A CELEBRITY doctor has defended sleep-deprived mums who are turning to fat jabs to lose weight.
Dr Punam Krishan, who starred on Strictly Come Dancing with Gorka Marquez, took to social media to give her opinion on the flab-busting medication.
About half a million Brits use weight loss drugs – and the number is expected to double in the next year.
Of those, Mounjaro is regarded by some as the King Kong of fat jabs.
Dr Punam, 42, said: “There is a lot of noise right now about weight loss jabs. It’s everywhere on social media, in magazines, in WhatsApp groups and I understand and I get the curiosity.
“But behind every decision to start one of these medications is usually a much bigger story which your GP gets to hear and these are stories that deserve understanding and compassion, not judgement, criticism or to become the subject of gossip.”
The telly doc, a resident on BBC Morning Live and Radio Scotland added: “I see women all the time, especially mums in their 30s, 40s and 50s who have spent years trying everything to manage their weight.
“They’ve dieted, exercised, cut out carbs, counted calories, tried intuitive eating and still felt stuck.
“Then you add in the poor sleep, the high stress, the hormonal chaos of perimenopause, the mental load of family life, a demanding job like oh my gosh. It’s no wonder so many people feel completely overwhelmed by it all.
“Now for some, the decision to try something like Mounjaro is about their weight affecting their health. So things like blood pressure, diabetes risk, heart disease, sleep apnea or joint pain.
“For others it’s about confidence, it’s wanting to feel more like themselves again. but whatever the reason, it is personal and it deserves support, not shame.”
Mounjaro works by suppressing your appetite, making people feel fuller for longer.
The injections are licensed for patients with type 2 diabetes and to assist those who are clinically obese (with a Body Mass Index of 30 or over).
One jab is administered each week but the duration is dependent on someone’s weight.
The drugs can be prescribed by a practitioner – such as a doctor, nurse or a pharmacist-independent prescriber.
But increasingly, many have been buying them through online pharmacies without sufficient checks or information about side effects including headaches and even pancreatitis.
Dr Punam told her 119,000 Instagram followers: “Sadly we are seeing a lot of misuse and there is loads and loads of misinformation out there. That really worries me as a doctor.
“These are serious medications and I believe that people deserve proper information before jumping in to take them.”
And the practicing GP — who has son Aanish and daughter Ellora to Tory MSP hubby Dr Sandesh Gulhane — insisted that weight loss jabs are “not a magic fix”.
She added: “Long-term weight management still depends on the basics.
“So nourishing food, movement that protects your muscle, your sleep, your stress levels, cutting back on alcohol and just looking at underlying health issues that may be contributing like thyroid function or perimenopause.
“If the root cause isn’t addressed, the weight will often just come back when you stop the medication.
“And one more thing that I really really want to say clearly is if you are on one of these jabs then please tell your GP.
“I know some people feel embarrassed or a bit worried. They think that we might judge them but that’s just not the case. We’re not here to tell you off. We’re here to keep you safe.
“Don’t ever ignore new or persisting symptoms. It’s always better to get things checked out.
“The one tip that I always give my patients is to have a quick look at your pee. The colour of your urine is important.
“If it is clear or light straw coloured, great, but if it is looking dark yellow and concentrated, you probably need to drink more.
“I’m also seeing a bit of muscle loss in some people and that is not something that we want. So if you’re not eating enough or you’re not moving much, then your body starts to break down muscle alongside the fat.
“You don’t need to go daft at the gym, but even just doing some body weight strength training exercises two to three times a week can really help to protect your muscle and keeps your metabolism ticking over.”
What are the other side effects of weight loss jabs?
Like any medication, weight loss jabs can have side effects.
Common side effects of injections such as Mounjaro and Ozempic include:
Nausea: This is the most commonly reported side effect, especially when first starting the medication. It often decreases over time as your body adjusts.
Vomiting: Can occur, often in conjunction with nausea.
Diarrhea: Some people experience gastrointestinal upset.
Constipation: Some individuals may also experience constipation.
Stomach pain or discomfort: Some people may experience abdominal pain or discomfort.
Reduced appetite: This is often a desired effect for people using Ozempic for weight loss.
Indigestion: Can cause a feeling of bloating or discomfort after eating.
Serious side effects can also include:
Pancreatitis: In rare cases, Ozempic may increase the risk of inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, which can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Kidney problems: There have been reports of kidney issues, including kidney failure, though this is uncommon.
Thyroid tumors: There’s a potential increased risk of thyroid cancer, although this risk is based on animal studies. It is not confirmed in humans, but people with a history of thyroid cancer should avoid Ozempic.
Vision problems: Rapid changes in blood sugar levels may affect vision, and some people have reported blurry vision when taking Ozempic.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): Especially if used with other medications like sulfonylureas or insulin.
