Everyone has probably heard of the common and trendy ‘weight sticks’.
Now, a new study by researchers in the United Kingdom at the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust has emerged showing that a diabetes drug called tirzepatide helps people lower their blood sugar levels and lose weight faster than some other common treatments.
Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic problem in which the body’s blood sugar levels remain chronically high. People with this condition usually have insulin resistance or do not produce enough insulin over time.
Insulin is a hormone that helps the body control sugar in the blood by helping cells absorb sugar for energy. When insulin doesn’t work properly, the cells are left ‘starved’.
Over time, too much sugar in the blood can damage the heart, kidneys, nerves and eyes. That’s why it’s important that people with type 2 diabetes take care of their health through medications, eating right and an active lifestyle.
Tirzepatide is a newer drug that was approved in the United States in May 2022 to help treat type 2 diabetes. It works by copying two natural hormones in the body called GLP-1 and GIP. These hormones help lower blood sugar levels and make people feel full, which can help them lose weight.
In the study, researchers compared tirzepatide with two other common treatments. One is called semaglutide and the other is a type of insulin called degludec. Everyone in the study also followed a healthy eating plan and took other diabetes pills.
The results showed that people taking tirzepatide were able to reach their target blood sugar levels faster. People taking tirzepatide (in doses of 5, 10 or 15 milligrams) brought their blood sugar levels to healthy levels (HbA1c below 7%) in just 8 weeks. In those taking semaglutide or insulin degludec, it took about twelve weeks to achieve the same results.
Weight loss was another important benefit of tirzepatide. People taking the higher doses of tirzepatide (10 or 15 mg) lost at least 5% of their body weight in 12 weeks. People taking semaglutide took twice as long, i.e. 24 weeks, to lose the same amount. Losing just 5% of body weight can really help improve blood sugar control and reduce the risk of other health problems.
Dr. Adie Viljoen, the lead researcher, said that “achieving health goals faster can help people with diabetes stay motivated and feel better.”
The research shows that tirzepatide could be an essential line of treatment for people with type 2 diabetes because it works faster and helps people lose weight faster than some other options.
