GLP-1 medications have been a lively topic of discussion nationwide for the last six months. Many voices have touted drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro as a new "miracle" weight loss cure. Meanwhile a handful of experts have raised important questions about the safety of such treatments.   In this thought-provoking interview, Dr. Robert Todd Hurst offers a stunning cost-benefit analysis of taking GLP-1 agonist medications in the long and short terms.   While there is no doubt that these medications can be highly effective in helping people drop significant amounts of weight, Hurst cogently argues that the net benefit and costs should be carefully considered before one undergoes any course of treatment.   Dr. Hurst is a board-certified preventative cardiologist and notable author of the WebMD Heart Health Blog. In 2022 he launched The Healthspan Podcast, where he shares insights from his work at the Mayo Clinic and his own HealthspanMD practice based in Phoenix, Arizona.   SHOW NOTES   00:00 - Introduction 01:12 - GLP-1 agonists originally diabetes medications 03:45 - later discovered to have remarkable weight loss benefits 05:00 - “terrible” history of weight loss medications 06:45 - unrecognized costs, not just financial 09:30 - financial cost 10:00 - gastrointestinal and physiological side effects 11:40 - “muscle as youth,” 40% lean muscle mass loss concerns 13:30 - drawbacks of a “forever” medication 15:00 - studies show about ⅔ of weight regained; people with only 5% body weight to lose are mostly heavier after treatment 16:30 - a “fast start” to body optimization 17:45 - strategies for tapering on and tapering off 20:40 - be cautious where you get your medications and supplements from 21:28 - where this is going long term 22:40 - importance of a comprehensive approach 24:30 - not a solution, but an “additive” to other treatments for people with a lot of weight to lose (20% or more body weight) and high risk 26:15 - healthspanmd.com, healthspan podcast   ***   You can learn more about Dr. Robert Todd Hurst, his medical practice and his podcast using the links below: https://www.healthspanmd.com/ https://www.instagram.com/healthspanmd/ podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/57im0ie2ypxPJtpc2noeQA   ***   Get Connected with Elizabeth McGann Coaching Website: http://www.ElizabethMcGann.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/elizabethmcgann Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethMcGannWellness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethmcgann Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElizabethMcGann