Scientists develop chocolate biscuit which makes you feel full
The dark chocolate biscuits triggered the key fullness hormone GLP-1 - which is the target of appetite-suppressing injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro
Scientists have invented a chocolate biscuit which could help weight loss by stopping us binge eating on treats.
Experts who designed the new biscuit say antioxidants in cocoa-rich dark chocolate may help make you feel sooner and stop overeating. Experts at the University of Eastern Piedmont in Italy added a bitter compound from the Artemisia absinthium plant to a normal dark chocolate biscuit.
They found dark chocolate biscuits triggered the key fullness hormone GLP-1, which is the target of appetite-suppressing injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro. People reported feeling more full after eating the dark chocolate biscuit with the added compound.
Study author Dr Flavia Prodam said: 'This is an important thing to target because we need to educate people to eat less but there is a lot of failure. The emotional part of eating is important in obesity. People want comfort foods, so having one that decreases hunger could be a good strategy.
'We treat patients with drugs but I think the basis is lifestyle management, which is very difficult. Motivating people with comfort food could be an important strategy and putting the two together could be very good for patients.'
The researchers said their early tests suggest that people feel more full after eating the new biscuit and so would potentially eat less afterwards.
Most biscuits contain a lot of sugar and fat and it is not known yet whether any new biscuit would see the benefits outweigh the harms.
Dark chocolate, particularly with a cacao content of over 70%, is known to trigger fullness hormones. The study showed that a standard dark chocolate biscuit without the bitter extract had the same effect of boosting fullness hormones when compared to a glucose drink. The biscuits with the new compound also reduced self-reported hunger in participants.
Dr Prodam said: 'All the people who ate the biscuit reported lower hunger before dinner. It has already been reported that cocoa and dark chocolate have an effect on satiety. In this biscuit with the bitter compound that effect is even higher.'
The biscuits are the latest attempt to tackle obesity by triggering the GLP-1 hormone to stop people overeating.
The researchers said their new chocolate biscuit would be easy to mass produce so could be advertised as a new treat you can't overeat - making it less likely people will scoff the whole pack in one go.
Study author Dr Flavia Prodam said: 'I think the GLP-1 receptor could be modulated specifically by the bitter compound but we need to investigate this part… They are very good and similar to normal cocoa biscuits – very tasty.'
Dr Carrie Ruxton, a dietitian who was not involved in the study, said: 'The biscuits were compared with a glucose drink, which would be rapidly absorbed by the body and create spikes in glucose. So performing better [on fullness] than a glucose drink is not much of an endorsement.
'A more effective way of limiting appetite and boosting satiety is to eat more fibre and protein. Fibre is low in calories and slows digestion helping us to feel fuller quicker. Protein has been shown to boost GLP-1 levels which helps appetite control.
'Good options for snacks include boiled eggs, wholemeal toast with peanut butter, seeds, popcorn, pineapple cubes, roasted chickpeas or edamame beans.'
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Telegraph
6 hours ago
- Telegraph
How exactly do weight-loss drugs work – and which ones are best?
When it comes to weight loss, we're all after a magic bullet, a simple, stress-free way of shedding the excess pounds. And so for millions around the world, the arrival of the so-called GLP-1 class of weight-loss drugs in 2021 seemed like a godsend, especially for anyone who's struggled to stick with dieting advice, commit to an exercise regime or simply find a weight-loss solution that works. Named after the GLP-1 hormone they mimic in the brain, the drugs help you stay full longer and reduce appetite. But while drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro are now household names, they aren't as easy to access on the NHS as many would hope. People willing to pay can now get them via a range of private clinics and online doctor services, although legitimate services will not prescribe them to you unless you have a BMI of 27 or higher, in accordance with guidelines. However, with patents starting to expire and the cost of these medications predicted to fall, as well as future GLP-1 drugs which are promised to be even more effective now in the pipeline, the future of weight-loss treatments seems promising. So with that in mind, how exactly do GLP-1 drugs work, what's out there, and who is eligible to get them? What are GLP-1s? The different types Which is best for weight loss? Side effects Cost What are GLP-1s and how did it all start? The story of a drug market, and the origins of GLP-1, now worth hundreds of billions, began with a surprise discovery