Recent Advances in Weight Management and Diabetes

GLP-1/GIP/glucagon receptor agonists

    • Semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®): Originally for Type 2 diabetes, its higher-dose form, Wegovy, has been approved specifically for chronic weight management. It has demonstrated an average weight loss of around 15% of body weight in clinical trials.

    • Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®, Zepbound®): This is a dual agonist that targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors. It has shown even greater efficacy in weight loss and blood sugar control than single-action GLP-1 agonists, with patients achieving an average of up to 20% weight loss.

  • Retatrutide, developed by Eli Lilly, is a new investigational product in phase 3 trials that works in three ways (tri-agonist). It targets several body systems at once, improving effectiveness and patient outcomes.

These medicines are a new type of treatment for people with obesity, type 2 diabetes, or metabolic problems. They work by activating three natural hormone pathways in your body at the same time:

  1. GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1)

  • Helps you feel full sooner and eat less.

  • Slows down how quickly food leaves your stomach.

  • Lowers blood sugar by helping your body release insulin when you need it.

2. GIP (Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide)

  • Works with GLP-1 to boost insulin release after meals.

  • May also improve how your body handles fat.

3. Glucagon Receptor Activation

  • Increases how much energy your body burns.

  • Helps reduce fat stores, especially around the liver.

Overall effect:

  • Helps with weight loss by reducing appetite and increasing energy use.

  • Improves blood sugar control.

  • May also support heart and liver health.

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Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs)

A Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) is a small device that tracks blood sugar continuously without finger pricks. A sensor under the skin measures glucose in the fluid and sends data wirelessly to your phone or reader every few minutes. You get real-time readings and can spot trends.

Benefits:

  • No frequent finger-prick tests

  • Real-time glucose levels and trends

  • Alerts for high or low sugar

  • Better diabetes management

  • More confidence during exercise, sleep, and meals

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Closed Loop Systems (Artificial Pancreas)

A closed-loop system automatically manages blood sugar by linking three parts:

  1. Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) → measures your glucose levels in real time.

  2. Insulin Pump → delivers insulin into your body.

  3. Smart Algorithm → calculates how much insulin you need and tells the pump what to do.

Because all three work together, the system can automatically adjust insulin delivery — a bit like an “artificial pancreas.”

Benefits

  • Fewer finger-prick tests

  • Better glucose control — keeps levels steadier and reduces “highs” and “lows”

  • Less mental effort — the system does much of the adjusting for you

  • More freedom — easier to manage diabetes while sleeping, exercising, or eating