Experts have raised an urgent alert about a potential side effect linked to widely used drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro.

The drug that has been credited with transforming the world of weight loss by nullifying the cravings of those looking to shed the pounds, was originally introduced as a treatment for type 2 diabetes to help reduce and regulate blood sugar levels.

While semaglutide, which comes under the brand name Ozempic, is yet to receive FDA approval for treatment-targeted weight loss, its competitor, Mounjaro, has been in receipt of formal FDA-verification as a treatment for obesity and weight loss, as well as for its initial purpose.

What have experts discovered?

However, in a recent development, scientists have cited a potential increase in risk of certain kinds of vision loss in people with type 2 diabetes.

Researchers at the University of Toronto have now found that GLP‑1 drugs, a class that includes both Ozempic and Mounjaro, are associated with a considerably higher risk of developing neovascular age‑related macular degeneration (AMD), a serious eye condition.

Their study suggests that people with type 2 diabetes prescribed these drugs were more than twice as likely to develop vision problems compared with those taking the same medications who did not have diabetes.

What is Neovascular AMD?

Neovascular AMD, often simply called AMD, is described by the NHS as “a common condition that affects the middle part of your vision,” and Healthline notes that it is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss in people over 50 in the United States.

Commenting on the findings, co‑author Andrew Mihalache, MD(C), said: “The dose-response effect we observed — where longer GLP-1 receptor agonist exposure was associated with higher risk — strengthens the argument that this association may reflect a true biological effect rather than being due to confounding factors.”

Fellow author Reut Shor, MD, added: “This was definitely surprising, especially given the growing enthusiasm for GLP-1 receptor agonists for their cardiovascular and metabolic benefits. It really highlights the need for further investigation into their ocular safety profile.”

Despite these concerns, the overall risk of vision loss from taking GLP‑1 drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro remains very low: with the study estimating the risk of developing AMD at about 0.2 percent among the respective treatments' users.

If you are thinking about starting a GLP‑1 medication, it is essential to speak with a healthcare professional to discuss whether this treatment is suitable and safe for you.

Featured Image. Credit: coldsnowstorm / Getty

A man has revealed a side-by-side comparison of himself from before and after he started taking Mounjaro.Mounjaro is used as a weight loss drug. Credit: NurPhoto / GettyMounjaro, which started becoming available as a weight-loss injection for those with obesity and related conditions, works by helping people feel fuller for longer.Gordon, known online as Fat Old Climber on YouTube, recently shared the remarkable impact of using Mounjaro (tirzepatide), a weight-loss medication, in a YouTube update to his thousands of subscribers.After spending over a decade trying to control his weight - which peaked during the pandemic at just over 23 stone - Gordon finally reached “his wit’s end.”Late last year, he discovered appetite suppressant drugs and, by March, began sourcing Mounjaro in the UK.While the effects weren’t immediate, Gordon says the next day “everything changed.” He explained: “I found within one day my focus on eating had gone. I wasn’t hungry when I would normally have been hungry, I wasn’t thinking about food all the time.”He added that it didn’t just work quickly - it worked well. In the first week, he lost nine pounds; in the second, seven.Gordon says the medication shifted his mindset to view food as fuel and prompted him to prioritize nutrients and energy while eliminating snacking.Although he admitted there can be “a lot of side effects,” he hasn’t experienced any major ones.He did notice his mouth gets “quite dry” on injection day, and after increasing the dose, he became “constipated quite a lot.”Over three months, Gordon lost “an incredible 45 lbs,” which he says equals “15 percent” of his body weight. He also dropped “seven-and-a-half inches around my waist.”But the most powerful result wasn’t the weight loss - it was the ease. He says: “I’m not having to work on it... if anything, I’m having to focus on eating to make sure I have energy.”Gordon shared the dramatic change. Credit: YouTube/FatOldClimber As a climber, the changes have transformed his performance. He noted the weight loss has “dramatically impacted his ability,” and he also feels better overall - his pain and blood pressure have improved.Gordon isn't the only one seeing the benefits of Mounjaro, as comedian Rosie O'Donnell shared her experience with it.On May 23, the 63‑year‑old comedian and actress surprised fans with a photo on Instagram.Onstage, dressed in dark trousers and a light green sweater, she posed confidently with a microphone and stand in hand. Her accompanying caption summed it up perfectly: “I can't believe this is me now.”She tagged the post with #mounjaro, #weightloss, and #bodydismorphia - a nod to the powerful shift she's undergone in recent months.Rosie has been refreshingly open about her health journey.In January 2023, she revealed her doctor had prescribed Mounjaro, a medication commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes and promote weight loss, as well as Repatha.At the time, she explained in a TikTok video: “One I do every other week and one I do once a week.”She's since credited both medications and a lifestyle overhaul for her stunning results.“I’ve lost more weight. I am on Mounjaro for my diabetes and one of the side effects is you lose weight,” she said in an earlier TikTok. “But it’s also because I had a chef for over two years in Los Angeles and I don't have a chef now. It's me cooking for Clay and me.”Now based in Ireland with her 12‑year‑old child, Clay, Rosie has built a new routine focused on healthier eating and staying active. She’s also consciously cut back on sugar and increased her hydration.Featured image credit: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images