at Massachusetts General Hospital in the 1980s. Svetlana Mojsov, a biochemist at The Rockefeller University, carried out a series of experiments which revealed that the gut releases a hormone called GLP-1 in response to eating, stimulating the release of insulin in the pancreas. Further research would later show that GLP-1 also acts on the brain to signal that we're satiated and dampen down appetite. Over more than two decades, scientists at Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk and American pharma Eli Lilly would work to develop synthetic versions of this natural hormone; injectable medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists, or more commonly, GLP-1s. The idea was that they would bind to and activate the same biological pathways in the body as the real thing, but in a vastly more potent fashion which lasted for days at a time. GLP-1s were initially marketed to Type 2 diabetes patients because of their ability to stimulate the production of insulin when blood sugar levels are excessively high. The more recent suite of medications are administered in higher doses, with the primary goal of facilitating weight loss. 'The drugs that work on this system are much more powerful than the natural GLP-1 hormone,' explains Prof John Wilding, an expert in obesity, diabetes and endocrinology at the University of Liverpool. 'The natural hormone is broken down within a few minutes, whereas you inject the drugs and they last in the body for a week or longer.' How do the GLP-1 drugs work? Scientists have discovered that both the vagus nerve – a vast chain of nerve fibres which spans the body – and the brain itself, is studded with so-called GLP-1 receptors. These are proteins which can be specifically stimulated by either the body's own GLP-1 hormones produced by the gut, or synthetic GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro. Wilding says that the presence of GLP-1 receptors in the brain is thought to be one of the key reasons why GLP-1 drugs can impact hunger, fullness and reward, as they allow these drugs to stimulate various brain regions, swiftly dampening down appetite and the desire to overeat. But beyond weight loss, there also may be some unforeseen, even more profound, consequences of stimulating GLP-1 receptors in the brain which is why GLP-1 drugs are also being studied for conditions ranging from addiction to neurodegenerative diseases. Because these receptors are not only found in the brain, but across the body, including in organs such as the kidney and the heart, they may also have beneficial consequences when it comes to preventing and even treating a range of chronic diseases. The different types of GLP-1 drugs 1. Liraglutide (Saxenda) Good for low levels of weight loss It didn't make as many headlines as Ozempic, yet a different drug known as Saxenda was actually the first GLP-1 to become available on the NHS for treating obesity, back in October 2020. A daily rather than weekly injection, it isn't quite as powerful or as long-lasting as the newer alternatives which has led to Saxenda being eclipsed. 'There's been two or three generations of these drugs,' says Prof Wilding. 'The initial ones have mostly disappeared from the market because they were once or even twice a day injections, and relatively weak compared to what we've got now. But Saxenda is still available and has some effect on body weight.' More notably, Saxenda's UK patent expired last month and the so-called generics industry – which produces non-branded copies of existing drugs – has already developed copies of liraglutide which are expected to be considerably cheaper than other GLP-1s, potentially boosting its appeal. 2. Semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) Good for building up the dosage more slowly A weekly GLP-1 injection, semaglutide is marketed as Ozempic for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes and Wegovy for the treatment of obesity. Wilding explains that the main difference between Ozempic and Wegovy is that the latter offers a slightly higher maximum dose of semaglutide which people can work their way up to using. 'For diabetes the dose usually only goes up to one milligram,' he says. 'But with Wegovy, the maximum dose is 2.4mg.' Compared with Saxenda, it's not only longer-acting but the reach of the drug also seems to be more potent. 'We know from some of the preclinical studies in mice that semaglutide seems to reach parts of the brain that liraglutide doesn't reach,' says Wilding. 3. Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) Good for higher amounts of weight loss The most powerful weight loss drug on offer, Mounjaro is slightly more complex than either Saxenda or Wegovy. As well as activating the body's GLP-1 receptors, it also stimulates receptors used by a second gut hormone called GIP. 'What the gut hormone is doing is helping the GLP-1 work better,' says Martin Whyte, an associate professor of metabolic medicine at the University of Surrey. 'So it's almost like a super GLP-1.' Prof Wilding points out that Mounjaro also comes in six different doses, with the 5mg dose offering similar weight loss benefits to Wegovy, and then the higher 10mg and 15mg doses helping patients to lose even more weight. 