Research
Hormonal
GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP1RA) reduce body weight in humans primarily by reducing food intake, not by increasing energy expenditure.
GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and liraglutide work by reducing your appetite, not by speeding up your metabolism. This makes it easier to eat less, leading to significant weight loss (e.g., ~8.4 kg with liraglutide 3mg over 52 weeks). Focus on the reduction in food intake as the primary driver of weight loss.
StrongSupportsHIGH confidence
preclinical studies examining how GLP1RA such as semaglutide induces weight loss identify a reduction of food intake without changes in locomotion or energy expenditure, as the predominant mechanism that contributes to the reduction of body weight [5]. ... the role of these mechanisms [energy expenditure] in humans remains poorly defined.
Why this rating
The paper cites multiple clinical trials and preclinical studies in humans and animals.
Source
GLP-1 physiology informs the pharmacotherapy of obesity
Daniel J. Drucker · Molecular Metabolism · 2021
narrative_reviewCited 454×
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