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Running can be an effective cardio to increase calorie burn, but it's not necessary to lose weight. If it doesn't feel good and you won't stick with it, then it's better to simply increase your walking time and mileage. To lose weight by walking, Brooks says, "The actual mileage is going to vary for each person. I believe it's about the consistency of showing up daily and trying to progress in pace and distance. As you improve, start adding in more inclines or hills and trekking poles to increase the total calorie burn."

And, for women over 40 who want to incrementally work up to walking every day, Brooks has some suggestions. "Start out slowly so that you don't create muscle aches or fatigue that keep you from showing up the next day. It's not about one day of workouts, it's about doing it for many months and years," she says. "Remember that a walk with a friend can be a great way to get together, have more fun with your walk, and skip lunch out!"

However, Brooks also says that you have to focus on your diet too if you want to actually lose weight. "Diet is an integral part of any weight loss program. Your body [needs] nutrients to feel energized to stick to the workouts and needs enough protein to help with muscle repair and growth," she notes. That's why it's important to eat nutritious, low-carb meals rich in protein. Check out these protein-packed foods you can after every walk to promote muscle growth and calorie burn.

So, you might be able to lose weight by walking every day, but it depends on how long you walk, how intensely you walk, and, most importantly, what your diet's like. A combination of physical activity and cutting calories can help immensely with weight loss. And, when it comes to how many miles you should actually be walking every day to lose weight, Brooks says that it depends on each person. A good starting point according to popular fitness trackers and pedometers, and a 2016 study, 10,000 steps or 5 miles is ideal for optimal weight loss.

However, balance is also important. You never want to overdo exercise, it can increase your risk of aches, pains, and burnout. This is even true for a simple workout like walking. You'll want to start and end every work with light stretches to prevent cramping and injuries. If you're new to regular exercise, you may need to start out with short walks or walking at a light pace. Then, you can gradually build up to longer walks. Once you've lost weight, you'll want to consistently walk and even transition to running to keep the weight off.

READ MORE: Trainers Say This Is The One Cardio Mistake You Should Stop Making Because It Almost Always Leads To Loss Of Gains

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How Many Miles Do You Have To Walk Every Day To Lose Weight? We Asked A Personal Trainer. - SheFinds

South Indian food defines comfort in the true sense. Be it a plate full of soft and fluffy idlis or a crispy dosa paired with piping hot sambar, these dishes never fail to disappoint our taste buds. But what we love the most about South Indian food is that it is excellent for weight loss. Most of the dishes are low in calories as they are prepared using whole grains, legumes and low-fat dairy products, making them ideal for people who are on a weight loss journey. One such popular South Indian delicacy is curd rice, which is made using cooked rice, yogurt and spices.

Also read:19 Best South Indian Breakfast Recipes | Easy South Indian Breakfast Recipes

Curd rice, also known as Thayir Sadam and Daddojanam, is a simple rice dish made using basic ingredients. It is super light on the stomach and helps you keep full for a longer period of time. It is high in protein and antioxidants, aids digestion, promotes weight loss and also has a cooling effect on the body. So, if you're someone who is struggling to lose weight, make yourself a bowl of refreshing curd rice to make the most of its health benefits. Check out the recipe below:

Does Curd Rice Help With Weight Loss?

Since curd contains high amounts of calcium and protein, this dish is excellent for weight loss. It also keeps the digestion process in check.

When Should You Eat Curd Rice?

While there is no particular time of the day to enjoy curd rice, health experts often recommend having it for breakfast or lunch. This will help you keep full for a longer period of time and help manage body weight.

Also read:How To Make Lemon Rice - A Wholesome And Yummy Dish From South India

To begin with, add boiled rice, yogurt, fresh coriander leaves, chopped green chillies, chopped ginger and salt in a bowl. Let this mixture sit for around 20-30 minutes. (This allows the rice to absorb all the yogurt).

To prepare the tempering, heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. Once they start to splutter, add chana dal and black gram dal. Sautewell. Now, add curry leaves, dry red chillies and hing. Pour this tempering over the rice-yogurt mixture and serve cold. Curd rice is ready!

For the step-by-step recipe for curd rice, click here.

