Friend who works in pharma went on a rant about how bad Ozempic etc is for people. ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did you know in Europe they don’t even use it for diabetic patients? They’re so far advanced medically than us, they already know it’s bad for you. But Americans are so stupid, they’ll use anything for a quick fix instead of just not eating 20 Oreos

Uh, that’s totally wrong. It is used in Europe for both diabetes and weight loss. There have been shortages and they’ve even put restrictions on sending supplies out of the EU to address them.

Are you a shill for insulin makers??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your friend is probably very insecure about his own weight, and also anxious about trying this drug himself because he's in a position to read about the clinical trial dossiers and post-commercialization reports on severe side effects.

I have to say, as a biologist working in pharma, he's not wrong: some people have died due to complications from slow-moving bowels, and a lot of people taking this drug will realize they can't stop taking it, otherwise the weight will come back. If I had weight issues, I would hesitate to try it too, because I've read some research articles about it that are quite disturbing!

Let's just say it's not the miracle drug people think it is. I hope your husband and sibling are very educated about it and know the limitations of their medication.

I totally disagree. I think it is a miracle drug. 75 percent of Americans are overweight. This drug helps tremendously, with relatively manageable side effects. To ignore that is so short sighted.

75 percent of Americans are overweight because they are misusing the machine that is the human body. They are doing this by eating big piles of shit and not moving. Altering body chemistry to resolve the misuse is generally a bad plan.

Another poster had it correct. Nothing is a miracle and everything has potential downsides.

[Anonymous]

I agree with your friend, OP. What does him being fat have to do with anything? He's not allowed to have an opinion about anything because he's fat? Also, what illness are completely dependent upon weight? Because I know of people with type 2 diabetes, HTN, hypercholesterolemia, etc who are thin. Just FYI, it's not always about the weight (unless it's in extreme cases). Often times, it's genetics and environment. Obviously, lifestyle factors in but that doesn't always guarantee significant weight loss. People can still be fat and see significant changes in biochemical markers with exercise and realistic diet changes. Sure, if they want to lose weight to breathe better or get around better, that's fair. But in order to do that they have to practice breathing and getting around while fat first. We live in a world where it's still acceptable to abuse fat people out in the open and think it's okay. That's what's happening in this thread. Fat people can have opinions. I wish people on these meds all the best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your friend is probably very insecure about his own weight, and also anxious about trying this drug himself because he's in a position to read about the clinical trial dossiers and post-commercialization reports on severe side effects.

I have to say, as a biologist working in pharma, he's not wrong: some people have died due to complications from slow-moving bowels, and a lot of people taking this drug will realize they can't stop taking it, otherwise the weight will come back. If I had weight issues, I would hesitate to try it too, because I've read some research articles about it that are quite disturbing!

Let's just say it's not the miracle drug people think it is. I hope your husband and sibling are very educated about it and know the limitations of their medication.

I totally disagree. I think it is a miracle drug. 75 percent of Americans are overweight. This drug helps tremendously, with relatively manageable side effects. To ignore that is so short sighted.

But people will argue vehemently that you can be fit and fat. Why are we suddenly rushing to use drugs to control weight if it doesn’t matter? Also, let’s see how these lab rats fare in a few years after continued use.

Come on, we know that’s wishful thinking. You can be fitter and fat. But not truly fit if you’re fat

Most pro football players have an obese BMI and yet could outrun most of DCUM. You can absolutely be a runner who lifts weight and is still obese. Would that person be even healthier at a lower weight? In many cases yes - better for joints - but often not healthier at the "healthy bmi" weight which is too low for certain people including many athletes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your friend is probably very insecure about his own weight, and also anxious about trying this drug himself because he's in a position to read about the clinical trial dossiers and post-commercialization reports on severe side effects.

I have to say, as a biologist working in pharma, he's not wrong: some people have died due to complications from slow-moving bowels, and a lot of people taking this drug will realize they can't stop taking it, otherwise the weight will come back. If I had weight issues, I would hesitate to try it too, because I've read some research articles about it that are quite disturbing!

Let's just say it's not the miracle drug people think it is. I hope your husband and sibling are very educated about it and know the limitations of their medication.

I totally disagree. I think it is a miracle drug. 75 percent of Americans are overweight. This drug helps tremendously, with relatively manageable side effects. To ignore that is so short sighted.

But people will argue vehemently that you can be fit and fat. Why are we suddenly rushing to use drugs to control weight if it doesn’t matter? Also, let’s see how these lab rats fare in a few years after continued use.

Not all people are the same.
You can be fit and fat.
Fat also increases some risks like diabetes.

