The New Weight Loss Drug Lineup

Weight administration is a journey distinctive to every particular person, with choices starting from FDA-approved weight loss medicines to holistic way of life adjustments. Prescription medicines, similar to GLP-1 agonists or urge for food suppressants, may be extraordinarily efficient in supporting your weight reduction whereas underneath the steerage of a healthcare supplier. Nonetheless, for these on the lookout for a pure strategy, specializing in vitamin, train, emotional well-being, and pure dietary supplements—can obtain sustainable weight reduction whereas enhancing general well being and high quality of life. 

The Rundown on Weight Loss Drugs

Earlier than taking any weight reduction medicine, Obesity Medicine specialist Aalia Al-Barwani, MD, says, “It’s essential to evaluate your choices with a healthcare supplier to ensure the medicine is secure and a superb match on your well being wants. Not all medicines work for everybody, and elements like different medical situations or medicines you’re taking play a giant function.” When you focus on choices along with your healthcare supplier, you possibly can higher decide the load loss you’re more likely to see primarily based on these elements:

• How the medicine works in your physique (Drugs can work in a different way in everybody’s physique primarily based on their well being and what medicines they’re taking)
• Your weight or BMI: You’re eligible for weight reduction medicine when you’ve got a BMI of: 30 or greater. 27 or greater, and you’ve got a weight-related situation
• The kind of weight reduction medicine you’re taking (e.g., fats blocker, urge for food suppressant, GLP-1 agonists)
• Your general well being or way of life (e.g., weight loss plan, train, stress, sleep)

Several types of weight reduction medicines:

Urge for food suppressants: Reduces Starvation Indicators

Fats Blockers: Prevents Fats Absorption within the digestive system

GLP-1 Agonists: Regulates blood sugar, slows abdomen emptying, and promotes the sensation of fullness.

Present Weight Loss Drugs (Authorized by the FDA)

Source: NIH

Xenical (orlistat, Alli)

Dosage: 120mg capsule taken 3 occasions per day with meals

How the medicine works: Xenical works as a fats blocker, stopping among the fats in meals consumed from being absorbed within the intestines. No matter fats doesn’t get absorbed is then faraway from the physique by way of the bowel motion. The medicine comes within the type of a capsule and ought to be taken 3 times per day, with every meal (or as much as one hour after a meal) and every meal must include fats. If a meal is missed or doesn’t include fats, it is best to skip your dose.

*Orlistat and Xenical each require prescriptions, whereas Alli is an over-the-counter medicine (and at the moment the one FDA-approved OTC medicine available on the market).

Unwanted side effects: This medicine’s most typical facet impact is adjustments in bowel motion. This will embody:

• Unfastened stools
• Oily or fatty stools
• Elevated variety of stools
• Issue controlling bowel actions

Different potential unwanted side effects:

• Abdomen ache
• Nervousness
• Headache
• Lack of urge for food
• Fatigue or weak spot

Qsymia (phentermine-topiramate/topamax)

Dosage: (Phentermine(mg)/Topiramate(mg)) 3.75mg/23mg, 7.5mg/46mg, 11.25mg/69mg, 15mg/92mg

How the medicine works: Phentermine-topiramate is an extended-release capsule you are taking as soon as each day, usually within the morning (with or with out meals). Phentermine works as an urge for food suppressant, reducing urge for food and conserving you feeling full longer. Topiramate treats seizures and migraines however may also regulate urge for food and alter how your physique makes use of vitality. Collectively, the 2 medicines create a mix for a extra environment friendly weight reduction.

Unwanted side effects:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Insomnia

Topamax (topiramate), whereas meant as an anti-seizure and migraine medicine, is barely FDA-approved as a weight reduction medicine when mixed with phentermine, creating Qsymia. Even so, healthcare professionals use it off-label to assist people drop a few pounds. The drug has been proven to lower urge for food and cut back cravings. Studies present that those that take Topamax by itself lose between 5% and seven% of their physique weight after six to 12 months. Nonetheless, taking Qsymia (phentermine and topamax combo) continues to be more practical for weight reduction.

Contrave (naltrexone-bupropion)

Dosage: Every pill comprises 8 mg of naltrexone and 90 mg of bupropion. The bottom dose begins with one pill within the morning and none within the night. As your physique adjusts to the medicine, you’ll proceed to increase the number of tablets you are taking, including an extra pill per week till you are taking two tablets within the morning and two tablets within the night.

