January 9th, 2023
Semaglutide is a new injectable drug that has shown incredible results in adults with diabetes and obesity by activating the glucagon like peptide one receptor. This action increases insulin release, glycemic control and blood glucose utilization. This in effect decreases adipose storage and blood glucose increases that lead to the symptoms of diabetes over time.
Before I discuss the study, I want to point out that this medicine is 100% unnecessary if children and adolescents follow a healthy diet and exercise regimen.
This is truly a medicine only for those who cannot in any way make the appropriate changes for health and will have worsened health and disease without this pharmacological therapy.
The study: "A total of 201 participants underwent randomization, and 180 (90%) completed treatment. All but one of the participants had obesity. The mean change in BMI from baseline to week 68 was −16.1% with semaglutide and 0.6% with placebo. At week 68, a total of 95 of 131 participants (73%) in the semaglutide group had weight loss of 5% or more, as compared with 11 of 62 participants (18%) in the placebo group. Reductions in body weight and improvement with respect to cardiometabolic risk factors (waist circumference and levels of glycated hemoglobin, lipids [except high-density lipoprotein cholesterol], and alanine aminotransferase) were greater with semaglutide than with placebo. The incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events was greater with semaglutide than with placebo (62% vs. 42%). Five participants (4%) in the semaglutide group and no participants in the placebo group had cholelithiasis. Serious adverse events were reported in 15 of 133 participants (11%) in the semaglutide group and in 6 of 67 participants (9%) in the placebo group." (Weghuber et. al. 2022)
This will likely be a very important addition to the medical pharmacotherapy fight against disease. I wish it was not necessary.
Dr. M