Everyone including ops friend should myob

There is not a single objective health measure that improves by carrying excessive body fat other than being dramatically underweight. That's reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your friend is probably very insecure about his own weight, and also anxious about trying this drug himself because he's in a position to read about the clinical trial dossiers and post-commercialization reports on severe side effects.

I have to say, as a biologist working in pharma, he's not wrong: some people have died due to complications from slow-moving bowels, and a lot of people taking this drug will realize they can't stop taking it, otherwise the weight will come back. If I had weight issues, I would hesitate to try it too, because I've read some research articles about it that are quite disturbing!

Let's just say it's not the miracle drug people think it is. I hope your husband and sibling are very educated about it and know the limitations of their medication.

I totally disagree. I think it is a miracle drug. 75 percent of Americans are overweight. This drug helps tremendously, with relatively manageable side effects. To ignore that is so short sighted.

But people will argue vehemently that you can be fit and fat. Why are we suddenly rushing to use drugs to control weight if it doesn’t matter? Also, let’s see how these lab rats fare in a few years after continued use.

Come on, we know that’s wishful thinking. You can be fitter and fat. But not truly fit if you’re fat

Most pro football players have an obese BMI and yet could outrun most of DCUM. You can absolutely be a runner who lifts weight and is still obese. Would that person be even healthier at a lower weight? In many cases yes - better for joints - but often not healthier at the "healthy bmi" weight which is too low for certain people including many athletes.

Of course this dumb shit was trotted out. Go look at the long term health of former college and professional football players that did not drop weight and you might learn something. And 99.9% of the people that are obese in the US are extremely far from being any sort of athlete.

Arguing general points of contention with dumb ass edge case examples is stupid. But, we always get these examples when somebody refuses to accept the population based reality of BMI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your friend is probably very insecure about his own weight, and also anxious about trying this drug himself because he's in a position to read about the clinical trial dossiers and post-commercialization reports on severe side effects.

I have to say, as a biologist working in pharma, he's not wrong: some people have died due to complications from slow-moving bowels, and a lot of people taking this drug will realize they can't stop taking it, otherwise the weight will come back. If I had weight issues, I would hesitate to try it too, because I've read some research articles about it that are quite disturbing!

Let's just say it's not the miracle drug people think it is. I hope your husband and sibling are very educated about it and know the limitations of their medication.

I totally disagree. I think it is a miracle drug. 75 percent of Americans are overweight. This drug helps tremendously, with relatively manageable side effects. To ignore that is so short sighted.

But people will argue vehemently that you can be fit and fat. Why are we suddenly rushing to use drugs to control weight if it doesn’t matter? Also, let’s see how these lab rats fare in a few years after continued use.

Come on, we know that’s wishful thinking. You can be fitter and fat. But not truly fit if you’re fat

Most pro football players have an obese BMI and yet could outrun most of DCUM. You can absolutely be a runner who lifts weight and is still obese. Would that person be even healthier at a lower weight? In many cases yes - better for joints - but often not healthier at the "healthy bmi" weight which is too low for certain people including many athletes.

But you can’t and that’s the point.

[Anonymous]

I was absolutely addicted to food and gained 150 pounds over my ideal healthy weight - severe morbid obesity on my 5’2” frame. I experienced joint pain, high BP, high cholesterol, and prediabetes. I ate and ate and ate and couldn’t ever stop thinking about my next meal and FOOD.

I did all the pre-op testing for bariatric surgery but balked at going forward with it because of the potentially fatal side effects and the research that informed me of the long term very high failure rate in terms of keeping the weight off, and the very high rate of transfer addictions to other substances and high risk behaviors.

I didn’t consider the weight loss drugs because gut health is a bit of an obsession for me after suffering years of post-cholecystectomy syndrome that led to a vitamin deficiency and much of the weight gain.

Over the last year I cured my food addiction and began steadily losing weight by ditching most sugar and ultra processed foods, cutting way back on animal products, and building my diet around high fiber nutrient dense foods that provide a variety of plants to my trillions of gut bacteria. I eat for my microbiome and to protect my liver.

I have never felt better in my adult life. Fiber is nature’s semaglutide - getting the RDA of fiber from a variety of whole natural foods mostly colorful vegetables and fruits and legumes, nuts seeds and whole grains naturally stimulates production of glp1 and regulates hunger and food cravings. Eating fiber is the only way to produce short chain fatty acids which are critical to improving and maintaining health.

It wasn’t easy at first. Food cravings for the food addicted are intense. I slipped back many times. I still let myself have a cheat day once a week but find I am less interested in those foods with each passing week. I pay close attention to have foods make me feel and I crave bad stuff less and less often because I love how my body sings on plant foods. My palate is more sensitive and I crave the taste of clean and healthy flavors and am overwhelmed by sugar and high fat foods. I hate how fried foods make me feel and almost never indulge in those anymore.

