From Pill to Practice: What Will GLP-1s Mean for the Future of Weight Management?
Author: Gerald Cheruiyot
Reviewed by: Sarah Anderson, Professor Sumantra (Shumone) Ray
Who’s going to dominate the race in the health field?
It may not simply be those who develop the next breakthrough therapy. It may be those willing to invest in the research needed to understand the whole picture.
Dr Sumantra Ray, Chief Scientist at the NNEdPro Global Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, recently joined TRT World's Roundtable, hosted by Enda Brady, for a wide-ranging discussion on the arrival of GLP-1 pills in Europe. The panel brought together Dr Ray in Toronto, nutritionist Kim Pearson in London, and consultant endocrinologist Dr Mary Ryan in Limerick, Ireland.
Together, the panellists explored what the arrival of oral GLP-1 treatments could mean for weight management, while considering the wider clinical, nutritional and behavioural factors that need to remain part of the conversation.
A rapidly changing treatment landscape
With oral GLP-1 treatments entering the European market, the landscape of weight management is evolving rapidly. A daily tablet offers an alternative to injectable treatments and could make these therapies more accessible to people who may be reluctant to use injections.
But as treatment options expand, so too does the need to consider how these therapies are used in practice. The discussion explored questions about effectiveness, side effects, stopping treatment and, importantly, the clinical support needed to ensure treatment is appropriate for everyone.
Beyond the pill
GLP-1 and incretin-based therapies are not one-size-fits-all. Patients need appropriate clinical assessment before treatment, with decisions tailored to their individual clinical needs and a holistic view of safety, nutrition and long-term wellbeing.
As Dr Ray put it, “The most important thing for us to remember is that one size does not fit all, and that treatments need to be tailored to the clinical requirements of individuals. This means clinically qualified professionals need to be involved and consulted to provide advice, whether it’s the pill or the jab.”
This is particularly important as these treatments can have wider implications for appetite, dietary intake and nutritional status.
Where does nutrition fit in?
When appetite is significantly reduced during treatment, attention to diet and lifestyle becomes even more important. Supporting adequate food and micronutrient intake, alongside appropriate lifestyle approaches, can play an important role in maintaining nutritional wellbeing during treatment.
Yet, as the evidence around these therapies continues to evolve, important questions remain about how medication, nutrition and behaviour can work together to support better and more sustainable outcomes.
Keeping Pace with the Evidence
The rapid development of GLP-1 and incretin-based therapies makes it increasingly important for research to keep pace with clinical practice. Understanding medication alone is not enough. We also need to consider how these treatments interact with nutrition, behaviour, lifestyle and the wider determinants of health.
The opportunity is therefore not simply to develop new treatments, but to understand how to use them effectively and responsibly to translate scientific advances into meaningful and sustainable improvements in health.
This broader approach reflects NNEdPro’s commitment to advancing the science of food, nutrition and health, connecting disciplines and translating evidence into real-world impact.
As GLP-1 therapies become increasingly accessible across Europe and beyond, the challenge will be ensuring that innovation is matched by evidence, safety, professional expertise and personalised care. That is where wider conversation around food, nutrition and health becomes essential.
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