Try out this recipe at home and let us know how you liked its taste in the comments section below. If you're looking for more weight loss recipes, click here.

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Weight Loss: How To Make South Indian Curd Rice To Lose Weight - NDTV Food

Fasting is a popular way to lose weight and improve overall health, but have you ever wondered, 'is intermittent fasting healthy?'.

If you're feeling tired and sluggish throughout the day or struggling to lose weight, you might want to consider giving intermittent fasting a try. This eating pattern has gained a lot of popularity in recent years for its potential health benefits, including improved metabolism and reduced inflammation.

Intermittent fasting can provide various health benefits, like weight loss, improved metabolism and reduced inflammation. You might be wondering, though: is fasting healthy and safe for everyone? Let's dive into the science behind intermittent fasting and its impact on health.

The answer is a resounding yes. Fasting has been practiced for thousands of years and has been shown to have numerous health benefits when done correctly and under supervision of a healthcare professional.

Intermittent fasting has shown promising results for improving overall health and preventing chronic diseases.

Intermittent fasting has been shown to have numerous health benefits, both physical and mental. Some of the most significant benefits include:

Weight loss: By restricting your eating window, intermittent fasting can help you consume fewer calories and lose weight over time.

Improved metabolism: Fasting has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity, which can help the body better regulate blood sugar level and improve metabolism.

Reduced inflammation: Chronic inflammation has been linked to many chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Intermittent fasting has been shown to reduce inflammation and improve markers of overall health.

Enhanced brain function: Fasting has been linked to improved brain function and memory, as well as a reduced risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.

There are several different intermittent fasting schedules to choose from, depending on your lifestyle and preferences. Some of the most common ones include:

16/8 method: This method involves fasting for 16 hours per day and eating during an eight-hour window. For example, you may eat from 12 pm to 8 pm and fast from 8 pm to 12 pm the next day.

5:2 diet: This method involves eating normally for five days per week and restricting calories to 500-600 for the remaining two days.

Eat-stop-eat: This method involves fasting for 24 hours once or twice per week.

Intermittent fasting can be safe for most healthy adults, but there are some risks to be aware of. These risks include:

Dehydration: Fasting can lead to dehydration, so it's important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and other fluids.

Nutrient deficiencies: Restricting calorie intake can lead to nutrient deficiencies, so it's important to ensure you get enough essential vitamins and minerals.

Low blood sugar: Fasting can cause a drop in blood sugar level, particularly in people with diabetes or other blood sugar disorders.

Disordered eating: Intermittent fasting can trigger disordered eating behaviors in some individuals, particularly those with a history of eating disorders.

Are you on a weight loss journey? Intermittent fasting could be the ticket you need. By limiting your eating window, you create a calorie deficit and pave the way for gradual weight loss.

It's important to keep in mind that the results may differ from person to person, depending on individual factors like eating habits and physical activity levels.

So, is intermittent fasting healthy? It's a great way to shed those extra pounds and improve your health, as long as you do it safely and with the guidance of a healthcare professional. The best part? You get to enjoy the potential benefits of this eating pattern while still being able to enjoy your favorite foods.

Just remember that what works for one person may not work for another. So, if you have any medical concerns or underlying health conditions, it's crucial to consult with your doctor before embarking on an intermittent fasting journey.

Of course, intermittent fasting is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Having a well-balanced diet filled with nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains is equally important. Also, don't forget to incorporate regular exercise into your routine to keep your body in tip-top shape.

So, are you ready to give intermittent fasting a try? Remember to take it slow; listen to your body, and don't forget to enjoy the journey towards a healthier you.

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Is intermittent fasting healthy? - Sportskeeda

March 28, 2023 -- New research suggests many adults might have latent heart disease before any symptoms show up.

That means heart disease could develop earlier in life but remain hidden, according to a study of more than 9,000 people in Denmark published in theAnnals of Internal Medicine.

Almost half were found to have signs of coronary heart disease or coronary atherosclerosis.

Obstructive coronary atherosclerosis is associated with a more than 8-fold elevated risk for myocardial infarction, colloquially known as heart attack,Healthline reported.