4. Retatrutide The most powerful weight loss drug This isn't yet clinically available but retatrutide already created something of a stir in the obesity medicine world on the back of clinical trials which suggest that it's the most powerful weight loss drug created so far. Developed by Eli Lilly, makers of Mounjaro, you'll hear retatrutide described as a 'triple agonist,' which means that it mimics the effects of three gut hormones: GLP-1, GIP and another one called glucagon. This means that it doesn't just blunt appetite, it also speeds up the metabolism of body fat. Currently being studied in a phase three trial, it could feasibly hit the market in the next couple of years. There's more expected to come as well with more than 100 different drugs based on various gut hormones in different stages of clinical development. 'We're going to see a lot of competition and interest in this area, because now people know it can be done,' says Prof Wilding. 'That's probably a good thing, because it means more choice for patients. Maybe somebody who doesn't tolerate one will be able to take another one, so having a range of options available is good.' Which GLP-1 drug is the best for weight-loss? The following table shows the average percentage weight-loss for each GLP-1 drug: Dr Whyte says that when he treats patients with obesity, he now almost always prescribes Mounjaro because the weight loss effects are clearly superior to anything else currently available. 'In terms of weight loss, there's a very good argument to just use tirzepatide and not semaglutide full stop,' he says. This could change again if retatrutide is approved for mainstream use in the coming years. However, Dr Whyte predicts that the emergence of more options will allow doctors to make more tailored choices. 'In many individuals, you don't need 20 per cent weight loss,' he says. 'The data shows that if your BMI is less than 35, something like 7 per cent weight loss can already achieve a clear metabolic benefit. So something like semaglutide would be perfectly reasonable and would do the job just as well.' What are the other health benefits? GLP-1 drugs have also been linked to other health benefits besides weight loss. They have been shown to help reduce the risk of: Sleep apnoea Addiction Cardiovascular disease Chronic kidney disease Obesity-related cancers Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease Dementia From curbing alcohol addictions to reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease, GLP-1s have the potential to become game-changing medications for an entire plethora of other conditions. Some benefits are, of course, a direct result of weight loss. Tirzepatide is now approved by regulators in the United States as a treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea, a dangerous midlife condition exacerbated by excess weight where breathing stops and starts dozens or hundreds of times during sleep, while research presented at the 2025 European Congress on Obesity showed that GLP-1s can almost halve the risk of obesity-related cancers. Semaglutide is also officially recognised by regulators as reducing risk of heart attack and stroke in people at higher risk of these conditions. 'We see improvements in things like cholesterol and other fats in the blood [when people take GLP-1s],' says Prof Wilding. 'Bad fats tend to go down and good fats tend to go up. We see lowering of blood pressure and general improvements in quality of life.' But research is also showing that GLP-1s can have even broader effects, curbing cravings for alcohol and other substances in people with long-term addictions, something which scientists believe relates to the impact of these drugs on reward pathways in the brain. Most fascinatingly of all, clinical trials are now formally testing whether these drugs can protect against the onset and progression of dementia in people with mild cognitive impairment, with studies in animals suggesting it can reduce inflammation in the brain and stimulate the repair of damaged nerve cells. What are the side effects? As with most drugs, there are downsides. These include: Nausea Constipation or diarrhoea Gallstones Pancreatitis Hypoglycaemia Allergic reactions Prof Wilding says that the majority of people who take GLP-1 drugs can expect some side effects, most commonly nausea and gastrointestinal (GI) problems such as constipation or diarrhoea. In a small number of cases, these issues can prove so intolerable that users end up quitting the medication, but the majority of users are able to cope by slowly tapering up the dose over time. 'If you look at the trials, 80-90 per cent of the people are able to stay on the medicine, but there are a significant minority who can't, just because of these GI side effects,' says Prof Wilding. Much rarer problems can also occur such as the formation of gallstones, which Wilding says can be a side effect of any form of weight loss, as well as pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas. 