Keto diet aids in sustaining weight loss post-Ozempic discontinuation

Type 2 diabetics who have stopped taking weight loss drugs such as Ozempic or Wegovy can avoid regaining lost weight by adopting a ketogenic diet. This finding from a small study challenges the concept that people must take these drugs indefinitely to prevent unwanted weight gain.

Ozempic and Wegovy belong to a class of drugs called GLP-1 agonists, which reduce appetite and stimulate the release of insulin. These are commonly prescribed to help people with type 2 diabetes regulate their blood sugar and lose weight. However, the assumption was that people would have to continue taking the drug over a long period of time or they would regain the weight they had lost.

Shaminy Athinarayanan The woman and her colleagues at Virta Health, a US telemedicine company that treats type 2 diabetes, decided to test that assumption. Their inspiration to do so came from previous research showing that low-carbohydrate diets like the ketogenic diet help people with type 2 diabetes manage blood sugar levels and weight.

Researchers tracked the weight and blood sugar levels of 308 adults with type 2 diabetes living in the United States who received nutritional therapy at Virta Health. They were all using GLP-1 agonists at enrollment. Participants were advised to follow a ketogenic diet. They were instructed to eat less than 30 grams of carbohydrates each day, or less than 50 grams if vegan, and about 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight each day. They were encouraged to eat until they were full, regardless of calories. Health coaches and qualified medical professionals communicated virtually with participants as needed.

After 3 to 9 months, half of the participants stopped using the GLP-1 agonist. All participants continued on the ketogenic diet for an additional year. At this point, the researchers found no significant differences in body weight or blood sugar levels between the two groups. On average, participants who stopped taking GLP-1 agonists gained only about 1 kg. In contrast, those who continued taking the drug gained about 2 kg. Most participants in both groups had blood sugar levels below the diagnostic criteria for diabetes.

“This study suggests that continued use of GLP-1 agonists is not necessary for many people if: [they] Appropriate intervention is required,” says Athinarayanan. “You can stop. [these medications] Maintain weight and blood sugar levels safely and effectively. ”

It says this could be helpful for people who can’t take the drug due to shortages or side effects. priya jaisinghani At New York University Langone Health. But she says people should talk to their doctor before starting a low-carb diet, as there can be risks, especially for people with underlying health conditions like kidney disease or eating disorders. He also noted that the study was sponsored by Virta Health and had a small number of participants. So “this is not the be all and end all,” Jaisinghani said. “But it shows the difference that diet makes.”