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Should you take Ozempic? The 5 things you need to know before starting GLP-1 drugs | Dr Ania Jastreboff

ZOE Science & Nutrition

ZOE

April 30, 2026

Show Notes

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro are now everywhere. But what do they actually do beyond weight loss? And what do you need to know before starting them?

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Ania Jastreboff, a world-leading researcher at the forefront of GLP-1 treatments and writer of the New York Times bestselling book Enough: Your Health, Your Weight, and What It's Like To Be Free, co-authored with Oprah Winfrey.

Dr Jastreboff explains everything you need to know about Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy and other GLP-1 medications for 2026.You’ll learn how GLP-1s may reduce the risk of heart disease, improve blood sugar control, and support conditions like sleep apnoea. We also explore why weight often returns after stopping, and what you need to know about Ozempic side effects and long-term use.

If these drugs can change how your brain controls hunger, what does that mean for willpower, weight gain, and how we treat obesity long term?

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Timecodes

Intro

What these drugs are really treating

The hunger problem nobody could name

The diabetes side effect that changed everything

Why Ozempic isn’t just “more GLP-1”

Why Mounjaro works differently to Ozempic

The part everyone gets wrong

Can these drugs protect your heart?

The 94% diabetes finding

Why the weight can come back

Do you have to take them forever?

Can you trust pharma-funded trials?

The risk of microdosing GLP-1s

Are these drugs becoming surgery-level?

The health effects beyond weight loss

The side effects people should expect

Could stopping leave you worse off?

Who should actually take GLP-1 drugs?

The biggest mistake when starting treatment

What to eat when your appetite drops

Why these are not weight loss aids

Should healthy people take small doses?

The exercise rule people miss

What comes after Ozempic and Mounjaro?


📚Books by our ZOE Scientists

The Food For Life Cookbook

Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati

Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector

Ferment by Prof. Tim Spector

Good Mood Food (preorder) by Prof. Tim Spector


Free resources from ZOE

The Hormone Harmony Guide: Tuning Your Body’s Internal Orchestra

Eating for Better Brain Health: Your brain-gut blueprint

Howto eat in 2026- Discover ZOE’s 8 nutrition principles for long-term health

Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition

Gut Guide - For a Healthier Microbiome in Weeks

Better Breakfast Guide


Mentioned in today's episode

Enough: Your Health, Your Weight, and What It's Like To Be Free by Dr Ania Jastreboff & Oprah Winfrey

Retatrutidefor Obesity, The New England Journal of Medicine (2023)

HealthyWeight Loss Maintenance with Exercise, Liraglutide, or Both Combined, The New England Journal of Medicine (2021)

Semaglutideand Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients, The New England Journal of Medicine (2016)

Tirzepatidefor Obesity Treatment and Diabetes Prevention, The New England Journal of Medicine (2025)

Tirzepatidefor the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Obesity, The New England Journal of Medicine (2024)


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Episode transcripts are available here.


Should you take Ozempic? The 5 things you need to know before starting GLP-1 drugs | Dr Ania Jastreboff — Podcst