GLP-1: How It Works and Weight Loss
In 2020, it was estimated that 2/5 of the world’s population is overweight or obese and perhaps more.
In 2035, this percentage will jump to 50%, reaching 4 billion. overweight or obese people, especially in Egypt – Mexico and Saudi Arabia. Our country unfortunately ranks first in Europe in childhood obesity and in prevalence among adults, reaching 40%.
The market for drugs related to the treatment of obesity will reach 150 billion. dollars by 2031, where the cost of treating cancer worldwide is today.
Glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) analogs belong to the category of incretin hormones that are produced in the gastrointestinal tract cell every time we eat, having four basic mechanisms of operation,
- They increase glucose-dependent insulin secretion
- They reduce glucagon secretion from pancreatic α-cells
- They help in rapid gastric emptying
- They suppress appetite by giving a feeling of satiety through their action on the CNS.
- They provide cardiovascular safety (LEADER – REWIND – SUSTAIN – 6 studies), nephroprotection and have a positive effect on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease etiology.
Side effects mainly in the gastrointestinal system such as nausea – vomiting – diarrhea – bloating – cholelithiasis – cholecystitis – pancreatitis and retinopathy.
Semaglutide reduces Hba1c from 1.5% to 2% and an average weight loss of approximately 20%, which is equivalent to the result of gastric sleeve surgery.
The corresponding substance in a 3mg – 7mg – 14mg pill was recently released and approved by the US FDA, safe up to 50mg with similar results to its weekly injectable form (loss of 15% B.W. at 68 weeks).