'This can be a very serious medical condition which can be related to gallstones,' he adds. Because of the risk of side effects, researchers are keen to emphasise that these drugs are not benign and should be used with caution. In April 2025, researchers from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention assessed data from thousands of emergency department visits which had been directly linked to semaglutide. While gastrointestinal side effects were the main reason, the data showed that some patients also experienced allergic reactions to the drug and a sudden drop in blood sugars levels, known as hypoglycaemia, which in some cases required hospitalisation. 'It may be that semaglutide interacts with other medications, or that some people who use semaglutide stop eating to the point of severe hypoglycaemia,' says Dr Pieter Cohen, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School and one of the study authors. According to Dr Whyte, side effects are less common with tirzepatide and there is a hope that this will also be the case with retatrutide. How available are GLP-1 weight-loss drugs? Despite the clamour for GLP-1s, their availability in the UK is still relatively restricted on the NHS. Drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro are only available to people with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 35, as well as at least one obesity-related health problem such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes or sleep apnoea. On a private basis though, the restrictions are less strict. The drugs are officially licenced to be given to people with a BMI of over 30 or, as Dr Whyte says, doctors will prescribe it to people with a BMI over 27 providing that their weight is impacting their health. 'I'm not afraid to use it if they've got a BMI of 28 and significant fatty liver disease, or polycystic ovarian syndrome and they're struggling to conceive, that sort of thing,' says Whyte. Dr Whyte predicts that the prescribing of GLP-1s will become more nuanced than just the relatively arbitrary BMI figure. Instead, he says that tools such as bioimpedance scanners - smart scales which run a small, imperceptible electric current through your body to estimate your percentage of body fat – waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio, will be used to determine who can benefit most. 'Hopefully licences for things like GLP-1s won't just be based on a BMI number,' he says. 'It will be about getting more of a grip on how much fat there is, whether it's abdominally distributed, which is more harmful, and then looking at the health consequences for that individual.' How much do they cost? The exact prices vary per clinic, as many services offer package deals which also incorporate weight loss coaching and advice alongside the drugs themselves. However, here are some prices offered by Asda and Superdrug Online Doctor services. Liraglutide (Saxenda) Saxenda is currently out of stock in the UK, both on the NHS and across private services. However according to Asda Online Doctor, a generic version of Saxenda is now available under the name of Nevolat, with prices starting from £127.00 Semaglutide (Wegovy) According to Superdrug Online Doctor, monthly prices for Wegovy begin from £195 per month for the lowest dose regimen (0.25mg/week). The highest dosing plan (2.4mg/week) costs £295 per month. Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) Again prices vary from £215 per month for the lowest dose (2.5mg/week) to £245 per month for the highest dose (15mg/week), according to Superdrug Online Doctor.
Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I was left with ‘bulldog face' for tummy & 7 TEETH fell out after using fat jabs…but it was all worth it for 1 reason
At her heaviest, Hope weighed more than 18 stone and was once cruelly mocked by a stranger because of her size TOOTH BE TOLD I was left with 'bulldog face' for tummy & 7 TEETH fell out after using fat jabs…but it was all worth it for 1 reason FOR Hope Lancaster Colquhoun, her perfect smile had always been a source of pride - so it was a moment of pure horror when she looked in the mirror to see two rows of broken teeth. The mum was forced to have at least seven teeth yanked out by dentists after a weight loss jab allegedly caused them to snap in half - and that wasn't her only shocking side effect. Advertisement 7 Hope Lancaster Colquhoun, pictured before taking weight loss injections, has shed an incredible nine stone - but ended up with broken teeth 7 Hope was forced to have at least seven teeth taken out after they snapped in half 7 Hope, 42, also saw her stomach sag into a 'bulldog's face' Hope, 42, who had dreamed of losing weight not teeth, also saw her stomach sag into a 'bulldog's face' after taking Mounjaro, dubbed the King Kong of weight loss injections. Yet despite her excess skin and cracked teeth - which have left her needing dentures for life - she insists the prescription-only so-called 'fat jab' has saved her life. Advertisement She has shed an incredible nine stone, and dropped seven dress sizes. 