Here at MD Brothers, we provide multiple treatment options for weight loss, one of them is Naltrexone. The Gharbi Doctors ( Dr. Shazel Gharbi and Dr, Nael Gharbi ) use low dose Naltrexone to help our patients lose weight. Our doctors use Naltrexone pellets which will provide you with naltrexone effects for up to 3 months with no at home pills or injections.
Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is a medicine that is used to help patients lose weight. The medication can also treat severe symptoms of fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and Crohn’s disease. Naltrexone was originally approved for the treatment of opioid addiction. Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is an opioid receptor antagonist. Naltrexone uses vary – from weight loss to chronic pain management. The idea of Naltrexone for weight loss has been around for years.
Naltrexone Uses
Naltrexone was approved in 1984 by the FDA to help narcotic drug addicts stay off narcotics. It works by serving as an opioid receptor antagonist, thus preventing users from feeling the euphoric effects of the narcotic substance. Naltrexone uses are popular and well-documented. For instance, Naltrexone for weight loss has yielded some positive results, though the exact nature of the weight loss is yet to be determined. The medicine can also help alcoholics abstain from drinking, though it does not cure addiction. The drug is used as an elaborate addiction management. It is also effective in the treatment of chronic pains like fibromyalgia. The drug can also improve autoimmune diseases’ symptoms and help anxiety and depression. The medicine does not cause dependence or give euphoric feelings as narcotics do.
Naltrexone For Weight Loss
Naltrexone for weight loss has been tested with varying conclusions. The medicine helps people lose weight by reducing the desire for food. Studies indicate that it can also be combined with other medications for a stronger effect. Our doctors here at MD Brothers combine Naltrexone with other medications for more effective results, like HCG program, Semaglutide, Tirzepatide or other medications. However, the patient will need to do lifestyle and dietary changes – the drugs alone can’t do the trick.
How Low Dose Naltrexone Causes Weight Loss
Since the primary function of the medication is to help narcotic and alcohol dependents, the exact nature of how the medicine causes weight loss is yet to be determined. However, several theories exist as to how Low Dose Naltrexone works to cut weight.
Below are the various propositions on how Low Dose Naltrexone causes loss of weight:
Suppressed Appetite
Some patients experience reduced appetite as a side effect while taking the medicine, also known by the brand name Vivitrol. Therefore, according to this theory, the Vivitrol weight loss effect stems from the reduction of food intake because of the reduced appetite. This is because Low Dose Naltrexone blocks hunger signals to the brain, thus the body does not feel the need for food. Eventually, the suppressed appetite becomes a habit and forces the user to make dietary changes. A study found that an increase of Vivitrol dosage from 25 mg to 200 mg resulted in a reduction of food intake by 30% in obese men who participated in the study.
Reduced Insulin Resistance
Research has proven that the drug helps to lower insulin levels by 40%, and the link between insulin levels and obesity is quite straightforward. Insulin resistance is one of the primary causes of increased mass in people, especially in hypothyroid patients. Low Dose Naltrexone for weight loss works by modulating cellular resistance to insulin.
Energy Boost
As many patients report that the drug increases their energy during the day, the enhanced physical activity is a potential outcome of such an impact. As a result, users may burn extra calories losing a few pounds.
Improved Sleep Patterns
Lack of adequate sleep causes inflammation and leads to an increase in body fat in people according to numerous studies. Low Dose Naltrexone has been proven to improve sleep quality in patients with sleep apnea, as well as some pain syndromes. In this way, Low Dose Naltrexone helps to lose weight.
Increase In Growth Hormones
Research has suggested that the medication may increase growth hormones in certain patients. Therefore, low-dose Naltrexone for weight loss works in these patients because the stimulated growth hormones help not only build and maintain lean muscle mass but also increases the burning of fat.
Increased The Thyroid Hormonal Levels
Vivitrol for weight loss can help increase total triiodothyronine (TT3) levels and improve the conversion of total thyroxine (TT4) to total triiodothyronine (TT3). Furthermore, Low Dose Naltrexone has been shown to improve the immune system and reduce autoantibodies in some autoimmune conditions. These two reasons are why low-dose naltrexone is used for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Low Dose Naltrexone helps in weight loss in this case because thyroidal gland destruction combined with autoantibodies results in increased mass in people.
Outcome Of Concomitant Side Effects
Naltrexone use is accompanied by some side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. In these cases, patients don’t find any food attractive and are unable to enjoy it. If these effects are frequent and severe enough, the loss of body mass can be observed. The amount of body mass a patient loses while taking the drug is also subject to some individual factors such as genetics, body size, exercise, and dietary intake. Body size, including the composition of muscle and the amount of fat, is the first determining factor in this case.