the drugs before elective surgery. The physicians are optimistic about the potential benefits of these medications, but also acknowledge the need for more research to fully understand their impact on cardiovascular health. Additionally, they highlight the importance of maintaining healthy behaviors such as diet and exercise in conjunction with using these weight loss drugs.

Key Takeaways:

*Weight loss drugs can result in an average of 15% weight loss in individuals with unhealthy weight.

*A phase 2 trial of a triple Agonist drug showed a 24% drop in weight.

*There are still ongoing concerns and potential risks associated with the use of these drugs, such as needing to stop them before elective surgery.

*The drugs are seen as a new option for individuals who need immediate weight loss for life-threatening conditions.

*The cost, potential conflict of interest, and the need for lifelong treatment are cons associated with weight loss drugs.

*The select trial aims to determine if these drugs can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, which could be a gamechanger.

*While not everyone experiences a 15% weight loss, the drugs have still shown positive responses in patients.

*The drugs are seen as a way for people to fight back against the challenges of processed and unhealthy food.

*The best results are seen when patients maintain healthy behaviors like diet and exercise in tandem with the medications.

*The physicians emphasize that these drugs are meant for individuals in critical need of weight loss, not for cosmetic purposes.

 

[Guided_by_Voices]

These people should know better than to use the term "weight loss" when in fact fat loss, particularly visceral fat, is the goal. Muscle loss and the problems that come with it (e.g. frailty, reduced glucose uptake) could negate much of the fat loss benefit, so until a meaningful population has shown that they can come off of the drugs, rebuild muscle, and retain a healthy body composition and overall health, then these can't be considered a success.