Debates over sustainable and safe weight loss have renewed in recent years, following the widespread use of weight loss drugs such as Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy. A University College London survey found that roughly one-point–six million adults in the UK took weight loss drugs between January twenty-twenty-four and twenty-twenty-five — around ninety percent of patients accessed these products through a private healthcare provider. The research found that almost one-in-ten British adults would consider using weight loss drugs in the future. 

GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic can have profound side effects. Nausea, and dehydration are common, while serious but rare risks include pancreatitis or disease of the gallbladder. Many patients who stop taking the drugs report a rapid increase in weight in the following months. 

The popularity of these drugs reveals a truth. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial to our long-term wellbeing, and longevity — obese patients are at a greater risk of chronic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes, heart diseases and cancer. However, there are other important health markers that can also help with longevity, including retention of muscle mass, which people who undertake rapid weight loss can often overlook. 

When can weight loss drugs prove helpful in healthy weight loss? Which supplements should people looking to lose weight prioritise? How can we retain muscle mass, and promote a holistic outlook on our health as we age? 

To answer these questions, we were joined by Clemence Cleave and Tom Williams. Clem is an award-winning nutritionist with expertise in weight management, women’s health and cardio-metabolic health. Tom is Pure Sports Medicine’s Head of Performance, and a strength and conditioning coach. He’s passionate about building solid health foundations for his clients that will last for a lifetime. 

Here’s what we covered:  

• The proliferation of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist drugs for weight loss (03:45) 
• How these drugs help patients lose weight (07:15) 
• When it is advisable for a patient to use GLP-1 drugs to help with sustainable weight loss (12:45) 
• The side effects of taking GLP-1 drugs (16:45) 
• The risks of carrying excess weight, and visceral fat, as we age (23:30) 
• The role of diet and exercise alongside the prescription of GLP-1 drugs (30:30) 
• How supplementation can help in sustainable weight loss (40:00)
• How we can live healthier lives, as life expectancy increases (44:30)

Speaker Bios 

• Clemence Cleave: https://puresportsmed.com/team/clemence-cleave/ 
• Tom Williams: https://puresportsmed.com/team/tom-williams/ 

Pure Sports Medicine is the UK’s leading provider of musculoskeletal, sport and exercise medicine, providing access to the highest standards of non-surgical medical care delivered by our team of world-class specialists working together all under one roof. Our team approach means efficient and effective treatment with same day referrals where needed to ensure you have the exact people around you that you need.

In this podcast we hand the mic to our team of experts including, Physiotherapists, Sport & Exercise Medicine consultants, Nutritionists, Strength & Conditioning Coaches, Soft Tissue Therapists and many more, to bring you the most up-to-date information and advice to help you achieve your sporting or fitness goals. We'll give you tips on avoiding injury and managing new or ongoing conditions with the goal of helping you get back to your best.

 For more expert info and advice right at your fingertips, check out the links below:

Website: www.puresportsmed.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/puresportsmed/
X: https://twitter.com/puresportsmed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/puresportsmed/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@puresportsmed
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pure-sports-medicine