Weight-Loss Pen Helps Obese Type 2 Diabetes Patients Shed Pounds
Obesity has become a major epidemic in the United States which affects nearly 40% of the population as of 2021.
It has become a nation-wide concern for the US healthcare system as obesity can lead to several health complications such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer.
What is Obesity?
Obesity is a condition that results in when individuals have excess body fat. For men, the body fat percentage is greater than 25% and for women having a body fat percentage over 33%.
The estimated annual medical costs for those individuals are $1429 USD per year, which is more than those who have a healthy weight and low body mass index.
How Obesity is Linked to Type 2 Diabetes
Even though the root cause of diabetes is not fully understood in every case, the link between obesity and type 2 diabetes has been solidified. With the absence of a healthy diet and regular exercise, type 2 diabetes can be achieved in a relatively short period.
It is estimated that individuals who are obese or overweight and have excess fat are 80 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
In fact, studies have shown that excess fat in the mid-section can causes fat cells to release ‘pro-inflammatory’ chemicals which can cause the fat, muscles and liver to be less sensitive to insulin as cells cannot easily take up glucose from the blood. This is otherwise known as insulin resistance which is the hallmark of type 2 diabetes.
Scientists have also theorized that obesity can lead to a metabolic condition called prediabetes which eventually evolves into type 2 diabetes.
Through diet and exercise, individuals who reduce their body weight can reduce the risk of developing complications related to metabolic and cardiovascular conditions such as type 2 diabetes.
Unfortunately losing weight is not easy for many as society almost encourages a sedentary lifestyle. We drive cars, spend hours in front of the TV or computer and high calorie foods can be easily ordered from our smartphones.
Trying to lose weight is difficult, as it requires going against the norm, changing your habits, expending more calories than consumed and finding time in the day for regular exercise.
Especially amongst children, it is important that Americans become educated on how to make healthier lifestyle choices in order to prevent diabetes and help fight a nation-wide crisis.
Breakthrough Medication in Weight Loss
Thanks to modern medicine, there are several drugs available on the market that are often prescribed for type 2 diabetes patients to aid with weight loss.
Liraglutide, is the most common drug found in brand medications such as Saxenda and Victoza that works by stimulating the appetite center of the brain with GLP-1 and other synthetic hormones to that make patients feel full and lose their appetite.
In an 8-week study comparing 3 different groups provided the following results:
- Group 1: Exercise-alone – lost 9 pounds.
- Group 2: liraglutide-alone group – lost 15 pounds.
- Group 3: Combination liraglutide & exercise group- lost 21 pounds.
By continuing treatment with liraglutide, this prevents individuals from regaining weight back which can occur once the medication is stopped.
In 2014, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved liraglutide for chronic weight management in adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30+ or a BMI of 27+ and at least one weight-related medical condition.
Saxenda (liraglutide) Weight Loss Injection Pens
Saxenda is approved for chronic use which makes sense because obesity is a chronic disease that needs to be treated long-term. Short term treatment of obesity tends to give temporary results and makes people very frustrated when the weight is regained.
It is available as an injectable pen that is taken subcutaneously (under the skin) of the upper arm, upper thigh or stomach area.
Saxenda one of the most recommended weight-loss medications for those with type 2 diabetes. Despite this medication being relatively new, its main ingredient as mentioned previously has been around for a long time – liraglutide.
Those who have used this weight-loss pen for 6 months have lost an average of 10 to 15% of their overall body weight.
By using Saxenda Weight Loss Pens, patients find that their appetite is suppressed and get a feeling of fullness. This makes it ideal for those who tend to binge eat.
Even though Saxenda has been effective in boosting weight loss, it should be combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise to maximize results.
Cost of Saxenda
The cost of Saxenda is certainly a major factor to consider for American patients without insurance. The price of Saxenda can vary among pharmacies in the United States from $1400-$1800 USD for a carton of 5 pens. This is a massive investment for this life-changing drug.
However, for those without insurance, prescription medication can be ordered from Canada by phone or online at Buy Canadian Insulin and save up to 80% on their medication.
Patients with a prescription can buy Saxenda (carton of 5 pens) for $500 USD and save an additional 10% (up to $50) on their first purchase with coupon code FIRST10.
Other common GLP-1 medications that also help combat weight loss for those with type 2 diabetes include:
- exenatide (Byetta/Bydureon)
- lixisenatide (Lyxumia)
- albiglutide (Tanzeum)
- lixisenatide (Adlyxin)
- semaglutide (Ozempic)
- dulaglutide (Trulicity).
However, these medications do not aid in weight-loss as effectively as Saxenda (liraglutide).
