UK's weight loss jabs might help people get back to work: Know how it will work

The UK government has announced a novel initiative trial to offer weight loss medication Mounjaro to people with obesity who are unemployed, to improve their health and help them re-enter the workforce, said British Health Minister Wes Streeting said on Tuesday. The trial is part of a broader NHS strategy that offers weight-loss medication to 3,000 participants over five years.

The manufacturer of the drug Eli Lilly announced on Monday that it will commit £279 million ($364 million) to help deal with Britain’s significant health challenges, including obesity.
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Health minister Wes Streeting predicted use of Eli Lilly’s drug could transform the health of the nation. "The long-term benefits of these drugs could be monumental in our approach to tackling obesity," Streeting wrote in an article published in the Telegraph newspaper.

"For many people, these weight-loss jabs will be life-changing, help them get back to work, and ease the demands on our NHS," said the health minister.

How weight loss drugs work
Weight loss drugs like Mounjaro are gaining popularity as they can lead to significant weight reduction. Mounjaro binds to GIP and the GLP-1 receptors which can make you less hungry. It slows down the rate food passes through your body, and causes the pancreas to release more insulin, which helps in lowering the amount of sugar your liver makes and helps lose weight apart from controlling blood sugar.

People who used Mounjaro for 72 weeks lost at least 10% of their body weight, said a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

People taking tirzepatide injections lost more weight and were more likely to reach specific weight loss targets than those taking semaglutide, according to a new study by JAMA Network, according to which Mounjaro is more effective than celeb favourite Ozempic.

Here's how Mounjaro works
- It boosts the secretion of insulin in the body when the blood sugar levels spike, helping tackle diabetes.

- The weight loss drug prevents your liver from releasing stored sugar.

- It can significantly control your cravings as it slows down absorption of things you eat and drink.

Health Minister Wes Streeting highlighted the growing impact of obesity on public health and economy, adding that obesity-related issues cost the NHS £11 billion every year, which is more than smoking.

The government plans to launch a five-year trial involving 3,000 participants, with a special focus on people who are both obese and out of work.

A combination of weight loss drug and healthy lifestyle recommended

Streeting supported the use of obesity drugs to tackle obesity but emphasized the importance of a healthy lifestyle in losing weight.

While weight loss drugs can help lose significant amount of weight, going off them can make people regain the weight. It's important to incorporate healthy lifestyle changes into your routine to achieve holistic well-being.

"Proposals to give weight loss jabs to unemployed people living with obesity could be "very important" for our economy and health," the prime minister told the BBC.

Starmer said he acknowledged that more money was needed for the NHS, and the government also needed to "think differently" to ease pressure on the health system.

Overweight and obesity could lead to a range of chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease and stroke, which are leading causes of death worldwide.
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