This past week, I put out a post to provide an overview of this whole GLP phenomenon. It seemed to spring onto the scene, and before long, everyone was talking about it and jumping on the bandwagon to try these products. As with any new medication or treatment, it is wise to do a little homework before deciding if this is the right product for you.
To be clear, I am one of the sceptics when it comes to allopathic modalities. Throughout my personal health journey, pharmaceuticals don't do well in my body. And because I believe it is important to seek answers to the root of a health issue, I have tended to seek out other ways to stay healthy without prescriptions.
I will say right here that I honor and respect each person's own health journey. If you are from a different mindset, no worries. This post is not meant to shame anyone for their medical choices. And the word "choice" is intentional. We all have a choice when it comes to our health.
When the world jumped onto the GLP bandwagon, I stood back and gathered information in order to understand what this product does and what the possible long-term use might be. Listed below are the most common side effects that are being reported from the use of these products:
1. Digestive Issues: GLP-1 medications slow how quickly the stomach empties, which helps people feel full longer but can also cause digestive discomfort.
2. Dehydration: This is due to the fact that because people are not hungry, so they tend to overlook keeping themselves properly hydrated. This, of course, can cause a myriad of issues for the body.
3. Hair Loss: Rapid weight loss—not necessarily the medication itself—can trigger temporary hair shedding. Think about it. Anything that causes the body to shed weight quickly is also causing loss of collagen, elasticity of the skin, and hair follicles on the skin are affected.
4. Gallbladder & Pancreatitis: These drugs act quickly in the body, which affects those organs that are digestion-related. This drug doesn't simply affect the stomach; it will affect every cell in your body, just as any other medication will.
5. Vision: People with diabetes who experience rapid improvements in blood sugar may notice temporary worsening of diabetic eye disease. Regular eye care is essential for monitoring.
6. Thyroid: Some GLP-1 medications carry a boxed warning because animal studies showed an increased risk of certain thyroid tumors. It is not known whether this occurs in humans. However, many users of these products have experienced lumps in the neck, voice hoarseness, and difficulty in swallowing.
7. Overall nutritional health: Because these drugs keep the appetite low, many people are so excited about the weight loss that they lose sight of the important nutritional requirements for their body. They are not consuming enough vitamin- and mineral-rich foods, and the end result is: yes, you are thinner, but at what cost to your overall health?
Because these drugs have not been widely used until just recently, the long-term effects are still to be determined. My mind races to the whole Phen-Phen era. Remember all of the lawsuits and those who lost their lives? My next post on this topic will cover the current findings of long-term use.
For now, stay healthy, take care of yourself, and LIV2DAY!
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