By Sandra Mannon, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
It’s a well-known fact that obesity affects heart health. There are decades worth of research to prove it. Individuals who are overweight (BMI between 25 and 29.9) and who are obese (BMI above 30) have a much greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease at a younger age. Additionally, research shows that individuals who are obese have a shorter lifespan.1
So, what is a person to do when the New Year’s resolutions and fad diets have failed? Is there hope for healthy weight loss or do we just accept fate?
Thankfully, there are advances in medicine every day and over the last several years, there are two medications that have shown themselves effective in aiding in weight loss. Their generic names are semaglutide and tirzepatide. Let’s take a look at how they work.
Semaglutide
On June 4, 2021 the FDA approved Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (generic name: semaglutide), a once-weekly injection for chronic weight management. Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist drug, is also approved in the US to treat type 2 diabetes as a once-weekly injection (Ozempic) and as a tablet taken orally (Rybelsus). In addition to improving diabetes management, Ozempic and Rybelsus support heart health. Ozempic is specifically approved to reduce the risk of serious heart problems, including heart attacks, strokes, and heart-related deaths in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease. A clinical trial is currently investigating whether Ozempic can slow the progression of chronic kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes, as well.2
In fact, according to Dr. Kathleen Dungan, an endocrinologist in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center went as far as to say that semaglutide is “one of the most effective treatments available for [obesity], outside of bariatric surgery”.
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro)
A brand-new medication known as Tirzepatide was just approved by the Food and Drug Agency of the United States (Mounjaro is the brand name). When treating adults with type 2 diabetes, this medication is the first and only dual carbohydrate incretin polypeptide (GIP) receptor plus glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor activator (GLP-1 receptor agonist). It has been demonstrated that GIP can reduce the amount of food consumed and increase the energy expended, which helps with weight loss. Being a GIP & GLP-1 nicotinic receptor both has their benefits. When used together, GIP & GLP-1 receptor agonists can potentially significantly affect metabolic dysregulation.3
Clinical research on the Mounjaro weight reduction program reveals that individuals lost between 5% and 22.5% of their body weight during the study. Considering that persons who take several of the existing drugs for obesity that the FDA approves typically lose between 5 and 10% of their total weight, those are some amazing statistics.
Other medications available include:
• Phentermine-used for short term use for weight loss, decreases appetite and stimulates metabolism.
• Phentermine-toprimate extended release is an option for males and post-menopausal females with obesity who cannot tolerate GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy.
• Bupropion-naltrexone-sustained release can be a option for individuals that also desire smoking cessation and has obesity.
• AOD 9604-a peptide that regulates fat metabolism without the adverse effects on blood sugar. Stimulates lipogenesis which reduces body fat, regulates fat metabolism and stimulates lipolysis.
• Mots-C is a peptide that improves glucose utilization and insulin sensitivity resulting in reducing fat accumulation and increases metabolism.
If you struggle with being overweight or with obesity, these are some of the medications approved by the FDA for treatment. The decision to initiate drug therapy in people considered overweight is made after the consideration of risks and benefits. The goal of any treatment (including drug therapy) for people considered overweight is long term reduction and improvement of overall health.
For more information about these and other options for weight loss, contact the highly trained professionals at Aspire for Wellness Together. We are proud to offer the highest standard of care to our patients to help them look and feel their best. We believe that each patient is unique, so your individualized treatment plan will cater to what works best for you.
ABOUT DR. SANDRA MANNON
Dr. Sandra. believes that knowledge is power which is why she wants to educate her patients on how to live a healthy lifestyle. “As a nurse practitioner my focus is to educate and then empower individuals on how they can live their best life. Together we aspire for wellness by developing a plan that will define the best you at the various stages of your life.
She performs in functional medicine which is finding the root of the problem not just treating the disease with medicine. She believes in helping people feel good about themselves at every age. Bio-identical hormones, aesthetics, and sexual rejuvenation all allow individuals to each with grace. She incorporates her knowledge as a Certified Yoga Instructor and Certified Personal Trainer to help her patients achieve the best of themselves. In 2022 She was nominated 1 of the top 100 Nurse Practitioners in the Country.
Sandy is married to her husband, Scott and together they have 4 boys, Nathan, Alex, Josh, and Ryan. She lives in Bradenton, FL. She enjoys Yoga, biking, kayaking and anything in the warm Florida sunshine.
For more information about our services or to schedule a consultation, contact us today at (941) 260-7804. You can also check our website at www.aspire4wt.com,or stop by 4701 Manatee Ave. W, Bradenton FL 34205
1. Colino, S. et al. (no date) Obesity and heart disease: What’s the connection?,
EverydayHealth.com. Available at: https://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-disease/
obesity-heart-disease-whats-connection/.
2. Diabetes drug OZEMPIC approved for Weight Loss, diaTribe. Available at: https://diatribe.org/
diabetes-drug-ozempic-approved-weight-loss?msclkid=4fc4c3d80e1e18b6fd18a012b1
eab377.
3. James, B. (2022) Mounjaro Weight Loss – the complete story, Obesity Controller. Available
at: https://obesitycontroller.com/mounjaro-weight-loss-complete-story/ .