ABS Audio Newsletter: GLP-1 Drugs for Weight Loss

Issue 15: Coach Austin's thoughts on Semaglutide drugs for Weight Loss

ISSUE 15:

Semaglutide Drugs: Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro

Welcome to the 15th edition of the ABS audio newsletter. Today’s topic is, likely, to be an exciting one. The progress in the weight loss drug realm of pharmaceuticals has progressed tremendously in the past several decades. Once bound to a foundation of stimulant mechanisms for blunting hunger this new wave of drug has a different mechanism of action.

These drugs are Glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists. They are analogs of GLP-1, a gut-derived peptide hormone that exhibits a glucose-lowering effect via stimulation of insulin secretion from pancreatic islets in response to an oral glucose load, known as the incretin effect. GLP-1 also slows gastric emptying, suppresses appetite, improves satiety, decreases inappropriate glucagon secretion, and promotes beta-cell proliferation. GLP-1 receptor agonists have also demonstrated the ability to restore insulin secretory functions, thereby contributing to improvements in glycemic control and body weight reduction in diabetic patients.

The drugs getting the most attention right now are Ozempic, Wegovy, and a slightly newer drug Mounjaro (all brand names). Ozempic (semaglutide) has been cleared for use in the treatment of diabetes, whereas Wegovy (semaglutide) has been designated for weight loss purposes. Practically speaking, there is no major differences between these drugs. Same mechanism of action (GLP-1 agonists), though insurance may only cover them for their arbitrary specified treatments (pesky pharma).

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a bit different. It is a Gen 4 drug in this class of pharaceuticals (Ozempic and Wegovy are Gen 3). It is a semaglutide drug that is a dual GIP and GLP-1 agonist. In other words this drug manipulates an additonal gut receptor-mediated mechanism. This does seem to yield superior efficacy in patient outcomes compared to either gen 3 semaglutides. Are outcomes leaps and bounds better? No, not particularly. That’s because all of these drugs are ridiculously effective at hunger/appetite suppression which makes the sustaining a net-negative energy balance much more manageable.

As you can see these drugs are revolutionary and changing the game regarding the treatment of diabetes and obesity. They are also extremely powerful and must be treated with respect. Given this reality some wise words from the “Spider-verse” seem warranted. “With great power comes great responsibility”. We ought to be prescribing and administering them intelligently. How should we go about this? Listen to my take on the matter below.

Systematic Review: Click Here

The outline of our conversation:

1. General intro and disclaimer

2. Starting and ramping dosage

3. What should peak dosage be?

4. How to use to aid in fat loss phases?

5. Tapering dosage, how and when?

6. Can you stop taking these drugs?

7. Closing and motivation sendoff!

I greatly appreciate your viewership; catch you all in the comments. Stay tuned for the 16th issue next week!

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