Health

Popular, Powerful, and Not For Everybody: Doctors Urge Caution

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Originally approved to treat type-2 diabetes, medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are now FDA approved for weight loss, which has led doctors to caution against its use because they are not for everyone.

Published

1 month ago

November 28, 2025

Kendeno Knowles

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – In The Bahamas, nearly 76% of adults are overweight or obese according to the Pan American Health Organization.

Weight loss isn’t just about looks, it’s about survival, so it’s no surprise more Bahamians are turning to weight-loss medications.

However, doctors say social media hype has overshadowed the real science.

Local physician Dr. Keisha Smith explains that drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro fall into a class called GLP-1 agonists, originally approved to treat type-2 diabetes.

Dr. Keisha Smith – Medical Director, Paradise Healthcare Services

“So initially the FDA had approved these medications to treat type two diabetes. These are persons who are making insulin, and then all of a sudden they’re not making enough due to insulin resistance, due to obesity. So the FDA approved these medications to help to bring those their glucose numbers, the HBA1C numbers, to a level where it’s basically controlled.”

GLP-1 drugs slow digestion, regulate appetite, and improve insulin response.

They’ve been labeled “game-changers,” but research from the Cleveland Clinic shows real-world results can be lower than clinical trials, and that’s often because people stop taking the medication or use incorrect doses.

The Food and Drug Administration has also issued warnings about unapproved or counterfeit versions sold online, urging patients to get prescriptions only through licensed providers like Paradise Healthcare Services, where Medical Director Dr. Smith is one of them.

Dr. Keisha Smith – Medical Director, Paradise Healthcare Services

“Is it for everybody? No, some persons who have underlying thyroid issues, you want to be very careful. Those persons are referred to endocrinologists to let them handle that part of it.”

“I also do the screening for diabetes because then if you are a type 2 diabetes with very high glucose readings, I would refer them to the endocrinologist because they may need other medications in addition to going on the Mounjaro or Ozempic.“

For patients who have struggled for years, especially those over 300 pounds, GLP-1 medications can help reduce blood pressure, improve mobility, and lower the risk of heart disease.

However, doctors warn against sharing medication, chasing unrealistic weight goals or pushing into dangerous underweight ranges.

Dr. Keisha Smith – Medical Director, Paradise Healthcare Services

“I always have follow-ups with them and be like, okay, you’re at your goal weight right now, I don’t think you need to lose any more, and then they like, no, I want to lose more weight, and that’s when I have to say no…”

“When you start to become underweight, you run the risk of getting bone injuries, especially in menopausal or perimenopausal women, [who are] at risk for getting bone density decreases on one fall. You could break a leg or hip, and you don’t want to do that, so there is a healthy weight, and I want to maintain a healthy weight.”

The first step, she says is simply booking an appointment.

Dr. Keisha Smith – Medical Director, Paradise Healthcare Services

“I do try to help my patients, having them come in for a consultation to find out what are the reasons. Try to figure out why is it that you gained so much weight and what is inhibiting you from getting to your weight loss goal? So we sit down, we have a consultation, [and] we make a plan and we move from there.”