Rajesh Aggarwal MD PhD FRCS FACS’ Post

Clinical studies of anti-obesity medications (AOMs) on the market today have resulted in between 18% and 22% weight loss on average. However, AOMs target biological symptoms of obesity and do not address the root causes, which are often highly personal, psychosocial and behavioral. This makes a whole-person approach to weight loss the most sustainable option. Read more about how employers can leverage behavioral and pharmaceutical resources to support sustainable weight loss: https://lnkd.in/g-wkVRVX #wellbeing #wellbeingatwork #AOM

Ghttps://lnkd.in/gCcPUyte Throughout the history of Western Civilization runs a single dominant theme: INSTANT GRATIFICATION: A HOPE & A PRAYER TECHNOLOGY WILL FIX WHAT AILS US. This is prevalent in our desire for miracle drugs vs personal discipline to overcome the decades of personal nutritional abuse; in many cases alcohol, tobacco, and or drug use; unable to get the minimal 2000 + calories a week our bodies need not to thrive, but survive. Keep out toxins killing our biome daily. Feeding addiction, killing executive processing autonomy (will power). “If it walks like duck, quacks like duck it’s a duck”: put any med or trendy supplement promising an instant gratification fix to that test : they’ve all failed. The latest NAD, made $B for companies promising longevity. Decades of studies emanating from silkworm data told a sexy story proteins in living cells called “sirtuitins” would be methylated by NAD, giving silkworm cells “super longevity powers”. Experts debunked and shot down the theory to no avail. Even today. Beware any miracle will fix what ails us: https://lnkd.in/gTAznYVA NAD ‘HOLY GRAIL? https://lnkd.in/gwt7AusK “Because artifactual positive results were reported years before they were sorted out … a global pursuit of longevity … was driven by … framing bias, confirmation bias, and hype -billions of dollars … canonized in major lectures … hundreds of cited review articles … little effort to question the underlying experimental support. We reviewed the data … reject the notions that {NAD +} sirtuins have any specific connection to lifespan”. Maric et Al. "A bioluminescent-based probe for monitoring of ...NR uptake reveals a link between metastasis and NAD+ metabolism" https://lnkd.in/gAeQ8X6w "Our results demonstrate that NR (NAD NMN analogue) supplementation results in a significant increase in cancer prevalence and metastases of TNBC to the brain". Maybe in small doses NAD, a ubiquitous antioxidant that declines in cells with age is fine… But beware of the “if it walks like a duck test” shortcuts to health & longevity! Now the path to longevity already knowable lie obscured by the rush to the next ‘Holy Grail’ of instant gratification cures (use sparingly!): https://lnkd.in/g5-QMZfR. An OpenAI founder - Sam Altman meanwhile, recently invested $180 million in Retro Biosciences, a company vying to add a decade to the human lifespan. Ditto David Sinclair via Tally Health FYI: get your VO2MAX in top 1% for age (doable if you eat right with moderate exercise no VO2 training as I did) and you have a statistical 99% probability to live another decade. I’m 71 and will do that just as I did for each decade?! ahead🌞. There is a science based path to health & longevity we should not fear - accountability and science leading to disease P R O P H Y L A X I S! … more to come. #longevity Follow me on LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/gAzf8yGT

This feels so timely and aligns with Patient Care America's monthly webinar on Obesity. Definitely a hot topic and an important one for RDNs to be involved with. https://lnkd.in/gstBeKz4 #dietitian #registereddietitian #weightloss #weightlossjourney #evidencebased #webinar #continuingeducation #kidneyhealth #kidneydisease #dialysis

🚨Important Health Alert🚨 Leading obesity health organizations, including The Obesity Society, Obesity Action Coalition, and the Obesity Medicine Association, have united to advise against the use of #compounded GLP-1 analogs for weight management. The rush for effective weight loss solutions has unfortunately led to a surge in unethical practices by some med spas, bypassing comprehensive metabolic assessments in favor of profiting from counterfeit compounded drugs. These medications, though not produced by original pharmaceutical companies, lack FDA approval and may contain harmful additives. Despite claims, compounded versions are no bargain and lack verified safety or effectiveness data. At MetaboliK we prescribe FDA-approved Wegovy, Ozempic (Semaglutide), and Mounjaro & Zepbound (Tirzepatide) to assist patients in their weight loss journey, always prioritizing safety and scientific evidence. It’s essential to approach these treatments with care, under the supervision of knowledgeable and ethical healthcare professionals. We must advocate for ethical care and stand against those med spas and providers exploiting the challenges faced by individuals struggling with #obesity.

