A breakthrough obesity drug hailed as a potential “miracle cure” could help a staggering 93 million overweight Americans shed pounds, bombshell new research reveals.
The injection called Wegovy mimics a hunger-busting hormone to suppress appetite and trigger dramatic weight loss.
Now experts say the jab’s effects are so profound it should be dished out en masse to tackle America’s obesity crisis.
Study leader Dr Nathan Wong said: “This is one of the biggest advances ever in treating obesity and heart disease.”
He added: “We now have a weight control therapy that significantly reduces cardiovascular events beyond just diabetes.”
Trials show Wegovy sparks average weight loss of 15% in patients too fat for other treatments.
Obese people given the weekly shot also saw plunging blood pressure and “bad” cholesterol.
Based on population data, Dr Wong’s team calculated 93 million Americans are eligible for the injection.
Getting Wegovy to suitable patients could prevent 1.5 million heart attacks and strokes over a decade, they claim.
But experts cautioned people should not take any drug without consulting a doctor.
The jab is currently approved for chronic weight management in obese adults with conditions like high blood pressure.
But Dr Wong said: “It should be considered for any obese or overweight patient where heart disease is the leading cause of death.”
America faces an obesity explosion, with half of adults forecast to be dangerously overweight by 2030.
One in four will be severely obese, raising their risk of heart failure, diabetes and cancer.
But Stanford University nutrition expert Dr John Ioannidis warned long term data on Wegovy’s safety is still lacking.
He said: “There is potential for benefit, but we need to see the full picture.”
Maker Novo Nordisk plans to appeal to health chiefs to widen access to Wegovy.
If approved, millions could ditch dangerous fat for good and transform their health prospects.
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