Researchers said they found a high rate of subclinical obstructive coronary atherosclerosis. Subclinical means it has no symptoms.

The CDC says the disease is caused when plaque builds in in the arteries supplying blood to the heart. The plaque build-up can cause a heart attack.

Researchers told Healthline the study proves how important it is to monitor health issues and early detection, since heart issues can start years before disease develops.

In the study, participants were assessed using computed tomography angiography (CTA) to diagnose obstructive coronary atherosclerosis, Healthline said. More than half, 54%, had no subclinical coronary atherosclerosis; 46% did have it, which included 36% with nonobstructive disease and 10% with obstructive disease.

My overall take on this study is that it confirms what we already know. This process starts early, and it can make itself known in many ways, said Elizabeth Klodas, MD, chief medical officer of One Step Foods, who was not involved in the study.

But I would say that this study is valuable. It makes all the sense in the world to start prevention early. Dont wait.

Link:
Study Confirms Heart Disease Can Begin Without Symptoms - WebMD

TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Last updated on - Mar 20, 2023, 07:00 IST

Apple cider vinegar, or fermented apple juice, has traditionally been regarded as a healing food that treats a wide range of health issues and removes toxins from the body. Everyone has been speaking about benefits of ACV or even consider it a cure-all for any ailment. But is it really a panacea for all health problems? This article will help you find answers to that.

Several people assert that using apple cider vinegar prior to meals might reduce hunger and promote fat loss. Yet, this is not sufficiently supported by scientific data. Research on apple cider vinegar's ability to help people lose weight have not consistently revealed patterns of weight loss in various populations. It's crucial to keep in mind that there is no simple way to lose weight, and any strategy that guarantees quick outcomes without encouraging healthy diet or increased exercise is untrue. Hence, even while it can support a comprehensive weight loss programme, it would be prudent not to rely on it only for calorie burning.

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Apple cider vinegar may help lower levels of total cholesterol, LDL (low density lipoprotein), or bad cholesterol, and triglycerides, according to a number of modest research conducted on both humans and animals. It is thought that activation of the AMPK pathway, decreased lipogenesis, elevated feelings of fullness, and higher energy expenditure may all be factors in this impact, even though the precise causes are yet unknown. To determine the degree of its usefulness and the mechanisms underlying it, more research is necessary.

There is currently insufficient data to support the use of apple cider vinegar as a treatment for humans, despite certain animal and laboratory research suggesting that it may potentially have an impact on cancer. Before using any alternative therapies, including apple cider vinegar, it's crucial to talk to your doctor about them. It is also vital to realise that conventional cancer treatment should never be substituted with apple cider vinegar. Although studies on apple cider vinegar's potential health advantages are ongoing, it is still unknown and unproven how the substance might be used to treat or prevent cancer.

Blood sugar levels are thought to be controlled by apple cider vinegar, so assisting those with diabetes. Although research has shown that people with Type 2 diabetes who consumed it had slightly lower blood sugar, triglyceride, and insulin levels for up to five hours than those in the placebo group, it doesn't mean that diabetes medications can be replaced, and its effects only last for a short period of time. Its potential long-term effects are still being researched. Because it has digestive characteristics and has been shown to increase the quantity of good gut bacteria in persons who drink acetic acid mixed with water, it may be advantageous to drink it before eating a high-carb meal.

Consuming apple cider vinegar may irritate the oesophagus (the tube that joins the throat and stomach) due to its high acidity. It can also wear away at tooth enamel. It is recommended to dilute apple cider vinegar in water and consume it through a straw to protect your teeth in order to avoid such problems.

Some people may experience indigestion or nausea after consuming apple cider vinegar. It is advised against consuming it on an empty stomach. Stop using it if you feel unwell or start throwing up after consuming it. While occasionally consuming apple cider vinegar is safe, doing so too frequently or in excess might be detrimental. Also, taking it with other things might not be safe.

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Is Apple Cider Vinegar an overhyped remedy for weight loss, cholesterol and diabetes? - Times of India

For years, Amy Jones was told to lose weight when she went to her doctor about fertility issues. It took ten years her for to be diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition that affects around one in 10 women in the UK.

