There are several articles on CNN related to weight loss, but only a few of them provide details about weight loss products, their ingredients, and their positive and negative effects. Here is a summary of the relevant information:
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According to a new guideline from the World Health Organization, sugar substitutes are not a good strategy for achieving weight loss by reducing dietary energy intake. The guideline is based on a thorough assessment of the latest scientific literature, and it emphasizes that the use of artificial sweeteners is not effective for reducing obesity, weight control, or the risk of noncommunicable diseases. However, the recommendation is not meant to comment on the safety of consumption.
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A new study suggests that people taking popular injected medications for weight loss, including Wegovy, Ozempic, Saxenda, and Victoza, may be at higher risk for serious digestive problems such as stomach paralysis, pancreatitis, and bowel obstructions, compared with those taking other types of weight loss medications. The study found that risks of these events happening to individual patients appear to be rare, but demand for the drugs has exploded, with tens of millions now taking them worldwide. The prescribing information for Wegovy and Saxenda does caution about a host of serious side effects, including inflammation of the pancreas, gallbladder problems, blocked intestines, kidney problems, serious allergic reactions, increased heart rate, suicidal thoughts, and changes in mood and behavior.
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There is an experimental weight loss drug called tirzepatide, approved for type 2 diabetes as Mounjaro, which led to weight loss of 21% at the highest dose over a 72-week clinical trial on obesity. The drug is expected to receive FDA approval for weight loss in people without diabetes this year or in early 2024. It builds on the 15% weight loss seen for Wegovy by adding a target in addition to GLP-1, called GIP. Other medicines still earlier in development aim to improve fat loss in the liver, which could help with conditions like nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
In summary, sugar substitutes are not effective for weight loss, and popular injected medications for weight loss may have serious digestive problems as side effects. There is an experimental weight loss drug called tirzepatide that has shown promising results in clinical trials.