With Malta recently announcing the inclusion of GLP-1 receptor agonists in its national health formulary for weight management, public interest in these medications is rapidly growing. This comes at a time when Malta ranks among the highest in obesity rates within the EU, with 28.7% of adults classified as obese.
As a certified holistic nutritionist with expertise in women’s hormonal health and sustainable weight loss, I’ve seen first-hand; particularly through my international work, how many women turn to medication in hopes of quick results, often without fully understanding the long-term implications. It’s important to take a closer look at what these medications really do, where they may fall short, and how nutrition and lifestyle remain central to lasting health.
What Are GLP-1 Receptor Agonists?
GLP-1 receptor agonists are medications originally created to help people with type 2 diabetes. They work by mimicking a natural gut hormone (GLP-1), which:
- Slows down how quickly your stomach empties
- Reduces feelings of hunger
- Increases insulin release
- Lowers blood sugar
Because they suppress appetite, these drugs often lead to weight loss. But weight loss alone doesn’t always equal health, and that’s where we need to dig deeper.
The Side Effects No One Talks About Enough
While these medications can support short-term weight reduction, they come with real, documented side effects. And for women especially, these effects can compromise digestive health, hormone balance, muscle integrity, and mental wellbeing.
Let’s take a closer look.
1. Persistent Nausea & Food Aversion
Many users report daily nausea, often leading to vomiting, bloating, or even complete loss of appetite. This can turn meals into a source of discomfort or dread.
Over time, this can reduce nutrient intake, affect gut motility, and trigger disordered eating habits.
2. Constipation or Diarrhoea
Because the medication slows digestion, it can leave you feeling sluggish, bloated, or irregular. For women already prone to bloating or IBS, this often worsens symptoms.
3. Gallbladder Stress
Rapid weight loss, especially through appetite suppression, increases the risk of gallstones and gallbladder attacks; a risk many are not warned about until it’s too late.
4. Loss of Lean Muscle
One of the most overlooked issues: up to 40% of weight lost with these medications may come from muscle, not just fat.
This is especially concerning for women over 30, who already face a natural decline in muscle due to hormonal shifts.
Less muscle = slower metabolism, higher fat regain, weaker body, and worsened insulin sensitivity.
5. Mental Health Concerns
While some users feel more in control around food, others report:
- Low motivation
- Emotional flatness
- Mood swings
- Sleep disturbances
This may be linked to how appetite suppression affects dopamine and serotonin pathways; the very chemicals that regulate mood and satisfaction.
6. Dependence & Rebound Weight Gain
Perhaps the most important point: the medication’s effects are temporary. Once stopped, hunger returns, and so does the weight; often rapidly.
Without building sustainable habits around food, movement, and emotional wellbeing, weight regain is almost inevitable.
7. Potential Cancer Risks
Animal studies have shown that GLP-1 receptor agonists may increase the risk of thyroid C-cell tumours, including a rare form of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).
Though this hasn’t been definitively proven in humans, it remains a listed risk, and those with a family history of thyroid cancer or endocrine disorders are advised not to use these medications.
This is not fear-mongering; this is part of the official safety profile of these drugs.
There’s Another Way
I understand the desire for quick results. But true health and confidence come from working with your body; not forcing it to shrink through appetite suppression.
Here’s what works, without side effects:
- A balanced, anti-inflammatory diet
- Strength training to preserve lean mass
- Blood sugar balance to stabilise cravings
- Mind-body strategies to overcome emotional eating
- A deeper focus on thyroid, adrenal and gut health; especially if weight is stuck despite effort
GLP-1 receptor agonists are not a magic solution. They come with real trade-offs, especially when used without nutritional and emotional support.
If you’re exploring your options, ask yourself:
- Will this support me long-term?
- What’s the cost to my digestion, mood, hormones, and muscle?
- Am I healing, or just shrinking?
You deserve a plan that respects your body, not just suppresses it.
