Expert Debunks Myths Around Weight-Loss Drugs and Fertility Risks
Prof. Itamar Raz debunks myths surrounding modern weight-loss medications, explaining their safety and benefits for diabetes prevention and fertility in a new expert video series.
Can diabetes be prevented? Which doctor can help treat excess weight? And why should one not hesitate to ask for help? These and other pressing questions are addressed by Prof. Itamar Raz, an expert in obesity and diabetes, in a video series titled 'Tips from the Doctor's Office', produced in collaboration with Novo Nordisk without content interference.
Addressing Myths About Weight-Loss Medications
One of the most common concerns raised by patients involves the safety of modern weight-loss medications. Prof. Raz shares the case of a 48-year-old female patient who asked whether these treatments are linked to cancer. He notes that this is a frequent concern, but firmly clarifies that leading medications mimicking the GLP-1 hormone have been studied across hundreds of thousands of people over years, with no significant link to cancer in humans.
On the contrary, these treatments actually lower cancer risks by reducing weight and providing anti-inflammatory effects. The confusion stems from animal studies on mice showing a rare thyroid tumor, but the specific cells responsible do not exist in humans. Prof. Raz emphasizes that the treatments are safe, and their benefits in lowering the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke far outweigh any theoretical concerns.
Weight Management and Fertility
Another clinical case involved a couple in their early thirties struggling with fertility. Having tried to conceive for two years without success, they asked if excess weight could be a factor. Prof. Raz confirmed that obesity negatively impacts fertility in both women and men through hormonal, metabolic, and mechanical mechanisms.
For women, losing 5 to 10 percent of body weight can significantly improve hormonal regularity and ovulation. For men, weight loss enhances sperm quality and testosterone levels. Consequently, addressing obesity through modern medications can substantially improve the chances of a successful pregnancy, whether achieved naturally or through fertility treatments.
