People Will Soon be Able to Lose Weight With This Medicine

Researchers at the Northwestern University in Illinois have claimed that an anti-diabetic medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, Semaglutide, helps overweight and obese people lose their weight.

According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Semaglutide is a drug that increases the production of insulin but it also appears to suppress appetite.

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During the 15 month-long study, the researchers tested the drug on around 2,000 people who were either overweight or obese. Two-thirds of the participants received the drug once a week along with dietary counseling and exercise coaching while one-third got a weekly placebo with the same diet and exercise plan.

At the end of the study, the Semaglutide group reported a loss of 15.3 Kgs on average in comparison to the 2.6 Kgs lost by the placebo group.

While three-quarters of the Semaglutide group also suffered nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation, 80% of the participants decided to proceed with the trial that lasted nearly a year and a half.

Dr. Robert Kushner of Northwestern University has said that “weight loss with Semaglutide stems from a reduction in energy intake owing to a decreased appetite, which is thought to result from direct and indirect effects on the brain.”

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Dr. Kushner has requested the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve Semaglutide for chronic weight management. If approved, it would be only the fifth prescription weight loss drug on the US market.

Note that 42% of the American population is obese, meaning their body mass index is 30 or more, which raises the risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes.