Weight-Loss Jabs - What We Need to Know
Why Weight-Loss Jabs Are Everywhere?
Weight-loss jabs are increasingly common because they are among the most effective obesity and rapid weight loss treatments ever developed. Drugs such as semaglutide injection (brand name - Wegovy), Liraglutide (brand name - Saxenda) and tirzepatide (brand name – Zepbound or Mounjaro) mimic the gut hormone GLP-1 (naturally released in the gastrointestinal tract in response to eating). It reduces appetite, increases a sensation of fullness, and lowers the frequency and amount of food people eat during the day. Large clinical trials showed that these injections can lead to 10-20% body-weight loss, far exceeding results from other treatments.
At the same time obesity continues to rise worldwide, driving demand for more powerful medical solutions. Growing recognition of obesity as a chronic disease-rather than simply a lifestyle issue has also encouraged wider use of these drugs. Similarly, social-media success stories, and celebrity use have further boosted public attention towards these sorts of treatments. Consequently, strong scientific evidence, unmet medical needs, and cultural visibility are some of the reasons that today these jabs are being used everywhere ((based on a University College London study).
How Do They Work in the Body?
GLP-1 (glucagon -like peptide-1 receptor agonists and GPL-1RAs) are drugs that help people feel fuller. They mimic a natural hormone that we release after eating. These drugs act on the brain to reduce hunger and on the stomach to delay emptying. So they work by stimulating insulin release when blood sugar is high, therefore avoiding sugar spikes. Moreover, they supress the need of the liver to release stored energy in the bloodstream. They also slow down food digestion so you feel fuller for longer which takes away the desire to eat. (Harvard Health Publishing, 2024, and NICE 2023)
Potential Benefits – Who Might They Help?
Obesity (body mass index over (BMI) >30kg/m2) is on the rise and the associated disease that comes with it can be devastating for those living with this health issue. Obesity can lead to cardiovascular disease (damage of the heart and blood vessels), a stroke, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension. The economic burden on the NHS due to obesity and its related disease is huge. It costs the nation an estimated £6.1 B per year. Weight loss jabs may help people with obesity or those that are considered overweight (BMI ≥27 kg/m2 to <30 kg/m2) and more importantly lower the cost of the NHS’s bill. These drugs seem effective for people who have struggled to achieve weight loss through lifestyle changes alone. Having the injections may also help people to adopt healthy eating habits and resetting the appetite going forward as well as reducing stomach size. Perhaps there is a window of opportunity for people to rethink their long term health and how to focus on quality of eating and exercise (Public Health England, 2025 and Nunns et al., 2025).
Risk, Side Effects & Common Concerns.
Even though research has observed that weight-loss jabs can be effective to control appetite and help people to achieve rapid weight loss, they are not free of side effects. All of these injections come with slight risks such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, severe dehydration, gastrointestinal issues, biliary disease, acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), bowel obstruction, difficulty in digesting food, and more adverse side effects such as Thyroid cancer and loss of vision which are under observation. In addition, the lack of appetite means that people will eat very little food leading to a potential deficiency of important minerals and vitamins needed for the workload of our body cells. There are also concerns in the health organisations about midlife women losing weight fast and as a consequence loss of bone mass might lead to fractures. Furthermore, people can experience changes in their face such as thinner lips, cheeks, chin, sunken eyes, and sagging or excessive skin around the jaw and neck.
Protein to sustain muscle, while fibre rich foods are key for good gut health and avoiding sugar spikes. Mounjaro may reduce the efficacy of oral contraceptives. (British Nutrition Foundation, 2025, Harvard Health Publishing, 2024, and Public Health England, 2025).
Should Weight – Loss Jabs Be the First Step?
For most people, weight-loss jabs should not be considered as the first option. Sustainable weight management is best built on healthy eating habits, regular exercise, a good sleeping routine, management of stress, social interaction and paying close attention to hormonal changes (period, perimenopause and menopause). Medication can be helpful when nothing else has worked, specifically for those with obesity or weight related health issues. It should always be prescribed and monitored by a qualified healthcare professional. The literature has shown that weight loss drugs are effective but they seem to have better outcomes when combined with long-term nutritional guidance and behaviour changes.
When Nutrition Still Matters Even When on a Jab?
Even when using weight-loss injections, nutrition is essential for health, wellbeing and longevity. These medications suppress appetite, but they do not automatically ensure adequate intake of protein, fibre, minerals and vitamins. Without careful choices there is a risk of not eating enough to sustain lean muscle mass and bone mass. People should ensure they eat sufficient regular and balanced meals may reduce side effects such as nausea and fatigue. More importantly with nutritious and balanced meals, our body will have stable energy, build strong bones and muscle which are key to increasing longevity. Weight-loss jabs may be a tool, but good nutrition and exercise are the best way to stay strong and build a bridge to step away from the medication when treatment ends or is discontinued.
This feature is written by Camacho Kitchens