Why did the US government health czar change from calling weight loss drugs a scam to slashing prices for them and making them easily available?
The answer is the theory of “greater evil.“ The obesity crisis is greater than the sunken cheek crisis — in terms of life expectancy and quality of life for Americans.
Apparently Americans are never going to Exercise, and eating properly is “a stretch“ as well. So, maybe start with the sunken cheeks drug and continue to reform what foods and labels are allowed on market shelves.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the government’s recent approach to GLP-1 drugs (like Ozempic and Wegovy) has been a mix of deep skepticism regarding their usage and aggressive policy moves to slash their prices.
While RFK Jr. has historically criticized these drugs as a “quick fix” for a systemic health crisis, his role in the current administration has shifted the focus toward price controls and metabolic health reform.
The CDC and FDA’s stance has generally remained more aligned with clinical evidence, recognizing GLP-1s as a breakthrough for chronic disease management.
• The Obesity Crisis: The CDC continues to report obesity as a primary driver of heart disease and diabetes.
• Clinical Support: While Kennedy pushes for food reform, the CDC and medical groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics have increasingly recommended GLP-1s as an “evidence-based” treatment for both adults and adolescents (12+), especially when lifestyle changes alone haven’t yielded results.
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Hillary Lin, MD
What to watch out for as oral GLP-1 agonists launch today?
𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
As we enter “New Year, New You” of 2026, plus the oral GLP-1 era, we’re going to face this a lot more.
These drugs work by suppressing appetite and slowing digestion. The problem: 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿-𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱.
They reach for crackers. Toast. Whatever’s easy to get down.
The result is 𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗲—and it shows up in three distinct ways:
1. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗽𝘀𝗲. When appetite tanks, protein is usually the first casualty. It’s heavy. Hard to digest. Easy to skip.
But skip it consistently and the body starts cannibalizing muscle for amino acids. That’s sarcopenia.
– 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗶𝗿: This is why shedding hits at month 3. The body perceived a protein deficit months ago and paused “non-essential” hair growth.
– 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲: “Ozempic Face” isn’t just fat loss. It is facial sarcopenia. You are losing the deep fat pads and the facial muscle that acts as the scaffolding for your skin. The result is a deflation that looks like accelerated aging
2. 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗵. When you cut food volume by 40%, you cut your vitamin intake by 40%. Without supplementation, the math doesn’t work.
The ones I watch closest:
– 𝗕12: Common deficiency due to reduced meat intake and altered gut environment. Signs: Fatigue, brain fog, tingling fingers/toes.
– 𝗜𝗿𝗼𝗻: Red meat often becomes unappealing (aversion). Result: Exhaustion, feeling cold, restless legs.
– 𝗩𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻 𝗗 & 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗰𝗶𝘂𝗺: Rapid weight loss and nutrient deficiencies leech minerals from bone. Result: Osteopenia/osteoporosis.
– 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘂𝗺: Less produce = fewer electrolytes. Result: Muscle cramps and eyelid twitching.
3. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁: 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿. GLP-1s suppress thirst signals just like they suppress hunger.
Chronic low-grade dehydration mimics malnutrition—dizziness, constipation, kidney strain.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝘅: We need to stop treating GLP-1 users like “dieters” and start treating them like bariatric surgery patients.
– Protein is a prescription, not a suggestion.
– Hydration must be scheduled, not reactive.
– Supplementation (magnesium, vitamin D3/K2, etc) is often mandatory, not optional.
Because on GLP-1s, you aren’t just losing weight.
If you aren’t careful, you’re losing health.
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