How the medicine works: These medicines goal two key areas of the mind: the starvation middle and the reward system. Each assist curb urge for food and handle cravings successfully. Naltrexone additionally regulates metabolism and improves insulin resistance. The medicine is available in an extended-release pill that’s taken a few times per day, and the dose regularly will increase over time as directed by the doctor.

Unwanted side effects:

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Fatigue
• Altered style
• Diarrhea

Saxenda (Liraglutide)

Dosage (pre-filled injection pens): 0.6mg, 1.2mg, 1.8mg, 2.4mg, 3mg

How the medicine works: Liraglutide is a pre-filled injection pen that helps the pancreas launch the right amount of insulin when blood sugar ranges are elevated. Insulin then helps transport sugar from the bloodstream into physique tissues, the place it’s used for vitality. It additionally slows abdomen emptying, which might cut back urge for food, resulting in weight reduction. This injection is taken each day, usually across the similar time (with or with out meals).

Unwanted side effects:

• Headache
• Constipation
• Nutrient deficiency
• Heartburn
• Fatigue
• Injection web site rash or redness

Zepbound (tirzepatide)

Dosage(pre-filled injection pens): 2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg, 15mg

How the medicine works: Zepbound works within the physique by rising insulin within the physique and reducing glucagon, which controls how a lot glucose is made by the liver. The medicine additionally slows the motion of meals by way of the physique, reducing urge for food and conserving you full longer. The injection is taken as soon as weekly, usually across the similar time (with or with out meals).

Unwanted side effects:

• Nausea
• Decreased urge for food
• Muscle loss
• Nutrient deficiency
• Abdomen ache
• Vomiting
• Constipation

Wegovy (Semaglutide)

Dosage(pre-filled injection pens): 2.5mg, 0.5mg, 1mg, 1.7mg, 2.4mg

How the medicine works: Wegovy mimics the consequences of Saxenda, releasing the right amount of insulin when blood sugar ranges are too excessive. It additionally slows abdomen emptying and reduces urge for food, resulting in weight reduction. The injection technique, nevertheless, is identical as Zepbound and is taken by injection underneath the pores and skin as soon as per week (with or with out meals). 

Unwanted side effects:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach ache
• Muscle loss
• Nutrient deficiency 
• Constipation
• Heartburn
• Burping

Whereas weight reduction medication may be efficient for managing weight underneath medical supervision, they’re not the one path to reaching a more healthy way of life. For individuals who favor a extra pure strategy, embracing a holistic route may be simply as impactful. This contains consuming a balanced weight loss plan wealthy in complete, nutrient-dense meals, staying energetic by way of common train, and incorporating pure supplements to help your physique’s wants. Let’s discover how these alternate options might help you obtain sustainable weight reduction and general well-being.

Taking the Holistic Route

A Balanced, Nutritious Weight loss plan

A balanced, nutritious weight loss plan is the inspiration of any wholesome way of life, significantly relating to weight administration. Consuming numerous nutrient-dense meals ensures your physique receives the nutritional vitamins, minerals, and vitality wanted to operate at its finest. Incorporating lean proteins, healthy fats, complete grains, fruits, and greens helps stabilize blood sugar ranges, curb cravings, and maintain vitality all through the day. This balanced strategy may also help your metabolism, important for burning energy and sustaining a wholesome weight.

Train and Bodily Exercise

Train and bodily exercise are one other essential elements of taking the holistic route. Common train is a each day side of our lives that many Individuals severely lack. Per the CDC’s recommendations, adults ought to be getting no less than 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and two days of muscle-strengthening exercise every week.

Motion not solely helps burn energy but in addition improves cardiovascular well being, boosts metabolism, and builds muscle mass, all of which contribute to a extra environment friendly fat-burning course of. It’s essential to discover a bodily exercise that you simply take pleasure in—whether or not it’s cardio, energy coaching, yoga, or just strolling—as a result of consistency is essential. Train additionally improves temper and vitality ranges, making it simpler to remain motivated in your weight reduction journey. When paired with a nutritious weight loss plan, common bodily exercise can considerably improve your potential to handle your weight and enhance general well being.

Self-care and Emotional Properly-being (Sleep, Stress, and Psychological Well being)

Emotional well-being is usually neglected in our well being however performs a big function in weight administration. Sleep, stress ranges, and psychological well being all affect how the physique responds to weight reduction efforts. Poor sleep can disrupt hunger hormones, resulting in elevated cravings and overeating. Power stress can set off the discharge of cortisol, which promotes fats storage (particularly across the stomach). Whether or not we’re conscious of it or not, psychological well being impacts motivation and emotional consuming habits. Prioritizing high quality sleep and managing stress by way of strategies like meditation or mindfulness alongside a nutritious diet and train can positively affect your weight reduction journey.