'The weight just slipped off me, but sadly, so did my teeth,' Hope told Sun Health, recalling her most terrifying side effect of Mounjaro, which is increasingly popular across the nation. "My gnashers before were perfect and I was really proud of my natural smile. I never had any dental work and kept up with my oral hygiene more than most people I knew. "But one day, I noticed they felt different. 'As I ran my tongue against the top of my mouth, I noticed a sharp, jagged edge. Advertisement 'I looked in the mirror and was left horrified as not one, but multiple, of my teeth had completely snapped in half.' Hope's stomach dropped at her reflection. 'I wondered what on Earth was happening to me,' said the content creator, who lives in Hebburn, Tyne and Wear. "In a panic, I called my husband, who rushed me to the doctor's.' Weight Loss Jabs - Pros vs Cons There, Hope - once cruelly called a 'whale' by a stranger because of her size - says she was told the damage was likely down to having lost so much weight in such a short timeframe. "I tried to cry, but the pain in my mouth was too much to take,' she added. Advertisement 'While I had lost weight, I had also lost such an important part of me.' Hope's dentist later told her at least seven of her teeth had to be immediately pulled out. "I sat in the chair, feeling sick to my stomach, as they yanked my natural teeth away,' she said. "I knew they weren't going to hold on for much longer, but it didn't make the situation any less unbearable. "I came back home that day, unable to speak, and sat staring at my calendar filling up with more dental appointments.' Advertisement 'ISOLATING' Hope had turned to Mounjaro - used for weight management and to treat diabetes in adults - after a years-long battle with her weight had rendered her 'a complete shell' of herself. At her heaviest, she weighed more than 18 stone. Wearing size 22 clothes, Hope lived in fear of being stared at and judged by others - including at her own sister's wedding. 'On my sister's wedding day, I felt defeated,' admitted Hope, originally from Texas, US. 'While everyone was getting their glam done, I was helping set up because, at that point, my looks didn't matter. I was just the 'bigger one' in the background. I dreaded walking down the aisle, as I knew people would look at me and judge how heavy I was. 'I've always been made fun of. Once, I got a call from my niece saying someone took a photo of me at our local grocery store and captioned it, 'Whales shouldn't be put in clothes.' Advertisement 'Even to this day, I struggle with wearing shorts in public out of fear my photo might get taken again. People have nicknamed me 'marshmallow'. It's been isolating.' Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines. Feeling 'deeply self-conscious', Hope eventually confined herself to home. 'I didn't leave the house except for groceries or to pick up my kids from school,' she told us. 'Scrolling on social media or watching TV became quite tough. 'There was a constant reminder that I should be thin. Advertisement 'If I wanted to be accepted, or partake in certain trends, I had to lose weight. The weight just slipped off me, but sadly, so did my teeth 'I was a complete shell of myself, with no social life, happiness or motivation. 'Not only that, my health was suffering, too.' Back then, Hope would eat McDonald's for breakfast, followed by leftovers from the previous night for lunch. For dinner, she'd have a carbohydrate-heavy meal, such as pasta and chips. Though she tried to lose weight naturally - including going to the gym, having consultations with a dietitian and using other weight loss medications - she had little-to-no success. Advertisement 7 Hope is facing a lifetime of dentures after her teeth snapped 7 Hope with her husband As well as the devastating impact on her mental health and social life, Hope says she suffered from months of unexplained illness and frequent fainting episodes. She ended up being raced to hospital with 'dangerously high' blood sugar levels. It was after Hope was diagnosed with diabetes that her doctor suggested Mounjaro - which studies have indicated could, if prescribed widely, slash heart attack and cancer rates. Advertisement Hope was prescribed the jab by Oushk Pharmacy for £189 a month to help her manage her condition. And the effects, she says, were 'life-changing'. 'I found myself craving healthier foods, drinking more water and just overall more active,' said Hope, who now wears size eight clothes and feels like a 'new person'. 'Within a month, I noticed I wasn't feeling so depressed either. I reversed any health issues and was able to come off my medication as I didn't need it anymore. 