What You Need To Know Before You Consider Taking Weight Loss Drugs: An Interview with Authority Magazine

Underlying Cause: Before any prescription, ask: What is truly driving my weight gain? For example, a client once came to me seeking weight loss medication, but testing revealed an undiagnosed thyroid and other hormonal imbalances. Addressing her root issue restored her metabolism — no drugs were needed.

The pursuit of healthy weight management is a journey many of us embark on. In a world where quick fixes are often sought after, weight loss drugs have found a notable presence. However, like any medical intervention, there’s a need for understanding, caution, and professional guidance before considering such options. In this interview series, we are talking to doctors and medical and wellness professionals about the science, safety, efficacy, and ethical considerations surrounding weight loss drugs. As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Dr. Laleh Talebian

Dr. Laleh is a nutritional healing doctor with a Ph.D. in Molecular & Cellular Biology from Dartmouth Medical School and postdoctoral training in biomarkers for cystic fibrosis. Formerly the director of a clinical research lab on immunotherapy for blood cancers and a research project manager at the Dartmouth Institute, she now helps high achievers reclaim their health through root-cause, precision nutrition. Known for using food as medicine — not trends — her personalized healing plans are grounded in genetics, labs, and lifestyle for optimal wellness.

Ilost my dad to cancer on my 15th birthday, and that profound loss set me on the path to becoming a scientist in search of better answers for chronic illness. After years of clinical research and leading a cancer immunotherapy lab, I became disillusioned with treatments that led to more side effects and prescriptions. This led me to shift my focus from drug therapy to prevention, specializing in functional nutrition and root-cause medicine — where I combine science, genetics, and lifestyle to help people reclaim their health in a lasting, meaningful way.

Can you share with us the most interesting story from your career? Can you tell us what lessons or ‘takeaways’ you learned from that?

One of the most interesting — and defining — stories from my career happened while I was a research scientist at a leading academic hospital. I proposed opening a clinical trial to study how healthy nutrition and lifestyle changes might impact cancer outcomes, but my idea was met with strong resistance from leadership, who preferred the status quo of enrolling patients in drug trials and keeping those beds full. Eventually, I was grudgingly allowed to work with just one single patient, but I quickly learned that real change in healthcare often meets institutional resistance; it became clear that if I genuinely wanted to help people, I needed to step outside the system and build my own path — no matter how terrifying that choice was.

The biggest lesson? Sometimes, making a meaningful difference requires the courage to leave behind the safety of established systems and create space for new, patient-centered approaches. For me, that meant leaving academia to empower people directly, using nutrition and lifestyle as powerful tools for healing.

You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

I’d like to share three principles that have shaped my life and have made me the person I am today, by beating the odds, going after my wildest dreams, and being fully responsible for all my actions.

#1- There are no magic pills

There are no magic pills in life. If you want something with all your heart, YOU are the magic that will make it happen. The only one who can stop you is you. If you want something, YOU must take action- NO ONE can do it you. My biggest advice: YOUR healthy, strong body and mind will dictate everything you do in life. Take good care of your health FIRST and climbing any mountain will become easier.

#2- There is no perfect; there is always room for better

Whatever you do, give your 100% every time. 100% is NOT perfect, but it is your best each time until you get better. Good enough is not good enough. Keep aiming higher. The sky is the limit, but there are no shortcuts to success.

#3- Be accountable and responsible for your life.

Take FULL responsibility for your life and everything that happens in your life. I believe that everything happens for a reason and is an opportunity for growth.

No one is to blame, and only YOU are responsible for how you react to what happens in life. The only person who is with you for the rest of your life is YOU. Be accountable to yourself, and you never need an accountability partner.

Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s shift to the main focus of our interview. To begin, can you share with our readers a bit about why you are an authority in the fields of health, obesity, or weight loss? In your opinion, what is your unique contribution to the world of wellness?

I take obesity very seriously — not because of appearances, but because it’s deeply linked to many serious and preventable chronic conditions. My authority in this field stems from a foundation in genetics, food biochemistry, and clinical research at the leading edge of immunotherapy and disease biomarkers, which gives me a unique lens on how excess weight can drive inflammation, metabolic imbalances, and long-term health risks. For me, addressing obesity means uncovering and resolving its root causes, so that people I help don’t just lose weight — they reclaim health, confidence, and freedom from looming diagnoses that so often accompany obesity.

Do you have any financial affiliations or conflicts of interest related to weight loss drugs that readers should be aware of?

NO

When should a person consider using weight loss drugs to lose weight?

In my opinion never

What are common examples of effective weight loss medications?

I cannot think of an effective one without serious side effects. Plus, they are not sustainable.

What are the potential side effects of weight loss with medication?

