Popular weight loss drugs linked to blindness risk, adding to known dangers

(NaturalHealth365)  Popular weight loss drugs, Ozempic and Wegovy, are used by millions of people in the U.S. who want to lose weight, more effectively manage their type 2 diabetes, or both.  While reviews have largely been “positive” – within the mainstream media – regarding the effectiveness of the drugs, a new study has uncovered an alarming potential side effect.

A peer-reviewed study analyzed data from 16,827 patients at a neuro-ophthalmology clinic.  The doctors found what appears to be a link between the weight loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide) and an increased risk of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), which is irreversible nerve damage to the eyes, causing blindness.

Weight loss drugs that work – but at what cost?

Ozempic and Wegovy are FDA-approved for treating type 2 diabetes and for weight loss.  The active ingredient in both drugs is semaglutide, a GLP-1 agonist, a class of medication used to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their glucose levels.  Some are also used to treat obesity.

These once-a-week injectable medications have an impressive track record, with more than 60% of users reporting lower glucose, weight loss, or both.  This may initially appear as good news for people who have struggled to control their glucose levels or have had difficulty losing weight.  However, this study reveals that using these drugs could come with a very high price tag.

A short-term band-aid but a long-term disaster

Ozempic was approved for adults by the FDA in 2017 and Wegovy was approved in 2021.  In December 2023, the FDA approved Wegovy for children ages 12 and older in a bold, questionable move.  Since then – in less than a decade – the company behind the drugs, Novo Nordisk, has reported profits that exceed $30 billion.

Both drugs have been endorsed by celebrities such as Chelsea Handler and Elon Musk, which have certainly helped to boost sales.

However, the long-term effects of the drug are only now coming to light.  And researchers are paying attention.

Many people don’t realize that the risk of putting weight back on after stopping the medication is quite high.  This happens because the drugs provide just a short-term fix and don’t tackle the lifestyle changes needed for lasting success.  Often, people don’t make important changes to their diet, stick to a regular exercise routine, or deal with the mental side of weight management.  Real, long-term success comes from putting in the effort to make these fundamental changes.

The drugs don’t make you work for your weight loss, but they do present increased risks of several serious and dangerous side effects.

The irreversible, debilitating effects of NAION

The study found that patients who had been prescribed semaglutide had a higher risk of developing nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) than those who had been prescribed other medications.

NAION is one of the leading causes of blindness in adults and is the second most common type of optic neuropathy.  The side effects are irreversible.

In the study, the risk of NAION among patients taking semaglutide was:

• 4.28 times higher for those treating type 2 diabetes
• 7.64 times higher for those treating obesity or were overweight

The risk of developing the condition was highest during the patient’s first year of taking semaglutide.

Tips to address type 2 diabetes and obesity the old-fashioned way

Type 2 diabetes and obesity are frequently lifestyle-related conditions.  By changing lifestyle and eating habits, most patients can see improvement in their condition, often significantly.

Try these tips for drug-free weight loss success:

Forget the idea of “dieting.”  Diets eventually end.  They are not permanent; you need a permanent solution to an unhealthy lifestyle.  Make healthy changes, a little at a time, and make them permanent.  When making changes to your eating lifestyle, make ones that are sustainable.  For instance, the “diet shakes” that require you to consume three or four a day instead of food is not something you can do for the rest of your life.  Be realistic, but be healthy.

Talk to an expert.  If you are struggling with knowing what you should be eating or have food sensitivities and need extra help, a nutritionist can get you on the right path.  Having said that, clearly, eating foods higher in sugar and processed should be avoided.  Focus your efforts on eating organic (whole) foods, as much as possible.

Exercise regularly.  The human body is meant to move, so find an activity that you can do to keep moving.  Incorporate stretches, weight-bearing exercises, and some cardio to keep your body functioning as it should.

Stay well hydrated.  We all know the importance of hydration, and that water is the best way to do it.  Track your water intake daily.  Soda doesn’t count.  Sugary drinks don’t count.  Your body needs clean water in order to function optimally and move the toxins from your body.  So, give it water.

Get regular checkups.  Obesity is considered a form of malnutrition.  Both obesity and diabetes should be monitored by a holistic physician.  Make sure you get regular checkups to measure your progress and make sure there isn’t something else going on that could hold you back.

Try counseling.  A counselor can help you understand why you eat when you are depressed or why you struggle with motivation.  They can help you get your head in the game, so to speak, and move forward with better success.

Get an accountability partner.  Enlist a friend or health coach to embark on your lifestyle makeover journey with you.  When you are accountable to someone and you aren’t doing it alone, it doesn’t seem like quite such a daunting task.

Making healthy changes to your lifestyle will help you significantly improve your health and medical conditions like type 2 diabetes, obesity, and more.

Editor’s note: Get experienced health coaching support, access to top health experts + much more inside Jonathan’s Health Club.  Click here to learn more.

Sources for this article include:

Jamanetwork.com
Childrenshealthdefense.org
News.gallup.com

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