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Plenity-Weight loss device FDA approved
SuzySunshine99
Posts: 2,983 Member
in Debate Club
https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/29/health/obesity-weight-loss-capsule-plenity-gelesis-fda/index.html
I see a lot of people turning to prescription drugs or surgery to try to help with weight loss. This is something different and may be an interesting alternative for some people if it's safe and effective.
I always love though, the disclaimer that it works if you use it "along with diet and exercise".
What do you all think?
I see a lot of people turning to prescription drugs or surgery to try to help with weight loss. This is something different and may be an interesting alternative for some people if it's safe and effective.
I always love though, the disclaimer that it works if you use it "along with diet and exercise".
What do you all think?
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Replies
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So the control group lost 4.4% with a placebo, while the test group lost 6.4% with the real pill. I'm...underwhelmed? I suppose that's why they qualified it as needing to be used alongside diet and exercise.12
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I read somewhere that the capsule contained a type of fiber. I figure if fiber is the way to increase feelings of fullness, there are all kinds of foods naturally high in fiber and even Metamucil that have to be better than something dreamed up in a lab. But, to each his own.7
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kwest_4_fitness wrote: »I read somewhere that the capsule contained a type of fiber. I figure if fiber is the way to increase feelings of fullness, there are all kinds of foods naturally high in fiber and even Metamucil that have to be better than something dreamed up in a lab. But, to each his own.
It’s actually pieces of a gel-like substance that expand in your stomach. So, it doesn’t just make you “feel” full. Your stomach is physically full.3 -
I am not impressed; there's already OTC blonde psyllium with similar properties of creating satiety through volume/expansion. New product/PLENITY contains citric acid + cellulose as active ingredients
I think it's great that there is no impact on the CNS (can be a main selling point for many people who wish to avoid CNS effects whether it be stimulation (i.e. phentermine) or depression (i.e. topiramate). Cost likely will not be worth it; prior authorizations a plenty I'm sure.
Much more interested in the future weight loss drugs involving novel mechanisms of action targeting Orexin receptors & Ghrelin; stuff like this (PLENITY) bores me to death & seems somewhat comical to me9 -
So basically a sponge in capsule form that ultimately dissolves in the digestive tract.
'Merica.8 -
SuzySunshine99 wrote: »kwest_4_fitness wrote: »I read somewhere that the capsule contained a type of fiber. I figure if fiber is the way to increase feelings of fullness, there are all kinds of foods naturally high in fiber and even Metamucil that have to be better than something dreamed up in a lab. But, to each his own.
It’s actually pieces of a gel-like substance that expand in your stomach. So, it doesn’t just make you “feel” full. Your stomach is physically full.
I've noticed that hunger is more complicated than this. Depending on your choices, you can feel like eating when you're physically full.
That said, anything that helps is good. Different people find success in different ways. Some need more help than others. That's life.12 -
NorthCascades wrote: »SuzySunshine99 wrote: »kwest_4_fitness wrote: »I read somewhere that the capsule contained a type of fiber. I figure if fiber is the way to increase feelings of fullness, there are all kinds of foods naturally high in fiber and even Metamucil that have to be better than something dreamed up in a lab. But, to each his own.
It’s actually pieces of a gel-like substance that expand in your stomach. So, it doesn’t just make you “feel” full. Your stomach is physically full.
I've noticed that hunger is more complicated than this. Depending on your choices, you can feel like eating when you're physically full.
That said, anything that helps is good. Different people find success in different ways. Some need more help than others. That's life.
Yes, for sure. That's why appetite suppressants and surgery don't work for everyone. For many people, overeating is more mental than physical.
But, if you're going to try something to aid weight loss, this at least appears to be less risky than medications that affect the central nervous system or surgeries.
It does remind me of those capsules I used to get when I was a kid that you put in water and they expand into a big spongey dinosaur.8 -
My main problem with this is the problem I have with all "diet aids". At some point, you have to be able to get used to the correct amount of food. Unless you are going to buy and swallow these pills for the rest of your life, you're just delaying the inevitable. If you are the type of person who needs high volume to feel full, figure out what high volume foods you like and eat them.
I suppose the best way to use these would be to start out with a schedule to wean yourself off them, so a smaller and smaller dose (if that's possible) until you're adjusted. And specifically for obese people who need to drastically cut their calories quickly for health reasons. Otherwise IMHO, slowly working into a deficit while incorporating high volume foods would accomplish the same thing and you'd actually learn how to eat.
It does sound like it is safer than prescription appetite suppressants.7 -
There are a number of us within the pharmaceutical industry frustrated with the tendency to treat symptom over root cause, but as most root causes are behavioral there isn't much one can do. Most legacy drugs would never survive today's regulatory scrutiny.
The marketers played a clever regulatory game on this one. Encapsulated fiber with no pharmacokinitec action.2 -
My main problem with this is the problem I have with all "diet aids". At some point, you have to be able to get used to the correct amount of food. Unless you are going to buy and swallow these pills for the rest of your life, you're just delaying the inevitable. If you are the type of person who needs high volume to feel full, figure out what high volume foods you like and eat them.
