Diabetes is a common disease in the world. Diabetes is a condition that happens when your body can’t produces or use insulin. Without insulin, the body’s blood glucose (blood sugar) rises to unsafe levels. The majority of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. Diabetes medication can cause weight loss by affecting how glucose (sugar)is used by the body.
What is insulin and how it works in our body:
Insulin is a hormone that helps the body balance its main source of energy: glucose. Its made by an organ that is called the pancreas that sits behind the stomach. The pancreas sends insulin into the bloodstream after a snack or meal, or if it detects that your blood glucose levels are high.
Insulin will send glucose into cells to be used for energy and store whatever is left over for later use.
Both of these insulin functions help remove glucose from the bloodstream. When this system is working properly, your blood glucose levels should be kept within safe limits every hour of every day.
These are Popular medications cause weight losses:
Five types of diabetes medications can cause weight loss.
These medications each work differently from each other.
1. GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic
Glucagon -like peptide-1 (GLP-1)agonists are a group of medications growing in popularity when it comes to diabetes and weight loss. GLP-1 is a hormone in our bodies that tells our pancreas to release insulin after we eat. It also helps us feel full in between meals. GLP-1 agonist act like GLP- 1does in the body.
The amount of weight loss can vary, depending on which medication and what dose is used.
There are several GLP-1 agonists FDA- approved for diabetes, including:
- Ozempic (semaglutide)
- Rebelsus (semaglutide)
- Trulicity (semaglutide)
- Victoza (liraglutide)
2. Mounjaro
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) works like GLP- agonist it act like GLP- and another hormone called glucose- dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). This dual effect can help provide better blood glucose control. It can also lead to greater weight loss than GLP-1agonist like Oempic
3. Metformin
Metformin is one of the most prescribed diabetes medication. It mainly lowers the amount of blood glucose made by the liver and makes the body more sensitive to its natural insulin.
Metformin’s weight loss is more modest than the medications listed above. And not everyone loses weight while taking it But studies have shown some people may lose up to 6 lbs after taking metformin for a year.
4. SGLT2 inhibitors like radiance
Another group of diabetes medications called sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors can cause weight loss. SGLT-2 inhibitors remove glucose from the blood through urine. Less glucose in the blood means less glucose is available to be truned into fat.
People taking SGLT-2 inhibitors may lose about 4 to 6 lbs while taking them. It’s possible to start noticing weight loss after taking these medications for 6 weeks.
Examples of SGLT-2 inhibitors include:
- Jardiance (empagliflozin)
- Farxiga (dapagliflozin)
- Invokana (canagliflozin)
5. Symlin
Symlin (pramlintide) is a lab- made from of the hormone amylin. Amylin slows down food movement through the stomach and prevents your liver from making glucose.
Symline acts like amylin does in the body. This medication can cause most people to lose up 4 lbs.for people with obesity, they may lose up 7lbs with Symlin.
Conclusion:
Some diabetes medications can cause weight loss or weight gain.Mainly Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Trulicity canlead to significant weight loss. On the other side, sunfonylureas, glindes, and insulin typically cause weight gain.
Up to half of all new-onset diabetes cases in this country are linked to obesity. A healthy life style and balance Diet also exercise playing important role in maintaining a healthy weight. We can see that there are lots of famous personalities having diabetes however notably they maintain their health.