In Light of New FDA Warning for GLP-1s, Doctors Offer Research-Backed Dietary Intervention for Weight Loss
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In light of today’s new FDA safety warning for all GLP-1 drugs,
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In light of today’s new FDA safety warning for all GLP-1 drugs, physicians are reminding patients of recent research showing the weight loss benefits of a dietary intervention that has no negative side effects. The Nov. 9 FDA announcement warns of a rare but potentially blinding eye condition for patients taking GLP-1s.
“We want to be certain that patients know that we have a weight loss treatment available to them that does not involve medication or the side effects that often accompany them, and that is a healthful plant-based diet,” says Dr. Vanita Rahman, an internal medicine physician, certified nutritionist, and clinic director of the Barnard Medical Center that specializes in weight loss through dietary intervention.
Multiple research studies have shown that consuming a whole food, plant-based diet can lead to weight loss similar to that seen with semaglutide and improve insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation, and support gut health without the side effects associated with long-term drug use.
Weight loss with GLP-1 drugs is largely driven by reduced food intake rather than a correction of the underlying drivers of obesity. “GLP-1 drugs, like semaglutide, help some people lose weight because they suppress the appetite and slow the rate at which food leaves the stomach,” Dr. Rahman explains. “As a result, people eat less, and therefore they lose weight. However, we are finding that the medications are effective for a smaller number of people than pharmaceutical companies have claimed, and they come with serious side effects,” she adds.
Research from the SELECT study shows that only 12% of semaglutide users reached a normal body weight while 31% and 43% continued to experience overweight and obesity, respectively, after four years of use.
“We find in our practice that people have the most success losing and maintaining weight loss with a nutrition-led approach focused on beans, legumes, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts,” Dr. Rahman adds. “Educating people about the role of nourishing foods and healthy eating habits in weight management addresses the underlying factors that are causing weight gain and leads to sustainable weight loss without lifelong dependence on medications for appetite suppression.”
GLP-1 drugs do not address the underlying causes of weight gain, such as low fiber intake, emotional eating, consumption of larger portion sizes, high-caloric foods, and physical inactivity. This is why weight regain occurs when the medication is stopped.
Research shows that 50% of GLP-1 users discontinue the medications within 12 months due to side effects, lack of effectiveness, or cost. Studies also show that people regain the lost weight within 18 months of stopping the drugs.
Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is a nonprofit organization that promotes preventive medicine, conducts clinical research, and encourages higher standards for ethics and effectiveness in education and research.
Contact: Leslie Raabe, 202-517-7319, lraabe@pcrm.org
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