Dr. López-Nava is a Spanish physician internationally recognized for his expertise in bariatric endoscopy and weight loss. He recently discussed his approach to obesity treatment with Men’s Health.
Weight Loss Injections: A Temporary Fix?
Medications designed to aid weight loss mimic the action of an intestinal hormone that impacts the brain. While these drugs can be effective in suppressing appetite and promoting a feeling of fullness by directly affecting the hypothalamus, a recent meta-analysis of 9,000 patients revealed a significant rebound effect. According to Dr. López-Nava, these medications are most useful during their use or to induce a modest amount of weight loss over a short period—one or two months—but a more sustainable solution is crucial afterward. Obesity is a chronic and progressive disease, he emphasizes, requiring a comprehensive approach.
A Holistic Approach to Obesity Treatment
“Obesity needs to be addressed in a comprehensive way, doesn’t it?” Dr. López-Nava stated. “Exactly.” He believes a long-term strategy isn’t simply about blocking signals in the brain, but too addressing the stomach—the organ that triggers hunger. This holistic approach, he explains, involves bariatric endoscopy, psychological support, and lifestyle changes. This integrated method is what he refers to as endoscopically-assisted weight loss.
Potential Risks of Ozempic and Similar Drugs
Dr. López-Nava highlighted several concerns regarding medications like Ozempic. First, the potential for a rebound effect, where weight gain exceeds the initial loss. Second, the long-term effects of these drugs remain unknown. He draws a parallel to the early days of aspirin, where unforeseen consequences emerged over time. He cautions that injecting a medication that affects the brain to suppress appetite also allows the drug to travel through the bloodstream, potentially impacting other systems. Obesity is a complex condition that can shorten lifespan and lead to conditions like heart attacks and diabetes, making effective treatment vital. He views these drugs as a tool to initiate weight loss and build confidence in other obesity treatments, potentially encouraging patients to consider bariatric endoscopy for a more lasting solution, but not as a definitive cure.
Roberto Cabezas is a fitness, CrossFit, bodybuilding, training equipment, nutrition, and sports supplementation specialist at Men’s Health Spain. With a degree in Journalism from the Faculty of Information Sciences in Madrid, he has always been passionate about sports. He played soccer, practiced karate and tennis, and now enjoys padel and gym workouts. He firmly believes that a healthy lifestyle, with good nutrition and daily exercise, is essential for both physical and mental well-being, and encourages using fitness training to combat stress.
One of his hobbies is grocery shopping because he loves to eat, especially meat, but also fruit and healthy desserts. He doesn’t miss his daily protein shake and, if you’re looking for recommendations, attempt peanut butter with banana—it’s one of many recommendations you can find in the nutrition content he writes, covering topics like creatine and whey protein, among others.
Professionally, before joining the Healthy Unit of Hearst Magazines, he spent almost 20 years at the magazines Teleindiscreta, TP and Supertele, from the same company, where he learned to be a journalist. Before that, he worked at an economic consultancy and a women’s website. Other hobbies include reading, music, cinema, series, and playing with his children. Live and let live!
