Media mogul Oprah Winfrey has opened up about the unexpected effects she experienced after using GLP-1 weight loss medications, a class of drugs that includes Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro.
According to Daily Mail, Winfrey, 71, first disclosed in December 2023 that she had started using a GLP-1 drug as a “maintenance tool” alongside diet and exercise. While she has not revealed the specific medication, she has credited it with helping her lose more than 40 pounds and calming what she described as constant “food noise.”
In a new interview, Winfrey said the medication led to several changes she did not anticipate. One of the most notable is that she completely stopped drinking alcohol. She explained that she no longer has any desire for it, despite previously being able to drink heavily.
Research suggests GLP-1 drugs may reduce cravings by affecting dopamine-related reward pathways in the brain, which are linked to habits such as drinking. Studies have shown reduced alcohol consumption among users of these medications.
Winfrey also revealed that she now works out almost every day, saying she feels sluggish when she doesn’t exercise. She currently exercises up to six times a week, combining hiking, weight training and treadmill workouts.
According to her, the medication helped shift her mindset around food and weight. She said she no longer blames herself or feels the need to punish her body, adding that she feels healthier and more energetic than before.
However, Winfrey acknowledged that after briefly stopping the drug, she regained some of the weight she had lost, reinforcing her view that GLP-1 medications may require long-term use.
Her experience follows decades of public struggles with weight, including restrictive diets and extreme calorie reduction. At her highest, she weighed 237 pounds in 1992. While she has stated a goal weight of 160 pounds, she has not disclosed her current weight.
Winfrey said she hopes her story helps others understand that obesity is not simply about willpower, especially for those with genetic risk factors. She encouraged people to seek accurate information and make informed choices, whether or not they choose to use medication.
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