We Can’t Wegovy Our Way Out of the Diabesity Crisis!
Unless you’ve been living in a cave, the current drug-based weight loss obsession is impossible to miss.
Semaglutide (aka Wegovy/Ozempic take your pick) and the other GLP-1s help people shed pounds quickly and seemingly effortlessly. What could possibly go wrong? For millions struggling with obesity and type 2 diabetes (I call it “diabesity”) Wegovy offers hope.
Even Elon Musk has credited his new sylph-like look to Wegovy, thus skyrocketing its appeal. But while this pill-for-every-ill quick fix might sound tempting, can we really ‘Wegovy’our way out of the diabesity crisis? Spoiler alert: not entirely, the GLP1s aren’t a silver bullet.
I’m a Trustee of the Public Health Collaboration (www.PHCuk.org) a charity dedicated to helping people achieve sustainable lifestyle changes and I run my own award-winning diabetes reversal service ( ProLongevity) which C and D featured here:
https://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/CD005309/The-pharmacist-helping-patients-feel-better-without-medicines
There are more effective, safer solutions for most people. I witness this on a daily basis.
Wegovy mimics the action of the incretin GLP-1, a gut hormone that helps control blood sugar and increases satiety by delaying gastric emptying. Put simply, patients feel fuller for longer and eat less as a result. It’s like a little brain coach whispering, “Skip that second slice of pizza.”
The FDA’s approval of Wegovy for weight loss made headlines, with Musk among many celebrities touting its effects. However, recent reports highlight the potential dangers associated with weight-loss drugs. As reported by C&D recently
https://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/news/clinical/wegovy-ten-deaths-linked-to-weight-loss-injections-says-mhra-3Y3JOPN5GRADXBBEW6VSN4GZKY/
The MHRA has linked Wegovy injections to ten deaths, sparking concerns over safety and is now closely monitoring adverse effects, urging caution around the drug’s use. Let’s face it there’s a long history of weight-loss drugs, such as the amphetamines, initially heralded as a miracle cure only to be withdrawn after a few years due to life-threatening side-effects. The GLP1s are relatively new and are being rolled-out as scale. We have no idea what damage 20 years of drug-induced hyper-incretin-aemia may cause but the history of abandoned slimming drugs tells me it won’t end well.
That’s why PHC advocates for addressing the underlying causes of diabesity rather than merely supressing the symptoms with drugs.
Side Effects, A Rollercoaster Ride Wegovy comes with side effects. It curbs appetite but can cause nausea, vomiting, and bloating, far from the ideal recipe for happiness. Ironically, people take Wegovy to feel better in their bodies, but sometimes the side effects overshadow the benefits. With the recent MHRA report linking Wegovy to deaths, these concerns are more than theoretical. Safety is becoming an urgent focus of the GLP1s
The Public Health Collaboration champions an approach that helps individuals achieve better health through sustainable changes rather than risky side effects. By encouraging food as medicine and emphasizing lifestyle as a primary form of healthcare, PHC empowers individuals to improve their health goals naturally.
The Real “Weight Loss Challenge”
Weight loss drugs like Wegovy don’t address a crucial factor: food culture. We live in a society where fast-food ads are as common as new fitness apps. If the “Diabesity Olympics” existed, fast-food giants would certainly take home gold.
The challenge lies in balancing modern life with healthy choices. Wegovy might help temporarily, but clinical trials show that weight tends to return if underlying habits aren’t changed. Without a shift in lifestyle, the results are fleeting at best.
PHC promotes practical strategies to build a healthier relationship with food and manage weight naturally. Their guidance focuses on mindfulness, stress management, and developing a more balanced approach to eating, approaches that extend far beyond the clinic and can lead to lasting, meaningful change.
Accountability: The Missing Link One reason diet and exercise succeed when done consistently is accountability. You become aware of your habits and make conscious choices. Wegovy, however, doesn’t create accountability—it creates dependency.
