From Lizard Venom to Weight Loss: The Unseen Risks of GLP-1 Drugs

I spent my morning going down this rabbit hole, learning more about GLP-1s, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, etc. I had no idea that the original concept was derived from Gila Monster venom. They now use a synthetic version of this venom, but the thought of injecting synthetic lizard venom into a human sounds concerning. This idea furthers my thoughts on what the potential risk could be. I found many articles about a possible connection to thyroid cancer. It's not currently said to cause it (the FDA did require they put a warning label), but the number of individuals needed to confirm this would be too many cancer patients, in my opinion. As my journey continued, I stumbled upon articles about officials investigating a possible link between Ozempic and eye-rotting diseases. According to the article, several studies suggest that the shot blocks blood flow to the eye. It sounds far from ideal for clients trying to regain their lives. Side effects shouldn't accompany the journey of weight loss and better health overall. Imagine getting to your goal weight and not being able to see how you now look. As the rabbit hole has gotten deeper, I see the mental health allegations for the medication. Mood swings, depression, and suicidal thoughts? I don't know where to begin with the alarming nature of those side effects. I know that lifestyle changes can be complex, but if it's pushing you to suicide, I would personally recommend taking your chances with remaining heavier. As far as my personal experience, I've spoken with a few individuals who have taken GLP-1s; some spoke of digestive issues, which seem more common, and they are enjoying the progress. GLP-1s slow the digestive system, sometimes causing stomach paralysis, lowering appetite, and minimizing cravings. Simply eating fewer calories aids in weight loss. I can't speak for how healthy they are or if there are underlying nutritional deficiencies, but we can explore these ideas in the future.

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