Christmas is just a day away now, and as we get older, many of us stop dreaming of presents and Santa, instead choosing to focus on the main meal.
For many of us, it’s one of the few times of the year where it's socially acceptable to eat as much as you possibly can before taking a nap by the fire while the same Christmas TV specials play on a loop.
We might all debate about whether Yorkshire puddings are deserving of a spot on a plate, or how to make the Brussels sprouts actually taste nice, but nearly everyone will agree that it's one of the most anticipated meals of the year.
However, that anticipation isn't without its pressures.
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For many, crimbo can be extremely difficult, especially those suffering from food phobias or those with eating disorders.
One of the newer challenges a lot of us are dealing with is the massive increase in circulation of GLP-1 medications such as Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro, all of which have taken on new roles as so-called ‘skinny jabs’.
While Ozempic isn’t licensed by the NHS for weight loss, many people have benefited from reported side effects from these medications, such as weight loss, a loss of appetite, and the ‘silencing’ of food noise.
Anyone using GLP-1 medications over the holidays is being warned that they may experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and other issues.
The London Obesity Clinic has also said that Ozempic users could face constipation, heartburn, indigestion, belching, gastroenteritis, and GORD (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease).
Other issues that could manifest over the holidays include tiredness, dizziness, and debilitating headaches.
Despite the above, the London Obesity Clinic has advised anyone who is using weight loss medication, or jabs like Ozempic to manage Type-2 diabetes, not to pause their injections.
“Though it can be tempting to take a break from your weight loss medication due to their side effects, many doctors warn against stopping your medication,” the professionals wrote.
The institution’s warning has been backed up by Dr Eiriny Eskander, an endocrinologist based in Texas.
She told The Daily Mail: “It typically takes several weeks for the body to build tolerance to these medications and their side effects. When someone suddenly stops the medication, the body loses that adaptation.”
If you do decide to take a break from the jabs this Christmas, then you could ‘gain back most or all of the weight you had lost within a few weeks’, Dr Eskander reasoned.
“That's why I never stop these medications abruptly for patients and instead taper slowly.”
As well as possibly gaining weight, you may also begin to feel ‘quite unwell’, said Dr Olalekan Otulana, a Cassiobury Court physician.
It’s not advised for diabetics to yo-yo with the medication either, with frequent fluctuations being linked to heart disease and some forms of cancer.
“For diabetics, I do not recommend pausing or stopping these medications through the holidays but strongly recommend taking them exactly as prescribed to keep their blood sugars stable,” Dr Eskander added.
If you've been affected by any of the issues in this article and would like to speak with someone in confidence, call the BEAT Eating Disorders helpline on 0808 801 0677. Helplines are open 3pm-8pm Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can try the one-to-one webchat.
Topics: Christmas, Ozempic, Health, Food And Drink
James Moorhouse