Talk about health

If you have visited my site or read this blog before, you'll probable have realised that I write a two-page newsletter every two months for my list. It's a straightforward look at some of the things happening in health and includes conventional as well as alternative therapies. This month (July) I have talked about a new drug called Rimonabant for treating obesity.

As usual with new drug launches, the publicity has been carefully choreographed to show it under the best of lights. The media duly complied and presented us with a shining example of yet another wonder drug to cure one of the major problems afflicting the Western world today - overweight people.

The headlines had not a word about any down side, just glowing reports of the success of trials. Patients could lose pounds, many clothes sizes and all their cares about over eating or eating the wrong foods and not having any exercise need worry them no more.

Maybe so, but I listened carefully to a longer report on TV and heard a few words at the end, "When people stopped taking it they put back on all the weight they had lost".

Well now. To me, that's a major downside. Once you start the drug you have to take it for the rest of your life, unless of course, you don't mind regaining the weight you lose. A little research confirmed what I had heard - lifetime medication or ...

From the drug company's point of view it is not a problem. The sales will keep on rising. The pot of gold for these companies is finding a weight-loss drug that really works. The queues would be immense.

From your point of view the picture is not so one sided. Starting on a lifetime of tablet-taking isn't something you want to begin unless you have to. And there is the problem of side effects that maybe have not yet been discovered since the trials lasted only a couple of years - long enough for some medicines but not for medication to be taken for 30, 40 or 50 years or more.

A look at the drug wesites reveals some side effects that are already known, namely depression, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, anxiety and irritability.

And, the two-year weight-loss averaged just 20 pounds or so. Not such a lot for the average slimmer over 24 months.

There may well be a place for this drug for certain people and certain conditions, and the side effects may not be common or severe in most cases. But, I for one just can't seem to be very enthusiastic that this is a breakthrough in controlling excess weight or a wonder drug. It's too soon to condem it. It needs more research and practical results.

You may feel differently. I welcome your comments what ever your point of view.

You can pick up a copy of my free newsletter at http://www.healthexplored.co.uk and signing up. (And you'll get a tips booklet on food and supplements for your trouble.)

Wishing you the best of health.