PCOS is a common condition that affects how the ovaries work, with the main features of the condition being irregular periods, excess androgen (high levels of 'male' hormones in the body), and polycystic ovaries.

"I had been back and forth to the GP, but because I was overweight, all I was ever told was lose weight," Amy, who started experiencing symptoms when she was 21, said. "So, in the end, I just pay private to go to a clinic in Cardiff." After blood tests and internal scans, Amy was diagnosed with PCOS in 2019.

READ MORE: 'I was told over and over I had a kidney infection but it turned out to be cancer'

Symptoms of the condition include having irregular periods or no periods at all, difficulty getting pregnant, excess hair growth on the face, back, chest, or buttocks, weight gain, thinning hair or hair loss, and oily skin or acne. The exact cause of PCOS is unknown and there is no cure, but it often runs in families.

For Amy, the length of time it took for her to get diagnosed with PCOS was frustrating. She said: "I felt quite lonely and sometimes I felt like people didn't believe the symptoms, because it has been talked about a lot more in the last few years - we didn't have social media [back then]. So I just felt really lonely."

Amy would go from having periods that lasted months to not having a period at all for months at a time. At one point, she says she went 10 months without having a period. She would bleed in between periods, and suffered with bloating and hormonal imbalances.

"No month was the same," she said. "It was frustrating and lonely. I kept blaming myself because I was overweight. I kept comfort eating due to the pain and my emotional state was affected." However, Amy says that she was repeatedly told by doctors that she needed to lower her BMI for her symptoms to improve.

"I felt embarrassed. I stopped going [to the GP]. I've still got a fear now of going to the GP surgery. It made me feel ashamed," Amy said. "I would come from there and eat more. It was like a vicious circle and I didn't feel supported." Feeling frustrated with her situation, Amy decided to go private to get a diagnosis. In less than a week, she was diagnosed with PCOS.

The diagnosis came as a relief, but Amy had never heard of the condition before. But living with PCOS meant that Amy found it difficult to get pregnant. "I didn't speak about to anybody in 2019 because I felt ashamed," Amy said. "But now there are communities on social media and there are so many ladies in the same position as me."

Visiting a fertility clinic on a regular basis, Amy says she felt pressure to to look presentable but was too insecure to visit a beauty salon for a wax. It was this insecurity that put the wheels in motion for her setting up her own waxing studio for those living with endometriosis and PCOS.

Amy qualified as an aesthetician in 2020 and has a small studio for her business, Waxing by Amy, where she hopes she can make clients feel at home. Her studio uses wax that is able to cover a range of hair length and thickness as those with PCOS often have excess hair growth. "My bed holds up to 600 pounds, I've got wide chairs, and just everything I could think of that I've had concerns in my head about [when going to a beautician].

"I used to worry about beauticians talking about me because of my size and I know a lot of ladies feel the same. I hope by it only being me there that I can't talk about them and I wouldn't. I'm a plus-sized person so I hope that people will feel more comfortable to come to me."

However, Amy feels PCOS is often dismissed or misunderstood. She said: "I feel because you can't see physically see the illness, people think that it's not real. A lot of comments have been made to me like, 'You're trying to lose weight so you're saying you have PCOS because your bellies bloated.' I feel women think it's an excuse. Men, especially, are dismissive towards it."

Today, Amy feels much more supported than she did 10 years ago, largely due to groups on social media made up of people who live with the same condition. She says these groups have been "life-changing" for her, and she now tries to organise monthly meet-ups for women with the same condition. "These groups are important because it's reality. You don't feel so alienated," she said.

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'I was told to lose weight for years but I actually had polycystic ovary syndrome' - Wales Online

Visceral fat in the midsection is the hardest, and the most dangerous type of fat, to lose. Its fat that lies between the abdominal organs and in a tissue called the omentum. Although visceral fat is only a small proportion of the body, it can cause a variety of health problems like high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance.

One reason that visceral fat is so hard to lose is that its an active fat, unlike other fats that sit dormant. Visceral fat releases hormones that can have an impact on your overall health and your ability to lose weight in the waist and abdominal area. Thats why the food you eat and the type of exercise you do is so important. Many personal trainers recommend cardio but whats the best type of cardio to shed pounds?

