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The Print
12 hours ago
- Health
- The Print
‘Fat-shamers are now Ozempic-shamers' — new book takes on India's weight-loss obsession
It was a power-packed panel: Minister of State Jitendra Singh, actor Sharmila Tagore, and HT Media chairperson Shobhana Bhartia shared the stage alongside the two authors and Sanghvi. 'Will you be listed among the quacks – the dieticians and gym trainers who masquerade as weight-loss experts?' journalist and columnist Vir Sanghvi asked Mithal, half-jokingly. New Delhi: At the launch of leading endocrinologist Ambrish Mithal's book on obesity, co-authored with journalist Shivam Vij, the discussion turned to India's cultural obsession with weight loss and the science behind the drugs that have everyone in a chokehold. But the question that kicked off the event at Delhi's ITC Maurya last week captured both the uncertainty and the social media debates swirling around those promoting such drugs. Mithal and Vij's book — The Weight Loss Revolution: Weight Loss Drugs and How to Use Them, published by Juggernaut Books — describes itself as the authoritative work on Ozempic, Mounjaro and other GLP-1 drugs. Also read: Desperate Indians want Ozempic on prescription. Huge shift from traditional drugs, say doctors The science behind the 'revolution' While working on the book, Mithal sought to confront a hydra-headed demon: misinformation. The rise of GLP-1 drugs is linked to the increase in health-related conversation, media consumption, and a society in which being thin is the perennial aspiration. As a result, it's been written and talked about tremendously. 'The media either takes it to one extreme or another,' Mithal said. 'Nearly every two weeks, The New York Times has an article saying that this is the answer to the world's problems. Then there are those who say this is a marketing gimmick. As usual, the answer lies somewhere in between.' The book's genesis lay in Mithal's desire to explain the science behind what has been described as 'a revolution' in the weight loss world. Vij, Mithal's co-writer and first obesity patient to take semaglutide — the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy — said he lost 15 kgs over the past 15 months. Now, the endocrinologist has one hundred patients on Wegovy, over 500 on Mounjaro (tirzepatide), and thousands on Rybelsus. These drugs were originally prescribed for diabetes. However, half of Mithal's patients want to use the drug to lose weight. 'Over the years, other than lifestyle changes and invasive bariatric surgery, all other methods to treat obesity have fallen off,' said Mithal. Also read: I was a pregnant penguin, see my before-after pics. 66-yr-old's Ozempic to Mounjaro journey Standing up to Ozempic-shamers GLP-1 drugs exist in a strange, inchoate space. There's covert acceptance, with leading celebrities taking Ozempic and the easy availability of the drug. But for the most part, there's reluctance in terms of public acknowledgment. Moreover, its usage is met with scepticism. As Vij noted, a layer of shame surrounds those who have taken it –– because they supposedly haven't 'put in the work.' 'Yesterday's fat-shamers are today's Ozempic-shamers,' he said. 'They're not happy either way. When you're fat, they're unhappy and when you're thin, they're unhappy.' The book features interviews with nine of Mithal's patients. One of them, a 26-year-old woman, gained weight after an accident at the age of 18. She was unable to lose weight through traditional methods. Other than delving into the science, the book also appears to lift some of the stigma around the drugs –– facilitating widespread, public acceptance. Actor Sharmila Tagore, who made it to the event via three modes of transport courtesy rain and the ensuing traffic, said that having spent her life in front of the camera, 'she understands society's obsession with bodies.' That's why this book comes at a critical time, as these drugs are projected to fundamentally alter this obsession. 'In a few years, everybody will be on it and everybody will be thin. That's my prediction,' said Vij. (Edited by Prashant)
India Today
28-06-2025
- Health
- India Today
Endocrinologist Dr. Ambrish Mithal on the happy side-effects of weight-loss drugs
New-age weight-loss drugs are exploding the pharmaceutical market, offering better results than traditional medicines. Top endocrinologist Dr. Ambrish Mithal deconstructs the many facets, including side-effects, of these GLP-1 drugs in his recently published book The Weight Loss Revolution, in an episode of India Today's said that while the GLP-1 field -- drugs that belong to the class of GLP-1 targeting the same hormone in the body -- is just beginning to explode, there'll be many newer drugs with less and less side effects and easier to most cases have shown muscle loss as a prominent result of using GLP-1 medications like tirzepatide or semaglutide, Dr. Mithal explains that losing muscle is an accompanying factor to weight loss. "In the long run, if you're not following a healthy diet, you will end up with significant muscle loss. And this is not because of the weight-loss drugs. Whenever we lose weight, we also lose muscle. If you lose 10 kg, you've lost 2-3 kg of