Weight loss drugs help, but not on their own

Millions of Americans are on one type of weight loss drug or another, and a University of Cincinnati physician says there are things to know as we enter a new year when many people place renewed focus on their health.

Malti Vij, MD, adjunct associate professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and provider at UC Health Primary Care in Mason, recently spoke to 91.7 WVXU News.

“You want to still make sure to eat at regular intervals, something with proteins, plant-based, high fiber,” she says. “Make sure you stick with two or three frequent meals.”

Vij says if you’re on a weight loss drug, it's important to know which one and how it works. She says some still require a bit of willpower on the patient's part.

“They help manage your cravings, like Contrave, which helps basically with craving for those sugary, savory things,” she says. “If you have a piece of cake in front of you, it doesn’t sound as good as it was sounding before you were on these molecules. You might have realized it makes it easy for you to say no to those things.”

Vij says listen to your body.

“Listen to what it wants. Does it want something savory, does it want something sugary? Then go for it! In moderation,” she says. “Ultimately, this is more about overall health, emotional, physical, rather than just focusing on weight.”

Vij says a lot of the same rules apply for those not on weight loss drugs: Stick to a routine, eat small portions, avoid alcohol and stay hydrated. 

She says it's also important to not get discouraged. She says allow yourself to live a little.

Read the full report.

Featured image at top: Weight loss drug injection pens and a measuring tape. Photo/iStock/Alones Creative.