How much less Irish people drank while taking weight loss drugs like Ozempic: study
Share this @internewscast.com

Talk about a lucky charm.

Medications such as Ozempic — which replicate the appetite-reducing GLP-1 hormone naturally formed by the body after meals — have been proven to aid in weight reduction, alleviate knee osteoarthritis pain, soothe skin issues, and decrease dementia risk.

Now, an international team of researchers has found more evidence that people also booze a lot less when taking these meds.

“GLP-1 [drugs] have demonstrated effectiveness in treating obesity and decreasing the likelihood of various complications related to obesity,” stated Professor Carel le Roux from University College Dublin, Ireland.

“The beneficial effects beyond obesity, such as on alcohol intake, are being actively studied, with some promising results.”

Le Roux’s team analyzed data from 262 overweight or obese adults prescribed liraglutide or semaglutide for weight loss at a clinic in Dublin.

Semaglutide is sold as Ozempic to treat Type 2 diabetes and as Wegovy for obesity.

Saxenda and Victoza contain liraglutide. Saxenda is for weight loss, while Victoza is for diabetes.

Participants disclosed their alcohol consumption before the study commenced and were divided into three categories — comprising 31 non-drinkers, 52 occasional drinkers (fewer than 10 drinks weekly), and 179 regular drinkers (more than 10 weekly).

Most of the participants were female, the average age was 46 and the average weight was 216 pounds.

The researchers followed 188 of the 262 patients for an average of four months of treatment. None of the participants drank more than usual during that time.

Average alcohol intake decreased from 11.3 to 4.3 drinks a week, a reduction of almost two-thirds.

Among the regular drinkers, consumption declined from 23.2 to 7.8 drinks a week.

The findings were published in January in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism and are due to be presented in the coming days at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga, Spain.

“The exact mechanism of how GLP-1 [drugs] reduce alcohol intake is still being investigated, but it is thought to involve curbing cravings for alcohol that arise in subcortical areas of the brain that are not under conscious control,” le Roux said. “Thus, patients report the effects are ‘effortless.’”

Le Roux reported that the alcohol reduction from GLP-1s mirrors the results of nalmefene, a drug used to treat alcohol dependence in Europe.

Harmful alcohol use accounts for about 2.6 million deaths a year, 4.7% of all global deaths.

Treatment typically involves counseling, such as behavioral therapy, and medications that reduce the urge to drink. However, relapse rates are high.

GLP-1s are not a cure-all, to be sure. Side effects can include gastrointestinal issues like nausea, and less often, hair loss and skin pain. In very rare cases, blindness and behavioral changes can occur.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Military band playing in Red Square during a Victory Day parade.

Putin Leads Large Victory Day Parade Amid Growing Concerns of Ukrainian Attack Despite Ceasefire

PUTIN presided over an extensive military parade attended by numerous world leaders…
Bill Belichick's family 'digging into' Jordon Hudson's background

Bill Belichick’s Family Investigating Jordon Hudson’s History

Bill Belichick’s family members have their hackles up. The legendary football coach’s…
Pope Leo XIV waving from a balcony.

Why Dog Owners Are Dressing Their Pups as the Pope After the Latest Papal Announcement

PRAISE be! This gives a whole new meaning to the term dog…
Woman holding a glass of white wine.

The mystery surrounding the murder of a British mother in a French village intensifies, as it’s disclosed she confided plans for a divorce to a friend the night before her death.

THE Brit mum brutally stabbed to death outside her French home revealed…
Who is Maria Jesus M.C aka black widow of Patraix and how long was she jailed for murdering Antonio Navarro Cerdan?

Who is Maria Jesus M.C, known as the ‘Black Widow of Patraix,’ and what is the length of her prison sentence for the murder of Antonio Navarro Cerdan?

MARIA Jesus Moreno Canto is the inspiration behind Netflix’s latest true crime…
Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV celebrates first Mass as pontiff in Sistine Chapel

Chicago Native Pope Leo XIV Conducts His Inaugural Mass as Pontiff in the Sistine Chapel

CHICAGO (WLS) — Pope Leo XIV is just beginning his first full…
India launches missiles at 3 air force bases, Pakistan says

India fires missiles at three air force bases, according to Pakistan

India targeted three air bases inside Pakistan with missiles, most of which…
Small boat near Porto Bagnera harbor wall.

Tragic Accident Claims Life of Diver, 39, During Recovery of Mike Lynch’s Sunken Superyacht Bayesian

A DIVER working on tech tycoon Mike Lynch’s sunken £14million superyacht has…
Freed Palestinian student accuses Columbia University of inciting violence

Released Palestinian Student Claims Columbia University Promotes Violence

A Palestinian student, detained just before completing his U.S. citizenship, criticized Columbia…
Lyle and Erik Menendez in court.

Hearing Date Set for Menendez Brothers’ Resentencing as They Face Challenges and Are Deemed a ‘Risk’ Due to Prison Misconduct

ERIK and Lyle Menendez will finally get their resentencing hearing, despite a…
Psaki Bomb—Jen's New Show Hits the Skids As She Continues to Lie to America

Jen Psaki’s New Show Struggles as She Faces Accusations of Misinformation

Having witnessed several close relatives fall victim to dementia, I hold a…
Velocity Jets offers flyers direct flight to Rome in honor of POpe Leo: ad

Velocity Jets Launches Nonstop Flights to Rome Celebrating Pope Leo’s Legacy

Blessed are the jet-setters. A charter company is offering travelers an opportunity…