Medications for weight loss are now becoming widely popular. While each medication works in its own way, they generally function by decreasing appetite. By reducing hunger, individuals may eat smaller portions and avoid giving in to cravings as often.
Appetite suppression is achieved through the medication’s ability to mimic GLP-1, a key receptor agonist that triggers the release of insulin and slows digestion. With both appetite and blood sugar regulated, appetite is reduced, and individuals may experience great satiety with less food. As a result of these changes, individuals may experience weight loss.
Below, we discuss in greater detail how weight loss drugs work. Using the basic science behind how these drugs operate, you’ll learn critical information on how hormones impact hunger and ultimately weight loss. Read on to learn more.
GLP-1 Mimicking Agent And Weight Loss Drugs
After we eat food, the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1 is released. This action regulates blood sugar levels, slows digestive processes, and reduces hunger. Unfortunately, not everyone experiences efficient hunger and satiety cues, making it hard to recognize when you’re full.
Emotional factors also play a role in disruptions of these signals. They can cause individuals who may use food as a coping strategy to indulge in calorie-rich foods that postpone their weight loss. For those struggling to lose weight, weight loss drugs may be a helpful tool.
How Appetite Suppression Is Stimulated
With weight loss drugs, the medication slows down how fast food moves through the stomach. The longer food stays in the stomach, the longer you will feel full. You may have experienced this after eating a protein-rich or high-fiber meal, as both of these components can digest slowly, leaving you to feel fuller for longer.
With weight loss drugs, this sense of fullness is prompted in part by GLP-1-mimicking agents. The medication binds to GLP-1 receptors in different parts of the body (namely the GI tract, the brain, and the pancreas) to signal satiety. With these signals, individuals experience appetite suppression and are less likely to indulge.
Lifestyle Changes And Side Effects
We also know that although these medications can be a significant resource for weight loss objectives, they are included as part of lifestyle changes to maximize positive results. Sticking to a healthy lifestyle can optimize your weight loss outcomes. Research is still uncovering the long-term impact of weight loss drugs. Be sure to read the list of possible side effects of medications you are prescribed as weight loss drugs, as they can vary. For example, some weight loss drugs mimic more than one hormone to reduce appetite and manipulate metabolism.
Talking To Your Doctor
Weight loss is the result of sticking to a healthy caloric diet. For some people, controlling what and how much food is consumed is a challenge, which is where weight loss drugs can potentially help. Talk to your doctor to determine if weight loss medications are right for you, and ask them about the efficacy and side effects of the drugs you’re considering beforehand.