'My diabetes is now excellently controlled – and considering I was on the brink of death with it, I'm pretty proud of myself.' Mounjaro, the brand name for tirzepatide, works by suppressing your appetite, making you feel fuller for longer. Advertisement This week, The Sun revealed that Health Secretary Wes Streeting wants the NHS to 'get with the times' and speed up its roll-out of 'game-changing' weight loss jabs. What to do if you lose too much weight too quickly whilst on Mounjaro IF you're losing too much weight too quickly while on Mounjaro, it's important to take action to avoid potential health risks like muscle loss, malnutrition, dehydration, and fatigue. Here's what you can do: Evaluate Your Caloric Intake Mounjaro reduces appetite, which can make it easy to eat too little. If you're losing weight too fast (more than two to three lbs per week after the initial adjustment period), try: Tracking your food intake to ensure you're eating enough calories (apps like MyFitnessPal can help). Increasing protein intake to preserve muscle mass (aim for 0.6–1g per pound of body weight). Adding healthy fats and complex carbs (e.g., avocados, nuts, whole grains) for balanced energy. Adjust Your Dosage (With Doctor's Approval) If your weight loss is too rapid or causing side effects, your doctor may: Pause dose increases or lower your dosage. Adjust your treatment plan to stabilise your weight loss. Strength Training & Exercise To prevent muscle loss: Incorporate resistance training at least two to three times per week. Stay active with low-impact exercises like walking or yoga. Hydrate & Manage Electrolytes Drink enough water (Mounjaro can reduce thirst). Electrolytes matter - Consider adding magnesium, sodium, and potassium if you feel weak or fatigued. Monitor for Malnutrition & Deficiencies Rapid weight loss can cause vitamin/mineral deficiencies (especially B12, iron, and electrolytes). If you experience: Fatigue, hair loss, or dizziness, ask your doctor about supplements. Consider Further Medical Guidance If your weight loss is excessive or causing health concerns, speak with your healthcare provider. They might adjust your dosage, diet, or exercise plan to help stabilise your weight loss. Tirzepatide - which can be prescribed privately in the UK - has been approved for NHS use by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. NHS England is rolling out the medication, starting with the highest-priority patients — 220,000 over three years. But Mr Streeting said: 'I want to see us put our foot down on the accelerator. 'We need to get with the times and make sure those who might not be able to afford these drugs are able to access them.' Some 1.5million Brits used weight loss injections in March. Advertisement But Hope's experience of shedding the pounds wasn't all positive. 'During the weight loss, at one point, I compared my stomach to a bulldog's face [due to the excess skin],' she told us. 'But over time, my skin has shrunk.' She is also facing a lifetime of dentures after her teeth snapped. Following the removal of her broken gnashers, Hope had a partial denture fitted. '[This] made me feel like a granny, though at least I could smile through the pain again,' she said. LIFETIME OF DENTURES She has since had four fillings and spent over £3,700 on fixing her teeth. Advertisement And more work is needed in the future. But despite her turmoil, Hope doesn't regret her decision to inject Mounjaro one bit. 'I'd encourage people to consider the jab because of how life-changing it's been for me,' said Hope, who, as well as taking Mounjaro, switched up her diet to include lots of fruit and vegetables, healthy protein such as lean chicken, and at least five litres of water. She also joined a gym, and stayed active by chasing her sister's spider monkeys around the house. 'Even my sister and mum both take it now. Advertisement 'Weight loss journeys are hard and all of our stories are different. 'This isn't the easy way out, as some might say, as we still have to make healthy food choices, stay active and prioritise our health. 'For those of us with multiple conditions, such as myself, it's been a lifeline. 'I credit Mounjaro for giving me another chance at life.' 7 Hope's teeth when they started looking brown and yellow from decay Advertisement 7 Despite her turmoil, Hope doesn't regret her decision to inject Mounjaro On April 17, 2024, Hope tied the knot - and the mum had 'never felt more beautiful'. 'I've completely got my life and confidence back,' said Hope, who has suffered from other - minor - side effects including regular burping, diarrhoea and headaches. 'My family are completely overjoyed by my transformation. They've watched me struggle for years, but now they're so proud of the person I've become. 'People have said I'm cheating or [are] commenting that I've lost too much weight. But none of them told me to stop eating when I was slowly killing myself being obese.' Advertisement She added: 'I feel like a totally new person. I can't believe it. 'It's like I've found the answer I've been searching for my whole life.' The Sun has contacted Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro, for a comment. It said: "Patient safety is Lilly's top priority, and we take any reports regarding patient safety extremely seriously. "Regulatory agencies conduct extensive independent assessments of the benefits and risks of every new medicine and Lilly is committed to continually monitoring, evaluating, and reporting safety data to ensure the latest information is available for regulators and prescribers. Advertisement "We encourage patients to consult their doctor or other healthcare professional regarding any possible side effects they may be experiencing and to ensure that they are getting genuine Lilly medicine."
