Browse the evidence

Subcutaneous semaglutide (starting 0.25 mg, titrated to 1 mg weekly) significantly reduces body weight and HbA1c in patients with type 2 diabetes, with maximal efficacy observed when combined with lifestyle modifications (diet and exercise).

If you have Type 2 Diabetes, semaglutide (Ozempic) is an effective tool for losing weight and lowering blood sugar. To get the best results, take it as prescribed (starting low and building up) and combine it with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Be aware that stomach issues like nausea are common reasons people stop taking it, so talk to your doctor about managing these side effects to stay on the medication.

Semaglutide (both injectable and oral formulations) induces significant weight loss and maintains weight loss over 12-24 months in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity/overweight.

If you have type 2 diabetes and are overweight or obese, semaglutide (either as a weekly injection or daily pill) can help you lose a significant amount of weight and keep it off for at least a year. It works best when combined with a moderate calorie-reduced diet and regular walking. Both forms are effective, so you can choose based on your preference for injections vs. pills.

Once-weekly subcutaneous TG103 injection (15.0–30.0 mg) produces statistically significant weight loss in overweight or obese adults without diabetes, with a safety profile characterized by mild, dose-dependent gastrointestinal adverse events.

TG103 is a once-weekly injection that helps overweight or obese adults lose about 5-7% of their body weight over 12 weeks without needing diet changes. The main side effects are mild stomach issues like nausea or diarrhea, which usually get better over time. It appears safe for people without diabetes, but you should discuss the risks and benefits with a doctor.

CT-388, a once-weekly signaling-biased dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, produces clinically meaningful weight loss (4.7% to 8.0% over 4 weeks) and improved glycemic control in participants with overweight or obesity, with a safety profile consistent with other incretin-based therapies.

CT-388 is a once-weekly injection that helps people with overweight or obesity lose weight (4.7% to 8.0% in 4 weeks) and improves blood sugar control. It is generally well-tolerated, with most side effects being mild or moderate. This makes it a promising option for treating obesity and type 2 diabetes, though long-term data is still needed.

GZR18, a GLP-1 receptor agonist administered once-weekly or bi-weekly, induces robust body weight reductions (up to 17.8%) and improves metabolic parameters in Chinese adults with overweight or obesity.

GZR18 is a once-weekly or bi-weekly GLP-1 injection that helps overweight or obese Chinese adults lose significant weight (up to 17.8%) and improve metabolic health. It is designed to minimize side effects like nausea, making it a potentially tolerable option for those who struggle with frequent injections or severe gastrointestinal issues from other GLP-1 drugs. Consult a doctor to see if it's appropriate for you.

Phentermine monotherapy produces significantly higher rates of ≥5% weight loss compared to other anti-obesity medications (phentermine/topiramate, liraglutide, naltrexone/bupropion, lorcaserin, orlistat) over a 6-month period.

If you are struggling with obesity and lifestyle changes alone haven't worked, phentermine (up to 37.5mg daily) combined with a structured diet and exercise program is likely to produce better weight loss results than other common prescription weight loss drugs over a 6-month period. Ensure you are monitored by a doctor to manage any side effects.

Consuming ~30g of protein at breakfast improves satiety and reduces evening snacking in individuals who habitually skip breakfast.

If you usually skip breakfast, try eating a meal with about 30 grams of protein (like eggs or Greek yogurt) in the morning. This can help you feel full longer and reduce unhealthy snacking in the evening, potentially preventing fat gain.

Caffeine supplementation (2-6 mg/kg) enhances maximal strength in powerlifting events (squat and bench press) by reducing perceived exertion and increasing motor unit recruitment.

If you compete in powerlifting, take 2-6 mg of caffeine per kg of body weight about 60 minutes before your lifts (or 10-40 mins if using gum/gel). You do not need to stop drinking coffee beforehand; in fact, quitting might make you feel worse and hurt your training. If your competition is long, split your dose into smaller amounts taken before each lift to maintain the effect.

Adhering to a self-prescribed low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) with <100g carbohydrates per day leads to significant improvements in Type 2 Diabetes management, including reduced HbA1c, weight loss, and medication reduction, driven by reduced hunger and improved metabolic control.