I suppose the best way to use these would be to start out with a schedule to wean yourself off them, so a smaller and smaller dose (if that's possible) until you're adjusted. And specifically for obese people who need to drastically cut their calories quickly for health reasons. Otherwise IMHO, slowly working into a deficit while incorporating high volume foods would accomplish the same thing and you'd actually learn how to eat.
It does sound like it is safer than prescription appetite suppressants.
Solid point. But if a person loses a bunch of weight (it doesn't sound like this is for those last 5 vanity pounds) that should lower their BMR and TDEE and hopefully reduce their level of hunger. Hopefully that will make it easier to adjust to a more sensible way of eating.
Also, it seems like diet preferences have a bit of inertia. Hope many people get used to eating more on a bulk and have a hard time switching into cut mode? Hopefully this kind of treatment will help on that front too.
Obviously it remains to be seen. Obesity is for sure a growing problem, anything that helps is good news in my book.2 -
There are a number of us within the pharmaceutical industry frustrated with the tendency to treat symptom over root cause, but as most root causes are behavioral there isn't much one can do. Most legacy drugs would never survive today's regulatory scrutiny.
The marketers played a clever regulatory game on this one. Encapsulated fiber with no pharmacokinitec action.
I've never had a doctor prescribe more bike rides, time with friends or in nature, or making more love. The cynic in me says these things can't be put in a little plastic bottle and charged to your insurance. But I bet doctors lament that they can give good advice and most people won't take it.1 -
NorthCascades wrote: »There are a number of us within the pharmaceutical industry frustrated with the tendency to treat symptom over root cause, but as most root causes are behavioral there isn't much one can do. Most legacy drugs would never survive today's regulatory scrutiny.
The marketers played a clever regulatory game on this one. Encapsulated fiber with no pharmacokinitec action.
I've never had a doctor prescribe more bike rides, time with friends or in nature, or making more love. The cynic in me says these things can't be put in a little plastic bottle and charged to your insurance. But I bet doctors lament that they can give good advice and most people won't take it.
At wound care, I heard the Dr. talking to diabetics and reiterating their instructions on the need to change their diet and exercise. They literally have open wounds that are not healing due to their poor diet and and accompanying blood sugar issues, requiring more visits and care. It must be intensely frustrating to be a doctor and have patients ignore advice and instructions and continue with self destructive behaviors.1 -
NorthCascades wrote: »There are a number of us within the pharmaceutical industry frustrated with the tendency to treat symptom over root cause, but as most root causes are behavioral there isn't much one can do. Most legacy drugs would never survive today's regulatory scrutiny.
The marketers played a clever regulatory game on this one. Encapsulated fiber with no pharmacokinitec action.
I've never had a doctor prescribe more bike rides, time with friends or in nature, or making more love. The cynic in me says these things can't be put in a little plastic bottle and charged to your insurance. But I bet doctors lament that they can give good advice and most people won't take it.
Physicians used to do this, until they began catering to the consumer who demanded a quick fix. I talk with several physicians who wish for a return to the older days of medicine, but once the genie is out of the bottle...1 -
NorthCascades wrote: »My main problem with this is the problem I have with all "diet aids". At some point, you have to be able to get used to the correct amount of food. Unless you are going to buy and swallow these pills for the rest of your life, you're just delaying the inevitable. If you are the type of person who needs high volume to feel full, figure out what high volume foods you like and eat them.
I suppose the best way to use these would be to start out with a schedule to wean yourself off them, so a smaller and smaller dose (if that's possible) until you're adjusted. And specifically for obese people who need to drastically cut their calories quickly for health reasons. Otherwise IMHO, slowly working into a deficit while incorporating high volume foods would accomplish the same thing and you'd actually learn how to eat.
It does sound like it is safer than prescription appetite suppressants.
Solid point. But if a person loses a bunch of weight (it doesn't sound like this is for those last 5 vanity pounds) that should lower their BMR and TDEE and hopefully reduce their level of hunger. Hopefully that will make it easier to adjust to a more sensible way of eating.
Also, it seems like diet preferences have a bit of inertia. Hope many people get used to eating more on a bulk and have a hard time switching into cut mode? Hopefully this kind of treatment will help on that front too.
Obviously it remains to be seen. Obesity is for sure a growing problem, anything that helps is good news in my book.
I thought it was fairly well established that losing any significant amount of weight increases hunger, and not just in the short term either?0 -
NorthCascades wrote: »There are a number of us within the pharmaceutical industry frustrated with the tendency to treat symptom over root cause, but as most root causes are behavioral there isn't much one can do. Most legacy drugs would never survive today's regulatory scrutiny.
The marketers played a clever regulatory game on this one. Encapsulated fiber with no pharmacokinitec action.
I've never had a doctor prescribe more bike rides, time with friends or in nature, or making more love. The cynic in me says these things can't be put in a little plastic bottle and charged to your insurance. But I bet doctors lament that they can give good advice and most people won't take it.
Physicians used to do this, until they began catering to the consumer who demanded a quick fix. I talk with several physicians who wish for a return to the older days of medicine, but once the genie is out of the bottle...