muscle. Now, if you want to preserve that, you have to ensure adequate protein and fibre in your diet. Along with that, you have to make sure that you're exercising regularly and that exercise should include strength training," Dr. Mithal also shared what many people experience loose skin after taking these medicines. "When you lose weight rapidly, you lose subcutaneous fat. Particularly in older people where skin tends to sag anyway. If you suddenly lose weight, don't hydrate yourself well, not eating the right kind of balanced diet, then you get that little sagging on the face which people have started calling Ozempic face. Before these drugs came into the market, anyone we put on a very strict diet or someone who had bariatric surgery would see similar results," he gastrointestinal side-effects, nausea, and vomiting, Dr. Mithal addressed concerns about thyroid cancer, highlighting that there's no evidence to link the also explained the "happy side-effects" of GLP-1 medications. Besides growing body of evidence suggesting how semaglutide is linked to Alzheimer's disease, Dr. Mithal said that the benefits of the drugs are moving beyond weight loss."The evidence that they might be helping Alzheimer's by helping obesity in the brain may actually be very exciting, and even for cardiac health, Parkinson's disease. Cardiac events are reduced. Fatty liver is reduced. Kidney disease progression is reduced. But the brain effects are particularly fascinating. Sleep apnea has also gone down," he said, adding that the drugs have also helped improve fertility outcomes in women with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome).Currently, most GLP-1 drugs are injectable and expensive, limiting their access in India. However, new formulations and more research are on the way. Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Eli Lilly's Mounjaro, two blockbuster fat-busting medicines, are set to gain ground in India to tackle the diabetes and obesity crisis."Remember, the GLP-1 field is just beginning to explode. There'll be many newer drugs with less and less side effects and easier to use," Dr. Mithal sayssaid.- EndsMust Watch
India Today
27-06-2025
- Health
- India Today
Dr Ambrish Mithal decodes benefits of new weight-loss drugs
Dr Ambrish Mithal decodes benefits of new weight-loss drugs Jun27,2025 Credit: India Today Most type 2 diabetes patients are overweight, need to lose weight, and losing weight will help them even reverse or at least treat their diabetes better. Reverses diabetes Dr. Mithal describes body fat distribution in India is more on the belly. This, he says leads to a BMI lower than 30. However, the drugs can be used for someone whose BMI 27 and lower with comorbidities. Skinny fat Indians Dr. Mithal says that GLP-1 drugs are not magic but are powerful when taken along with proper diet high in protein and strength training. Credit: Getty Images GLP-1 drugs are not magic Rapid weight loss, especially without strength training, can lead to muscle loss. Therefore, while taking the medicines, ensure you exercise and have a proper diet to avoid severe muscle loss. Does it lead to muscle loss? The medicines have shown to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease, and even reverse fatty liver. Happy side-effects GLP-1 drugs can help improved infertility in women with PCOS. Beyond weight loss Weight-loss drugs are not for everyone. Dr. Mithal says that assessing various factors like obesity and diabetes are required before prescribing the medicines. Not for everyone 'You can't eradicate obesity by using these drugs you have to eradicate obesity by preventing it," Dr. Mithal says. Forever drugs? For years, metformin has been the standard first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes. But newer medications are rapidly changing that equation, says Dr. Ambrish Mithal in conversation with Sneha Mordani for India Today's Booked. Beyond Metformin
India Today
27-06-2025
- Health
- India Today
Side effects to surprises: Dr Ambrish Mithal on India's weight-loss drug revolution
India's struggle with rising obesity and diabetes is well documented. But a revolution is now underway, one that might reshape how we manage both conditions: the rise of GLP-1-based weight loss Ambrish Mithal, India's leading endocrinologist and author of his recently published book The Weight Loss Revolution, explains why these medications are here to stay, busting misinformation with METFORMIN: A NEW ERA IN DIABETES CARE For years, metformin has been the standard first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes. It's safe, inexpensive, and effective. But newer medications like GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT-2 inhibitors are rapidly changing that equation.'With these drugs, you're moving far ahead of metformin because there is clear evidence that these drugs produce significant weight loss they protect your heart, they protect your kidney, they very likely protect your liver too. These drugs are bound to replace metformin sooner rather than later," Dr. Mithal people with type 2 diabetes in India, nearly 80 to 90%, are overweight. That makes them ideal candidates for GLP-1 drugs, which aid in weight loss while managing blood sugar levels.'The bulk, the