Oral Semaglutide Leads to Modest Weight Loss: Study
Obesity is a growing health concern worldwide, affecting millions of people and increasing the risk of various chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain types of cancer. Despite the availability of various weight loss treatments, many individuals struggle to achieve and maintain significant weight loss. A new study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology has shed light on the potential of oral semaglutide, a medication originally approved for type 2 diabetes, in inducing modest weight loss in obese adults without diabetes.
Oral semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, which works by mimicking the action of a natural hormone in the body that helps regulate blood sugar levels and appetite. Previous studies have shown that injectable semaglutide leads to significant weight loss, but the development of an oral formulation has made it more accessible and convenient for patients.
The recently published study involved 1,149 obese adults without diabetes who were randomly assigned to receive either 14 mg of oral semaglutide daily or a placebo. The participants were followed for a year, during which they received lifestyle counseling and were encouraged to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
The results of the study were promising, with nearly half of the participants who received oral semaglutide losing at least 5% of their initial body weight. The average weight loss was around 4.5% of initial body weight, which is considered a modest but significant amount of weight loss.
The study also found that the participants who received oral semaglutide experienced significant reductions in body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and blood pressure, as well as improvements in blood lipid profiles and fasting glucose levels. In addition, the medication was well-tolerated, with mostly mild side effects reported, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
One of the most notable aspects of the study was the lack of serious safety concerns. While there were some reports of gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, these were generally mild and did not lead to any serious adverse events. The researchers also found no significant differences in the frequency or severity of side effects between the participants who received oral semaglutide and those who received the placebo.
The study’s findings are significant because they suggest that oral semaglutide may be a viable option for obese adults without diabetes who are looking to lose weight. While the weight loss achieved in the study was modest, it is still a significant improvement over what is typically seen with lifestyle interventions alone.
Moreover, the study’s results are consistent with the known effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists on weight loss. Previous studies have shown that these medications can lead to significant weight loss in individuals with type 2 diabetes, and it is not surprising that oral semaglutide would have similar effects in obese adults without diabetes.
However, it is important to note that the study had some limitations. For example, the participants were all obese adults without diabetes, and the results may not generalize to other populations, such as children or adults with diabetes. Additionally, the study was conducted in a controlled clinical setting, and the results may not be directly applicable to real-world settings.
Despite these limitations, the study’s findings are promising and suggest that oral semaglutide may be a useful addition to the armamentarium of weight loss treatments. As the global obesity epidemic continues to grow, the development of effective and convenient treatments is critical to helping individuals achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Source: Exploring Oral Semaglutide for Obesity. (2023). Retrieved from https://thepfc.club/blogs/news/exploring-oral-semaglutide-for-obesity