The Public Health Collaboration is dedicated to providing ongoing support and resources to individuals, families, and healthcare providers, helping to foster the kind of accountability needed for long-term health changes. As a trustee of PHC, I’m proud to support initiatives that prioritize education, support systems, and practical guidance for lifestyle improvements that reduce reliance on medications.
So, What’s the Real Solution?
While Wegovy undoubtedly offers a useful tool for some, the diabesity crisis demands more than pharmaceuticals. Here are some critical areas for a real solution:
Education and Awareness: Schools, workplaces, and communities can help shift perspectives on food, exercise, and health, promoting healthier lifestyles.
The “Magic Pill” Mentality: the hype around Wegovy has that Hollywood sparkle —“take this pill, and watch the pounds melt away!” But true change requires lifestyle adjustments, healthier food choices, and regular exercise. If only we really could sip a double mocha, extra whip, add a KrispyKreme donut, and pop a Wegovy afterward! Sadly, life doesn’t work like that, and we know it. Wegovy doesn’t magically fix an unhealthy lifestyle.
This is where the Public Health Collaboration (PHC) comes in. We advocate for sustainable lifestyle changes to improve public health, promoting real-life solutions like real-food diets and increased physical activity. PHC provides free resources, research, and education to help people make healthier choices and reduce dependency on medications. Ours is a meaningful approach to diabesity involves nutrition, exercise, and support, not quick fixes. In the UK, 60% of calories come from ultra processed foods;the answer to diabesity? Put simply “Eat Real Food”
ProLongevity, a service focused on reversing diabesity supported by use of Continuous Blood Glucose monitors, echoes this approach. In the blog on diabetes prevention, ProLongevity shares insights on exactly that. I spend much of my time De-prescribing these days.
- The Rise of “Wegovy Face” and Sarcopenia: amid the Wegovy craze, “Wegovy face” emerged as a real phenomenon referring to the gaunt, aged appearance that rapid weight loss can cause. Elon Musk is a prime example. Slimmer? Yes! Healthier? I doubt it.
But of greater concern is sarcopenia. Wegovy accelerates weight loss without distinguishing between fat and muscle. This is problematic because retaining muscle is crucial for metabolism, mobility, and overall strength. Wegovy users end up “skinny fat” and frail.
By way of contrast, PHC promotes gradual, sustainable weight loss. The Real Food approach helps preserve muscle mass and overall health without “Wegovy face” or muscle loss. ProLongevity adopts a similar approach for example
-stressing the importance of retaining muscle mass through balanced nutrition and exercise rather than rapid weight loss methods.
Diabesity Isn’t Just About Weight: the diabesity crisis isn’t just about the numbers on the scale. It’s about the broader health effects—hypertension, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and, of course, diabetes. Taking Wegovy might help with weight loss, but without tackling the root causes, health issues persist and worsen over time.
Improved Access: Many people lack access to fresh produce and safe spaces for exercise. Better access can have a lasting impact.
Mental Health Support: Food and mood are closely linked. Supporting mental health can change how people view and interact with food.
Policies on Food Marketing: Limiting junk food ads, especially for children, can help shift our culture around food.
Most importantly, consider the kind of holistic real-food approach championed by PHC. We advocate sustainable lifestyle changes, from whole-food nutrition to active living, as pathways to genuine health and an effective response to diabesity. PHC offers individuals a roadmap for wellness, proving that the lasting solution lies not in just another pill but in a long-term commitment to healthier living.
The Bottom Line
Wegovy is a valuable tool for some, but the diabesity crisis requires more than medications. True health involves lifestyle changes, education, and shifts in cultural norms. With support from organizations like the Public Health Collaboration and insights from ProLongevity’s resources, individuals can pursue a journey toward real wellness, where sustainable changes replace quick fixes, offering a truly effective solution to the diabesity epidemic.
Just imagine if the NHS, instead of spending untold ££billions on drugs, invested some of the cash in extending the scope of Healthy Living Pharmacies into supporting PHC-type initiatives together with commissioning ProLongevity as a national service. This would translate into long term health benefits for our patients and long-term financial sustainability for the crumbling pharmacy network