The Obesity Crisis In The US
Obesity has become a significant public health concern in the US, affecting millions of individuals. The prevalence of obesity has risen dramatically in recent decades, with alarming statistics highlighting the crisis. 41.9% or 100million US adults suffer from obesity. This crisis has led to a surge in obesity-related health conditions, such as coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. The economic burden of obesity is also substantial, with healthcare costs skyrocketing due to the treatment of related conditions and complications. Aggregate yearly medical costs have continued to increase due to obesity. Addressing the obesity crisis requires a multifaceted approach that targets lifestyle factors and underlying health conditions with a little help from hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1).
Is HRT the answer?
HRT has emerged as a targeted therapy for weight management and overall wellness, especially for women experiencing menopause. HRT involves the administration of hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, to alleviate menopausal symptoms and maintain hormonal balance. While primarily used in the past to manage hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes, studies have shown HRT may also have beneficial effects on weight management. Study participants receiving HRT for 3 months not only recognized weight-gain prevention, but therapy favored weight loss by increasing lipid oxidation or the process of breaking down lipids into energy. Men with low testosterone can also benefit. Testosterone is linked to muscle growth and strength, sex drive, bone mass, and the development of masculine features. After age 30, testosterone levels gradually decline by approximately 1% per year. Symptoms of testosterone deficiency and low T include a loss of muscle mass and fat gain, low energy, irritability, low sex drive, and insomnia. 70% of morbidly obese men suffer from low T. HRT can effectively increase muscle mass in deficient males and help burn more calories, enabling weight loss.
Can adding GLP-1 help?
GLP-1 are a class of medications that were originally formulated to treat type 2 diabetes. The drug mimics a naturally occurring hormone in the body, which improves glucose control, lowers HbA1C, and helps weight loss. Weight loss varies from drug to drug, but a meta-analysis of nearly 40,000 participants revealed weight loss. Lipid profiles were also improved, contributing to better cardiovascular profiles and fewer diseases. The mechanism promoting weight loss appears to be the drug's ability to reduce appetite by inducing feelings of fullness and satiety in the brain and slowing down gastric emptying. Combined with healthy lifestyle changes and exercise, GLP-1s may be the holy grail to overall health and wellness. Studies show that combining exercise with GLP-1s enhances long-term weight management compared to pharmacotherapy alone.
The power of combo therapy
Combining HRT and GLP-1 agonists may offer weight management and overall wellness synergistic benefits. Post-menopausal women in one study were administered HRT, GLP-1 agonists, or both and followed for 3, 6, 9, and 12 months with primary endpoints of total body weight loss % (TBWL%) and cardiometabolic risk markers. At 12 months, participants on HRT and GLP-1 achieved more weight loss. Other results indicated that combined therapy was associated with approximately 30% more weight loss. Women in all groups improved cardiometabolic markers of glucose, blood pressure, and lipid profiles. Combination therapy offers better metabolic regulation and body fat reduction with HRT and appetite control and weight loss with GLP-1s.
A clear path to weight loss and wellness
Obesity is a significant public health crisis and deserves a multimodal treatment approach for the individual who desires a healthier life unencumbered by chronic disease and being overweight. HRT and GLP-1s offer significant advantages for weight loss and overall wellness in reducing symptoms associated with imbalanced hormones. Combined with a good nutrition plan and daily exercise, these therapies can offer an individual a solution to a healthier, more fulfilling life.
