I’m sure you have all seen the relentless advertising on social media and other sources, including even in “news” stories, of the latest “science” in weight loss, being the GLP-1 medications of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and others. These medications are being prescribed for weight gain and obesity, or type 2 diabetes.
This article will go into detail on these medications, including how they came about, how or if they work, and their controversies and risks. Then you can see if these medications are right for you, or what might be some alternatives.
Firstly, what is “GLP-1”?!
GLP-1 is “Glucagon-like Peptide 1”, or a protein similar to Glucagon, which is one of your main metabolic and digestive hormones (Ohio State University, 2025), particularly of glucose metabolism. Both glucagon and GLP-1 are naturally made in your body, in the pancreas and intestinal tract, respectively (Runge et. al., 2003). Glucagon and GLP-1 act in similar ways in your body to:
The GLP-1 medications are known as GLP-1 Receptor Agonists. This means that they stimulate the effect of the natural GLP-1 hormone in the body, but for much longer than the naturally-made GLP-1 which breaks down quickly. The medication form of GLP-1 is synthesised with modifications to its chemical structure to the natural form, to allow it to last for, and have its metabolic effects for, approximately 1 week as opposed to just minutes for the natural GLP-1. These medications are administered via a weekly injection.
The GLP-1 medications were originally designed and used for people with diabetes to reduce blood sugar levels. But it was found that people taking the medication lost a significant amount of weight. This lead to people taking the medication for off-label use to lose weight instead. This is why some GLP-1 medications have regulator approval (ie, from FDA or TGA etc) for diabetes, and others are approved for weight loss.
One of the unnamed brands advertising GLP-1 medications in a weight loss program makes the following claims:
This is “marketing”, or also known as “lies”, to get you to buy into their product. None of these points are actually true.
How do the GLP-1 medications reduce blood sugars and diabetes?
GLP-1 medications allegedly work by lowering blood glucose levels, and therefore reducing the damaging health effects of glucose on causing weight gain and diabetes. In particular, these medications are prescribed also to reduce the cardiovascular and kidney effects and risks of high glucose levels (Collins and Costello, 2024).
High glucose is normally (ie, without using medications) mitigated by 1) reducing the carbs in your diet, and 2) the production of insulin by the pancreas, which enables the blood glucose to be taken up by your cells. The idea is that in diabetes in particular, the effect of insulin on blood glucose is reduced, so these medications further help the blood glucose levels and balance.
How do the GLP-1 medications reduce body weight? (ie, the MOA - Mechanism of Action)
The GLP-1 medications, because they reduce blood glucose, will reduce the effects of excess glucose on causing weight gain. Your excess body fat is just a storage of excess glucose changed into a form called triglycerides, ready for you to use at a future time.
The GLP-1 medications also assist with obesity and perhaps diabetes by suppressing the emptying of the stomach, to keep you feeling fuller for longer which can reduce your appetite and hunger to reduce your intake of food. The medications also prevent the production of another metabolic hormone of glucagon, which prevents the liver from releasing stored glucose (from glycogen), preventing glucose production, increased glucose uptake to the muscles, and increased satiety, all to further reduce blood glucose.
In effect, these medications are forcing you to starve yourself. So of course you will lose weight.
I don’t doubt that these medications work to reduce blood glucose, but then so can reducing the amount of carbs in your diet! Or reducing your response to stress, or doing more exercise, and addressing other root causes and factors to high blood sugar levels or weight gain. If you have tried to lose weight or reverse diabetes but are not getting the results, you haven’t found or fixed all the root causes in your situation.
How is GLP-1 made in medications? (ie, Where does the GLP-1 in medications come from?)
The GLP-1 Receptor Agonist medications use a synthetic and modified form of GLP-1, so their manufacturer can trademark and register their medication to prevent other manufacturers copying the medication, and so they can make more money. Manufacturers can’t get a trademark or big profits on natural products.
Hence the GLP-1 in the medications is not the same as the natural hormone. The synthetic GLP-1 in Ozempic for example, came from synthesising a protein found in the venom of a lizard called the Gila Monster! (Science Alert, 2025) This lizard is native to the USA and Mexico.
