If you have ever attempted to lose weight, you understand that the journey can be full of peaks, dips, and those frustrating times when it seems like progress has come to a halt. There is good news, however, for anyone seeking long-term results: a drug named tirzepatide, recently approved for obesity management, is displaying remarkable potential for enabling individuals to sustain weight loss for three years.
New research shared at the European Congress on Obesity in Spain has set the spotlight on tirzepatide, the active drug ingredient in Zepbound. The trials were done on overweight or obese adults, but not those with diabetes. Conducted by Dr. Luca Busetto of the University of Padova, results indicate that tirzepatide functions to get individuals to lose significant weight regardless of their age, initial BMI, or duration of obesity.
One of the interesting conclusions of the study is that women and individuals with no other conditions associated with obesity did best. This could be a stepping stone to more precise weight loss programs, and health professionals may be able to have an easier time matching the right treatment with each person’s needs.
Tirzepatide works by imitating two key gut hormones, GLP-1 and GIP, that regulate appetite and insulin levels. By slowing the rate at which food is released from the stomach and increasing feelings of fullness, tirzepatide reduces the amount of food that is eaten and keeps individuals feeling full longer. This is particularly beneficial in postponing the typical weight loss plateau that many individuals experience.
Participants in the study were divided into three groups depending on how their weight loss evolved. The first group gradually lost around 10% of their body weight before it plateaued. The second group experienced a more rapid decline, losing approximately 20% before plateauing. The third category, which included the most women and the least number of individuals with obesity-related medical issues, fared best, losing approximately 30% of their body weight and plateauing after the longest time.
Even though everyone eventually hit a plateau, most participants managed to keep off a significant amount of weight over the three years. And even modest weight loss can lead to big improvements in health, like lowering the risk of diabetes and improving blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Keep in mind, though, that plateauing is a natural phenomenon when losing weight. As Dr. Busetto explains, “Everyone experiences a weight loss plateau at some point, regardless of the weight loss intervention that they are using.” The body will tend to protect itself by slowing further weight loss, so having a stable, long-term approach is key.
If you are contemplating trying tirzepatide or any other therapy, realizing how different individuals respond can guide you and your doctor in creating the perfect plan. As more is learned and there is more research, the future is bright for customized, effective weight loss treatment.
More for you:
- Zepbound Helps Keep Weight Off for 3 Years, Study Finds
- Tirzepatide can produce clinically meaningful weight loss for at least 3 years in adults with overweight or obesity who don’t have diabetes
- Pharmacologic Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults
- Wegovy patients maintained weight loss for 4 years, analysis shows
- Here’s when your weight loss will plateau, according to science