Across the United States, 40 percent of adults live with overweight and obesity. Many also struggle with other chronic conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. GLP-1 medications have helped millions of people better manage or overcome long-term health concerns.
While these medications can kick-start and speed up your weight loss, there is no guarantee of a better quality of life. In fact, in some cases they can also produce symptoms that interfere with your quality of life. According to Monika Moni, MD, medical director of the Center for Obesity and Metabolic Health at The Christ Hospital Health Network, a personalized approach that may pair a GLP-1 medication with other care strategies can help you reach your health and weight goals while protecting your quality of life.
“When it comes to supporting your overall well-being, we need to look at more than GLP-related weight loss,” she says, noting that GLP-1 medications may not be the answer for every patient. “We can improve health outcomes linked to weight-related conditions when we follow a comprehensive approach.”
The GLP-1 Impact
GLP-1s change how your brain and gut communicate about hunger, Dr. Moni says. Typically, your stomach tells your brain when it’s full, prompting your brain to turn off the hunger signal. But genetics, medication, stress or other external factors can break that pattern. As a result, your stomach may never send a fullness signal, or your brain may ignore it. GLP-1 medication can restore that communication and encourage your body to burn calories and excess fat.
These medications can also produce side effects—like nausea, fatigue, digestive issues, and muscle loss—that stop you from feeling well or enjoying your favorite activities. They may also provide every patient with a full scope of anticipated positive results. According to recent research that examined the GLP-1-related experiences of nearly 100,000 people, most obesity medications don’t boost quality of life on their own and there isn’t evidence that they offer cardiovascular or kidney health improvements on their own.
GLP-1s Aren’t One-Size-Fits-All
Dr. Moni cautioned that these study results don’t mean GLP-1s aren’t effective. Instead, the findings prove the medications are just one obesity management tool.
“No one medication is tailored to everybody. Some are approved to help with sleep apnea, and others offer some heart benefit,” she says. “To determine what type of treatment you need, we must comprehensively evaluate you. For some patients, GLP-1 medication might not be the answer. Other times, it’s part of the overall care approach.”
This is where the Center for Obesity and Metabolic Health comes in. Rather than treating GLP-1s like a magic pill, Dr. Moni and her team assess your goals, current health conditions, lifestyle behaviors and medications. Then, they create a personalized plan that helps you lose weight and supports your well-being.
“Good quality of life means something different for everyone. For some people with weight-related problems, it may mean lowering blood pressure. It could also mean improved sleep or better mental health,” she says. “Obesity is a chronic disease with no quick fix. Our goal is to analyze a wide range of factors that go into your overall health and work with you to design a plan around your unique needs.”
The Christ Hospital Approach
Part of the mission for the Center for Obesity and Metabolic Health is to educate patients about GLP-1s and help reframe how they view weight management and quality of life, Dr. Moni says.
“Patients often tell me they want a GLP-1 medication. We discuss the benefits, burdens and risks of each option,” she says. “It’s important that patients understand these medications aren’t a temporary fix. They’re a lifetime commitment if you don’t want the weight to come back.”
To determine if a GLP-1 is the right choice for you, Dr. Moni says her multidisciplinary team evaluates your self-reported current health and lifestyle behaviors. Your comprehensive care planning also includes:
Behavioral assessment to identify any existing anxiety, depression or stress
- Blood tests to detect various health conditions, including insulin resistance, nutritional deficiencies or thyroid problems
- Cardiovascular health testing
- Dietary analysis of your body composition, calorie intake needs, eating habits and metabolism rate
- Genetic and hormonal testing to identify any obesity-related disorders
- Sleep studies to detect sleep apnea
Based on the results of these tests, Dr. Moni says her team can design an individualized weight-management plan. The plan may include exercise and nutrition guidance, lifestyle behavior recommendations, emotional health support, other weight-loss medications and stress management techniques.
Creating a Holistic Focus on Weight and Health
Instead of concentrating on a number on the scale, Dr. Moni says it’s important to consider how dropping pounds can improve overall wellness.
“We work to shift your focus from external appearance or the size of an outfit,” she says. “We want to pull your attention toward health-based outcomes. If losing weight improves your diabetes or hypertension so you can reduce the number of medications you take, that’s a successful outcome.”
Ultimately, an obesity specialist can review your health history, medications and wellness goals. Then, they can deliver a customized care plan that targets your health and weight-loss goals.
Ready to start a weight-loss journey to improve your health? Schedule an appointment with an obesity specialist at the Center for Obesity and Metabolic Health.
Frequently Asked Questions About GLP-1s
Q: What are some common side effects of GLP-1 medications?
A: GLP-1 medications affect everyone differently. The most common side effects include:
- Acid reflux
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Q: What can you do to minimize side effects from GLP-1 medications?
A: Eating smaller, more frequent meals can reduce nausea and other gastrointestinal symptoms like constipation and diarrhea. Avoid greasy or fatty foods that may trigger nausea and heartburn. It’s equally important to drink enough water throughout the day. Coffee, tea or sodas don’t count.
Q: What happens when you stop taking a GLP-1 medication?
A: When you stop taking a GLP-1 medication, your body returns to its previous state. Your blood sugar levels may rise. In addition, your food cravings and appetite return. Most people also regain most of their lost weight within one or two years.
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Monika Moni, MD, FAAFP, DABOMFamily Medicine
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