To learn more, we spoke with Keith Hodges, NASM-certified personal trainer, performance coach, and founder of Mind In Muscle Coaching in Los Angeles about the best cardio to do in the gym to keep weight off the midsection. He recommends running to lose fat. Find out more below!

Running is aerobic cardio that generally burns around 560 to 840 calories per hour while cycling may only burn around 500 to 740 calories per hour. In a study from Duke University, people who exercised the equivalent of jogging 11 miles a week didn't gain any visceral fat but those who jogged 17 miles a week were able to reduce both visceral and subcutaneous fat. That's why running is an effective aerobic cardio to lose visceral fat.

And, although it may be intimidating to start, especially if you're over the age of 50, there are some tips and tricks to slowly transition from just walking every day to jogging.

One great way to start is by walking on an incline on a treadmill. This is Hodges' top recommendation for a low-impact, steady cardio workout. "It's a form of cardiovascular exercise that isn't taxing on your joints. You can perform it for long periods of time because it doesn't elevate your heart rate too high and you can do it just about [every day,]" he explains.

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He adds, "In terms of weight loss, treadmill walking at a moderate pace means oxygen will be available for your body to sustain the exercise consistently." In other words, to burn fat, you need to do an aerobic cardio work out. The more oxygen your body uses, the more fat you'll be able to burn.

And then, once you're ready to take the next step, you can start jogging. "Jogging," Hodges says, "is an excellent way to burn excess calories faster than walking to help with weight loss." And, you want to make sure you're warming up and stretching your muscles properly. The shoes you choose to run in are also important.

To shed that stubborn belly fat, you should try to jog or walk for 30 to 60 minutes, four to five times a week. And, if you want to get started with aerobic exercise, start with brisk walking on an incline and then transition to jogging and running. Aerobic exercise is especially effective at reducing visceral fat. It's also important to combine your cardio with a healthy diet of vegetables, lean proteins, and beneficial carbs to shed even more visceral fat!

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A Fitness Expert Tells Us The Best Type Of Cardio To Shed Pounds In Your Midsection - Yahoo Life

WHEN Rebecca Mullock started taking a new jab, she thought her weight loss worries would become a thing of the past.

But after having a seizure, it turned out the answer to her troubles was potentially causing her to suffer severe side-effects.

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Rebecca, 31, from Paignton, Devon, started taking Saxenda in January.

It contains liraglutide, originally designed as an anti-diabetes medication, which helps suppress appetite, much like semaglutide, found in similar jabs Wegovy and Ozempic.

Wegovy - soon to be available prescription only in Boots and rolled out on the NHS - is what Elon Musk and allegedly Kim Kardashian swear helped them shed unwanted pounds.

After taking the jab, Rebecca ended up in hospital just four weeks later.

She says: Like lots of people, Id heard about weight loss jabs on TikTok and although it was expensive, I wanted to give it a go.

I went onto a well known high street chemist's website and was able to order three pens for 150 with one pen lasting ten days.

Ive spent 15 years trying to lose weight and was excited to try them.

Theyre like an epi pen that you inject into your stomach and within a week Id lost 6lbs and my appetite had shrunk.

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I was having maybe one meal a day and I just wasnt hungry.

Ten days in I was watching TV when a charity advert came on asking for donations for the war in Ukraine.

I turned to my husband Dave, 48, a machine operator, and said, What war?

My husband said I started having a panic attack which I dont remember at all but eventually he calmed me down and I went to bed.

Ive no recollection of the episode at all.

At 3am I started having a seizure and my husband put me on the floor and called an ambulance.

I had an ECG, bloods done and an MRI and they couldnt find anything conclusive thatd caused the episode.

I remember being terrified. I had no idea what was happening.

They werent able to confirm it, but as Saxenda was the only thing Id started taking recently, they suggested the whole episode could have been caused by that.

Seizures are listed as a rare side effect but it scared me enough to stop using them and Ill never use them again.

Its a shame because they were working and I lost 18lbs, but Im back to the drawing board again now.

