If you’ve followed my writing before you know I have a vested (read personal) interest in the aging process. I’m a self-appointment crusader for aging with strength. Given the high responsibility that comes with this position bear with me as I release a bit of bottled-up frustration. (Loud scream in background)
OK, ready to roll now. With the release of the so-called “miracle weight loss drugs” in the group with names such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, etc. the full-court press of publicity is raging. When celebrities start claiming their benefits the road to normalcy is hampered. There will sadly always be a number of folks who try to emulate this pattern.
Aside from the celebrity promotion the danger as I see it, comes from the continual push within the forces of media, medical and pharmaceutical system (not all but many), weight loss industry (projected to hit 432.4 Billion by 2028) and general overwhelming public belief that lifestyle problems have a magic pill solution. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but there are no magicians in the industry.
Another problem is that if one does not address the underlying root causes the high risk of the true health issue or issues can return with vengeance. For example, if you have poor metabolic health and only the weight is addressed without changing your nutrition and or other lifestyle factors those might continue to evolve and or worsen, like insulin resistance. Unfettered insulin resistance ultimately leads to Type 2 Diabetes, not only for those overweight but even underweight as in the TOFI’s (Thin on the Outside Fat on Inside).
There is additionally very little concrete evidence of the long-term effects of these weight loss drugs. At least in my digging as they are new on the market. What is being reported are cases of muscle mass loss, regain of weight and cardiometabolic effect, stomach paralysis to name just a few. But these are not gaining headlines like the “miracle pill” short-term results
Longevity researcher and MD, Peter Attia talks about lean muscle mass loss here. I agree with him on that “Not all weight loss is healthy.” There are many other determinants of a healthy body, such as having all five markers of metabolic health in a normal to good range, having good muscle quality and appropriate lean body mass with corresponding low levels of visceral fat. All of which is not necessarily visible by a number on a scale.
I’m not the only one with concern, quote below from medical director Sukhpreet Singh.
“My concern is, once we put patients on these obesity drugs, are we supporting lifestyle changes that will maintain their health? Medication alone won’t be sufficient; we will still need to address behaviors,” said Sukhpreet Singh, system medical director at Henry Ford’s weight management program.
Lifestyle change is not only about weight loss. In health coaching we take into consideration the whole person. That includes stress management, sleep hygiene, nutrition, exercise, daily movement (different than structured fitness), getting adequate sunshine, social connections and purpose in life. That is the short list, because ALL of these contribute to our total health.
What can I do?
- Do your due diligence on all things health concerned, read more than headlines
- Put together a personal wellness team
- Find partners who practice what they preach (not what they prescribe)
- Incorporate the mindset that aging can be strong, active and vibrant
- Step away from seeking a quick short-term solution
- Invest in your body, mind and spirit daily
“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.”
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
