Obesity is widespread, even in Switzerland. Although the proportion of overweight people is still relatively low compared to Europe and the world, experts expect that the proportion of overweight people here will increase in the future.
If you look abroad, the figures are generally higher than in Switzerland. In Germany, for example, about two-thirds of men and half of women are already considered overweight, and almost a quarter are obese, that is, very obese.
This has several health consequences. Being overweight increases the risk of high blood pressure, chronic inflammation and metabolic disorders.
Because changing your lifestyle with a healthy diet and exercise reduces weight in the long term, but rather slowly, weight loss injections such as Wegovy are very attractive to many people. Because they are intended to reduce body weight and especially body fat in a short time. Now there could be a new weight loss injection that far outperforms the old remedies.
The reason: the new drug VK2735 shows success in treating overweight and obesity in a current study by the biotech company Viking Therapeutics.
In the study, the company tested the drug on 174 adults. 140 overweight or obese subjects received the slimming injection weekly for 13 weeks, and 34 study participants received a placebo. The result:
By comparison, to lose 15 percent of body weight with semaglutide – the active ingredient in Wegovy – you need to inject the drug at least once a week for 68 weeks. This means that the new drug VK2735 could work five times faster. Additionally, according to Viking Therapeutics, there is evidence that people who use VK2735 for more than 13 weeks can lose even more weight.
In addition to effectiveness, the company also investigated possible side effects. Overall, the study concludes that VK2735 is safe and well tolerated in overweight people without diabetes. However, mild to moderate side effects may still occur. The most common were – similar to semaglutide – diarrhea, nausea, constipation and vomiting.
It is currently not possible to make statements about how slimming injections will affect the body in the long term. They haven’t been on the market long enough for that.
The drug VK2735 is currently still in the development phase. The current study is a so-called phase II study, in which the candidate active ingredient is used for the first time in patients suffering from the disease for which the drug is later intended. In this phase, the active ingredient is examined for its effectiveness, tolerability and dosage. Before approval can take place, a phase III study must be conducted. The drug is being tested in a larger group of patients to see whether its effectiveness and safety can be confirmed in many different patients.
VK2735 is a so-called analogue of the body’s own hormone. This means that VK2735, similar to tirzepatide, mimics the effect of two hormones: glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulintropic polypeptide (GIP).
Glucagon-like peptide 1 is a hormone produced in the intestine that plays an important role in regulating glucose metabolism and gastric emptying. The glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide is also produced in the intestine. It ensures the release of insulin after eating and is therefore important for the feeling of satiety.
This happens because VK2735 occupies the binding sites, called receptors, for these hormones. That is why it is also called a GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist. In this way, VK2735 can lower blood sugar levels, improve the action of insulin (insulin sensitivity) and reduce appetite in diabetics or overweight people.
Even if the new research results seem promising, we should not forget that all these injections are drugs intended to help with severe forms of obesity. They are not lifestyle products. Therefore, experts from the German Society of Endocrinology and the German Obesity Association strongly advise against using already approved active ingredients without experienced medical supervision.
In addition to the possible side effects, there can certainly be a habituation effect. This means that if you stop taking the active substance, the yo-yo effect may occur and you will gain weight again. Therefore, you should never consider the injections as a replacement for healthy lifestyle habits. Sufficient exercise, behavioral therapy and nutritional advice are essential and should always be used in addition to the injection.
Used sources:
source: watson
I’m Maxine Reitz, a journalist and news writer at 24 Instant News. I specialize in health-related topics and have written hundreds of articles on the subject. My work has been featured in leading publications such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and Healthline. As an experienced professional in the industry, I have consistently demonstrated an ability to develop compelling stories that engage readers.