It’s harder, but it is definitely cheaper and healthier and the results will be greater and the side effects are limited to a short period of excessive flatulence until the gut stabilizes and begins to thrive on bean and veggies and fruits - the things we evolved to eat.

Down over 50 pounds, fully expect to reach goal weight on time - slow and steady loss while lifting weights and building fitness so skin issues are minimal. Skin and hair much improved - SCFAs transform health from inside out.

Also I am really proud of the journey I’ve been on.

Try it. A fiber fueled life is a great life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your friend is probably very insecure about his own weight, and also anxious about trying this drug himself because he's in a position to read about the clinical trial dossiers and post-commercialization reports on severe side effects.

I have to say, as a biologist working in pharma, he's not wrong: some people have died due to complications from slow-moving bowels, and a lot of people taking this drug will realize they can't stop taking it, otherwise the weight will come back. If I had weight issues, I would hesitate to try it too, because I've read some research articles about it that are quite disturbing!

Let's just say it's not the miracle drug people think it is. I hope your husband and sibling are very educated about it and know the limitations of their medication.

I totally disagree. I think it is a miracle drug. 75 percent of Americans are overweight. This drug helps tremendously, with relatively manageable side effects. To ignore that is so short sighted.

But people will argue vehemently that you can be fit and fat. Why are we suddenly rushing to use drugs to control weight if it doesn’t matter? Also, let’s see how these lab rats fare in a few years after continued use.

Come on, we know that’s wishful thinking. You can be fitter and fat. But not truly fit if you’re fat

Most pro football players have an obese BMI and yet could outrun most of DCUM. You can absolutely be a runner who lifts weight and is still obese. Would that person be even healthier at a lower weight? In many cases yes - better for joints - but often not healthier at the "healthy bmi" weight which is too low for certain people including many athletes.

Of course this dumb shit was trotted out. Go look at the long term health of former college and professional football players that did not drop weight and you might learn something. And 99.9% of the people that are obese in the US are extremely far from being any sort of athlete.

Arguing general points of contention with dumb ass edge case examples is stupid. But, we always get these examples when somebody refuses to accept the population based reality of BMI.

Doesn't change the fact you can be both obese and fit.
Meanwhile, the population based reality is that people on semaglutide are fine, with severe side effects being the outliers, but every thread devolves into worrymongering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was absolutely addicted to food and gained 150 pounds over my ideal healthy weight - severe morbid obesity on my 5’2” frame. I experienced joint pain, high BP, high cholesterol, and prediabetes. I ate and ate and ate and couldn’t ever stop thinking about my next meal and FOOD.

I did all the pre-op testing for bariatric surgery but balked at going forward with it because of the potentially fatal side effects and the research that informed me of the long term very high failure rate in terms of keeping the weight off, and the very high rate of transfer addictions to other substances and high risk behaviors.

I didn’t consider the weight loss drugs because gut health is a bit of an obsession for me after suffering years of post-cholecystectomy syndrome that led to a vitamin deficiency and much of the weight gain.

Over the last year I cured my food addiction and began steadily losing weight by ditching most sugar and ultra processed foods, cutting way back on animal products, and building my diet around high fiber nutrient dense foods that provide a variety of plants to my trillions of gut bacteria. I eat for my microbiome and to protect my liver.

I have never felt better in my adult life. Fiber is nature’s semaglutide - getting the RDA of fiber from a variety of whole natural foods mostly colorful vegetables and fruits and legumes, nuts seeds and whole grains naturally stimulates production of glp1 and regulates hunger and food cravings. Eating fiber is the only way to produce short chain fatty acids which are critical to improving and maintaining health.

It wasn’t easy at first. Food cravings for the food addicted are intense. I slipped back many times. I still let myself have a cheat day once a week but find I am less interested in those foods with each passing week. I pay close attention to have foods make me feel and I crave bad stuff less and less often because I love how my body sings on plant foods. My palate is more sensitive and I crave the taste of clean and healthy flavors and am overwhelmed by sugar and high fat foods. I hate how fried foods make me feel and almost never indulge in those anymore.

It’s harder, but it is definitely cheaper and healthier and the results will be greater and the side effects are limited to a short period of excessive flatulence until the gut stabilizes and begins to thrive on bean and veggies and fruits - the things we evolved to eat.

Down over 50 pounds, fully expect to reach goal weight on time - slow and steady loss while lifting weights and building fitness so skin issues are minimal. Skin and hair much improved - SCFAs transform health from inside out.

