Around half a million Brits are now thought to be using weight loss jabs, however concerns have been raised about those resorting to the jabs without GP supervision and the worrying side-effects
Weight loss injections are becoming increasingly popular with those looking to slim down – however, whilst users know some side effects they may not be aware of some of the other worrying side effects.
Now more than one in 10 women in the UK are using them in a bid to lower their BMI, according to a survey published last month by digital weight loss service Juniper. Thousands have found the drugs effective, with them helping users lose up to 20 per cent of their body weight in just a few months.
Celebrities who have admitted to using them, including Elon Musk and Oprah Winfrey, have only added to their prominence in the dieting industry. However, concerns have been raised by those obtaining them privately after being denied eligibility on the NHS.
The drugs are licensed to treat people who have a BMI of at least 30, but just five per cent are being prescribed them by their GP, according to reports. It’s led others to resort to private prescriptions, sparking concerns that people are taking them without being properly assessed.
A leading nutritionist, Melissa Snover, has warned about the possible long-term side effects of the jabs that are being overlooked, putting hundreds of thousands of slimmers at risk.
Melissa, founder of the international nutrition brand Nourished and a member of the Department of Business and Trade’s Female Founders initiative, says many are vulnerable to serious side effects that have been given little to no attention.
Serious reactions to the drugs – with problems such as vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures and even pancreatitis – have led to more than 400 Brits going to A&E since 2019, with more than 118 cases last October and November alone, according to recent figures from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), reports MailOnline.
However, the expert thinks this is just the tip of the medical iceberg. The registered nutritionist says there are four symptoms in particular that people might not be aware of:
- Muscle wastage. “People are losing weight too fast, and this can lead to muscle loss, creating weakness and long-term health risks, including cardiovascular issues, breathing problems, metabolic problems, joint pain and arthritis,” Melissa said. “Muscle lost while taking weight-loss drugs is also likely to be replaced by fat when you increase your food intake again.”
- Long-term digestive problems. “GLP-1 drugs slow digestion, which could impact gut health, leading to conditions such as persistent nausea, malnutrition, blockages in the stomach, fluctuating blood sugar and an overall reduced quality of life,” the expert raised.
- Nutrient deficiencies. Melissa explained: “Eating less food means fewer essential vitamins and minerals, which will impact bone and skin health, immunity and energy.”
- Sagging or wrinkled skin. “Rapid weight loss without proper nutrition can cause the skin to lose elasticity, causing an older, less-healthy appearance,” the nutritionist warned. “Slimmers hoping to improve their appearance could ultimately see it deteriorate”.