Im 20st 7lbs at the moment but was 19st 3lbs when I was using them.

I do think Im in a minority with my experience but it has made me wonder whether it should be so easy to get them.

I didnt speak to my GP about it before buying them online, but they were from a very reputable website.

I just wonder, if I could only have got them from my GP whether they would have flagged the side effects a bit more.

I lost a whole week of my memory and no one can tell me if Ill get that back.

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I suffered seizures and memory loss after trying weight loss jab it was terrifying... - The US Sun

Willpower can have a significant impact on our weight loss success. However, what happens if you think that you do not have any willpower at all?

Hi, this is Eunice from Diet Center.

Maybe you have tried and tried to resist temptation. For example, not eating everything that you were served on that huge plate you were served at a restaurant, or not straying from your weight loss program that your friend told you about.

Yet, you may have found yourself still giving into temptation sometimes. So now you may feel as if you just do not have the willpower to succeed. If this is the case, you are not alone.

First, let us stop focusing on willpower, and start thinking about incentives. You may think that you cannot develop any willpower, but you can create incentives. You might be thinking what does that mean? Incentives can provide strong motivation to help you to stick to your weight loss program and overcome temptations. Think about what you will gain by sticking to your weight loss program. Make a list of reasons why you are not going to that eat piece of cake, for example, that someone just offered to you, consume a whole bag of chips, or drink alcohol while you are working to lose weight.

Your incentives may include reasons such as I will improve my body image, I will have more energy, I will fit into my favorite outfit again, I will feel good about myself, I will improve my health by lowering my blood sugar, I will lower my blood pressure, I will see my cholesterol and triglycerides improve.

As I make these different food choices, I will be greatly improving my health. Maybe you dont have health problems but maybe there is a wedding, a class reunion or a family affair that you will be attending this year. What ever the reason is, it is important to you.

When you feel as if you cant say to yourself, Im strong enough to not eat the cookies on the table; try saying something like, Ill be able to fit into that smaller pair of jeans if I dont eat those cookies. Even without a lot of willpower, you can still find the strength to succeed in weight loss by focusing on your incentives.

Second, if you have found that you may lack willpower due to being truly hungry, please remember that Diet Center programs have been developed by registered, licensed dieticians to be safe, to be effective, to protect our lean muscle tissue, to provide the nutrients that we need, and to help us meet our weight loss goals.

Thank you for reading Diet Centers tip of the week. If you have found that you need help to be successful with your weight loss efforts, call at 928-753-5066 or stop by Diet Center at 1848 Hope Ave. in Kingman.

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Diet Center: The will to lose weight - Kdminer

Its common knowledge that obesity is an ongoing public health issue in the United States, but you might find the magnitude of the problem surprising.

In an interview with Healthline, Dr. Atif Iqbal, FACS, FASMBS, board-certified general surgeon and medical director of the Digestive Care Center at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, described the situation as very unfortunate.

The United States is leading the entire world in obesity; we are number one. Obesity has continued to multiply and to multiply. Its estimated that by 2035, 50% of the population of the United States will be obese. These are staggering numbers, said Iqbal.

While obesity rates have been increasing for decades, recent years have introduced new challenges that were only beginning to grapple with.

What really hit us hard was the last two-and-a-half years of pandemic. There was a significant increase in obesity on top of the already-high obesity rates because we were staying at home, ordering food, low physical activity, people lost their jobs. Its increased the burden of the healthcare industry by trillions of dollars, said Iqbal.

That may sound like an absurdly high dollar amount, but obesity is not an isolated condition. It can increase your risk for many other complications that require additional medical interventions and assistance.

Obesity is the mother of all diseases. It leads to so many other health issues, including diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, high lipids, back pain, acid reflux, heart disease, and even some cancers. You have to take obesity very seriously, said Iqbal.

In order to control and reverse obesity, people have been turning to medication for a long time. In recent years, a new class of diabetes drug has been found to be exceptionally effective for promoting weight loss.

We are still living in a very profound epidemic of obesity, but we do have a lot more treatment strategies today than we did even five years ago, said Dr. Rutuja Patel, obesity medicine specialist at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital near Chicago.