If you have Type 2 Diabetes and feel your current treatment plan (medication + standard high-carb advice) isn't working or you want to reduce medication, consider a self-prescribed low-carbohydrate diet of under 100g carbs per day. Monitor your HbA1c and weight. Use online communities for support if your healthcare provider is unsupportive. Be prepared to educate family members who may not understand your dietary choices.

Phenotype-guided pharmacotherapy (matching 'hungry gut' to GLP-1, 'hungry brain' to phentermine-topiramate, and 'slow burn' to phentermine + resistance training) yields 1.75-fold greater weight loss compared to non-phenotype-guided treatment.

If you are struggling with standard obesity treatments, ask your doctor about phenotyping. Matching your specific type of hunger (gut vs. brain vs. metabolic rate) to the right medication can significantly improve your chances of losing weight compared to a standard approach.

A well-formulated ketogenic diet (carbohydrate restriction ≤50 g/d with >70% fat) is more effective than low-fat diets for treating obesity and type 2 diabetes, offering superior weight loss, glycemic control, and hunger suppression.

Adopt a ketogenic diet by restricting carbohydrates to 50 grams per day and ensuring fats make up more than 70% of your calories. Focus on high-quality fats (avocado, nuts, olive oil) and non-starchy vegetables. This approach has been shown to significantly reduce weight and blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, often allowing for reduced medication use. It is considered a first-line treatment option by the author based on current evidence.

FDA-approved anti-obesity medications (AOMs) including GLP-1 agonists (semaglutide, liraglutide), dual agonists (tirzepatide), and others (orlistat, phentermine-topiramate) produce significant weight loss (5-15%) when combined with lifestyle interventions, representing a shift from behavioral-only approaches to targeting physiological root causes.

If you have a BMI of 30 or higher (or 27 with health issues), FDA-approved medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide can help you lose 5-15% of your body weight when combined with diet and exercise. These drugs work by targeting the hormones that control hunger and fullness, addressing the biological drivers of obesity that diet and exercise alone often cannot overcome. Consult a doctor to see if you are a candidate.

Semaglutide 2.4 mg administered once weekly for 6 months produces a mean body weight reduction of 10.5 kg (10.0%) in adults with obesity or overweight, with 79% of patients achieving clinically significant weight loss (≥5%).

If you have obesity or overweight with a related health condition, semaglutide 2.4 mg taken once weekly can help you lose an average of 10% of your body weight over 6 months. This is significantly more effective than diet and exercise alone for many people. You should discuss with your doctor if this treatment is appropriate for you, especially if you haven't used other weight-loss medications before.

Breast cancer survivors who engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (≥9 MET-hours/week) experience a significantly reduced risk of breast cancer recurrence and all-cause mortality compared to inactive survivors.

Aim for at least 9 MET-hours of moderate-to-vigorous activity per week, which translates to roughly 3 hours of brisk walking. This level of activity is strongly associated with a 50% reduction in breast cancer-specific mortality and recurrence risk. If you were inactive before diagnosis, increasing your activity to this level post-diagnosis offers the greatest survival benefit.

Long-term maintenance of clinically significant weight loss (≥5% reduction) is achievable in a real-world clinical setting through continuous use of anti-obesity medications (AOMs), with 65.3% of compliant patients maintaining loss over 2 years.

To maintain significant weight loss long-term, you likely need to stay on anti-obesity medication (AOMs) indefinitely, just like managing blood pressure. This study shows that about two-thirds of people who stick with their medication for two years keep the weight off. Don't drop out early; adherence is the biggest predictor of success. If cost is a barrier, ask your doctor about off-label options like metformin, which is cheap, safe, and effective for many.

Tirzepatide administered at low doses (≤10 mg) for 6 months produces clinically meaningful weight reduction (mean 11.9%) in non-diabetic adults, achieving outcomes comparable to higher doses used in clinical trials.

If you are starting tirzepatide for weight loss without diabetes, you do not need to reach the maximum dose to see significant results. In real-world use, staying on lower doses (like 5mg) for 6 months still resulted in an average 11.9% body weight reduction, which is clinically meaningful.