A recent study has shown that many people taking GLP-1 medications to lose weight are not taking them correctly, and it could be detrimental to achieving results.

According to the new research by the Endocrine Society, people with obesity who lost weight using drugs such as Ozempic or Wegovy “significantly reduced” their physical activity.

Failing to exercise while using the GLP-1s could be harmful, as drugs such as semaglutide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, and tirzepatide reduce both fat and lean muscle mass.

Study lead Sajana Maharjan, MD, of HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois, said keeping active and building muscle is “essential for preserving strength and long-term health.”

The study found that men were less active than women while losing weight

By comparing activity in study participants before and after beginning treatment, researchers found that the average number of steps decreased from 5,047 to 4,487 per day, while moderate physical activity fell from 28 to 22 minutes per day.

Although the cohort was mostly female, with an average age of 52.7 years, the largest declines were observed in men and in those with joint or muscle pain

The data was recorded from 753 people with obesity who began taking a GLP-1 medication during the trial.

Despite the common belief that losing weight, medically aided or not, would encourage people to increase their physical activity, the study seems to have proved the opposite.

Maharjan addressed the importance of people taking GLP-1s to continue or increase the amount they exercise, saying: “The findings in our study reinforce that exercise cannot be optional for people taking these medications.

“People need targeted interventions that encourage physical activity alongside medication for obesity.”

Why is exercising important if the weight is coming off without it?

Supporting the findings of the study, a New York-based hormone and weight-loss specialist, Dr. Peter Balazs, MD, told Fox News that the findings did not come as much of a surprise to him because weight loss rarely results in a greater motivation to exercise.

He said: “In fact, being in a calorie deficit can cause the body to conserve energy, resulting in a lower metabolic rate.

“Additionally, side effects of weight-loss medications, such as nausea, fatigue or gastrointestinal discomfort, may further reduce a person’s ability or desire to be physically active.”

Balazs also warned that “exercise plays a critical role during weight loss.

“Without adequate physical activity, a significant portion of weight loss may come from muscle rather than fat.”

Featured image credit: Steve Christo - Corbis / Getty

Scientists say a "natural Ozempic" could offer the same weight-loss benefits as existing drugs, but without the unwanted side effects.

In recent years, millions, including many well-known figures such as Oprah Winfrey and Amy Schumer, have turned to GLP-1 medications to slim down, even as concerns about side effects persist.

A report by RAND discovered that nearly 12 percent of Americans have used these drugs, with about half experiencing nausea and one-third reporting diarrhea.

Now, researchers at Stanford Medicine say they may have found a solution to this problem.

'Natural Ozempic' Explained

Scientists have identified a tiny molecule called BRP that can suppress your appetite in a similar way to Ozempic, but without affecting the rest of the body as much.

Unlike semaglutide, the main ingredient in Ozempic, which affects several organs, BRP seems to work mainly in the brain’s appetite center.

"The receptors targeted by semaglutide are found in the brain but also in the gut, pancreas, and other tissues," assistant professor of pathology Katrin Svensson, PhD, said, per Science Daily.

"That's why Ozempic has widespread effects, including slowing the movement of food through the digestive tract and lowering blood sugar levels. In contrast, BRP appears to act specifically in the hypothalamus, which controls appetite and metabolism," Svensson added.

By targeting a more focused area, health experts believe BRP could help people eat less and lose weight without feeling nauseous, or having constipation and muscle loss.

AI Plays Key Role In Discovery

Artificial intelligence played a major role in the discovery, helping researchers sort through thousands of possible molecules.

