Gained 3 pounds during the Spring Festival? Be careful, this "lipid-lowering injection" cannot be used to lose weight!

The sound of firecrackers during the Spring Festival is still ringing in our ears, and the food on the table has long since turned into a small belly and numbers on the scale. So, some people start to "think crookedly": I heard that there is a kind of "blood lipid lowering injection" that can lower cholesterol, can I use it to try to lose weight? The answer is - lipid-lowering drugs, especially "blood lipid lowering injections", cannot lose weight!

Obesity and dyslipidemia are simply "brothers in distress".

During the Spring Festival, people eat a lot and gain weight. Some indicators of blood lipids also soar, especially low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), commonly known as "bad cholesterol". It is the "culprit" for blood vessel blockage, and long-term increase in LDL cholesterol will increase the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Therefore, if obese patients have severe blood lipid disorders, doctors will recommend the use of lipid-lowering drugs to "stabilize the situation."
Statins are usually the first choice of lipid-lowering drugs. If statins are not effective or the patient cannot tolerate them, some "black technology" drugs may be used, such as evolocumab and alirocumab, which are now on the market. They are referred to as PCSK9 inhibitors, the legendary "lipid-lowering injections", and their full name is proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors. They are a class of monoclonal antibody preparations that mainly prevent the degradation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors by inhibiting PCSK9 and promoting the clearance of LDL-C.

How powerful are PCSK9 inhibitors? With one injection, the best control of LDL-C levels can be achieved in as fast as 4 to 7 days, reducing it by up to 50% to 70%. It is almost the ultimate weapon for reducing "bad cholesterol" in the blood! It can also avoid common side effects such as liver damage and muscle pain, which sounds really "perfect".

But here comes the point – it can’t help you lose weight! Why?

PCSK9 inhibitors target "bad cholesterol", but the dyslipidemia in obese people is more manifested as problems with fat metabolism, such as reduced fat decomposition and increased fat synthesis, so it can't help at all.

One of the "black hands" behind obesity is hyperinsulinemia, a state in which the body's insulin level is higher than normal. Insulin is like a "hard-working chef" that continuously converts sugar into fat, promoting fat synthesis and weight gain. However, PCSK9 inhibitors only control cholesterol and have almost no effect on insulin.

Most of the weight gain during the Spring Festival is due to eating more and moving less, resulting in energy intake exceeding consumption. PCSK9 inhibitors only help manage blood lipids and will not make your "little belly" disappear miraculously.

It may be because its "relatives" - glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, such as semaglutide and other drugs are very popular recently! These drugs can reduce weight by regulating appetite and energy metabolism, and are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for obesity treatment. However, the "lipid-lowering injection" has a completely different mechanism of action from it and cannot "do the same job", so don't confuse them!

When it comes to losing weight, it all comes down to a commonplace formula:

Energy consumption > energy intake = weight loss success

The correct way to lose weight after the Spring Festival is:

Eat less fried foods and high-sugar snacks, and eat more vegetables, fruits and high-quality protein.

You can do 30 minutes of brisk walking or jogging every day, and you can also do stretching and strength training.

If you are seriously overweight or have complications such as high blood pressure, diabetes, etc., you can consult a doctor to develop a health plan.

PCSK9 inhibitors are designed for cardiovascular health and cannot solve your "3 pounds of weight gain during the Spring Festival". Don't put your hopes on drugs. There is no shortcut to losing weight. The best way is to move your legs and control your diet! In the new year, let's get rid of excess fat, get out of misunderstandings, and start healthy!