Managing weight and blood glucose levels is crucial for people with diabetes, and now there's exciting news on this front. A recent study by Jothydev’s Diabetes Research Centre has shown that oral semaglutide, an easy-to-take pill, can significantly help with weight loss and blood glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). These promising results were highlighted at the prestigious 84th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in Orlando, Florida, held from June 21-24, 2024.
In this study, participants with a BMI over 25kg/m2 were selected from the Centre’s medical records, with their health data spanning a year. Researchers measured their progress at the beginning and six months into the study.
The findings were remarkable. Participants saw their HbA1c levels drop by 1.38%, indicating much better blood glucose control. They also lost an average of 4.76kg in weight and saw their BMI decrease by 2.2kg/m2. While 8% of participants experienced side effects and stopped the medication, the majority saw incredible benefits. Impressively, one in three participants managed to lose at least 5% of their body weight, and half of them reduced their insulin doses.
This study reiterates that semaglutide can lead to significant improvement in managing diabetes. It offers a new, patient-friendly option for those looking to control their weight and blood glucose levels effectively.