Many people wonder how they can stop themselves from feeling out of control around food. It can be extremely distressing to feel like you don’t have power over something that is present in your everyday life–food. Feeling this way may lead some to seek the quickest, seemingly easiest solution–I mean, who wouldn’t? When we as humans experience discomfort it’s only natural that they may want that feeling to be remedied as soon as possible. Some of us may turn to a seemingly harmless class of drugs called GLP-1’s that they’ve heard, “quiet the food noise” as a solution. Especially because these drugs are so heavily advertised by the media, doctors, and other medical experts. In this resource, we explore the question “can Ozempic be used to treat Binge Eating Disorder” with 5 key things to know.

What is a GLP-1 Medication?

We have a naturally occurring hormone in the body called GLP-1 so this medication basically mimics it so that we have more of this naturally occurring hormone in your body.  GLP-1 help to lower blood sugar by the following mechanisms of action:

  • Increase insulin production
  • Suppress glucagon production, a hormone that raises blood sugar.
  • Slowing gastric emptying–you don’t get hungry as quickly and feel full longer 
  • Increasing satiety hormones (hormones that tell our brain we are full).

This medication is traditionally prescribed to those who are diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. People with diabetes do not produce adequate insulin, a hormone that regulates our blood glucose levels. A trick that can help to remember the roles of glucose and insulin is the key/door metaphor. Picture each cell in our body having a door. Glucose is knocking on that door to get into your cell to provide you with energy. Insulin holds the key to unlock the door and allow the glucose flow in. Without insulin, the glucose cannot get into the cell and without glucose in the cell we would not have energy. 

More insulin = lower blood sugar. 

Less insulin = higher blood sugar. 

Other Names for GLP-1 You May Recognize 

Semaglutitide, sold under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy

Liraglutide, sold under the brand names Saxend

There are more than these, but these are the ones that get the most “buzz.”

Why do I keep hearing about GLP-1 Medications?

Although the first GLP-1 mediation was approved by the FDA in 2005, many of us have only just adapted this term into our vocabulary. This is due to the fact that only recently these medications have begun to be prescribed for other conditions besides diabetes, including weight loss. These drugs are being heavily marketed not only in the media including TV commercials and social media influencers promoting them, but also, at doctor’s offices and medical spas. 

5 Things to be Aware of with GLP-1’s & Binge Eating Disorder 

1. Binge Eating Disorder Is More Complex than a Medication

This eating disorder cannot be “cured” by GLP-1. Binge-eating disorder (BED) is not caused by having too many hunger hormones or too little satiety hormones, so it cannot be “fixed” by taking a drug. It is much more complex than that and is often related to restriction of calories, restriction of certain food or food groups, or food being a primary coping mechanism to name a few. It often takes working with a dietitian to talk through your eating habits to find out what is at the root of the behavior and the course of action to take. 

If you’d like to know more about the causes of binge eating disorder, refer to this previous article, https://couragetonourish.com/binge-eating-disorder-warning-signs/ 

2. Any type of hunger suppressant can trigger or exacerbate an eating disorder

These medications bring us further out of touch with our body’s natural hunger and   fullness cues and can therefore trigger or worsen disordered eating behaviors including restriction and binge eating. 

3. Long Term Effects are Unknown 

Although this does not only relate to BED, it is important to note that there has not been long enough research studies to know the long-term effects of these medications. 

4. GI Side Effects 

These medications have been reported to cause unwanted GI side effects including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation. These symptoms can compound with eating disorder behaviors to further aggravate an already troublesome relationship with food and/or body. 

5. Weight Loss Does not Cure Body Image 

Many people with BED struggle with body image. Body image is formed in our brain. During restriction and/or weight loss the parts of our brain that create our body image suffer from lack of nutrition. Many people report body image concerns actually worsening after weight loss. 

Final thoughts on GLP-1’s 

These medications do not address the underlying problem of disordered eating or an eating disorder. GLP-1’s are not a cure for an eating disorder, and may potentially deepen a negative relationship with food and your body. 

The good news is, there is an abundance of support available here at Courage to Nourish! Our dietitians know all about food and body image struggles. If you are looking for support in recovery, or wonder if you might have an eating disorder, we are a call away. Call today for a complimentary discovery call!

Contact Us

Courage to Nourish is a group of eating disorder specialized dietitians. We have in person locations in Alexandria, Virginia, Columbia, Maryland. and College Park, Maryland. We offer virtual services across the state of Virginia, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, and Colorado. We offer individual nutrition therapy. As well as support groups. We would love to guide you in building a better relationship with food.

Contact us for more information. And to schedule a discovery call. Also, sign up for our client or clinician newsletter!

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haley havighurst

Haley Havighurst, RD, LD

Haley joined Courage to Nourish because she shares an anti-diet, weight neutral philosophy in her treatment strategies and she wanted to work in an outpatient setting to foster deeper connections with clients focusing on helping clients repair their relationships with food
and their bodies. To learn more about Haley and her practice style, click here.