Real-world use of semaglutide for weight loss (SEMA-WL) in adults with obesity results in median weight loss of 17% after >5 months of treatment, with nausea and constipation being the most common side effects.

If you have obesity and are considering semaglutide, expect significant weight loss (around 17% after 5+ months) but also common side effects like nausea and constipation. Most users find self-injection manageable, though some prefer a pill. Talk to your doctor about managing side effects and setting realistic expectations.

Ingesting a leucine-enriched essential amino acid (EAA) gel (15g total EAA, 40% leucine) immediately following resistance exercise induces significant plasma aminoacidemia and enhances intramyocellular anabolic signaling (mTORC1 pathway) in both younger and older adults, effectively overcoming age-related blunting of the anabolic response.

If you are older and want to build or maintain muscle, standard protein powders might not be enough. You need a supplement specifically high in leucine (like this EAA gel) taken immediately after your strength training. This combination triggers the muscle-building signals in your body just as effectively as it does in younger people.

GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) including dulaglutide, subcutaneous semaglutide, and oral semaglutide produce significant weight loss and BMI reduction in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity, with oral semaglutide achieving the highest proportion of patients reaching the clinically significant ≥5% weight loss threshold.

GLP-1 medications like dulaglutide and semaglutide (oral and injectable) are effective for weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes and obesity. In this study, about half of the patients lost at least 5% of their body weight in just 3 months. Oral semaglutide was the most effective at getting patients to this 5% threshold. However, gastrointestinal side effects are common, and many patients do not reach the maximum dose. If you tolerate the medication, reaching the maximum dose is linked to better weight loss results. Consult your doctor about titration to maximize benefits.

GLP-1 agonist monotherapy (semaglutide or liraglutide) produces significantly greater weight loss and higher rates of achieving >5% and >10% weight loss compared to metformin monotherapy in patients with PCOS and obesity over a six-month period.

If you have PCOS and obesity, GLP-1 medications like semaglutide or liraglutide are likely more effective for weight loss than metformin alone. In this study, most patients on GLP-1 lost over 5% of their body weight, compared to only a quarter of those on metformin. Talk to your doctor about whether these medications are appropriate for you, considering potential side effects and cost.

Caffeine ingestion of moderate to high doses enhances endurance exercise, strength, and peak power performance.

If you engage in endurance, strength, or peak power activities, moderate to high doses of caffeine can enhance performance. Be aware of potential side effects like nervousness or sleep disturbances.

Survodutide, a dual glucagon and GLP-1 receptor agonist, induces significant weight loss in adults with obesity without type 2 diabetes when administered as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection up-titrated to 3.6 or 6.0 mg alongside lifestyle modifications.

This treatment involves a weekly injection that mimics two natural hormones (GLP-1 and glucagon) to reduce appetite and increase energy burn. It is prescribed for adults with obesity who do not have diabetes. To maximize results, patients must follow a reduced-calorie diet and exercise regularly. The dose starts low and increases slowly to minimize stomach upset, which is a common side effect.

Tirzepatide produces significantly greater monthly and annual weight loss, higher patient satisfaction, and improved quality of life compared to Semaglutide and Liraglutide in a Kuwaiti population.

If you are considering GLP-1 therapy for weight loss in Kuwait, Tirzepatide appears to offer the highest weight loss and satisfaction rates compared to Semaglutide and Liraglutide. Be aware that side effects like belching (Tirzepatide) or anxiety (Liraglutide) may influence your choice, and check government facility availability to manage costs.

Combination therapy of sibutramine (10 mg/d) and topiramate (100 mg/d) produces clinically meaningful weight loss (mean 10.2 kg at 36 months) with a tolerable safety profile in real-world clinical settings.

For individuals with obesity who cannot access newer, expensive medications, the combination of sibutramine (10mg) and topiramate (100mg) offers a cost-effective, clinically significant weight loss solution (approx. 10kg over 3 years). It requires medical supervision to manage potential side effects like increased blood pressure or paresthesia, but offers a viable alternative for long-term management in resource-limited settings.