The great weight loss debate

Are GLP-1 receptor agonists a game-changer for managing obesity?

IN a nutshell Hey, everyone! I'm Lisa Valente, registered dietitian and Senior Nutrition Editor at Healthline. I'll be taking the reins from Ginger today to dig into the ongoing debate about a new, controversial class of weight loss drugs: glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, which include the popular drugs Ozempic and Wegovy. If you like today's feature, great news: I'll be editing Healthline's new and improved nutrition newsletter coming this May, where I'll be serving up weekly info on healthy food that tastes good plus other updates from the world of nutrition. Sign up for Healthline's nutrition newsletter here! Here's what else is on deck for today: • an adorable self-care planner to help keep your wellness goals on track • why you don't need to throw out your dark chocolate • the public health crisis of gun violence • what we get wrong about happiness and success • other health stories you need, like calorie restriction's effect on aging Happy reading, Lisa Valente, MS, RD Senior Nutrition Editor, Healthline

Written by Lisa Valente, MS, RD February 22, 2023 • 7 min read

what's got us buzzing The weight loss drug debate at a glance There's a new class of weight loss drugs in town, and people have feelings about it. GLP-1 receptor agonists, including Ozempic and Wegovy, are making the rounds, from late-night comedy sketches to a question du jour for celebrity tabloids. Some people tout these drugs as an amazing breakthrough for obesity, while others have serious concerns about their safety, equitable access, and the shortages their popularity has led to. There are multiple GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs on the market today: Ozempic is a diabetes treatment normally prescribed for managing blood sugar. Wegovy is approved as a weight loss treatment for adults with obesity or people who are overweight with a related health condition. Mounjaro (a GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist) is currently approved for diabetes and will likely get Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for weight loss soon. These drugs all suppress hunger and can lead to significant weight loss when combined with diet and exercise. They can also help people with diabetes manage their blood sugar. It's estimated that more than 4.7 million adults die each year as a result of having overweight or obesity. While someone's size doesn't automatically make them unhealthy, excess body fat can lead to health complications (so can the weight bias that comes along with larger bodies). While it's too soon to say without more data whether these drugs can change health outcomes on a large scale, many experts are optimistic about their potential. These drugs aren't created to help people shed a few pounds to fit into a new bathing suit (lookin' at you, Hollywood). They're designed as a treatment for people with obesity and diabetes, and they go hand in hand with diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes. Rather than criticizing these drugs as an "easy way out," we should consider them a potential tool for helping people manage their health. tl;dr: A new class of weight loss drugs that includes Ozempic and Wegovy have become a hot source of debate for issues surrounding weight loss. Some consider these drugs an amazing breakthrough for obesity, which contributes to more than 4.7 million deaths a year globally. Still, others have serious concerns. If you have questions about GLP-1 receptor agonists, talk with your doctor and try to avoid getting your information from social media.

great finds Editor faves with health perks You know those great finds you just *have* to tell your friends about? That's how we feel about the products we recommend here. Every pick has been vetted by our editorial team, and we genuinely think it'll make your life better.       Self-Care Journal by Erin Condren No matter where you stand on weight loss drugs, we can probably all agree that staying healthy requires being intentional about how we care for ourselves. That's why we love this tastefully illustrated self-care journal by designer Erin Condren. With prompts like "I am grateful for" and "I know I am capable of," the journal can help you soak in the benefits of gratitude and give you the tools to start a positive affirmation practice. There's room to track important aspects of your health, too, like your mood and sleep quality. If you love the thrill of putting pen to paper to make lists or reflect on your life, this petite planner may be the little self-care gift you've been needing. Shop now

say what   Look who's talking "Going to school in America, whether it's pre-school or college, means risking your life every day to the threat of a mass shooting. Yet all we have offered up are empty solutions — traumatizing active shooter drills and bulletproof backpacks. We do not need to live like this." – Ranjeev Puri, congressman from Michigan     After a gunman killed three students and injured five others at Michigan State University (MSU) last week, state representative Ranjeev Puri wrote an impassioned statement calling the incident "a symptom of years of inaction." Though the definition of a "mass shooting" varies, the Gun Violence Archive counts the MSU tragedy as the 67th mass shooting in the United States in 2023. Many experts are calling for gun violence in the United States to be reframed as a public health crisis rather than a political or criminal justice issue.

Wednesday Kick Start Good news on the dark chocolate front Last week, we got an email from reader and dark chocolate superfan Mary A. expressing (understandable) concern about the recent study from Consumer Reports that found high amounts of heavy metals in dark chocolate. As fellow fanatics, we were excited to tap medical toxicologist Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD, for her expert take. "There's no reason for consumers to be alarmed, as long as they eat dark chocolate on an occasional basis," says Johnson-Arbor. "There's no evidence that occasional consumption of dark chocolate is harmful to human health because of heavy metal exposure." Apparently, it's not uncommon for heavy metals to end up in food. "Heavy metals are part of our environment and are found in the Earth's crust," says Johnson-Arbor. "Plants that grow in the soil, including cacao, can accumulate metals from the Earth as they grow. Metals may also be introduced into food products during processing." So, exactly how much dark chocolate can you safely eat per day? The answer isn't that straightforward. Each sample contained different levels of heavy metals, so the amount would vary depending on the chocolate bar. However, most of the experts we consulted agreed that an ounce a day — or about a third of a bar this size — was a good goal. Now excuse us while we let out a loud collective sigh of relief.

health stories you need What we're reading next ⛲ Is calorie restriction a secret fountain of youth? According to a new study, participants who ate 25% fewer calories aged slower than those who kept up their normal eating habits. 🗝 ️Why happiness may be the real key to success. We're often taught that achieving our goals will grant us happiness, but new research suggests it may be the other way around. 🐥 Could bird flu cause another worldwide pandemic? Bird flu rarely infects mammals. But a recent outbreak in minks has experts concerned about the possibility of H5N1 jumping to humans. 🔉 How a "trifecta of trauma" helped this author find purpose. This week on the IMH podcast, host Gabe Howard talks with Lisa Honig Buksbaum about how trauma can foster resilience.

you're up Ok, but back to dark chocolate… Did you know this mouth melting treat contains benefits like reducing your risk of heart attack, protecting your skin, and boosting brain health? Yep, dark chocolate can be incredibly nutritious and antioxidant-rich. Just try to buy the options that have at least 70% cocoa to get that powerful dose of nutrients without going overboard on the fat and sugar. Tell us: What's your favorite way to consume dark chocolate? Recipes encouraged! (Please note that we may share your name and response in an upcoming newsletter!)

Last week, we ran a story about the rise of antimicrobial resistance. Reader and retired doctor Barry H. wrote in to add some color to the conversation. Here's an excerpt from Barry's response: Designing new antibiotics is fine but takes years for any of them to come to market. Within a few more years, bugs will be resistant to them, and the cycle continues. Long before antibiotics became "easy," the way bacterial diseases [were treated] was by phage therapy. It worked very well, and bugs [had] no chance at all of becoming resistant. So, perhaps some brave soul can look through garbage, mud pits, and sewer lines and come up with the phage that is specific for the bacteria.

Until next time, Take care of yourself, and we'll see you again soon!     This edition was powered by the return of the light.   View in browser Did a friend send you this email? Subscribe here. To see all newsletters, click here. Privacy    |    Unsubscribe © 2023 Healthline Media LLC 275 7th Ave., 24th Floor New York, NY 10001