Neurologists are warning that popular weight-loss medications could have severe negative effects on neurodegenerative conditions like ALS.Jinsy Andrews, MD, a neurologist and director of NYU Langone’s ALS Center, says the very mechanism that makes these drugs popular — rapid weight loss — can go against the biological needs of patients with neuromuscular disorders.GLP-1 agonists have shown to be highly effective at managing diabetes and obesity, which are major health concerns across the population.However, the doctor emphasized that the clinical rules shift when dealing with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).DR OZ LINKS OBESITY TO CHRONIC DISEASE SURGE, SAYS GLP-1S CAN 'JUMPSTART' BETTER HEALTHIn addition to mitigating some of the inflammation related to obesity and diabetes, GLP-1 medications have been linked to other protective effects.The therapies have been helpful in reducing cardiovascular disease, stroke risk, liver disease and addiction, according to Andrews.Neurologists are warning that the rapid weight loss caused by popular GLP-1 medications can severely worsen neurodegenerative conditions like ALS.
(iStock)However, when it comes to an incurable neurodegenerative disease, losing weight and body fat can accelerate a patient's physical decline.For an ALS patient, losing weight can cause the condition to progress faster, Andrews said, because the disease's unique traits make it dangerous to be in a caloric deficit.BIG MEDICARE CHANGE SLASHES WEIGHT-LOSS DRUG COSTS FOR ELIGIBLE SENIORSIn fact, standard clinical care guidelines for ALS often recommend that patients actively maintain or even gain weight to help preserve their remaining nerve and muscle function.While GLP-1s effectively treat obesity and cardiovascular risks in the general public, those same afflictions have been shown to slow ALS progression.(iStock)"In certain conditions where hypermetabolism is something that negatively affects the disease […] losing weight actually makes the dis...