People are getting an old-timey sailors’ disease on GLP-1s (Ozempic scurvy)

California Post ^ | 2/09/26 | Emma Glassman-Hughes

[Libloather]

Time for Ozempic to walk the plank?

Top dietitians in Australia this week are waving a red flag about an unforeseen impact of the GLP-1 class of weight-loss drugs, including Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro.

In a new systematic review of existing research, led by professor Clare Collins of the Newcastle School of Health Sciences in New South Wales, Australia, it appears that very few global trials of the drugs have taken into consideration what and how much patients are eating while using them.

This, experts have said, means many patients have been functionally malnourished — sometimes developing serious vitamin deficiencies like scurvy.

Part of what makes these drugs so effective for weight loss and diabetes management is their ability to suppress appetite. But not eating, or not eating enough of the right stuff, is simply not a sustainable path forward for anyone, regardless of whether or not they’re using a GLP-1. And dietitians are calling for more oversight.

“A reduction in body weight does not automatically mean the person is well-nourished or healthy,” Collins told the Australian Financial Review. “Nutrition plays a critical role in health and right now it’s largely missing from the evidence.”

One high-profile case of scurvy arose last year, when British pop singer Robbie Williams was diagnosed with what he called a “17th century pirate disease.” He had been open about his use of injectable weight loss medication for years, and has also spoken anecdotally about its potential connection to his degrading eyesight.

While scurvy — a vitamin C deficiency that can be deadly if untreated — posed a regular threat to sea-farers of yore, these days, it’s quite rare, especially in the US, UK and Australia, where nutrient-dense diets are common.

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TOPICS: Food; Health/Medicine; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: disease; ozempic; sailors; scurvy

[TXBlair]

I am so happy for you!!!! You are absolutely putting in the work and it is paying off bigly! Keep it up!!👍

[Flaming Conservative]

I wish. It’s still out of my price range. When I was on mounjaro, the thought of food rarely crossed my mind. Now I’m on victoza, which is only about half as effective, but only costs $36 A month, on a community clinic program.

[FrankRizzo890]

You might want to try again now that TrumpRx has made it available for much less. Aetna fought me until it got cheap, and then suddenly they were willing to cover it.

[alexander_busek]

"A reduction in body weight does not automatically mean the person is well-nourished or healthy, "Collins told the Australian Financial Review.

Who in tarnation would ever assume that a reduction in body weight is an indication of being well-nourished?!

Regards,

[Secret Agent Man]

“A reduction in body weight does not automatically mean the person is well-nourished or healthy.”

This statement also has been many people’s, including my own, view the BMI is not a great measurement for determining health. A simple height/weight ratio number doesnt give an accurate enough measure of most peoples health. It doesnt take into account heavily muscled people. It cant determine healthy overweight (fat people who are exercising and getting in better shape) from unhealthy overweight people, doing nothing healthy. It cant determine healthy acceptable bmi numbers from unhealthy ones, a person can have an acceptable bmi but be unhealthy and very sick, in fact. It cznt determine skinny healthy from unhealthy skinny either. It rrally was just a way for,insurance companies to overnight, raise rates on tens of millions of people juzt because a new ratio deemed them in one day to now be overweight or obese.

[alexander_busek]

British pop singer Robbie Williams was diagnosed with what he called a “17th century pirate disease.”

Pirates stereotypically also suffered from poor hygiene (lice, scabies, etc.) and a variety of venereal diseases - so let's not jump to conclusions!

Regards,

[Raven6]

"Who in tarnation would ever assume that a reduction in body weight is an indication of being well-nourished?!"

The same idiot that tries to apply the same "body mass index" to people without taking into account the actual bone structure (the "frame") of the individual.

I'm 6'4" tall, measure 54" around my chest, and 36" at my waist. I got down to 205 pounds several years ago, which at the time was still 20 pounds or so above my suggested weight according to the BMI chart. People that knew me thought I had cancer or some other terminal disease... At 225 to 230 pounds I look healthy and can still wear jeans I wore in college. Yes, I have a few pairs of jeans that are over four decades old... LOL!!!

[Keyhopper]

Smoke crack or meth, you’ll lose weight,and your job,bank account, and family. Buy hey, you’ll look skinny

[AppyPappy]

A friend is on it. She is in her early 60’s and just reached her 70’s. I did not even recognize her in a recent picture and I saw her in January.

[Justa]

“Smoke crack or meth, you’ll lose weight,and your job,bank account, and family. Buy hey, you’ll look skinny”

...And teeth. But you gain a pitbull or two. Princess and Bindy look after your vapes and stuff while you’re passed out after being up for 4 days.

[Nevernikki]

I pray you are correct 💯

[Keyhopper]

Are you lying through you tooth again 😁