Form Health Chief Medical Officer Florencia Halperin comments on recent research that highlights a fascinating link between the brain and intestinally-derived hormonal signals. Although more research is needed to fully understand this connection, these findings underscore the potential of GLP-1s to enhance health outcomes beyond weight loss. At Form Health, our ABOM doctors leverage the latest science as they treat obesity with an evidence-based, comprehensive approach. Is your organization looking for an impactful and cost-effective strategy to manage the high costs of obesity and metabolic disease? Contact us at employers@formhealth.co to learn how we can help.
Something I have always found incredibly fascinating was that studies in people who underwent bariatric surgery (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass) showed that they subsequently had higher risk of developing various addictive behaviors, including alcohol use disorder and gambling. How can it be that a surgeon operates on the stomach and intestines, and as a result these changes to the person's brain can occur? But science continues to reveal that eating but also other behaviors and reward pathways may be interconnected to intestinally-derived hormonal signals (like GLP-1), all in a very complex and fascinating way. Some potentially good news come from a new study showing that semaglutide was associated with lower tabacco-cessation related health care visits, prescriptions and counseling in smokers with type 2 diabetes. This is an early indicator and more research is needed, but it might align with other pre-clinical studies we have seen on the benefits of GLP1. receptor agonists for substance use. An exciting area of research to watch!
