Ozempic and similar medications are highly in-demand and yet remain deeply controversial. Online conversations about them are often full of misinformation and echo decades of flawed teachings on weight management. So what do we get wrong when we talk about this new wave of weight-loss medications? A lot, it turns out.
Don’t take medical advice from the internet chat, talk to your doctor!
Sure, but don’t assume that doctors know what’s best for you.
Some years ago I had gained a lot of weight, my blood pressure started measuring up (the holter test showed consistently above 145/110) and my doctor was ready to prescribe some medicine. I said I wanted to try a lifestyle change first (better sleep, more exercise and OMAD). Lost 12kg in 10 weeks, and since then my blood pressure has been averaging 118/75.
Doctors are trained to pull the strongest levers that change the variable at test, consequences be damned. Most of the time, this means medication, long term treatment or surgery. They rarely look at you and have the chance to find the combination of levers that holistically could give you an equivalent or better outcome without the bad side effects of their “recommended” treatment.
The Doctor wanted to give you meds because it will stop you having a heart attack. Most people can’t magically get more sleep and lose weight in a short time scale. Good for you but overall medication massively lowers the chance of serious health complications and life style change doesn’t magically fix most conditions.
If I am “talking to a doctor” in order to be properly informed and be able to make a decision about my health, and if the doctor treats you like you are one amalgamation of “most people”, then what’s the point?
Notice I’m not saying “he was wrong for recommending medication”, but I am saying that “talk to your doctor” is not really synonym with “best advice for you” - specially in the US where there are so many misaligned incentives.