Patel shared with Healthline exactly how this new class of weight loss medication works.

GLP-1 is a hormone secreted by our gut in response to food intake. It has multiple functions. One is to tell the brain that were full. It also makes food sit in the stomach longer, so it delays gastric emptying. And the third thing it does is help the insulin secretionpost-mealsbe better, explained Patel.

This hormone effect is blunted in patients with obesity and diabetes. And when we treat them with a GLP-1 agonist like semaglutide, they tend to lose weight without having to struggle too much with hunger, Patel added.

Semaglutide is the generic name for the obesity drug Wegovy. Its also sold under the name Ozempic to treat diabetes.

Its the same medication but the dosages are slightly different for the diabetes drug versus the obesity medication, said Patel.

A similar drug, tirzepatide, is currently used to treat diabetes under the name Mounjaro, but its expected to be reviewed by the FDA later this year for use as an obesity treatment.

These are all once-a-week injections, regardless of whether theyre being used to treat obesity or diabetes, said Patel.

With obesity at an all-time high and new, effective medications on the market, it seems at first like a natural pairing. But theres a catch: insurance coverage.

Coverage is getting better, but its not anywhere close to where it should be, said Patel.

So, whats the problem?

Many insurance policies are equipped to handle the treatment of severe diseases and immediate life-threatening conditions. But the prevention of severe disease, it seems, is an exception. Or perhaps an exclusion.

Insurance plans sometimes have plan exclusions which completely exclude a certain benefit. They might say, well cover all of this persons medical care, but we wont cover obesity care. So, we are still discriminating against patients with obesity, said Patel.

Its not just private insurance plans that dont cover these newer weight loss drugs, either.

Obesity care is still a plan exclusion in quite a few commercial insurance plans. Medicare and Medicaid do not cover any weight loss drugs. Medicares plan is to eventually cover these drugs, but we dont know how long thats going to be, said Patel.

This leads to some uncomfortable conversations at the doctors office.

Ive actually had these discussions with my patients when theyre close to Medicare. They may first walk in to see me at 63 or 64 years old, and they have commercial insurance, but theyre going to retire soon, said Patel.

I have a long discussion with them about not using these types of drugs if they cant continue taking them long term. One or two years is not enough time to make those metabolic changes that we need to keep that weight off. Usually, we change our plan because of that, she added.

Having to find an alternative treatment thats different than your doctors recommended plan strictly due to the cost can be a tough pill to swallow. So how much do these medications cost, exactly?

They are about $1,400 a month, depending on whether its tirzepatide or semaglutide I think the cost difference is about a couple hundred. If youre paying more than $1,000 per month and you have to take that drug forever, were not doing that out of pocket, said Patel.

Some people can afford these drugs on their own without insurance, and some doctors also offer payment plans that can help a small percentage of others.

We do tell patients the self-paid price thats set by the drug company, not us and they can independently buy it. If they cant afford it, there is an option of financing. But thats totally up to the patient, said Iqbal.

But for most people, that isnt a realistic option.

There are other classes of medications that can be used to treat obesity, but they will likely be part of the same insurance exclusions that prevent coverage of semaglutide.

We have cheaper medications not in the semaglutide family that can be taken by mouth. They are not as good Wegovy. They do provide some support for the patient mentally and help with some weight loss, but the efficacy is less, said Iqbal.

That still leaves a system where those with more financial wealth are able to get better care than those who do not. But the medication, it seems, is only part of the solution for controlling obesity.

Any type of weight loss attempt medicine, surgery, dietary programs these are all tools. Its important to be involved. Be engaged in exercising and in lifestyle changes. Otherwise, you should expect to regain the weight after the medication is discontinued, Iqbal explained.

Losing weight to get below the thresholds for obesity and overweight is good for your long-term health, but only for as long as you stay in that range. If the weight comes back, so do the risks.

Your metabolism going back and forth, adjusting and recalibrating, has some negative effects, but overall, after weight is regained, you end up back again at your increased baseline risk for all these big health issues we discussed earlier, said Iqbal.

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Taking Ozempic to Lose Weight Could Cost You $1400 a Month - Healthline

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