Khaberni - A recent study found that a person’s genetic composition might determine the extent of their response to weight loss injections, not just the amount of weight they lose, but also whether they will experience symptoms like nausea or vomiting as side effects.
Researchers were able to identify specific genetic mutations that help predict the degree of weight loss and the likelihood of experiencing side effects, which might explain why some people lose weight faster than others, while others are more affected by complications.
These findings, published in the journal Nature, open the door to what is known as precision medicine, where doctors can in the future customize weight loss treatments according to each patient's genetic profile.
The study was based on data from about 28,000 people registered on the 23andMe genetics website, who reported themselves about their use of medications like "Wegovy" and "Mounjaro".
By analyzing genetic data, the team found that variations in two genes associated with gut hormones responsible for regulating appetite and digestion affect how these injections work.
One of these genetic variations was associated with a slight decrease in body mass index, while the other was linked to the occurrence of nausea and vomiting without affecting the amount of weight lost.
Researchers from the 23andMe center and the University of Copenhagen confirm that these genetic differences explain part of the variation in weight loss, but there are also non-genetic factors such as age, gender, and type of treatment.
Although the genetic impact is described as “modest,” it represents an important step towards a better understanding of the variability in treatment response.
Dr. Mary Sparkly from the University of Cambridge comments that behavioral and clinical factors such as the dose and duration of treatment are still more impactful than genes, and she affirms that current evidence does not yet support the use of genetic information to guide treatment decisions in clinics routinely.
