Liraglutide for Weight Loss

Since 1975, obesity has grown into one of the most common threats to overall health in the United States. Studies have found that people who are overweight are at a much higher risk of reducing their mortality, as obesity is closely associated with an increased rate of disease and severe health conditions such as musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and specific cancers. As a result, researchers have determined that obesity is one of the most prevalent causes of death for nearly 500,00 Americans each year. According to the World Health Organization, there are more than 1.9 million adults who are overweight around the world, with over 650 million people dealing with obesity.

To help overweight patients reduce and manage their weight, many physicians encourage their patients to increase their physical activity and change their eating habits. However, although this may seem like an easy fix for some people, many still struggle with weight management despite committing to rigorous exercise and dietary regimens. Because of these particular cases, researchers have concluded that a lack of exercise and a balanced diet may not be the only causes of obesity. Stress, environmental factors, poor sleep quality, and hormone imbalance can also play a major role in how the body breaks down and metabolizes the foods we eat. In many instances, a person’s genetic makeup has also been found to dictate how their body manages their weight gain, making it difficult for them to lose weight when the body is predisposed to work against them. For many people who are overweight people due to their genetics, getting rid of their excess body fat is a daunting and frustrating task that feels almost impossible, even with a good diet and regular exercise.

As we’ve entered the modern age, advancements in medicine have produced weight loss treatments that alter how a person’s body processes food and calorie intake. Over the last few years, prescription weight loss drugs such as Wegovy have served as an effective medicated treatment for overweight and obese adults when combined with increased physical activity and certain dietary changes. These types of medications are typically administered through weekly or daily injections and work on a biological level to change a person’s digestive processes to help stimulate and maintain weight loss.

From these medications, a new weight loss drug–Liraglutide–has resurfaced on the market with promising potential for overweight and obese people unable to manage their weight on their own. The FDA first approved Liraglutide as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes in 2010 under the name Victoza before later approving the medication for weight loss in 2014 as Saxenda. Since then, the medication has helped many promote reasonable weight loss in people with obesity and other weight-related health conditions. Now making a comeback in 2023, more patients have begun to look to Liraglutide as a viable option for weight loss treatment. But before you start using Liraglutide for weight loss, you must understand how the medication works so you can make an informative decision as to whether Liraglutide will be a good weight loss treatment option for you.

What Are Liraglutide Injections Used For?

Liraglutide injections can be used to treat several types of medical conditions. It is prescribed to patients with Type 2 diabetes to help control blood sugar when exercise and diet are insufficient to manage a diabetic’s glucose levels. The medication can also be used to help reduce the risk of heart and blood vessel complications such as heart attacks and strokes in patients with Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and blood vessel disease. Combined with regular exercise and a reduced-calorie diet, Liraglutide can also help patients struggling with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes lose weight and prevent further weight gain.