Plain English with Derek Thompson The Weight-Loss Drug Revolution, Part 1: Why These Drugs Work So Well
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Dec 12, 2023 
Beverly Tchang, an endocrinologist at Weill Cornell specializing in obesity medicine, delves into the revolutionary impact of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. She explains how these medications modify appetite and blood sugar regulation, tracing their origins to Gila monster saliva. The conversation also touches on the complex psychological effects, possible misuse, and how these drugs challenge our understanding of free will in relation to hunger and lifestyle choices. Tchang raises thought-provoking questions about the societal implications of this weight-loss revolution.
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Gila Monster
- Derek Thompson tells the story of the Gila monster, a lizard surviving on a few meals yearly.
- Scientists found a hormone in its saliva resembling GLP-1, which is now the basis for weight loss drugs.
GLP-1 Drugs
- GLP-1 drugs mimic a hormone that reduces blood sugar and regulates appetite, impacting fullness.
- These drugs are being used in a country with high obesity and overweight rates.
Wegovi Trial Results
- Wegovi, a GLP-1 drug, reduced heart attack, stroke and heart-related death incidence by 20%.
- It also impacts habits like candy consumption, vegetable intake and exercise.