A Life Strategy of Moving Slow

If you've watched nature documentaries, you're likely familiar with the sloth—an animal that appears almost mythical in its existence.

• They possess a unique, often humorous grin, starkly contrasting with the typical expressions of other creatures.
• Their movements are so sluggish that they seem impervious to predators, as they simply don't run.
• Despite their near blindness, these animals are adept at climbing trees, which seems illogical.
• They present an odd blend of features reminiscent of monkeys, raccoons, and even vintage fur coats.

Dr. Rebecca Cliffe from the Sloth Conservation Foundation clarifies that the sloth's peculiar characteristics have led to numerous misconceptions about them.

Many perceive sloths as lazy or unintelligent, with the belief that their slow movements stem from a diet of toxic leaves. However, this is inaccurate. Sloths have a low-calorie diet consisting mainly of leaves and a specialized four-chambered stomach that digests food at a snail's pace—sometimes taking a week to process a single leaf. This results in low energy levels and muscle mass.

They move slowly not out of laziness but due to their energy constraints. Additionally, they cannot increase their food intake for more energy because they constantly feel satiated. This is crucial when considering the new weight loss drugs.

The Problems With These Weight Loss Drugs: Pros and Cons

These medications, known as GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy, reportedly slow gastric emptying, as noted by Berkeley Lovelace Jr. at NBC News. However, their effects extend beyond this.

Hari's investigations revealed that these drugs also influence brain activity. GLP-1 serves as a signal indicating satiety, prompting the body to cease eating. Unlike the natural signal that fades quickly, the effects of these weight loss medications can linger for about a week, essentially mimicking a sloth's metabolism.

Notably, Hari took Ozempic himself and lost approximately forty-two pounds, attributing this to reduced appetite. However, he also discovered some unsettling potential side effects during his research.

The exact workings of these drugs remain uncertain. Originally intended for diabetes management, they were found to have weight loss as an unintended side effect. The long-term consequences are also not fully understood. Reported side effects include "abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting," alongside more severe issues like stomach paralysis and pancreatic inflammation.

Rapid weight loss can lead to muscle loss and decreased bone density, a condition known as sarcopenia. Dr. Rekha Kumar, an endocrinologist, noted: > “Sarcopenia is typically associated with aging, but rapid weight loss using GLP-1s like Ozempic or Wegovy without appropriate diet and exercise can lead to sarcopenia at any age, which can diminish quality of life by reducing stamina and the ability to perform daily activities.”

Much like our favorite slow-moving creatures.

In a podcast interview with Bari Weiss, Hari acknowledged that once individuals discontinue these weight loss drugs, their appetite returns swiftly, leading to weight regain. Thus, ongoing use may be necessary indefinitely.

Despite these challenges, Hari asserts that the alternatives may be worse. He emphasizes the severe health risks associated with obesity. The Harvard School of Public Health outlines various dangers of excessive weight: > “Excess weight, particularly obesity, negatively impacts almost every facet of health, from reproductive and respiratory functions to cognitive and emotional well-being. Obesity elevates the risk for several serious and potentially fatal diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. This occurs through various mechanisms, some straightforward, such as the physical strain of carrying extra weight, and others involving complex hormonal and metabolic changes.”

In his podcast discussion, Hari recounted a striking conversation with British physician Max Pemberton, who indicated that he would prefer to be HIV positive over having diabetes, as the former can be effectively managed with medication.

Hari argues that due to the prevalence of obesity and its dangers, the risks associated with these medications are justified. Now, here’s where I weigh in.

The Problem With A Magic Pill

The Healthline article previously referenced offered intriguing guidance for addressing muscle loss linked to Ozempic-like treatments. Dr. Kumar and another endocrinologist from the American Board of Obesity Medicine recommended the following actions:

• Prioritize lean proteins, such as grilled or air-fried chicken, aiming for 25 to 30 grams per meal before consuming carbohydrates.
• Prepare meals in advance, substituting other lean proteins for fats, like low or non-fat Greek yogurt.
• Engage in strength training by lifting weights two to three times a week.

During my four-year lifestyle transformation, I implemented all of the above strategies without the need for injections.

For context, Ozempic costs around $1,000 monthly, while Wegovy is approximately $1,350.

Throughout various interviews, Hari often dismisses diet and exercise as viable solutions for most individuals, asserting that traditional weight loss methods are largely ineffective, necessitating more drastic measures to combat obesity.

He openly admits to maintaining a poor diet, which did not change post-medication. According to an interview with Weis: > “Instead of having a Big Mac, fries, and McNuggets, I just had fries. My diet was still predominantly composed of processed and junk food, just in smaller portions.”

Hari scarcely mentions exercise. He relies on the weight loss drug, hoping it won’t cause severe damage. This brings me to my concern.

If this medication were primarily employed to assist individuals in dire health conditions to jumpstart their weight loss journey, I would support it wholeheartedly. However, we both know that this is unlikely to happen.

Hari discovered Ozempic at a Hollywood event after Covid lockdowns. He observed that celebrities and industry professionals didn’t gain weight despite being unable to access gyms. He later admitted that vanity drove his desire to lose weight.

The rise in obesity rates can be attributed to technology, which has made convenience our master:

• The advent of processed foods allows for cheap, fast meals around the clock, eliminating the need for cooking.
• Our increasingly sedentary lifestyles stem from machines performing tasks that once required physical exertion. Unlike our ancestors, children today often prefer to play video games over going outside.

As a result, we face a collective health crisis exacerbated by our reliance on convenience. Ironically, we are now offered a solution to a problem rooted in convenience: simply take a pill (or injection).

Given the option—as Hari suggests—I suspect a significant portion of the population will choose to take a pill and eschew other efforts, resulting in weight loss accompanied by muscle loss and a sluggish metabolism. People will likely flock to join the ranks of the sloths.

However, one last note: as Dr. Cliffe points out, sloths have thrived for 64 million years, and their slow approach has proven successful. In contrast, we have not had the same luxury of time to fine-tune our strategies. Instead, we are relying on pharmaceutical innovations to resolve issues that science itself created.

Ultimately, one certainty remains: pharmaceutical companies will reap substantial profits addressing a problem they helped generate. The so-called magic pill for obesity is not the solution to our underlying issues.

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