Mehmet Did It: A Milestone in American Healthcare**
Most favored nation for the GLP-1’s
Mehmet Did It: A Milestone in American Healthcare**
Most favored nation for the GLP-1’s
This Blog Delayed for a reason but announced today—
In a world where healthcare breakthroughs are both rare and revolutionary, the recent strides made with GLP-1 drugs stand out as a beacon of progress. This hope for low cost GLP’s available to everyone began in this blog more than three years ago when we wrote about how GLP’s could increase life expectancy cause they decrease drug, tobacco, as well as food craving.
Dr Oz (Mehmet ) seems to have made this potential health triumph a reality-- Back then, even before this blog found its home on Substack, we envisioned a future where life expectancy in America could be dramatically increased—by more than four years—through the widespread (low cost) use of GLP-1 drugs such as Tirzepatide and Semaglutide, known popularly as Monjaro, Zepound, Ozempic, and Wegovy.
The potential of these drugs is profound. They target not only obesity and its myriad complications, including heart disease, stroke, dementia, and a majority of cancers, but also extend their benefits to reducing alcohol and drug abuse. They are game-changers in the truest sense, interrupting the cycle of cravings that lead to such destructive behaviors.
Today, we celebrate a monumental achievement spearheaded by visionary leaders, including the esteemed Dr. Mehmet Oz. As my partner in authoring 14 books and over 4,000 columns, Dr. Oz’s relentless dedication has been instrumental in making these drugs affordable and accessible, covered by Medicare and Medicaid. His efforts, pushed by Trump, and Kennedy, have paved the way for a healthier America. You may not like what Trump or Kennedy have done on other aspects but give em credit for this--
The implications are staggering. As we predicted, the availability of GLP-1 drugs at reasonable prices promises a cascade of public health benefits. By curbing the cravings for not just food but also cigarettes and illicit substances, these medications are poised to transform lives. This achievement is a testament to the power of collaboration between the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare visionaries, reminding us that they serve both public health interests and shareholder value.
Imagine a world where everyone over the age of 50 receives a statin and a low-dose GLP-1, a concept reminiscent of Oprah’s famous car giveaway—”You get a statin and a low-dose GLP-1, and you get a statin and a low-dose GLP-1.” This vision is now within reach, thanks to the persistence and vision of leaders like Dr. Oz.
In the landscape of modern medicine, this is indeed Dr. Oz’s number one miracle. His advocacy has ensured that GLP-1 drugs are not just a privilege for the few, but a right for all. As we reflect on this extraordinary milestone, we are reminded of the power of foresight, collaboration, and relentless pursuit of better healthcare for all.
Thank you, Dr. Oz, for leading the charge into a new era of medical innovation and public health.
Mike Roizen MD
Jermani Jones, Research assoociate
PS More data on how great the benefit can be: In the US during 2023, 48.5 million people ages 12 and older fought a substance use disorder. Specifically, 29 million of them were suffering from Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and another 27 million were suffering from drug abuse (https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH%202023%20Annual%20Release/2023-nsduh-main-highlights.pdf). However, less than 10% of people with AUD are actually getting the treatment that they need, and only 2% of treatment is through FDA-approved medications (https://www.newswise.com/articles/glp-1s-show-promise-in-treating-alcohol-and-drug-addiction/?sc=mwhr&xy=10023932).
GLP-1 medications (like low-dose semaglutide and tripeptide) which are usually used as a treatment for diabetes or weight loss, can be an addition step in a 12-step program. Other medications which are helpful for AUD are Antabuse and naltrexone. Furthermore, to help treat opioid addiction, medications like buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone can be useful.
Also, there is some evidence to suggest that GLP-1’s can also help people to quit smoking. They can help by modulating nicotine reward pathways within the brain (as they do with food), thus reducing the “rewarding” feeling of smoking (or eating) (https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/news-releases/new-research-glp-1-agonists-and-nicotine-cessation). This same pathway works the same for alcohol addiction. Essentially, the GLP-1 activity is blocking activity in brain areas to control cravings of food, drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes.
Before trying to take any medication to combat addiction, please first consult with your doctor to ensure that you are going about it in the safest and healthiest way.