large chunk of type 2 diabetes patients are overweight, need to lose weight, and losing weight will help them even reverse or at least treat their diabetes better,' says Dr. ALL FAT IS EQUALTraditionally, Body Mass Index (BMI) has been used to assess weight-related health risks. But Dr. Mithal points out that for Indians, BMI is misleading.'If you use just BMI, you will end up with a lot of Indians being classified as healthy when they have actually a lot of central fat or visceral fat," he said. Most people with type 2 diabetes in India, nearly 80 to 90%, are overweight. That makes them ideal candidates for GLP-1 drugs, which aid in weight loss while managing blood sugar levels. () This dangerous 'belly fat', also called visceral fat, triggers inflammation throughout the body. Dr. Mithal describes this typical South Asian pattern as TOFI -- Thin Outside, Fat ISN'T A MAGIC BULLETGLP-1 drugs now in India sold as Mounjaro and Wegovy, and semaglutide pills are not quick-fix solutions. Dr. Mithal stresses they must be part of a structured program that includes diet and exercise.'If you're using these drugs for weight reduction, don't depend on the drug alone,' he do this, he advises going on a high protein intake, adding more fibre in the diet, having small meals throughout the day and walking after MUSCLE LOSS RISKRapid weight loss, especially without strength training, can lead to muscle loss. 'If you lose 10kg, you've lost 2-3kg of muscle,' warns Dr. Mithal.'If you're using the drug just as a weight loss drug and doing nothing else you will also lose muscle.' GLP-1 drugs now in India sold as Mounjaro and Wegovy, and semaglutide pills are not quick-fix solutions. () He advises strength training and adequate protein to retain muscle mass and long-term health FACE AND OTHER SIDE EFFECTSThe popular term 'Ozempic face' refers to loose, sagging facial skin from sudden weight loss, not unique to these drugs.'Before these drugs came into the market, anyone we put on a very strict diet or someone who had bariatric surgery would have similar things.'Most side effects are gastrointestinal such as nausea, vomiting, and rare concerns include medullary thyroid cancer, although the link remains SIDE EFFECTS OF NEW-AGE DRUGSGLP-1 drugs have also known evidence of benefitting patients more than just weight and diabetes.'The data on these drugs is Alzheimer's diseas, better cardiac health, Parkinson's disease,' says Dr. Mithal. 'Sleep apnea goes down, fatty liver is reduced, and even kidney disease progression is reduced.' GLP-1 drugs have also known evidence of benefitting patients more than just weight and diabetes. () They may also improve fertility in women with PCOS. However, the drugs may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills, leading to unintended pregnancies, famously known as Ozempic FOR EVERYONE AND NOT FOREVERThese drugs should not be used as public health tools, says Dr. Mithal. Prevention through lifestyle is still the best way to fight obesity. 'You can't eradicate obesity by using these drugs You have to eradicate obesity by preventing it," Dr. Mithal the long-term use of these medications depends on age, health goals, and reason for you're a 30-year-old, you certainly should not use a drug lifelong. I would take a deep breath after two years and see, what do I do now?' he most GLP-1 drugs are injectable and expensive, limiting their access in India. However, new formulations and more research are on the way."Remember, the GLP-1 field is just beginning to explode. There'll be many newer drugs with less and less side effects and easier to use," Dr. Mithal says.- Ends
India Today
25-06-2025
- Health
- India Today
Do weight-loss drugs really lead to muscle loss?
Do weight-loss drugs really lead to muscle loss? Credit: Getty Images Renowned endocrinologist and diabetologist Dr Ambrish Mithal told talked about muscle loss after consuming popular weight-loss drugs. While reducing weight, whether one is on a diet or even with exercise, body fat along with muscle tends to reduce. Muscle loss 'The body isn't so fine tuned to reduce fat only during weight loss. When you lose weight, you lose both fat and some muscle. To limit that, you need strength training and enough protein,' he explained. Exercise, especially strength training, is important to prevent muscle loss, a natural part of rapid weight loss, whether it's achieved through medication, dieting, or surgery. With both Wegovy and Mounjaro now accessible, India finally has two cutting-edge medical options in the fight against obesity. 'These drugs are designed for long-term use. They're filling a big gap in obesity care. But that doesn't mean lifestyle takes a back seat. These drugs work with lifestyle, not instead of it," said Dr. Mithal. Weight-loss drugs do not replace diet The current guidelines suggest prescribing drugs like semaglutide or tirzepatide to people with a BMI over 30, or between 27 and 30 if they have conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease. Guidelines for prescribing While Wegovy was launched on June 24, Mounjaro as available in the Indian market since March 2025. Expert have said that the new-age weight-loss drugs are not a magic cure but powerful ally to reducing obesity crisis.
