Dr Amir Khan shared a (Image: Getty)
A doctor has shared his “little rant” about people who use weight loss jabs. The expert was speaking out about whether using the injections was “cheating”.
He insisted people need to “stop” accusing those of using the jabs to help them lose weight of cheating. GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a naturally occurring gut hormone that controls blood sugar levels and appetite. The use of GLP-1 inhibitors, or receptor agonists, has soared in popularity in recent years due to their demonstrated effectiveness in managing blood sugar levels in diabetic patients and aiding weight loss.
Available in injectable form, some of these medications can be prescribed via the NHS to eligible patients. They work for weight loss by suppressing hunger, meaning people eat less. In a video uploaded to his Instagram, Doctor Amir Khan, urged his followers to not criticise people on GLP-1 inhibitors.
Dr Amir, who is best known for his appearances on ITV, said: “Can we please stop saying that people taking GLP-1 injections for weight are cheating?
“Honestly, [it] drives me insane. Because what you’re really saying is that someone who’s spent their entire life battling hunger cravings, weight regain, and a body that’s constantly working against them should just keep struggling.”
He further explained that these people might be fighting against their genetics. “The science tells us people, that obesity isn’t simply about willpower,” he said.
“We know that genetics account for a huge proportion of body weight differences between people. Some people are biologically wired to feel hungrier, to store energy more efficiently, and to regain weight after losing it.
“And honestly, this is the thing that people forget. If weight loss was simply about eating less and moving more, we would have solved obesity decades ago.
“But it’s not and for years, people living with obesity have been fighting their own biology. Every time they lose weight, their hunger hormones increase, then metabolism adapts and their body tries to drag them back to its previous weight.
“That’s not a lack of discipline, that’s just physiology and GLP-1 medications work by targeting some of those biological pathways that regulate that appetite and fullness cycle.”
“They’re evidence-based treatments for a chronic complex disease.” He added that these injections are “not magic” or “effortless”.
Dr Amir said: “They’re not magic. They’re not effortless and they’re certainly not cheating.
“And you know what? When people say it’s cheating, I sometimes wonder what they’re really worried about.
“Are they worried that the playing field is finally becoming a little bit fairer because like, for years, we’ve celebrated people who won the weight loss lottery genetically, while criticising those who didn’t, right?
“Is that what you’re worried about?” In order to use weight loss injections via the NHS, you will have to be prescribed by your doctor.
“The people taking these injections have weighed up the benefits and risks with their healthcare professional,” Dr Amir continued. “They’re making an informed choice, they’re improving their health on their own terms and for many of them, for the first time in their lives, they are no longer fighting a relentless hunger every waking moment.
“That’s not cheating, that’s medicine doing what medicine is supposed to do. So stop saying it’s cheating.”
If you are concerned about your weight, you should speak to your GP.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