The synthetic GLP-1 from lizard venom is modified to prevent it being broken down in the body within minutes. Hence it has its effects on your metabolism for much longer than it should.
Are you shocked or concerned that the GLP-1 medications are made from lizard venom?!
What are the risks and health issues of the GLP-1 medications? (ie, side effects)
There have been many minor or serious and chronic health issues resulting from the GLP-1 medications, including the following (TGA, 2025; Collins and Costello, 2024):
As a result of the number and seriousness of the side effects of these medications, only 27% of people taking them can last 12 months on them (Mozaffarian, 2024).
The Product Information insert for these medications has a “black box” warning, indicating the seriousness of some of these side effects.
Frequent blood testing is recommended if on these medications, to find the above issues, before they become a bigger issue.
Are the GLP-1 medications right for you?
No. Never.
But there are some specific issues which would prevent someone from taking these GLP-1 medications including:
Legal action from side effects of GLP-1 medications
The GLP-1 medications are so “safe and effective” that there are numerous lawsuits being filed against some of the manufacturers for serious side effects from using these medications (Reuters, 2025).
The irony…
In the course of human history, hunger and starvation from malnutrition has been an ongoing issue, even today in many under-developed parts of the world. Malnutrition has been the biggest cause of death ever in humans. These GLP-1 medications promote malnutrition, and so will also promote an early death.
Scientists developed the GLP-1 drugs, not for weight loss or to lower blood glucose levels, but to stop you eating! Eating less leads to starvation, which leads to loss of fat, muscle and bone, and causes chronic nutrient deficiencies and related chronic conditions. This is exactly what happens with these medications. They are not weight-loss medications, but dangerous medications which cause starvation and malnutrition.
The reduced muscle mass will also reduce your metabolic rate, which will forever make it very easy to put on weight again, and extremely difficult to lose it again.
Some reports indicate that one in 8 adults in the USA are taking these medications or have taken them, even though they don’t have diabetes or are obese! (Food and Wine, 2025). This seems to be from the misunderstanding that people can still eat crap, but just less of it, and not get the consequences of the crap diet, such as weight gain and diabetes, or other chronic health issues.
Then there’s the financial cost of these medications… In the USA where you have to pay for everything medical, it can cost up to $16,000 per year to be on these medications (Mozaffarian, 2024). Even if every US adult were eligible for a discounted rate, it would still cost over $600 BILLION, which is more than the cost of ALL other prescription medications combined in the US!
But these medications are not cost-effective, as a study has found that the annual medical costs of those taking the GLP-1 medications actually DOUBLED due to side effects and ongoing health issues (Mozaffarian, 2024).
In Australia with Medicare prescription rebates and PBS subsidies, the cost of the GLP-1 medications is much lower, at around $30-$40 per month if approved and prescribed by your doctor, or $150-$700 privately (ie, not prescribed) (Fugen Health, 2025). The subsidised cost will be taken by the Aus government which will result in a likely massive bill to the taxpayer!
Or you can just improve your diet and lifestyle… for free!
In summary
Weight gain and diabetes are metabolic diseases which always have root causes and other environmental/epigenetic factors driving their development and progression. You CANNOT fix those root causes or factors with any medication! And medications ALWAYS cause side effects, as additional or worse symptoms.
Unless you find and fix all the root causes and factors to weight gain or diabetes in YOU, you will not lose weight or reverse diabetes. Weight loss and reversing diabetes is easy, but only with a personalised, holistic, and root-cause based treatment plan.
Your body needs NUTRIENTS to function properly, and for your ongoing health. However, these medications cause a reduced appetite, slower digestion, increased and longer fullness, natural hormone disruption, all of which lead to starvation and many nutrient deficiencies. Starving yourself just to lose weight makes no sense, when it’s at the expense of your health. And because you haven’t fixed the causes of your weight gain or diabetes, you will have the same problems when you stop taking these medications.
