A recent study suggests that people who stop using new slimming jabs like semaglutide or tirzepatide tend to recover shed pounds far faster than those who stop conventional diet and exercise programs.
Findings released in a leading medical journal demonstrates that while obese people frequently drop a large proportion of their body weight while on the medication, the mass returns at an estimated rate of nearly a kilo each month once they quit.
"Individuals purchasing these drugs should be informed of the risk of rapid weight regain when the therapy ends," cautioned expert Dr. Susan Jebb.
Such speed of recovery means a reversion to original mass within about 18 months.
Weighing Therapies
The research, which examined 37 of trials involving over 9,000 of patients, contrasted the results of these new drugs with conventional dieting.
The team point out that people who shed pounds through lifestyle changes alone generally have a slower weight regain—around 100 grams monthly—once they finish.
The Reason for the Rapid Regain
Nutrition scientists believe the way of the jabs accounts for the accelerated rebound.
GLP-1 drugs copy a body's own chemical called glucagon-like peptide-1, which helps regulate feelings of fullness.
"Artificially providing the hormone levels far above than the body's typical production may cause the system to generate a reduced amount of its own natural GLP-1, and may also reduce responsiveness to its actions," said Dr. Adam Collins, a dietetics researcher.
"Stopping of this medication leads to hunger is unsuppressed, making binge eating a significant risk."
A Lifelong Condition?
Medical guidelines suggest the injections for people with weight-linked medical conditions, accompanied by recommended lifestyle changes.
Professionals say that, due to the likelihood of weight regain, the therapy is often life-long.
This opinion is reinforced by drug manufacturers, who note that the results "highlight the chronic nature of excess weight," similar to managing diseases like diabetes.
Patient Experiences
People who have come off the jabs describe a sudden return of appetite.
"It was like a trigger activating and you become extremely hungry," recalled an individual.
This challenge is worsened if individuals have not adopted sustainable lifestyle or habit modifications during treatment.
Significant Use
Figures suggest that millions of people in the UK have tried weight-loss jabs in the last 12 months, with demand remaining high.
- Use is more common among females compared to males.
- The middle-aged age group shows the highest usage rates.
- Many access the drugs through private healthcare rather than the NHS.
Finally, researchers stress that while these medications are powerful agents for weight loss, they are not a standalone cure and maintained weight loss hinges on combined behavioural management.
