Hormonal
GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide, liraglutide) and dual GIP/GLP-1 agonists (tirzepatide) induce significant weight loss (5-21%) by suppressing appetite via central nervous system mechanisms and delaying gastric emptying, serving as effective pharmacological alternatives to surgery.
If diet and exercise aren't enough, GLP-1 drugs like Semaglutide (Wegovy) or Tirzepatide (Zepbound) are highly effective pharmacological options. They work by mimicking gut hormones to reduce hunger signals in the brain and slow down digestion. Semaglutide is taken once weekly, while Tirzepatide (a dual agonist) can lead to even greater weight loss (up to 21%). These require a prescription and lifestyle changes, and may cause gastrointestinal side effects like nausea.
GLP-1 targets parts of the brain related to non-hunger (hedonic) feeding, such as reward, motivation, and addiction... GLP-1 improves postprandial glucose handling by inhibiting gastric emptying and elongating glucose absorption into circulation.
Why this rating
Cites multiple clinical trials (SURPASS, SURMOUNT) and FDA approvals.
Source
An Overview of Modern Strategies for Treating Obesity
Aleksandra Jędrasek et al. · Journal of Education Health and Sport · 2024
DOI 10.12775/jehs.2024.68.49506
More from this paper
- Bariatric surgery (specifically Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and biliopancreatic diversion) provides superior long-term weight loss (average 27% over 15 years) and quality of life improvements compared to lifestyle interventions and pharmacotherapy, despite carrying higher risks of postoperative complications.Good
- Intragastric balloons (IGBs) and oral superabsorbent hydrogels (OSH) provide moderate weight loss (10-15% TBWL for IGBs, ~10% for OSH) by physically occupying stomach volume and triggering satiety signals, serving as minimally invasive alternatives for patients who are not surgical candidates.Moderate
Related findings · Hormonal
- Initial treatment for type 2 diabetes should be a combination of metformin and either an SGLT-2 inhibitor or a GLP-1 receptor agonist to achieve cardiorenal protection, rather than monotherapy or older agents like sulfonylureas.Strong
- For patients with specific monogenic obesity syndromes (leptin deficiency, POMC/PCSK1/LEPR mutations), targeted pharmacotherapy (recombinant leptin or setmelanotide) is highly effective and should be prioritized, unlike in polygenic obesity.Strong
- Continued weekly administration of 2.4 mg subcutaneous semaglutide prevents weight regain and promotes further weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity, whereas switching to placebo results in significant weight regain.Strong
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