Using GLP-1 medications, instead of addressing your root causes, is a very dangerous idea which will rob you of your long-term health. What is the point of losing weight if you won’t have your health to enjoy it?
Are these medications really worth the massive and serious side effects they cause? Of course they aren’t! Especially when there’s better, safer, and cheaper ways lose weight and improving your long-term health!
Sometimes the latest trend or the latest medication is NOT the best way to health.
For further information or alternatives for help with losing weight or reversing diabetes, please see my website (here: www.rosswalter.com.au) or follow my Facebook page (here: https://www.facebook.com/rawnutritionist).
Stay healthy!
References:
Collins, L., & Costello, R.A. (2024). Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists. Retrieved 3rd January 2026 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551568/
Food and Wine. (2025). 1 in 8 People in the U.S. Has Taken a GLP-1 Drug and Food Brands Are Taking Notice. Retrieved 5th January 2026 from https://www.foodandwine.com/glp-1-weight-loss-drugs-changes-food-industry-8770308
Fugen Health. (2025). GLP-1 Weight Loss Medications: How They're Changing What—and How—We Eat in Australia. Retrieved 5th January 2026 from https://www.fugenhealth.com.au/glp-1-weight-loss-medications-how-theyre-changing-what-and-how-we-eat-in-australia/
Mozaffarian, D. (2024). GLP-1 Agonists – A new recipe for success? Journal of the American Medical Association, 331(12):1007–1008. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.2252
Ohio State University. (2025). How to activate GLP-1 naturally. Retrieved 1st January 2026 from https://health.osu.edu/wellness/exercise-and-nutrition/activiating-glp-1-naturally
RACGP. (2025). Debate over ‘doctor-approved’ weight loss drugs obtained online. Retrieved 2nd January 2026 from https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/debate-over-doctor-approved-weight-loss-drugs-obta
Reuters. (2025). Lawsuits claiming Ozempic, other GLP-1s led to blindness become second mass litigation over the drugs. Retrieved 2nd January 2026 from https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/lawsuits-claiming-ozempic-other-glp-1s-led-blindness-become-second-mass-2025-12-15/
Runge, S., Wulff, BS., Madsen, K., Bräuner-Osborne, H., Knudsen, L.B. (2003). Different domains of the glucagon and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors provide the critical determinants of ligand selectivity. British Journal of Pharmacology, 138(5):787–794. DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0705120
Science Alert. (2025). Ozempic Literally Came From a Monster – And It's Not Alone. Retrieved 1st January 2026 from https://www.sciencealert.com/ozempic-literally-came-from-a-monster-and-its-not-alone
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). (2025). Ozempic: Australian Product Information. Retrieved 3rd January 2-26 from https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/auspar-semaglutide-201030-pi.pdf
You can download this article as a PDF file to keep or share by clicking on the download icon from the menu bar below:
This article will go into detail on these medications, including how they came about, how or if they work, and their controversies and risks. Then you can see if these medications are right for you, or what might be some alternatives.
Firstly, what is “GLP-1”?!
GLP-1 is “Glucagon-like Peptide 1”, or a protein similar to Glucagon, which is one of your main metabolic and digestive hormones (Ohio State University, 2025), particularly of glucose metabolism. Both glucagon and GLP-1 are naturally made in your body, in the pancreas and intestinal tract, respectively (Runge et. al., 2003). Glucagon and GLP-1 act in similar ways in your body to:
- Prepare the pancreas for insulin production and secretion following a meal high in carbs
- Slows the stomach function
- Tells the brain that we’ve had enough food (especially sugar/carbs).
The GLP-1 medications are known as GLP-1 Receptor Agonists. This means that they stimulate the effect of the natural GLP-1 hormone in the body, but for much longer than the naturally-made GLP-1 which breaks down quickly. The medication form of GLP-1 is synthesised with modifications to its chemical structure to the natural form, to allow it to last for, and have its metabolic effects for, approximately 1 week as opposed to just minutes for the natural GLP-1. These medications are administered via a weekly injection.
