A joint advisory from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, the American Society for Nutrition, the Obesity Medicine Association, and The Obesity Society warns that while GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro can result in weight loss, up to 85% of patients discontinue these drugs within two years, with only 15% remaining on treatment. Discontinuation is often due to side effects, cost, or disappointing results, and can lead to weight regain and muscle loss.
The advisory emphasizes structured nutrition guidance, with registered dietitians playing a key role, and recommends increasing protein intake by 50-100%, considering supplements like vitamin D and calcium, and engaging in strength training at least three times a week and 150 minutes of moderate cardio weekly. Special caution is advised for those following intermittent fasting or keto diets due to gastrointestinal side effects.
Recent clinical trials show high-dose semaglutide (up to 16 mg/week) further reduces HbA1c and body weight in adults with type 2 diabetes. Head-to-head studies indicate that tirzepatide (Zepbound) users lost about 50 pounds on average, compared to 33 pounds for Wegovy users. Tirzepatide also reduced diabetes incidence by 99% in prediabetic individuals, while semaglutide reduced cardiovascular events by 20% in patients with obesity and heart disease history.
GLP-1 receptor agonists may also lower the risk of certain obesity-related cancers and major adverse cardiovascular events in high-risk type 2 diabetes patients.
Health authorities have reported rare cases of drug-induced hepatitis and liver injury in patients using semaglutide and tirzepatide, prompting calls for regular monitoring and early detection of liver complications.
Brazil’s new clinical guidelines recommend individualized, rational use of weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro, including off-label use for patients with obesity-related complications and BMI below 30, and stress ongoing therapy and lifestyle modification.
Experts note that hormonal imbalances involving insulin, cortisol, testosterone, and estradiol can impede weight loss, and recommend treatment plans that address these factors in addition to medication and lifestyle changes.
DAPA-CKD & EMPA-KIDNEY trials highlight significant absolute risk reductions in renal, cardiovascular, & mortality outcomes with dapagliflozin and empagliflozin. SGLT2 inhibitors continue to transform CKD care across diverse patient populations.
Sneak peek: Thomas Seyfried (@tnseyfried ) speaking live at the PHC Conference 2025.
Today’s session was packed with insights that challenge the way we think about cancer treatment and prevention.