Incorporating Pure Dietary supplements

Incorporating pure dietary supplements into your wellness journey may be extremely helpful when taking the holistic route for weight administration. HUM’s merchandise, like Berberine, Ripped Rooster, and Flatter Me GLP-1 Fiber, all present further help to the physique’s pure processes. 

• Flatter Me Fiber Powder GLP-1 Booster is HUM’s latest addition to the Flatter Me line, designed to help wholesome digestion, regularity, and cut back cravings. By naturally boosting GLP-1 ranges, the complement helps regulate urge for food, aiding in weight reduction. It additionally comprises enzymes that break down fiber, protein, carbs, gluten, and extra, lowering bloating and selling common bowel actions. When used alongside a balanced weight loss plan, it could actually help optimum gut health and digestive operate.
• Berberine is a pure complement that helps regulate blood sugar ranges, enhance insulin sensitivity, and help wholesome metabolism. It may well assist stability blood sugar spikes and crashes, which can cut back cravings and forestall overeating. By supporting metabolic well being, Berberine performs a significant function in weight administration, particularly for people coping with insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome.
• Ripped Rooster is designed to help fat-burning and metabolism by way of a mix of 7-Keto DHEA, inexperienced tea extract, and chromium. These substances work collectively to boost thermogenesis, enhance vitality, and preserve wholesome blood sugar ranges, supporting train and dietary efforts. This complement can support in fats loss and enhance general weight administration, making it an ideal complement to a balanced weight loss plan and common train routine.

“A holistic strategy to weight wellness that features vitamin, bodily exercise, emotional well-being, and stress administration is essential to reaching sustainable weight reduction and enhancing general well being, vitality, and high quality of life,” Al-Barwani explains. “By addressing emotional consuming and incorporating mindfulness practices, people can break the cycle of utilizing meals for consolation, cut back stress, and make more healthy, extra intentional selections.”

FAQs

1. How lengthy ought to I take my weight reduction medicine?

“The size of time somebody wants to remain on weight reduction medicine varies,” Al-Barwani explains. “For a lot of, weight problems is a power situation that requires ongoing administration, very similar to hypertension or diabetes. Weight reduction medicines typically play a task in long-term remedy, however this relies on the person’s well being and objectives. Some individuals use weight reduction medicines short-term to assist jumpstart their journey, whereas others may have them long-term to take care of their progress.”

2. What occurs if I cease taking it?

“With out the medicine, the underlying elements that contributed to weight acquire—like adjustments in starvation hormones, metabolic operate, or emotional triggers—can return,” Al-Barwani says. “For instance, medicines like GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., Wegovy, Zepbound) cut back urge for food and enhance how your physique makes use of vitality. When the medicine is stopped, starvation typically will increase, and the physique could regain weight.”

3. Can I add holistic help even when I’m taking a weight reduction drug?

No matter whether or not you are taking the holistic route or go for a prescription weight reduction drug, it is best to embody wholesome habits into your routine. A balanced, nutritious weight loss plan, common bodily exercise, and taking the time for self-care and your general emotional well-being are essential to any well being and wellness routine.

4. Can I efficiently drop a few pounds if I determine to go the holistic route?

Completely! Whereas everybody’s physique is exclusive, reaching profitable weight reduction typically comes all the way down to sustaining a wholesome way of life. This features a nutritious weight loss plan, common bodily exercise, and balanced psychological well-being—your final system for achievement. Nonetheless, in case your physique might use an additional enhance—whether or not it’s to fireplace up your metabolism for optimum fats burning, curb urge for food cravings, or support a healthy digestive system—pure dietary supplements generally is a useful addition. HUM’s Berberine, Ripped Rooster, and Flatter Me GLP-1 Fiber are all crafted with pure, high-quality substances to enhance your holistic weight reduction journey and improve your outcomes.

The Takeaway on The brand new Weight Loss Drug Lineup

Whether or not you select prescription medicines or take the holistic route, reaching sustainable weight reduction requires a complete strategy tailor-made to your wants. Drugs can present important help for sure people, whereas a life-style targeted on balanced vitamin, common bodily exercise, emotional well-being, and pure dietary supplements can provide lasting outcomes. Keep in mind, consulting healthcare professionals and adopting wholesome habits are key to reaching your objectives. By discovering the correct mixture on your physique, you possibly can create a pathway to long-term wellness and vitality.