The Sun
9 hours ago
- The Sun
I was left with ‘bulldog face' for tummy & 7 TEETH fell out after using fat jabs…but it was all worth it for 1 reason
FOR Hope Lancaster Colquhoun, her perfect smile had always been a source of pride - so it was a moment of pure horror when she looked in the mirror to see two rows of broken teeth. The mum was forced to have at least seven teeth yanked out by dentists after a weight loss jab allegedly caused them to snap in half - and that wasn't her only shocking side effect. 7 7 7 Hope, 42, who had dreamed of losing weight not teeth, also saw her stomach sag into a 'bulldog's face' after taking Mounjaro, dubbed the King Kong of weight loss injections. Yet despite her excess skin and cracked teeth - which have left her needing dentures for life - she insists the prescription-only so-called 'fat jab' has saved her life. She has shed an incredible nine stone, and dropped seven dress sizes. 'The weight just slipped off me, but sadly, so did my teeth,' Hope told Sun Health, recalling her most terrifying side effect of Mounjaro, which is increasingly popular across the nation. "My gnashers before were perfect and I was really proud of my natural smile. I never had any dental work and kept up with my oral hygiene more than most people I knew. "But one day, I noticed they felt different. 'As I ran my tongue against the top of my mouth, I noticed a sharp, jagged edge. 'I looked in the mirror and was left horrified as not one, but multiple, of my teeth had completely snapped in half.' Hope's stomach dropped at her reflection. 'I wondered what on Earth was happening to me,' said the content creator, who lives in Hebburn, Tyne and Wear. "In a panic, I called my husband, who rushed me to the doctor's.' Weight Loss Jabs - Pros vs Cons There, Hope - once cruelly called a 'whale' by a stranger because of her size - says she was told the damage was likely down to having lost so much weight in such a short timeframe. "I tried to cry, but the pain in my mouth was too much to take,' she added. 'While I had lost weight, I had also lost such an important part of me.' Hope's dentist later told her at least seven of her teeth had to be immediately pulled out. "I sat in the chair, feeling sick to my stomach, as they yanked my natural teeth away,' she said. "I knew they weren't going to hold on for much longer, but it didn't make the situation any less unbearable. "I came back home that day, unable to speak, and sat staring at my calendar filling up with more dental appointments.' 'ISOLATING' Hope had turned to Mounjaro - used for weight management and to treat diabetes in adults - after a years-long battle with her weight had rendered her 'a complete shell' of herself. At her heaviest, she weighed more than 18 stone. Wearing size 22 clothes, Hope lived in fear of being stared at and judged by others - including at her own sister's wedding. 'On my sister's wedding day, I felt defeated,' admitted Hope, originally from Texas, US. 'While everyone was getting their glam done, I was helping set up because, at that point, my looks didn't matter. I was just the 'bigger one' in the background. I dreaded walking down the aisle, as I knew people would look at me and judge how heavy I was. 'I've always been made fun of. Once, I got a call from my niece saying someone took a photo of me at our local grocery store and captioned it, 'Whales shouldn't be put in clothes.' 'Even to this day, I struggle with wearing shorts in public out of fear my photo might get taken again. People have nicknamed me 'marshmallow'. It's been isolating.' Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines. Feeling 'deeply self-conscious', Hope eventually confined herself to home. 'I didn't leave the house except for groceries or to pick up my kids from school,' she told us. 'Scrolling on social media or watching TV became quite tough. 'There was a constant reminder that I should be thin. 'If I wanted to be accepted, or partake in certain trends, I had to lose weight. 'I was a complete shell of myself, with no social life, happiness or motivation. 'Not only that, my health was suffering, too.' Back then, Hope would eat McDonald's for breakfast, followed by leftovers from the previous night for lunch. For dinner, she'd have a carbohydrate-heavy meal, such as pasta and chips. Though she tried to lose weight naturally - including going to the gym, having consultations with a dietitian and using other weight loss medications - she had little-to-no success. 7 As well as the devastating impact on her mental health and social life, Hope says she suffered from months of unexplained illness and frequent fainting episodes. She ended up being raced to hospital with 'dangerously high' blood sugar levels. It was after Hope was diagnosed with diabetes that her doctor suggested Mounjaro - which studies have indicated could, if prescribed widely, slash heart attack and cancer rates. Hope was prescribed the jab by Oushk Pharmacy for £189 a month to help her manage her condition. And the effects, she says, were 'life-changing'. 'I found myself craving healthier foods, drinking more water and just overall more active,' said Hope, who now wears size eight clothes and feels like a 'new person'. 'Within a month, I noticed I wasn't feeling so depressed either. I reversed any health issues and was able to come off my medication as I didn't need it anymore. 