In recent years, weight loss injections have gained enormous popularity in mainstream media as a potential tool for individuals struggling with weight management. With celebrities dropping weight seemingly overnight, and attitudes to obesity treatments transforming in the medical community, it appears that weight loss has undergone a revolution.
Weight loss injections are designed to assist in weight loss by targeting specific mechanisms in the body that regulate appetite, metabolism, and fat storage. They offer an additional option for individuals who may have difficulty achieving their weight loss goals through traditional methods alone.
Diet and exercise can only go so far for many struggling with obesity. This can be due to various factors impacting our weight that are completely out of our control like hormone imbalances, genetics, and metabolism. That’s why clinical researchers were seeking medical treatments to help push against these factors and aid in weight loss for those who really need it.
Contact Bodyline today to find out more about our safe and effective weight loss programmes and range of treatment options.
GLP-1 Injections: How Do They Work?
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) injections are a promising class of weight loss injections. These injections work by mimicking the effects of the GLP-1 hormone naturally produced in the body. It is released by the intestines following mealtimes to signal to the brain we have finished eating. The hormone has many purposes in our body, the main functions are:
- Stimulating insulin secretion, a hormone that prevents blood sugar levels getting too high
- Inhibiting glucagon secretion, a hormone that prevents blood sugar levels going too low
- Acts as physical reminder of appetite and food intake
GLP-1 plays a crucial role in the body regulating blood sugar levels, controlling appetite, and aiding in insulin production; however, it also works to slow down digestion, increase satiety, and reduce food intake.
By activating GLP-1 receptors, GLP-1 receptor agonists in weight loss injections help suppress appetite, control blood sugar levels, slow down stomach emptying, and increase feelings of fullness and satiety. These combined effects create the perfect storm for successful weight loss, as it allows people to remain in a calorie deficit long term, past the point at which diets usually fail.
Weight Loss Injections Available in the UK
Since clinicians worked out this mechanism of action could aid in obesity and weight health management, there have been several weight loss injections released to the market and approved for prescribing as obesity treatment: Saxenda, WeGovy, and Mounjaro.
The question is: which are available, and which is the best for weight loss?
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro)
Tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro, is a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and GLP-1 receptor agonist. It has shown substantial and sustained weight loss results in obesity treatment trials thanks to its double-edged sword: the two mechanisms of action that can help improve weight health and lead to fat loss.
Tirzepatide has even been labelled the “King Kong” of weight loss injections, thanks to its potentially groundbreaking weight loss results in clinical trials. In a 2022 trial, the average participant lost up to 21% of their starting weight (depending on dosage) over a 72-week period.
According to one study, individuals taking Mounjaro experienced greater weight loss compared to those on semaglutide. For instance, the trial results indicated that, on average, a weekly dose of 15mg of Mounjaro resulted in 12lbs more weight loss than the maximum dose of 2.4mg of semaglutide.
Mounjaro is the latest to be approved for obesity treatment by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and can only be prescribed by specialist weight management clinics like Bodyline.
Dr Morgan Toerien, a weight, health and wellness practitioner at Bodyline explained why the combination of GLP-1 and GIPs seem to work so well together.
“What researchers have found is that it might be that they’re lacking GIPs. By combining the two hormones, we can treat a broader base of deficiencies. We’re not just working on one pathway but working on two pathways.
“Think of it a little bit like trying to fill a paddling pool with one hose or trying to fill it with two hoses. If you’ve got two different hoses, your chances of getting it filled quicker are better. With tirzepatide, patients can hedge their bets in terms of whichever one of their hormones is more likely to be deficient or more likely to be resistant to, and one will be in the package.
“However, the two things together also have a synergistic effect. The effect is magnified, and not just a duplication. It isn’t just that you’ve got two hormones, therefore, you’re twice as likely to lose weight. You’re likely to lose much more than twice as much.”
Stats:
- Tirzepatide active ingredient
- Prescription only for those with a BMI of >27 and weight health related problems, or a BMI of >30 according to MHRA guidance
- Can lose on average up to 21% of starting weight over 72-week period
- Approved for obesity treatment in the UK since November 2023
- Available at Bodyline
Liraglutide (Saxenda)
Liraglutide, marketed as Saxenda, is a GLP-1 injection that has been approved for weight management purposes. It is administered once daily and has shown significant efficacy in clinical trials, with almost two thirds of participants (63.2%) losing at least 5% of their starting weight, and a third of participants (33.1%) losing more than 10% of their starting weight.
It can only be prescribed safely by a specialist CQC registered clinic and should be used alongside a fully supported weight loss programme to achieve maximum results, either via video or in-clinic consultation with a Bodyline weight loss treatment plan. Saxenda Bodyline SlimPen allows you to lose weight without feeling hungry and is generally well tolerated by patients with very few side effects.
Saxenda helps individuals achieve weight loss by reducing appetite, promoting feelings of fullness, and improving glucose control. At Bodyline, we have been prescribing Saxenda since its approval in 2014 and have seen it help thousands of our clients lose weight and improve their BMI.
Stats:
- Liraglutide active ingredient
- Prescription only for those with a BMI of >27 and weight health related problems, or a BMI of >30
- Can lose between 5-10% of starting weight over 56-week period
- Approved for obesity treatment in the UK since 2014
- Available with Bodyline
Semaglutide (WeGovy)
Semaglutide, better known under brand names WeGovy or Ozempic (diabetic medication), is another GLP-1 injection that has shown “game-changing” results in weight loss studies. Semaglutide was originally formulated and sold as Ozempic to be used as a treatment for type-2 diabetes. However, when pharmaceutical manufacturers Novo Nordisk saw the weight loss results from diabetes sufferers, they reformulated it and marketed as an obesity treatment under the name WeGovy.
Clinical trials comparing semaglutide with a placebo saw the users of a once weekly semaglutide injection lose on average 14.9% of their starting weight over a 68-week period, compared to 2.4% for those on the placebo.
Ozempic is only approved to be prescribed to those with type-2 diabetes, however, WeGovy can be prescribed safely by a specialist CQC registered clinic for obesity treatment. It is important to be aware that black-market sellers and off brand injectable pens are being sold online and through social media. To be safe and secure, you should seek semaglutide treatments within fully supported weight loss programmes in order to achieve safe and guaranteed results.
At Bodyline we offer WeGovy within our bespoke weight loss programmes either via video or in-clinic consultation alongside personalised guidance and support to help you lose weight and keep it off.
Stats:
- Semaglutide active ingredient
- Prescription only for those with a BMI of >30, weight health related problems, or a BMI of >35 according to NICE Guidelines
- Can lose on average up to 15% of starting weight over 68-week period
- Approved for obesity treatment in the UK since September 2023
- Available with Bodyline
The Best Weight Loss Injection
According to our analysis and statistics, on numbers alone it does appear that Mounjaro is the most effective weight loss injection for producing the largest amount of weight loss.
That being said, the best weight loss injection is what works for you. Everyone is different, and everyone requires a unique approach to losing weight as just with any medical treatment, there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach.
You may not be eligible for any weight loss injection, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get help to lose weight with medical weight loss treatments, as we also offer oral treatments guaranteed to help with weight loss goals.
Remember, weight loss injections should always be used as part of a comprehensive weight management plan that includes a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and lifestyle modifications. The journey to sustainable weight loss is unique to each individual, and professional guidance can make a significant difference in achieving long-term success.
If you are interested in weight loss injections or seeking personalized weight management support, contact Bodyline Clinic today by completing an online contact form or call 0800 995 6036. Our experienced clinicians specialise in medically supervised weight loss programmes and can provide the guidance and support you need on your weight loss journey.