I had a doctor told me i should I engage in moderate physical activity 4 days a week (endocrinology) - i just looked at her and said you know i run marathon's right...then i got the lecture about doing too much...4 -
i'm fustrated that they can approve something like this - but drugs that have been in the pipeline for ALS (and other life ending conditions) can't get approved (I have a good friend who is using one of these under the right to try bill that was signed earlier this year and seeing significant improvements)2
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Could just eat more plain vegetables. Jmho..4
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NorthCascades wrote: »My main problem with this is the problem I have with all "diet aids". At some point, you have to be able to get used to the correct amount of food. Unless you are going to buy and swallow these pills for the rest of your life, you're just delaying the inevitable. If you are the type of person who needs high volume to feel full, figure out what high volume foods you like and eat them.
I suppose the best way to use these would be to start out with a schedule to wean yourself off them, so a smaller and smaller dose (if that's possible) until you're adjusted. And specifically for obese people who need to drastically cut their calories quickly for health reasons. Otherwise IMHO, slowly working into a deficit while incorporating high volume foods would accomplish the same thing and you'd actually learn how to eat.
It does sound like it is safer than prescription appetite suppressants.
Solid point. But if a person loses a bunch of weight (it doesn't sound like this is for those last 5 vanity pounds) that should lower their BMR and TDEE and hopefully reduce their level of hunger. Hopefully that will make it easier to adjust to a more sensible way of eating.
Also, it seems like diet preferences have a bit of inertia. Hope many people get used to eating more on a bulk and have a hard time switching into cut mode? Hopefully this kind of treatment will help on that front too.
Obviously it remains to be seen. Obesity is for sure a growing problem, anything that helps is good news in my book.
I thought it was fairly well established that losing any significant amount of weight increases hunger, and not just in the short term either?
I don't know if it's even possible to establish such a subjective phenomenon. It's popular myth, but one without objective evidence to support.2 -
NorthCascades wrote: »My main problem with this is the problem I have with all "diet aids". At some point, you have to be able to get used to the correct amount of food. Unless you are going to buy and swallow these pills for the rest of your life, you're just delaying the inevitable. If you are the type of person who needs high volume to feel full, figure out what high volume foods you like and eat them.
I suppose the best way to use these would be to start out with a schedule to wean yourself off them, so a smaller and smaller dose (if that's possible) until you're adjusted. And specifically for obese people who need to drastically cut their calories quickly for health reasons. Otherwise IMHO, slowly working into a deficit while incorporating high volume foods would accomplish the same thing and you'd actually learn how to eat.
It does sound like it is safer than prescription appetite suppressants.
Solid point. But if a person loses a bunch of weight (it doesn't sound like this is for those last 5 vanity pounds) that should lower their BMR and TDEE and hopefully reduce their level of hunger. Hopefully that will make it easier to adjust to a more sensible way of eating.
Also, it seems like diet preferences have a bit of inertia. Hope many people get used to eating more on a bulk and have a hard time switching into cut mode? Hopefully this kind of treatment will help on that front too.
Obviously it remains to be seen. Obesity is for sure a growing problem, anything that helps is good news in my book.
I thought it was fairly well established that losing any significant amount of weight increases hunger, and not just in the short term either?
I don't know if it's even possible to establish such a subjective phenomenon. It's popular myth, but one without objective evidence to support.
You can't really measure accurately subjective data, but hormones and brain activity have been measured. They tend to lend the IDEA that we get hungrier.1 -
psychod787 wrote: »NorthCascades wrote: »My main problem with this is the problem I have with all "diet aids". At some point, you have to be able to get used to the correct amount of food. Unless you are going to buy and swallow these pills for the rest of your life, you're just delaying the inevitable. If you are the type of person who needs high volume to feel full, figure out what high volume foods you like and eat them.
I suppose the best way to use these would be to start out with a schedule to wean yourself off them, so a smaller and smaller dose (if that's possible) until you're adjusted. And specifically for obese people who need to drastically cut their calories quickly for health reasons. Otherwise IMHO, slowly working into a deficit while incorporating high volume foods would accomplish the same thing and you'd actually learn how to eat.
It does sound like it is safer than prescription appetite suppressants.
Solid point. But if a person loses a bunch of weight (it doesn't sound like this is for those last 5 vanity pounds) that should lower their BMR and TDEE and hopefully reduce their level of hunger. Hopefully that will make it easier to adjust to a more sensible way of eating.
Also, it seems like diet preferences have a bit of inertia. Hope many people get used to eating more on a bulk and have a hard time switching into cut mode? Hopefully this kind of treatment will help on that front too.
Obviously it remains to be seen. Obesity is for sure a growing problem, anything that helps is good news in my book.
I thought it was fairly well established that losing any significant amount of weight increases hunger, and not just in the short term either?
I don't know if it's even possible to establish such a subjective phenomenon. It's popular myth, but one without objective evidence to support.
You can't really measure accurately subjective data, but hormones and brain activity have been measured. They tend to lend the IDEA that we get hungrier.
There is a good deal of objective data supporting that hormones drive appetite (not hunger), but this is largely based upon habit and behavior. Someone used to eating at surplus will habitually want to eat at surplus, but this is not driven by hormones.
1
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