Weight Loss Jabs: Quick Fix or Long-Term Issues?
I’ve been reading a lot lately about weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro. They’re being promoted everywhere—on social media, in the news, in conversations with friends. People are celebrating dramatic weight loss stories. But the more I read, the more uneasy I feel.
And I’m not alone.
There’s no question these drugs are effective for many people in the short term. They can suppress appetite and help stabilise blood sugar, and in some cases they’ve even helped improve conditions like type 2 diabetes. But what concerns me are the growing reports of serious side effects, long-term consequences, and the way they’re being offered as quick fixes—with little attention paid to what’s really going on underneath the weight.
As Dr. Joseph Mercola and many integrative practitioners have pointed out, the popularity of these jabs is outpacing our understanding of what they may be doing to our bodies in the long term. Read one of Dr. Mercola’s critical reviews on GLP-1 drugs, and another exploring the long-term metabolic concerns.
What Are These Weight Loss Drugs?
Most of these jabs are GLP-1 receptor agonists. That means they mimic a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, which helps regulate insulin, appetite and digestion. They make you feel full longer and slow down how fast food leaves your stomach. The NHS explains how they work.
But here’s the thing: these medications weren’t originally designed for people who just want to shed a few pounds. They were developed for type 2 diabetes and serious obesity. Now they’re being used by people who are simply struggling with weight and are desperate for a solution.
Dr. Mercola also raises concerns about weight loss drugs being misused, especially by those without a metabolic diagnosis.
The Risks and Side Effects
Short-term side effects are common and can be quite unpleasant:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- Headaches
- Fatigue
But more worrying are the emerging reports of:
- Muscle loss and weakness (source)
- Loss of appetite leading to undernourishment
- Depression or emotional flatness (BBC report)
- Gallbladder problems (NIH review)
- Pancreatitis
- Slowed digestion and bowel blockages
- Increased risk of thyroid tumours in animal studies (FDA warning)
Dr. Mercola further outlines concerns about how these drugs may disrupt appetite regulation long term and lead to a metabolic slowdown (source).
There are also psychological concerns. Some people report a kind of emotional blunting, a loss of interest in food and even in life. Eating isn’t just fuel—it’s social, cultural, sensual. These drugs may take that away.
And what happens when people come off them? Many experience rebound weight gain—and sometimes even more than they lost. According to this study, weight often returns once the drug is stopped. Why? Because the root causes weren’t addressed.
This MedPage Today report also highlights challenges with post-drug weight regain and lack of sustainable strategy.
What About the Long Term?
The truth is, we don’t know. These drugs are still relatively new for non-diabetic use. What we do know is that any solution that simply shuts off appetite without addressing the why behind weight gain is unlikely to work in the long run.
In fact, some doctors are warning that chronic use of GLP-1 drugs may stress the mitochondria (the energy factories in our cells), impair nutrient absorption, and create a dependency loop. Functional medicine practitioners like Dr. Peter Attia and Dr. Gabrielle Lyon have expressed concern about the long-term metabolic impact.
This article from Frontiers in Endocrinology also discusses mitochondrial dysfunction in obesity and how interventions should go deeper than symptom suppression.
Weight Is Not Just About Food
Weight struggles are rarely about willpower. I’ve worked with enough people to see that weight gain often has deeper roots:
- Hormonal imbalances
- Mitochondrial dysfunction
- Chronic inflammation
- Toxin build-up and sluggish liver
- Gut dysbiosis
- Emotional and energetic patterns
If we don’t address these root causes, we’re just applying a temporary fix. It may work for a while. It may feel amazing. But the body eventually pushes back.
This research summary shows how metabolic and emotional health often intertwine in weight gain and resistance.
What Can We Do Instead?
The answer isn’t about dieting harder. It’s about healing deeper. Supporting the body with nourishing food, rest, movement, and natural rhythms. Helping the liver detox gently. Calming inflammation. Rebalancing hormones. Feeding the gut. Tuning into emotional needs. Rebuilding mitochondrial energy.
I know this takes longer. It’s not glamorous. But it’s sustainable.
If you’re reading this and you’ve struggled with weight, please know: there is nothing wrong with you. Your body is not broken. It may be doing its best to protect you. With the right support, it can find its balance again—without needles, without side effects.
In my own work, I focus on restoring balance from the inside out. That’s why I created the Far Infrared Mineral Weight Loss Course—to share gentle, effective methods for reducing toxic load, supporting mitochondria, and reviving natural energy and metabolism.
In the next post, I’ll be exploring bariatric surgery and asking similar questions: Is it a miracle cure? Or another quick fix with hidden costs?
Until then, be gentle with yourself. Your body is listening.
