Johann Hari: Uncovering if Ozempic is a Miracle Drug or Health Hazard & 3 Things They Do Not Want To Tell About Ozempic

Journalist Johann Hari discusses the remarkable benefits but also the disturbing risks associated with the new generation of weight loss drugs, such as Mozambiquan (akin to Ozempic) and others in its class.

The mechanism and effects of the drugs on appetite and weight loss

These weight loss drugs inject an artificial version of the hormone GLP-1, which signals to the body that it has had enough to eat. This synthetic hormone lasts much longer in the system, suppressing appetite. Previously thought to affect primarily the gut, these drugs are now understood to primarily act on the brain, as GLP-1 receptors are found in the thyroid and brain as well. The drugs change underlying eating patterns and effectively shrink appetite.

Johann Hari experienced significant weight loss, noting that upon waking he didn't feel hungry and felt full after consuming much smaller meals than usual. Clinical trials have shown significant weight loss ranging from 15% to 24% on average for users of these drugs, depending on the specific medication taken.

The long-term and unknown risks of the drugs

However, these promising results come with considerable concerns. Hari points out that 12 major risks associated with these drugs are not yet fully understood. There are real fears about the long-term consequences of chronically activating certain brain regions, the same areas associated with functions like memory processing, taste processing, and gut motility.

Professor Jean-Luc Failly's preclinical research found that rats given similar drugs developed thyroid cancer at higher rates. A study in France suggested that diabetic patients who took these drugs had an increased thyroid cancer risk of 50 to 75 percent compared to those who had not.

Besides the risk of thyroid cancer, Hari also raises the possibility of side effects like pancreatitis, depression, and birth defects. For example, rats given semaglutide, a component in these drugs, had a higher like ...

Jay Shetty and Johann Hari explore the complex landscape surrounding obesity, focusing on the processed food industry's complicity and the historical stigma that exacerbates the issue.

The role of the processed food industry in driving the obesity epidemic

The processed food industry has played a significant role in shaping dietary habits and encouraging the consumption of fast food, particularly among children. The ubiquity of brands like McDonald's, which is more recognized globally than the Christian cross, underlines the impact of this industry on the obesity epidemic. Johann Hari's discussions expose the detrimental effects that the consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods have on the body, specifically how these foods undermine natural satiety signals and condition people to overconsume.

Processed and ultra-processed foods have undermined people's natural satiety signals

Professor Michael Lowe's observations at Drexel University indicate that these types of foods interfere with the body's fullness signals, leading to excessive eating. One experiment involving rats showed that when switched from a healthy diet to one consisting of foods like bacon and cheesecake, the rats lost their ability to feel full and rapidly became obese. This suggests that processed foods have a profound effect on an individual's ability to regulate their eating habits.

The food industry's marketing and product formulations have conditioned people to overconsume unhealthy foods

Jay Shetty gives a personal account of how refillable sodas and increased portion sizes in the U.S. contribute to overconsumption. Noting his predisposition to diabetes, he connects these offerings to his past addiction to chocolate and sugary drinks, illustrating how tricky it can be to overcome habits promoted by the food industry.

Johann Hari highlights the omnipresence of unhealthy food advertisements, particularly those targeting children in areas like Brooklyn. He positions the processed food industry as the main opponent in the battle against obesity, citing the shift from fresh, whole foods to processed alternatives as the root cause of the widespread issue.

The deep-rooted historical stigma and shame around obesity

Obesity has long been associated with moral failing and lack of self-control. This stigma, reinforced by societal norms and cruel discrimination, has historically discouraged healthy behaviors and exacerbated the struggle against obesity.

Obesity has been viewed as a moral failing or "sin" for centuries, leading to cruel discrimination and shaming

Johann Hari traces the stigmat ...

The decision to use weight loss drugs is deeply personal and complex, as Hari and others candidly share their experiences, reflecting both the benefits and the emotional and ethical dilemmas they face.

The complex personal dilemmas and tradeoffs in choosing to use the drugs

Hari discusses his conflicted feelings about taking weight loss drugs even after extensive research, noting that it's not a decision to be made lightly due to the significant health benefits and risks involved. He describes the substantive impact of these drugs on a person’s emotional and psychological state, illustrated when underlying emotional issues related to his eating habits surfaced during treatment. This epiphany led him to consider stopping the medication, recognizing that the drugs didn't cause his issues but merely revealed pre-existing problems, offering a new opportunity for confrontation and management.

In sharing Jeff Parker’s story, a retired lighting engineer who struggled with severe obesity and a host of related health issues, the narrative shifts to a positive light. Upon starting a new weight loss drug, Jeff’s health significantly improved, and he could potentially discontinue other medications, highlighting the tangible benefits such drugs can provide.

The conversation also touches on individual experiences with side effects, including severe nausea, compared to feeling like an "alien living inside her." Personal decisions about dosage and continuation of medication underscore the unique and varied human responses to these drugs.

Grappling with feelings of "cheating" or not "earning" weight loss

Some individuals, including Hari, struggle with feelings that using weight loss drugs is akin to cheating or not truly "earning" their weight loss, which reflects cultural narratives that suggest weight loss must be deserved through hard work and effort. Hari discusses his niece's request for a weight loss drug like Mozempic, pointing out the societal bias that assumes weight loss must be earned through diligence and perseverance.

Hari himself shared these sentiments, feeling as though he was cheating when taking the drug, and he compared societal views on weight loss with the Catholic notion of sin and atonement, noting that society often venerates weight loss achieved through visible hardship.

The personal conflict with weight loss drugs

Deborah Tyler’s decision to put her obese daughter on a weight loss drug after being diagnosed with liver problems is shared, reflecting both the urgency of addressing childhood obesity and the difficulties parents face in making such decisions.

Johann Hari delves into the difficulty of coming to a clear-cut conclusion about using weight loss drugs, urging consideration of the full list of risks and benefits. He distinguishe ...

Hari's research into the history of diet drugs and Japan's approach to combating obesity highlights the stark differences between quick-fix solutions and holistic, cultural interventions.

Lessons from past failed weight loss drugs and the need for vigilance

Hari examines the troubling pattern of "miracle" weight loss drugs that historically emerge every couple of decades only to be pulled later due to severe side effects. He recounts the widespread use of amphetamines in the 1970s and the emergence of the drug Fen-Phen in the 1990s. Fen-Phen was later found to cause primary pulmonary hypertension, a serious and sometimes fatal condition, leading to its withdrawal from the market and the largest payout in pharmaceutical history. Hari notes that even small safety concerns can become significant issues, calling for vigilance with new weight loss drugs and careful consideration of risk factors, such as BMI, family medical history, or a history of eating disorders.

The success of Japan in virtually eliminating obesity through environmental and cultural engagement

Unlike the reactionary approach of the West, Japan provides a stark contrast with its proactive measures in dealing with obesity. Jay Shetty and Johann Hari discuss Japan's success in virtually eliminating obesity through deliberate modifications to its food system and educational programming that encourage healthy eating from a young age. Hari underscores this success by sharing the joy and health he witnessed among the Japanese people, including dancing with a 102-year-old woman, illustrating the longevity and quality of life achievable when obesity is addressed.

Hari draws a parallel between Japan's past effective stance against smoking and its current efforts against obesity. When a slight increase in obesity levels sparke ...