The GLP-1 medications were originally designed and used for people with diabetes to reduce blood sugar levels. But it was found that people taking the medication lost a significant amount of weight. This lead to people taking the medication for off-label use to lose weight instead. This is why some GLP-1 medications have regulator approval (ie, from FDA or TGA etc) for diabetes, and others are approved for weight loss.
One of the unnamed brands advertising GLP-1 medications in a weight loss program makes the following claims:
- Using medications for weight loss is not cheating, but the smartest way! (Once you have read through this document, you should realise that it isn’t the best way at all!)
- Weight loss isn’t about willpower, but biology!
- 80% of weight gain is genetic, so it’s out of your control! And hence why you should take these medications instead.
This is “marketing”, or also known as “lies”, to get you to buy into their product. None of these points are actually true.
How do the GLP-1 medications reduce blood sugars and diabetes?
GLP-1 medications allegedly work by lowering blood glucose levels, and therefore reducing the damaging health effects of glucose on causing weight gain and diabetes. In particular, these medications are prescribed also to reduce the cardiovascular and kidney effects and risks of high glucose levels (Collins and Costello, 2024).
High glucose is normally (ie, without using medications) mitigated by 1) reducing the carbs in your diet, and 2) the production of insulin by the pancreas, which enables the blood glucose to be taken up by your cells. The idea is that in diabetes in particular, the effect of insulin on blood glucose is reduced, so these medications further help the blood glucose levels and balance.
How do the GLP-1 medications reduce body weight? (ie, the MOA - Mechanism of Action)
The GLP-1 medications, because they reduce blood glucose, will reduce the effects of excess glucose on causing weight gain. Your excess body fat is just a storage of excess glucose changed into a form called triglycerides, ready for you to use at a future time.
The GLP-1 medications also assist with obesity and perhaps diabetes by suppressing the emptying of the stomach, to keep you feeling fuller for longer which can reduce your appetite and hunger to reduce your intake of food. The medications also prevent the production of another metabolic hormone of glucagon, which prevents the liver from releasing stored glucose (from glycogen), preventing glucose production, increased glucose uptake to the muscles, and increased satiety, all to further reduce blood glucose.
In effect, these medications are forcing you to starve yourself. So of course you will lose weight.
I don’t doubt that these medications work to reduce blood glucose, but then so can reducing the amount of carbs in your diet! Or reducing your response to stress, or doing more exercise, and addressing other root causes and factors to high blood sugar levels or weight gain. If you have tried to lose weight or reverse diabetes but are not getting the results, you haven’t found or fixed all the root causes in your situation.
How is GLP-1 made in medications? (ie, Where does the GLP-1 in medications come from?)
The GLP-1 Receptor Agonist medications use a synthetic and modified form of GLP-1, so their manufacturer can trademark and register their medication to prevent other manufacturers copying the medication, and so they can make more money. Manufacturers can’t get a trademark or big profits on natural products.
Hence the GLP-1 in the medications is not the same as the natural hormone. The synthetic GLP-1 in Ozempic for example, came from synthesising a protein found in the venom of a lizard called the Gila Monster! (Science Alert, 2025) This lizard is native to the USA and Mexico.
The synthetic GLP-1 from lizard venom is modified to prevent it being broken down in the body within minutes. Hence it has its effects on your metabolism for much longer than it should.
Are you shocked or concerned that the GLP-1 medications are made from lizard venom?!
