Over the past few years, a new class of drugs has gained enormous attention: GLP-1 receptor agonists, commonly known by brand names like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. Originally designed to help people manage Type 2 diabetes, these medications are now being widely used off-label for one thing—rapid weight loss.
But before you or someone you know jumps on the bandwagon, it’s important to understand what these drugs are, how they work, and what they can and can’t do for your long-term health.
What Does GLP-1 Stand For?
GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone that your body naturally produces. It plays several roles in regulating your metabolism, most notably by telling your brain when you’re full and by slowing the rate at which food empties from your stomach. In short, it helps suppress appetite and reduce food intake—exactly what many people want when trying to lose weight.
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic mimic this hormone. They bind to the same receptors in your brain and gut, essentially “tricking” your body into feeling full and satisfied after eating less food. Many users report feeling less hunger, eating smaller portions, and experiencing dramatic weight loss over a few months.
Why Were These Drugs Developed?
Let’s be clear: these drugs were not originally designed as a weight loss solution. They were developed to help people with Type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar levels. For individuals whose bodies either don’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it effectively, GLP-1 agonists are a useful tool.
However, one side effect noticed during clinical trials was weight loss. Naturally, pharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers began exploring their use as anti-obesity drugs—even for people who don’t have diabetes.
Now, as prescriptions for these drugs skyrocket, the narrative is shifting. Suddenly, we’re being told that weight gain is something you need to medicate. But that idea deserves serious scrutiny.
In the next article, we’ll explore exactly how these drugs work in your body—and why their effects may not be as straightforward as they seem.
The author of the award-winning book, Diabetes: The Real Cause and the Right Cure, and Nationally Syndicated Columnist, Dr. John Poothullil, advocates for patients struggling with the effects of adverse lifestyle conditions.
Dr. John’s books, available on Amazon, have educated and inspired readers to take charge of their health. You can take many steps to make changes in your health, but Dr. John also empowers us to demand certain changes in our healthcare system. His latest book, Beat Unwanted Weight Gain, reveals the seven most essential strategies for shedding pounds—and keeping them off for good.
Follow or contact Dr. John at drjohnonhealth.com.
John Poothullil practiced medicine as a pediatrician and allergist for more than 30 years, with 27 of those years in the state of Texas. He received his medical degree from the University of Kerala, India in 1968, after which he did two years of medical residency in Washington, DC and Phoenix, AZ and two years of fellowship, one in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the other in Ontario, Canada. He began his practice in 1974 and retired in 2008. He holds certifications from the American Board of Pediatrics, The American Board of Allergy & Immunology, and the Canadian Board of Pediatrics.During his medical practice, John became interested in understanding the causes of and interconnections between hunger, satiation, and weight gain. His interest turned into a passion and a multi-decade personal study and research project that led him to read many medical journal articles, medical textbooks, and other scholarly works in biology, biochemistry, physiology, endocrinology, and cellular metabolic functions. This eventually guided Dr. Poothullil to investigate the theory of insulin resistance as it relates to diabetes. Recognizing that this theory was illogical, he spent a few years rethinking the biology behind high blood sugar and finally developed the fatty acid burn switch as the real cause of diabetes.Dr. Poothullil has written articles on hunger and satiation, weight loss, diabetes, and the senses of taste and smell. His articles have been published in medical journals such as Physiology and Behavior, Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, Journal of Women’s Health, Journal of Applied Research, Nutrition, and Nutritional Neuroscience. His work has been quoted in Woman’s Day, Fitness, Red Book and Woman’s World.Dr. Poothullil resides in Portland, OR and is available for phone and live interviews.To learn more buy the books at: amazon.com/author/drjohnpoothullil
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