Too Much Emphasis on Rapid Weight Loss Can Be Harmful

The recent market reaction to the trial results of Novo Nordisk’s next-generation weight loss drug highlights a dangerous trend: the overemphasis on losing a significant number of pounds as the sole measure of success. Company executives earlier had predicted on investor calls that the medication, CagriSema could result in weight loss of at least 25%. People in the trial lost 22.7 percent of their body weight. That led investors to dump Novo Nordisk’s stock, causing the biggest decline in the company’s history. Just a few years ago, this same 22.7% would have been lauded as an extraordinary event and would undoubtedly have produced a huge stock price boost.

All of this underscores a problematic race toward rapid and extreme weight reduction, often at the expense of long-term health and sustainability.

Precipitous weight loss, especially when achieved through medication, can have unintended consequences. Rapid weight loss often results in significant muscle mass loss alongside fat reduction. This can lead to metabolic dysfunction, weakened immune systems, and increased risk of injury. Furthermore, rapid weight loss is notoriously difficult to maintain. When individuals regain weight after such drastic measures, they often regain fat more quickly than muscle, leading to a less healthy body composition.

Endevica Bio is developing its own weight loss drug that shows great promise for helping patients lose more fat and less muscle than GLP-1 drugs. Even so, we believe sustainable weight loss should prioritize gradual and consistent changes in lifestyle. This includes a balanced diet rich in whole foods, regular physical activity, and stress management techniques. Medications can be a valuable tool within a comprehensive weight management plan, but they should not be seen as a magic bullet.

The focus should shift from maximizing weight loss percentages to optimizing overall health and well-being. This includes considering factors like improved blood sugar control, reduced cardiovascular risk, and enhanced quality of life. By prioritizing long-term health and sustainable lifestyle changes, we can move away from the harmful cycle of rapid weight loss and regain, and towards a more holistic approach to weight management.

By Dr. Daniel Marks, MD, PhD is Chief Medical and Scientific Officer at Endevica Bio.