A new systematic review of existing research led to top dietitians in Australia warning about unforeseen issues of the GLP-1 class of weight-loss drugs including Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, including being diagnosed with ‘old-timey’ sailors’ disease.
The study, led by professor Clare Collins of the Newcastle School of Health Sciences in New South Wales, Australia, showed that few global trials of the medications took into consideration what and how patients were eating while using them as many were malnourished, sometimes resulting in serious vitamin deficiencies such as scurvy. The GLP-1 drugs are so effective for weight loss and diabetes management because they are able to suppress appetite, however, not eating or not consuming enough of the right nutrients is an unsustainable path regardless of whether the drugs are being used and dietitians are calling for more oversight.
“A reduction in body weight does not automatically mean the person is well-nourished or healthy,” Collins told the Australian Financial Review. “Nutrition plays a critical role in health and right now it’s largely missing from the evidence.”
British pop star Robbie Williams was diagnosed with scurvy, which he referred to as a “17th century pirate disease” last year and also spoke about his degrading eyesight, while admitting to having used injectable weight loss medication for years. Scurvy, a vitamin C deficiency, can be deadly if untreated, but is typically rare, especially in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia where nutrient-dense diets are common.
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