Also I am really proud of the journey I’ve been on.

Try it. A fiber fueled life is a great life.

Very happy for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your friend is probably very insecure about his own weight, and also anxious about trying this drug himself because he's in a position to read about the clinical trial dossiers and post-commercialization reports on severe side effects.

I have to say, as a biologist working in pharma, he's not wrong: some people have died due to complications from slow-moving bowels, and a lot of people taking this drug will realize they can't stop taking it, otherwise the weight will come back. If I had weight issues, I would hesitate to try it too, because I've read some research articles about it that are quite disturbing!

Let's just say it's not the miracle drug people think it is. I hope your husband and sibling are very educated about it and know the limitations of their medication.

I totally disagree. I think it is a miracle drug. 75 percent of Americans are overweight. This drug helps tremendously, with relatively manageable side effects. To ignore that is so short sighted.

NP

What’s truly short sighted is to use drugs to fix the *symptom* rather than address the underlying problem.

(i.e. why are 75 percent of Americans overweight in the first place?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your friend is probably very insecure about his own weight, and also anxious about trying this drug himself because he's in a position to read about the clinical trial dossiers and post-commercialization reports on severe side effects.

I have to say, as a biologist working in pharma, he's not wrong: some people have died due to complications from slow-moving bowels, and a lot of people taking this drug will realize they can't stop taking it, otherwise the weight will come back. If I had weight issues, I would hesitate to try it too, because I've read some research articles about it that are quite disturbing!

Let's just say it's not the miracle drug people think it is. I hope your husband and sibling are very educated about it and know the limitations of their medication.

I totally disagree. I think it is a miracle drug. 75 percent of Americans are overweight. This drug helps tremendously, with relatively manageable side effects. To ignore that is so short sighted.

NP

What’s truly short sighted is to use drugs to fix the *symptom* rather than address the underlying problem.

(i.e. why are 75 percent of Americans overweight in the first place?)

I don’t think any of us would disagree with that. But it will take a generation or more to accomplish. I’m living now and need a solution now. Having lost and regained 30-50 pounds 5 different times during my life, this medicine is giving me hope that I can hit a normal weight and cut back to a small maintenance dose and be healthy for the long term.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No we didn’t. We just made more excuses. “Food noise” lol. You mean lack of discipline and a lifetime of yo yo dieting. Now you need to shove a pill in your face to not eat.

What other diseases and biological differences don't you believe in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your friend is probably very insecure about his own weight, and also anxious about trying this drug himself because he's in a position to read about the clinical trial dossiers and post-commercialization reports on severe side effects.

I have to say, as a biologist working in pharma, he's not wrong: some people have died due to complications from slow-moving bowels, and a lot of people taking this drug will realize they can't stop taking it, otherwise the weight will come back. If I had weight issues, I would hesitate to try it too, because I've read some research articles about it that are quite disturbing!

Let's just say it's not the miracle drug people think it is. I hope your husband and sibling are very educated about it and know the limitations of their medication.

I totally disagree. I think it is a miracle drug. 75 percent of Americans are overweight. This drug helps tremendously, with relatively manageable side effects. To ignore that is so short sighted.

NP

What’s truly short sighted is to use drugs to fix the *symptom* rather than address the underlying problem.

(i.e. why are 75 percent of Americans overweight in the first place?)

I don’t think any of us would disagree with that. But it will take a generation or more to accomplish. I’m living now and need a solution now. Having lost and regained 30-50 pounds 5 different times during my life, this medicine is giving me hope that I can hit a normal weight and cut back to a small maintenance dose and be healthy for the long term.

These drugs are essentially appetite suppressants? Is that right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because most people view the universe through the lens of their own experience and cannot fathom that it is different for other people.

I have drunk alcohol since my teens, yet I have never had a problem with alcohol. I can take it or leave it. I am not into shopping, never done it to excess. Don't have any interest in gambling. I can sit down and take a standardized test and ace it, no sweat. But put me in a room with food and my brain goes haywire. I cannot control myself.

That's how MY brain works. Not how others' work.

Nothing helped me understand this more than having a child with special needs whose brain works so differently than mine.

So much of what we all do in a day is controlled by our brain and body chemistry, and we're just now realizing this when it comes to obesity.

Society still stigmatizes alcoholism, drug addiction, neurodiversities, clinical depression, mental illness, but not as much as it stigmatizes and in fact demonizes obesity.

I hope we are making progress. I believe we are. But it is slow going.

As a former fat alcoholic, I promise you this is NOT true. The stigma of alcoholism is 1000x worse than being fat. And for good reason.