Wow. Thorough investigation by Chad Terhune and Robin Respaut from Reuters on the role of money in GLP-1 prescribing and coverage trends in the U.S. If you read nothing else this week, read this. We've seen this playbook before (cough....Purdue...cough). Just follow the money. I applaud the rational thinking so many clinical decision makers at health insurers and employers are taking when it comes to the tough task of figuring out the right patient for the right amount of time. The pressure is mounting. Continue making the right (not the easy) decisions and no doubt you'll be on the right side of history when biopics on this come out on Netflix, Apple, and HBO in 2033. It must be easy to trick yourself into believing the benefits of these drugs will exceed the costs when you're showered with wealth, vacations, and notoriety. From a leading U.S. obesity medicine doctor with the influence to impact prescribing and coverage guidelines: "Obesity is a chronic disease...That necessitates lifelong treatment." And don't be fooled - she means medication treatment. Just what the drug companies are banking on. #novonordisk #elililly #obesity #glp1 #wegovy #zepbound #ozempic #ethics #conflictsofinterest

Introducing... The "Weight Loss / Obesity Treatment Finder" GPT (2nd GPT I created). It helps people determine which Weight Loss / Obesity Rx is best for them based on key health metrics (age, weight, co-morbidities, etc) and FDA Approved Rx Drugs. The model is informed by Mayo Clinic, NIH data, and VeryWellHealth Data (all publicly available). Only open to ChatGTP Pro users, at this point. If you want a free trial to ChatGPT Pro, DM me. https://lnkd.in/gSFxSCHq #digitalhealth #aiinhealthcare #weightloss #obesitytreatment #gptstore #gpts #healthtech #fdaapproved #ozempic #mounjaro #obesity

I am curious to see what kind of ecosystem the successful weight-loss drugs is going to create in order to combat obesity. Because while the drugs are great, they are not only parts of the solution. I am also curious to see how this ecosystem plays out in terms of players. Will the drug-suppliers scoop everything up, or will the complexities of weight loss management and sustainable results pave the way for other more dedicated players? And what role does industry have to play? All in all, I think it's safe to say, we're just getting started. #digitalhealth #ecosystem #weightloss https://lnkd.in/dxHfEmnC

A less-explored aspect of the potential impact of obesity drugs on America's health involves the socioeconomic factors and disparities that may influence their effectiveness on a broader scale. While GLP-1s like semaglutide and tirzepatide show promise in individual cases, their accessibility and affordability can be significant barriers for many segments of the population. Research indicates that socioeconomic factors, including income and education levels, can play a crucial role in obesity rates and health outcomes. Individuals with lower socioeconomic status may face challenges in accessing healthcare, including medications and treatments. The cost of obesity drugs, potential insurance coverage limitations, and healthcare disparities could contribute to unequal access to these transformative medications. Therefore, as the conversation around the potential societal impact of obesity drugs unfolds, considering how these interventions address or exacerbate existing health inequalities becomes a critical aspect. It emphasizes the importance of creating policies and healthcare systems that ensure equitable access to effective treatments, acknowledging that the benefits observed in individual cases may not automatically translate into widespread improvements in public health if access barriers persist.

New study released by Virta Health showing their data that proves they provide sustainable weight loss after discontinuing GLP-1. Virta liberally uses health coaches (supported by doctors or nurse practitioners) to support their clients in their low-carb journey. My fear of starting a GLP-1 is that nearly everyone regains the weight once the GLP-1 is discontinued. That’s because the CAUSE of the obesity was NEVER ADDRESSED! The cause is nearly always insulin resistance. My patients get a quick lesson on the carbohydrate-insulin-hunger hormone theory of obesity. Then we create a plan to lower those carbs. You MUST count TOTAL grams of carbs-no guessing. We define (with numbers) how many grams to target. I often add metformin to help with insulin resistance, lower hgb A1c. I’ve seen some amazing results from those dedicated patients who accept the science and the low-carb lifestyle. The power of this diet is incredibly powerful.

Tirzepatide is one of the new anti-obesity drugs. How safe & effective is it for weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity? We summarize an RCT in Lancet https://lnkd.in/ewY2MWJT #EvidenceMatters #obesity #primarycare