Experts issue ‘dangerous’ weight loss jab side effect warning
Using weight loss jabs has been linked to a shocking side effect, and now experts are warning users.
From hair loss to issues with women's vulvas, digestion, skin sagging and more, weight loss drugs have reportedly been causing select users to go through unfortunate side effects.
Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro have become the most popular method to see fast results when it comes to losing a large volume of weight.
This is because they target the appetite receptors in the brain, which tricks the user into feeling fuller for longer. So, when you eat less, you lose weight.
Advert
Even though Ozempic isn’t even designed for weight loss (it’s a Type 2 Diabetes treatment), the effects are being seen in the shedding pounds department.
However, using any of the jabs has been allegedly linked to aging the human body by a decade, according to experts.
As per a review of the medications by Canadian researchers in collaboration with Les Mills and UKactive, people who use the weight loss drugs (around 2.5 million in the UK), see a loss of lean body mass that equates to a decade of aging.
This loss could see middle-aged and elderly users at risk for injury due to becoming frail or falling.
The report went on to say: “The loss of muscle mass is particularly concerning for older adults, as muscle mass naturally declines with age. Muscle and bone mass loss associated with weight-loss drugs may also increase frailty and risk of falls.”
If they don’t build muscle via strength training, it could be a dangerous path.
Lead author Dr Gillian Hatfield, an associate professor at the University of the Fraser Valley, Canada, went on to share that the study found that those who took part in 150 minutes of exercise weekly, and ate 500 calories a week less than the recommended amount, lost around 11 per cent of lean mass.
She explained: “This magnitude of lean body mass loss is similar to bariatric surgery, cancer treatment, or approximately 10 years of ageing.”
Bryce Hastings, head of research at Les Mills, noted that people should take part in regular strength training if they are taking weight-loss medications, but more research needs to be done to understand more about the impact of medications like this.
In response to the findings, Ozempic and Wegovy manufacturer, Novo Nordisk told LADbible: “We recommend patients take these medications for their approved indications and under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Treatment decisions should be made together with a healthcare provider who can evaluate the appropriateness of using a GLP-1 based on assessment of a patient’s individual medical profile.
“In clinical trials for Wegovy®▼, Ozempic® or Rybelsus®, we did not specifically study the medicine’s impact on muscle mass. In a sub-study of 140 patients with a BMI of 40 or less conducted as part of the STEP 1 trial, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) analyses suggested that treatment with Wegovy® was accompanied by reductions in both fat mass and lean body mass, with a greater reduction in fat mass than lean body mass.
“We recommend that any patients experiencing side effects while taking Wegovy®, Ozempic® or Rybelsus® contact their healthcare provider.”
Mounjaro manufacturer, Eli Lilly said in a statement: “Patient safety is Lilly’s top priority. We take any reports about patient safety seriously and actively monitor, evaluate, and report safety information for all our medicines. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) should only be used when prescribed by a healthcare professional and prescriptions should be fulfilled and supplied by registered pharmacies and providers. It is important for patients to maintain a balanced diet and engage in regular physical activity to support overall health, including muscle maintenance. We encourage patients to consult their doctor or other healthcare professional to discuss any possible side effects they may be experiencing and to ensure that they are getting genuine Lilly medicine.”
Britt Jones