Hello everyone,
I’m Yoko Maeda, a supervising physician in aesthetic internal medicine at BIANCA clinic.
Profile of Dr. Yoko Maeda, supervising physician in Aesthetic Internal Medicine
Dr. Maeda completed her initial training at Okinawa Prefectural Nambu Medical Center and Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine’s Radiology Department. After working in various aesthetic clinics, she encountered high-dose vitamin C drip therapy at a seminar by the IV Therapy Research Association. She then studied abroad at the Riordan Clinic in the U.S. as a research fellow. She is also the youngest to pass the American Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M) board certification exam.
Currently, Dr. Maeda is a supervising physician at BIANCA, specializing in treating beauty from the inside out. Her role focuses on providing treatments like natural hormone replacement therapy, peptide therapy, and supplement therapy to improve patients’ overall health and beauty, supporting them to remain youthful over time.
Have you ever heard the term GLP-1 receptor agonist?
GLP-1 receptor agonists are typically used as diabetes medications, but they also have the effect of reducing body weight. You may have seen these injections referred to as “slimming hormone injections” on TV or in other media.
What is GLP-1?
GLP-1 is one of the gut hormones naturally found in our body. It helps the pancreas secrete insulin, lowering blood sugar levels. A key feature is that it only works when blood sugar levels are high, making it less likely to cause hypoglycemia.
The role of the GLP-1 receptor agonist is to supplement the body’s natural GLP-1. It also has effects on normalizing carbohydrates, lipids, and inflammation, which has drawn attention to its potential use as a treatment for dementia.
GLP-1’s Role in Weight Loss
Many people are curious about the weight loss effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists. The answer is that, if used correctly, GLP-1 can indeed reduce body weight and even help reduce alcohol intake.
In fact, studies have shown a 25% reduction in body weight when GLP-1 receptor agonists were combined with other treatments—a result comparable to weight loss surgery.
Mounjaro
A new drug called Mounjaro, which combines the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists with glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), has garnered attention. Mounjaro is a novel long-acting GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
GIP, like GLP-1, is another gut hormone that reduces blood sugar levels, but it also promotes the secretion of glucagon, a hormone that helps break down fat. Mounjaro is designed to extend the effects of both GLP-1 and GIP, offering even greater potential for weight loss than GLP-1 alone.
Can Mounjaro prevent weight regain?
One of the main concerns with weight loss drugs is the potential for weight regain. A study involving 783 participants was conducted to explore this.
Both groups of participants were given Mounjaro for 9 months. Afterward, one group continued Mounjaro, while the other was switched to a placebo. The results showed that those who continued with Mounjaro maintained their weight loss, but only 9% of those who switched to the placebo were able to keep the weight off.
In other words, 9 out of 10 people regained weight after stopping Mounjaro. This suggests that maintaining weight loss with Mounjaro may require ongoing treatment.
Maintaining long-term results
While Mounjaro can be effective for weight loss, it’s essential to adopt healthy habits during treatment to avoid weight regain. Improving dietary habits, exercise routines, and sleep are all crucial to sustaining the effects. Incorporating Mounjaro as part of a balanced lifestyle may help maintain long-term results.
If you’re interested in weight loss with Mounjaro, please come for a consultation! We’ll provide guidance on avoiding weight regain and help you find the best treatment for your individual needs.
Maeda