Wegovy Stopped Working? | Dr. Dan Obesity Expert

Summary

In this video, Dr. Dan, a pharmacist turned obesity expert, discusses why weight loss medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro may feel like they're no longer working. He explains that these drugs don’t stop working but emphasizes the importance of addressing four key factors—protein intake, protein consistency, calorie intake, and fiber—when managing weight. If these factors are neglected, the signals from the brain can overpower the drug’s effects, making cravings and food-seeking behaviors return. Dr. Dan advises focusing on these foundational principles to make weight management more sustainable and successful long-term.

Takeaways

• 😀 Medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro do not stop working; they continue to reduce food-seeking behaviors as long as you take them.
• 😀 If you're experiencing cravings or regaining weight, it's likely due to the biology of your brain, not the medication itself.
• 😀 The Primal Brain (or 'Lizard Brain') is responsible for food-seeking behaviors and is constantly working to keep you alive in the short term.
• 😀 Your Primal Brain prioritizes immediate rewards, such as choosing high-calorie foods, over long-term health outcomes like avoiding weight gain or disease.
• 😀 In order to manage cravings and maintain weight loss, it's essential to keep the Primal Brain satisfied with protein, consistency, calories, and fiber.
• 😀 Protein is crucial for weight management because it helps you feel fuller for longer and preserves lean muscle mass.
• 😀 Consistency in protein intake is key, as the body cannot store protein, unlike fat and carbohydrates.
• 😀 You must eat enough calories to meet your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR); eating too little will signal the Primal Brain that you're starving, increasing hunger.
• 😀 Fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains not only helps with fullness but also supports micronutrient intake, which reduces non-specific hunger signals from the Primal Brain.
• 😀 If the four tenants (protein, consistency, calories, fiber) are not consistently met, the Primal Brain will override medication effects, leading to cravings and potential weight gain.

Q & A

Can weight loss medications like Ozempic stop working over time?

No, weight loss medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro don’t stop working. They continue to act on the brain's appetite-regulating centers, but if it feels like they’re not working, it’s usually due to changes in your biological signals, particularly from the primal brain.

What role does the primal brain play in appetite and cravings?

The primal brain is responsible for ensuring survival and responds to immediate needs like hunger or energy deficits. It’s constantly seeking food when it detects hunger or weight loss, often leading to cravings for high-calorie, rewarding foods, even if you're on a weight loss medication.

Why do weight loss medications sometimes seem less effective?

Weight loss medications may seem less effective if the primal brain’s signals become stronger. If you're not addressing key nutritional needs, like protein, fiber, and sufficient calories, these signals can overwhelm the effects of the medication.

What are the four key nutritional principles for managing weight?

The four key principles are: 1) Consuming enough protein, 2) Ensuring protein consistency throughout the day, 3) Eating enough calories to meet your basal metabolic rate, and 4) Including fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Why is protein so important for weight management?

Protein is essential because it helps you feel fuller for longer, preserves lean muscle tissue, and supports numerous cellular processes. Consuming more protein than you currently are can significantly improve your ability to manage hunger and maintain a healthy weight.

How does protein consistency help in managing weight?

Protein consistency is important because your body cannot store protein like it can with fat or carbohydrates. By consuming protein at regular intervals throughout the day, you help stabilize hunger and maintain energy levels, which keeps the primal brain satisfied.

What happens if you don’t eat enough calories during the day?

If you don’t eat enough calories, especially to meet your basal metabolic rate (BMR), your primal brain detects starvation and sends strong signals to find food. This can increase cravings and undermine weight loss efforts, even if you're taking medication.

How does fiber contribute to weight management?

Fiber plays a dual role in managing weight: it helps increase the volume of your meals, making you feel full, and it provides essential micronutrients that prevent your primal brain from sending hunger signals due to nutrient deficiencies.

Can weight loss medications override biology completely?

No, weight loss medications cannot eliminate the biological drives of the primal brain. While they help manage food-seeking behaviors, they must be combined with proper nutrition and lifestyle choices to ensure long-term success in weight management.

What should I do if I feel like my weight loss medication is no longer working?

If you feel like your medication is no longer working, it’s important to reassess your nutrition. Make sure you’re getting enough protein, eating enough calories, maintaining consistency, and including fiber in your diet. These factors can help optimize the effects of the medication and prevent cravings from taking over.