A doctor has shared his “little rant” about people who use weight loss jabs. He insisted that doing so is “not cheating”.
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a naturally occurring gut hormone that regulates blood sugar levels and appetite. The use of GLP-1 inhibitors, or receptor agonists, has surged in popularity in recent years owing to their proven effectiveness in managing blood sugar levels in diabetic patients and supporting weight loss.
Available in injectable form, some of these medications can be prescribed through the NHS to eligible patients, working by suppressing hunger so that people consume less food.
In a video posted to his Instagram, Doctor Amir Khan urged his followers to stop criticising those using GLP-1 inhibitors. Dr Amir, best known for his appearances on ITV, said: “Can we please stop saying that people taking GLP-1 injections for weight are cheating?
“Honestly, [it] drives me insane. Because what you’re really saying is that someone who’s spent their entire life battling hunger cravings, weight regain, and a body that’s constantly working against them should just keep struggling.”
He went on to explain that many of these people may be fighting against their own genetics. “The science tells us people, that obesity isn’t simply about willpower,” he said. “We know that genetics account for a huge proportion of body weight differences between people. Some people are biologically wired to feel hungrier, to store energy more efficiently, and to regain weight after losing it.
“And honestly, this is the thing that people forget. If weight loss was simply about eating less and moving more, we would have solved obesity decades ago.
View 3 ImagesGLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a naturally occurring gut hormone that controls blood sugar levels and appetite(Image: Getty)
“But it’s not and for years, people living with obesity have been fighting their own biology. Every time they lose weight, their hunger hormones increase, then metabolism adapts and their body tries to drag them back to its previous weight.
“That’s not a lack of discipline, that’s just physiology and GLP-1 medications work by targeting some of those biological pathways that regulate that appetite and fullness cycle.
“They’re evidence-based treatments for a chronic complex disease.” He added that these injections are “not magic” or “effortless”.
View 3 ImagesDr Amir said: “Can we please stop saying that people taking GLP-1 injections for weight are cheating?” (Image: Getty)
Dr Amir said: “They’re not magic. They’re not effortless and they’re certainly not cheating.
“And you know what? When people say it’s cheating, I sometimes wonder what they’re really worried about.
“Are they worried that the playing field is finally becoming a little bit fairer because like, for years, we’ve celebrated people who won the weight loss lottery genetically, while criticising those who didn’t, right?
“Is that what you’re worried about?” To access weight loss injections through the NHS, you must receive a prescription from your GP. “The people taking these injections have weighed up the benefits and risks with their healthcare professional,” Dr Amir continued. “They’re making an informed choice, they’re improving their health on their own terms and for many of them, for the first time in their lives, they are no longer fighting a relentless hunger every waking moment.
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“That’s not cheating, that’s medicine doing what medicine is supposed to do. So stop saying it’s cheating.”
Anyone worried about their weight is advised to consult their GP.