Fat Loss Without Exercise - Diabetes, Weight Loss Drug Works Better With Exercise
The study found that some longtime advice is valid: prescription weight loss drugs work better when used along with - not in place of lifestyle changes.
Saxenda (liraglutide) is an approved prescription drug in the United States to stimulate and maintain weight loss when added to calorie cut and exercises.
But if the drug more exercise is better than the drug alone - or exercising alone - has not been rigorously tested.
The new trial, published on May 6 at the New England Journal of Medicine, did just that. And he discovered that more than a year, the combination won, helping people lose more pounds and specifically body fat.
Experts not involved in the trial said he emphasizes the importance of "comprehensive" tactics to keep extra weight off.
"The standard of care with all obesity treatments - medicines and surgery - is to use them as deputies to behavioral changes in progress," said Dr. Scott Kahan, a spokesperson for the Society obesity. / p>.
Sustainable diet changes and regular exercise are fundamental, Kahan said, which also directs the National Weight and Wellness Center in Washington, DC
Weight loss Medications are useful, Kahan said, said Kahan, but not "magic" cures. "However, some doctors, he noted, can prescribe them without sufficient support next to the life of the currency.
There are several drugs approved in the United States to help Weight loss. They include Xenical (Orlistat), QSYMIA (Phentermine-Topiramate) and Contrast (Naltrexona-Bupropion).
liraglutide is sold under two marks: Saxenda, the drug of weight loss and victoza , for type 2 diabetes. Saxenda contains a larger dose of liraglutide and works by imitating the action of an appetite hormone called GLP-1, according to the drug manufacturer, new nordisk.
the medicine is taken by injection every day.
For the new judgment, financed by the new Nordisk, the researchers recruited 195 obese adults who spent eight weeks on a low calorie diet. After that, they were randomly assigned to one of four groups: more exercise medication; only medication; Exercise only; or a placebo group that received inactive "medication" and said to stay with the usual level of activity.
The exercise groups, in contrast, had a rather vigorous routine. They were encouraged to participate in group classes twice a week and exercise on their own twice a week, with race, cycling and walking tours.
All four groups received counseling in long-term diet changes.
After one year, the group of medicines / exercises had lost 16% of its initial weight on average. Compared to 11% in the exercise group, and 13% in the medication group.
The combined approach was also more effective in changing body composition: these patients lost about twice more body fat and trimmed more their waists, versus those in any strategy alone.
They also preserved their muscle mass, according to the researchers, led by Signe Torekov, from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.
"The big point here is, the study confirms that yes, combining medication with exercise is more effective," said Dr. Reshmi Srinath, which directs the weight and metabolism management program on Mount Sinai in New York.
She had some caveats: patients on trial were quite young - in his early 40s, on average - and healthy. Such vigorous exercise may not be suitable for older adults, or people with certain health conditions such as painful arthritis."With these patients, we usually recommend walking or incorporating some weight training at home," said Srinath.
But, it added, the bottom line remains: "Medications should be used as a complement of lifestyle changes."
Applies not only to Saxenda, but To prescribe weight loss drugs in general, Kahan and Srinath said.
When it comes to choosing a medication, Srinath said, is a case-by-case basis, considering side effects and any health conditions that a patient may have. In this study, the most common side effects among Saxenda users included nausea, diarrhea and dizziness. Personal preferences also enter the medication decision, Srinath observed. "Some patients hesitate to take a daily injection," she said. What is important, Kahan said, is that people who "have tried again and again" to lose weight knows that there are treatments that can help.
"People often do not realize that because we are in this wild west full of false weight loss products," he said. "But there are good and legitimate options that were scientifically studied."
More information
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Renal Diseases has more on weight management.
