Here’s a tale of two headlines.
Both appeared in The Times on consecutive days at the end of last month.
Here’s one from Tuesday the 23rd of July…
SUMMER SLIMMER RUSHED TO HOSPITAL AFTER TAKING WEGOVNY.
Then here’s one on Wednesday the 24th of July
NHS COULD APPROVE OZEMPIC TO STOP HEART ATTACKS AND STROKES.
Hmmm…
In the first one, a weight loss injection user is hospitalised with heart palpitations and seizures, eyes rolling in the back of her head, unable to breathe.
In the second one, weight loss injections are proposed to be prescribed to ‘millions of Britons’ with heart problems.
Can you spot the issue here?
A little while back I wrote about the fast-growing and widespread use of new weight-loss drugs.
One of them is Semaglutide, which comes under two different brand names: Ozempic and Wegovy.
It’s worth bearing in mind these are both the SAME drug. (This was something I didn’t realise at first!)
The only difference between them is in the available dosages of each one and also in the method of delivery.
The Wegovy injection pen has a built-in needle…
While Ozempic injection pens come with needles that you attach to the pen.
Other than that, whenever you read reports about Ozempic and Wegovy, you should understand that the benefits and problems are the same for both.
Now, when I say ‘benefits’, I mean purely that there is strong evidence that people lose weight on them, and quickly.
But as for the problems…
Side effects galore!
Well, as I pointed out in my Good Life Letter in 2022, users of these injections might be losing weight… but they might also be getting less nutrition, losing bone mass, reducing their immunity and upsetting their microbiome, among many other things.
For example, one user lost 21kg thanks to the drug but it also caused her fatigue, dizziness, brain fog and an elevated heart rate.
Then in June this year, I quoted NHS England’s medical director, Professor Stephen Powis, who warned about using weight-loss drugs as a ‘quick fix’, saying, “These are powerful medications that have side-effects and complications – and can in certain circumstances, be dangerous.”
So we’re in a weird situation where we keep getting puff pieces about Wegovy/Ozempic in the media, trumpeting them as the salvation of humanity…
(I even read one where they think they might prescribe it to help people give up smoking!)
And then you ALSO get these alarming tales of dramatic side effects and warnings from experts about serious health problems.
Often they’re in the same paper on the same day, or week!
For instance, there was one huge piece on July 21st in the Daily Mail asking “Are the new weight loss ‘miracle’ jabs worth the risk for YOU” – which then pretty much overcame all the objections in the manner that a copywriter might tackle objections in a sales promotion.
I reckon anyone reading it would probably say “Yes”.
So what do Good Life Letter readers think?
Feedback from readers about this worrying trend
After my email about weight loss drugs in June, I got a huge response from readers.
Here are some of the messages I’ve received….
“Drugs of this type are not the answer to the obesity crisis- you’ve listed all the real reasons we’re in this state very comprehensively. Some people will doubtless say that this stance runs counter to health improvement for the majority, but these drugs are at best a sticking plaster and at worst a licence to disregard the basis of our collective corpulence. “ – Jerry
“The red lights flashing and alarm bells ringing happened when it was stated on the News that this latest Big Pharma drug was a buzz-word with celebrities and could be viewed as a successor to STATINS in its world-wide popularity. It was stated it only lasts as long as it is taken and the NHS can only afford to issue it for 2 years per patient. After that, the individual will have to purchase it themselves – at a premium price no doubt.” – Pamela
“The truth is of course the Press are partly in the pay of Big Pharma. I can’t resist quoting the wonderful Aseem Malhotra, British consultant cardiologist and advocate for the covid vaccine injured and bereaved, who said, ‘the two enemies of public health are the food industry and the pharmaceutical industry.” – Jacky
“It is no wonder the NHS is under such enormous pressure. Most of our illnesses are self inflicted. When will politicians put more emphasis on self care and diet – something more radical has to happen.” – Julie
So it looks like my readers are not buying the hype!
Thanks again to everyone who has written in about this (and other matters).
As always, I love to hear your stories, opinions and experiences. It really helps me guide the content of the newsletter so that I cover the kinds of things you are most interested in.
So if there are subjects you’d love to hear about – or hear more about – do write in and let me know.
I cannot promise a reply to every email – and I cannot give medical advice (nor should I, as I am just a writer!) – but please be assured that I read every single email.