'My diabetes is now excellently controlled – and considering I was on the brink of death with it, I'm pretty proud of myself.' Mounjaro, the brand name for tirzepatide, works by suppressing your appetite, making you feel fuller for longer. This week, The Sun revealed that Health Secretary Wes Streeting wants the NHS to 'get with the times' and speed up its roll-out of 'game-changing' weight loss jabs. What to do if you lose too much weight too quickly whilst on Mounjaro IF you're losing too much weight too quickly while on Mounjaro, it's important to take action to avoid potential health risks like muscle loss, malnutrition, dehydration, and fatigue. Here's what you can do: Evaluate Your Caloric Intake Mounjaro reduces appetite, which can make it easy to eat too little. If you're losing weight too fast (more than two to three lbs per week after the initial adjustment period), try: Tracking your food intake to ensure you're eating enough calories (apps like MyFitnessPal can help). Increasing protein intake to preserve muscle mass (aim for 0.6–1g per pound of body weight). Adding healthy fats and complex carbs (e.g., avocados, nuts, whole grains) for balanced energy. Adjust Your Dosage (With Doctor's Approval) If your weight loss is too rapid or causing side effects, your doctor may: Pause dose increases or lower your dosage. Adjust your treatment plan to stabilise your weight loss. Strength Training & Exercise To prevent muscle loss: Incorporate resistance training at least two to three times per week. Stay active with low-impact exercises like walking or yoga. Hydrate & Manage Electrolytes Drink enough water (Mounjaro can reduce thirst). Electrolytes matter - Consider adding magnesium, sodium, and potassium if you feel weak or fatigued. Monitor for Malnutrition & Deficiencies Rapid weight loss can cause vitamin/mineral deficiencies (especially B12, iron, and electrolytes). If you experience: Fatigue, hair loss, or dizziness, ask your doctor about supplements. Consider Further Medical Guidance If your weight loss is excessive or causing health concerns, speak with your healthcare provider. They might adjust your dosage, diet, or exercise plan to help stabilise your weight loss. Tirzepatide - which can be prescribed privately in the UK - has been approved for NHS use by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. NHS England is rolling out the medication, starting with the highest-priority patients — 220,000 over three years. But Mr Streeting said: 'I want to see us put our foot down on the accelerator. 'We need to get with the times and make sure those who might not be able to afford these drugs are able to access them.' Some 1.5million Brits used weight loss injections in March. But Hope's experience of shedding the pounds wasn't all positive. 'During the weight loss, at one point, I compared my stomach to a bulldog's face [due to the excess skin],' she told us. 'But over time, my skin has shrunk.' She is also facing a lifetime of dentures after her teeth snapped. Following the removal of her broken gnashers, Hope had a partial denture fitted. '[This] made me feel like a granny, though at least I could smile through the pain again,' she said. LIFETIME OF DENTURES She has since had four fillings and spent over £3,700 on fixing her teeth. And more work is needed in the future. But despite her turmoil, Hope doesn't regret her decision to inject Mounjaro one bit. 'I'd encourage people to consider the jab because of how life-changing it's been for me,' said Hope, who, as well as taking Mounjaro, switched up her diet to include lots of fruit and vegetables, healthy protein such as lean chicken, and at least five litres of water. She also joined a gym, and stayed active by chasing her sister's spider monkeys around the house. 'Even my sister and mum both take it now. 'Weight loss journeys are hard and all of our stories are different. 'This isn't the easy way out, as some might say, as we still have to make healthy food choices, stay active and prioritise our health. 'For those of us with multiple conditions, such as myself, it's been a lifeline. 'I credit Mounjaro for giving me another chance at life.' 7 7 On April 17, 2024, Hope tied the knot - and the mum had 'never felt more beautiful'. 'I've completely got my life and confidence back,' said Hope, who has suffered from other - minor - side effects including regular burping, diarrhoea and headaches. 'My family are completely overjoyed by my transformation. They've watched me struggle for years, but now they're so proud of the person I've become. 'People have said I'm cheating or [are] commenting that I've lost too much weight. But none of them told me to stop eating when I was slowly killing myself being obese.' She added: 'I feel like a totally new person. I can't believe it. 'It's like I've found the answer I've been searching for my whole life.' The Sun has contacted Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro, for a comment. It said: "Patient safety is Lilly's top priority, and we take any reports regarding patient safety extremely seriously. "Regulatory agencies conduct extensive independent assessments of the benefits and risks of every new medicine and Lilly is committed to continually monitoring, evaluating, and reporting safety data to ensure the latest information is available for regulators and prescribers. "We encourage patients to consult their doctor or other healthcare professional regarding any possible side effects they may be experiencing and to ensure that they are getting genuine Lilly medicine."
