Australian researchers have warned that GLP-1 weight loss drugs may increase the risk of rare diseases.
Scurvy — Historically called “pirate disease” due to long voyages at sea. nutritious food — caused by vitamin C deficiency. According to the Cleveland Clinic, scurvy can lead to serious symptoms if left untreated.
Symptoms include anemia, loose teeth It may fall out, bleed under the skin, cause bruising, swollen feet, rough, scaly skin, dry, brittle hair that curls up, and wounds that may reopen and never heal. Swollen and bleeding gums are also common results.
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Diseases can surface as a result of not providing the body with proper nutrition. nutritious food, leading to malnutrition. New research suggests that GLP-1 drug users may be at greater risk.
A systematic review by Australia’s Hunter Medical Research Institute found that diabetes and Obesity treatment drug Although evidenced by significant improvements in weight loss, clinical trials “failed to report what people actually ate while taking the drug.”
“Losing weight does not automatically mean that a person is healthy. well-nourished or healthy“Nutrition plays an important role in health, yet much of it is currently missing from the evidence,” Claire Collins, Honored Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Newcastle, Australia, said in a press release.
These findings raise “significant concerns about the risk of malnutrition, including macro and micronutrient deficiencies, with reported adverse metabolic and nutritional effects,” Collins told FOX News Digital.
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According to researchers, certain GLP-1 and GIP drugs have a “significant impact” on appetite and satiety, leading to a reduction in overall food intake.
“While this mechanism operates, weight loss“If diet quality and nutritional adequacy are not carefully monitored, there is also an increased risk of insufficient intake of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals,” she warned.
British pop singer Robbie Williams was diagnosed with scurvy in 2025 and previously said: mirror He said he experienced symptoms of “17th century pirate disease” after taking “something like Ozempic.”
Collins pointed out that nutritional deficiencies are “not unique” to scurvy.
“There are other nutrients that can cause deficiencies if not consumed in adequate amounts,” she says.
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Collins says, for example, iron deficiency can cause anemia, and vitamin B1 deficiency can cause beriberi (a disease that can damage nerves and the heart) and Wernicke’s encephalopathy (a potentially life-threatening brain disorder).
Collins stressed the importance of getting the right amount of nutrients, vitamins and minerals for GLP-1 users who are rapidly losing weight.
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“Signs can be overlooked at first because they overlap with the drug’s side effects, such as fatigue, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, and irritability,” she says.
to ensure proper nutritionCollins recommends seeking professional help from a certified nutritionist.
“It’s difficult to judge for yourself whether your nutrient intake is adequate,” she says. “People may also require specific multivitamin and mineral supplements, along with medical nutritional therapy support.”
Collins suggested that future clinical trials should include “validated dietary assessment tools” and “transparent reporting of food and nutrient intake.”
“This will help improve nutrition-related health and well-being outcomes for individuals prescribed these drugs, while supporting medication adherence. long term health” she said.
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“We call for increased attention to nutrition when prescribing these drugs to avoid the risk of malnutrition.”