What are the risks and health issues of the GLP-1 medications? (ie, side effects)
There have been many minor or serious and chronic health issues resulting from the GLP-1 medications, including the following (TGA, 2025; Collins and Costello, 2024):
- The most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. The loss of fluids and electrolytes from chronic vomiting and diarrhoea will lead to even more nutrient deficiencies and kidney damage
- Partial or complete and sudden blindness – by reducing blood and oxygen supply to the eyes
- Heart and circulation issues of dizziness, fast heartbeat (tachycardia), and headaches
- Increased infections from a reduced immune system function
- Development of autoimmune and allergic reactions to the GLP-1 medications
- Liver and gall bladder issues, abdominal bloating and pain
- Thyroid cancer
- Low blood sugar levels
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Muscle loss – approximately 40% of the weight loss from these medications comes from the loss of muscle. This can cause more health issues from affecting your metabolic rate, causing reduced ability to lose weight, and increased rebound weight gain. In fact, most people gain at least 2/3 of their weight loss within 12 months of stopping these medications. And that weight gain is almost all body fat
- Bone loss – a reduced bone density occurs from the chronic nutrient deficiencies caused by these medications. This can occur even in younger people, and can increase the risk of mortality due to bone breakages
- Loss of connective tissue – due to the loss of protein and muscle mass, and other nutrient deficiencies caused by these medications. I’m sure you’ve seen people with the “Ozempic face”, especially in celebrities? Thin, gaunt, and emaciated faces are an early side effect of these medications, due to rapid muscle loss and connective tissue loss
- Decreased appetite – this is one the main actions or “benefits” of these medications, that they suppress hunger and appetite so you don’t eat as much. Or more accurately, you don’t eat as much crap foods which would have been causing the weight gain and diabetes in the first place… You don’t need a dangerous medication to suppress your appetite – you need a better choice of foods. Did you know there are foods which can suppress your hunger for longer?
- Lower energy and fatigue, due to not getting enough nutrition needed to produce energy, and a reduced metabolic rate.
As a result of the number and seriousness of the side effects of these medications, only 27% of people taking them can last 12 months on them (Mozaffarian, 2024).
The Product Information insert for these medications has a “black box” warning, indicating the seriousness of some of these side effects.
Frequent blood testing is recommended if on these medications, to find the above issues, before they become a bigger issue.
Are the GLP-1 medications right for you?
No. Never.
But there are some specific issues which would prevent someone from taking these GLP-1 medications including:
- People with gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying), as the medications make this worse
- Having inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, IBS, etc)
- Having past history or family history of endocrine cancers or thyroid cancer
- Having pancreatitis or a past history of this
- Having severe kidney dysfunction
- Pregnant women are advised not to take this medication, and women of reproductive age or who want to have children are recommended to use contraceptives or stop this medication for a minimum of several months before a planned pregnancy, due to reproductive toxicity and foetal toxicity (including deaths, and deformities)
- Women who are breast-feeding should not take this medication, as it has been found in breast milk in animal studies.
Legal action from side effects of GLP-1 medications
The GLP-1 medications are so “safe and effective” that there are numerous lawsuits being filed against some of the manufacturers for serious side effects from using these medications (Reuters, 2025).
The irony…
In the course of human history, hunger and starvation from malnutrition has been an ongoing issue, even today in many under-developed parts of the world. Malnutrition has been the biggest cause of death ever in humans. These GLP-1 medications promote malnutrition, and so will also promote an early death.
Scientists developed the GLP-1 drugs, not for weight loss or to lower blood glucose levels, but to stop you eating! Eating less leads to starvation, which leads to loss of fat, muscle and bone, and causes chronic nutrient deficiencies and related chronic conditions. This is exactly what happens with these medications. They are not weight-loss medications, but dangerous medications which cause starvation and malnutrition.
The reduced muscle mass will also reduce your metabolic rate, which will forever make it very easy to put on weight again, and extremely difficult to lose it again.
Some reports indicate that one in 8 adults in the USA are taking these medications or have taken them, even though they don’t have diabetes or are obese! (Food and Wine, 2025). This seems to be from the misunderstanding that people can still eat crap, but just less of it, and not get the consequences of the crap diet, such as weight gain and diabetes, or other chronic health issues.
Then there’s the financial cost of these medications… In the USA where you have to pay for everything medical, it can cost up to $16,000 per year to be on these medications (Mozaffarian, 2024). Even if every US adult were eligible for a discounted rate, it would still cost over $600 BILLION, which is more than the cost of ALL other prescription medications combined in the US!
But these medications are not cost-effective, as a study has found that the annual medical costs of those taking the GLP-1 medications actually DOUBLED due to side effects and ongoing health issues (Mozaffarian, 2024).
In Australia with Medicare prescription rebates and PBS subsidies, the cost of the GLP-1 medications is much lower, at around $30-$40 per month if approved and prescribed by your doctor, or $150-$700 privately (ie, not prescribed) (Fugen Health, 2025). The subsidised cost will be taken by the Aus government which will result in a likely massive bill to the taxpayer!
Or you can just improve your diet and lifestyle… for free!
In summary
Weight gain and diabetes are metabolic diseases which always have root causes and other environmental/epigenetic factors driving their development and progression. You CANNOT fix those root causes or factors with any medication! And medications ALWAYS cause side effects, as additional or worse symptoms.
Unless you find and fix all the root causes and factors to weight gain or diabetes in YOU, you will not lose weight or reverse diabetes. Weight loss and reversing diabetes is easy, but only with a personalised, holistic, and root-cause based treatment plan.
Your body needs NUTRIENTS to function properly, and for your ongoing health. However, these medications cause a reduced appetite, slower digestion, increased and longer fullness, natural hormone disruption, all of which lead to starvation and many nutrient deficiencies. Starving yourself just to lose weight makes no sense, when it’s at the expense of your health. And because you haven’t fixed the causes of your weight gain or diabetes, you will have the same problems when you stop taking these medications.
Using GLP-1 medications, instead of addressing your root causes, is a very dangerous idea which will rob you of your long-term health. What is the point of losing weight if you won’t have your health to enjoy it?
Are these medications really worth the massive and serious side effects they cause? Of course they aren’t! Especially when there’s better, safer, and cheaper ways lose weight and improving your long-term health!
Sometimes the latest trend or the latest medication is NOT the best way to health.
For further information or alternatives for help with losing weight or reversing diabetes, please see my website (here: www.rosswalter.com.au) or follow my Facebook page (here: https://www.facebook.com/rawnutritionist).
Stay healthy!
References:
Collins, L., & Costello, R.A. (2024). Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists. Retrieved 3rd January 2026 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551568/
Food and Wine. (2025). 1 in 8 People in the U.S. Has Taken a GLP-1 Drug and Food Brands Are Taking Notice. Retrieved 5th January 2026 from https://www.foodandwine.com/glp-1-weight-loss-drugs-changes-food-industry-8770308
Fugen Health. (2025). GLP-1 Weight Loss Medications: How They're Changing What—and How—We Eat in Australia. Retrieved 5th January 2026 from https://www.fugenhealth.com.au/glp-1-weight-loss-medications-how-theyre-changing-what-and-how-we-eat-in-australia/
Mozaffarian, D. (2024). GLP-1 Agonists – A new recipe for success? Journal of the American Medical Association, 331(12):1007–1008. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.2252
Ohio State University. (2025). How to activate GLP-1 naturally. Retrieved 1st January 2026 from https://health.osu.edu/wellness/exercise-and-nutrition/activiating-glp-1-naturally
RACGP. (2025). Debate over ‘doctor-approved’ weight loss drugs obtained online. Retrieved 2nd January 2026 from https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/debate-over-doctor-approved-weight-loss-drugs-obta
Reuters. (2025). Lawsuits claiming Ozempic, other GLP-1s led to blindness become second mass litigation over the drugs. Retrieved 2nd January 2026 from https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/lawsuits-claiming-ozempic-other-glp-1s-led-blindness-become-second-mass-2025-12-15/
Runge, S., Wulff, BS., Madsen, K., Bräuner-Osborne, H., Knudsen, L.B. (2003). Different domains of the glucagon and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors provide the critical determinants of ligand selectivity. British Journal of Pharmacology, 138(5):787–794. DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0705120
Science Alert. (2025). Ozempic Literally Came From a Monster – And It's Not Alone. Retrieved 1st January 2026 from https://www.sciencealert.com/ozempic-literally-came-from-a-monster-and-its-not-alone
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). (2025). Ozempic: Australian Product Information. Retrieved 3rd January 2-26 from https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/auspar-semaglutide-201030-pi.pdf
You can download this article as a PDF file to keep or share by clicking on the download icon from the menu bar below:
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