They created a tool to study prohormones, which can be broken down into smaller peptides that affect things like metabolism.

"The algorithm was absolutely key to our findings," Svensson said.

Promising Results in Early Testing

So far, BRP has only been tested in animals, but the results have left researchers impressed.

In both mice and minipigs, a single injection reduced food intake by up to 50 percent within an hour.

In obese mice, daily injections over two weeks led to weight loss driven mainly by fat reduction, while untreated mice gained weight during the same period.

The treated animals also showed improved glucose and insulin responses.

Importantly, researchers observed no major changes in movement, digestion, or behavior, suggesting the treatment may avoid many of the downsides linked to current weight-loss drugs.

Scientists are now working to better understand how BRP interacts with specific receptors in the body and how its effects can be extended for practical use.

"The lack of effective drugs to treat obesity in humans has been a problem for decades," Svensson said. "Nothing we've tested before has compared to semaglutide's ability to decrease appetite and body weight. We are very eager to learn if it is safe and effective in humans."

Featured image credit: Steve Christo - Corbis / Getty

An expert has revealed a very uncomfortable side effect people using Mounjaro or other similar weight loss injections could face.

Weight-loss jabs like Mounjaro have increased in usage. Credit: Peter Dazeley via Getty Images

GLP-1 drugs such a Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy, have exploded in use in recent months after initially being created to help people with diabetes control their blood sugar levels.

The weekly glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1) injections can also help with weight loss, by helping people feel fuller by mimicking a natural hormone released after eating.

However, they're not a quick fix and should only be used when medically indicated - and can come with a host of side-effects, too.

A nurse called Charlene has revealed one such unpleasant side-effect people should be aware of.

She warned that people often experience sulfur burps - which are just as gross as they sound.

Charlene explained: "Basically, with a GLP-1 medication, it slows your digestion. So when your digestion is slowed, food that you consumed is sitting in your stomach for a bit longer, and sometimes that can produce gases, and they have to come up.

"So you end up burping gases from old food and it can be quite nasty and smell quite eggy, not very nice."

She recommended carrying some heartburn medication and some strong mints, as she revealed from personal experience that the sulfur burps tend to last "a day or two" after her injection.

Mounjaro can help people lose weight by mimicking the feeling of fullness after eating. Credit: Peter Dazeley via Getty Images

Charlene also recommended finding out which foods trigger your sulfur burps, as heavier foods can seemingly worsen her symptoms, and eating more slowly and chewing your food thoroughly can also help prevent them.

Sitting upright for "at least half an hour to an hour" after eating, staying well hydrated, and going for a walk can also help food move through the digestive tract more efficiently.

However, sulfur burps aren't the only side-effect of weight-loss medication, as some people have been complaining of "Ozempic butt".

The rapid weight loss caused by the medication is transforming butts, faces, and even boobs in unexpected (and unwanted) ways.

Jess Loren, 39, shared her experience with the New York Post after dropping over 75lb with Ozempic: “My dad said, ‘You don’t have a butt anymore.’ I try on bathing suits and I’ve got 'ghost a**,' or what people online call 'Ozempic butt.'”

It’s not an officially listed side-effect, but rapid weight loss can cause skin in once-plump areas to sag. And butts aren’t the only victims.

People have also complained of ‘Ozempic face,’ where cheeks hollow out and eyes look sunken, meaning people can sometimes look gaunt and older than they actually are.

Dr. Iman Saleh, Director of Obesity Medicine at South Shore University Hospital, explained to PEOPLE: “The faces are saggy, they lose their fat content in their face, there are increased wrinkles.

"Some people look a little bit more aged. People have noticed that there's more hollowing around their eyes because of the loss of the texture or the fat content that is in the face.”

In order to counteract the effects, Salah recommends: “Increase of protein in their diet is very important. Increase of exercise, resistance bands. In terms of the buttocks, [do] more squats, more to increase muscle to compensate really for the fat loss.”

In case you need a more visual idea of what Ozempic does, then Zack D. Films is the man for you.

As he put it in his now-viral simulation: “Once Ozempic is in your bloodstream, it activates the parts of the brain that make you feel full, reducing your appetite. It also stabilises your blood sugar, stopping sudden cravings.

"Then it slows down how fast your stomach empties food, which keeps you feeling full for longer after a meal. This causes you to lose weight as you eat less. But it can make some people feel sick and even give them diarrhoea.”

Featured image credit: Peter Dazeley via Getty Images