The potential side effects of weight loss with medication are often underestimated and can impact both short-term and long-term health. Rapid weight loss — especially with newer drugs like GLP-1 agonists — can cause significant muscle loss (sarcopenia), which raises risks for weakness, joint pain, decreased bone density, and even increased falls and disability. Because these medications do not address the root causes, most people rapidly regain weight (and metabolic markers for disease) within just weeks of stopping treatment, creating a cycle where they’re left choosing between lifelong medication use with its own risks, or regaining not only the weight but also their original health threats — sometimes with new side effects they never had before. Quick fixes may promise speed, but true and lasting health can only be achieved by focusing on strong, sustainable changes — not on medications that blink away underlying issues.

How do weight loss drugs compare to other methods of weight loss in terms of effectiveness and safety?

Weight loss drugs may produce rapid results, but my experience as a precision nutrition specialist has shown that they often come with major safety concerns — muscle loss, metabolic rebound, and new risk factors — while failing to deliver long-term health. In contrast, targeted nutrition and root-cause lifestyle approaches not only achieve sustainable weight loss but also improve energy, gut health, and metabolic markers without the harmful side effects associated with pharmaceuticals. My clients consistently experience lasting results because their plans are designed for their unique genetics, labs, and lifestyle — proving that true transformation happens when you empower the body to heal from the inside out, rather than relying on temporary fixes.

Are there certain populations or groups of individuals for whom weight loss drugs are particularly beneficial or harmful?

In my opinion, no weight loss drugs are beneficial to anyone. I believe that anyone is perfectly capable of taking control and lose weight without drugs. I firmly believe that they are harmful for everyone.

In your professional opinion, is it ok or not ok to take medications created for alternative health conditions (like diabetes) for weight loss?

In my professional opinion, it is not safe to use medications designed for conditions like diabetes solely for weight loss.

What are the potential side effects or dangers of taking medications aimed at alternative health conditions for weight loss? What are the benefits?

These drugs were rigorously studied and approved for very specific medical needs — not for the broader, long-term management of excess weight — and their off-label use can expose patients to serious, poorly understood side effects and unintended risks. True, lasting health is achieved by addressing root causes through personalized lifestyle and nutrition — not by repurposing drugs outside their intended application, which may ultimately create more problems than solutions.

Based on your research or experience, can you please share your “5 considerations one should take into account before commencing weight loss through medicine?”?

Here are five considerations I believe are crucial before starting weight loss with medication, each based on my research, experience, and the root-cause approach I practice:

1. Underlying Cause:
   Before any prescription, ask: What is truly driving my weight gain? For example, a client once came to me seeking weight loss medication, but testing revealed an undiagnosed thyroid and other hormonal imbalances. Addressing her root issue restored her metabolism — no drugs were needed.
2. Long-term Effects:
   Medications may provide short-term changes, but what about years down the road? I had a client, a young woman who wanted to have children. She lost weight rapidly on a drug that was meant for Diabetes, only to experience dramatic muscle loss (sarcopenia) that made her weaker than before and affected her hormones in such a way that getting pregnant became a new and difficult challenge — reminding us that health is more than the number on a scale.
3. Rebound Risk:
   Many people see initial success, but when the medication stops, weight and health risks often come roaring back. One gentleman shared that just eight weeks after discontinuing his medication, he regained all weight and his metabolic markers worsened, leaving him more frustrated and discouraged than ever. Additionally, he ended up with other side effects of the weight loss medication he did not have before.
4. Impact on Whole Health:
   Is the medication improving your energy, mood, and inflammation, or simply shrinking fat at any cost? I recall a client who wanted “fast results” but developed joint pain and gut issues with medical intervention. True progress comes when you feel stronger and more resilient, not just lighter.
5. Sustainability and Empowerment:
   Will you need medication for life, or is there a plan for independence and lasting health? I’ve worked with countless high-achieving clients who found real answers through personalized nutrition plans — not prescriptions — helping them reclaim control, confidence, and joy that go far beyond quick fixes.

6. Are there any common myths or misconceptions about weight loss drugs that you’d like to address?

   Absolutely. One of the biggest myths about weight loss drugs is that they offer a true solution to lasting health — when in reality, they are almost always quick fixes that fail to address the underlying reasons behind weight gain. Many people believe these medications are safe and sustainable, but research and my personal experience show they often come with hidden side effects, rapid muscle loss, and a high risk of regaining weight once the prescription stops.

   Another misconception is that pharmaceutical intervention alone can make you healthy; in fact, real and permanent transformation comes from uncovering root causes, shifting habits, and supporting the body with personalized nutrition and mindset coaching — not from chasing after the latest pill.

   A major myth is that weight loss drugs are a “magic pill” for lasting health — when in reality, they rarely address the underlying drivers of weight gain. Many believe these drugs are safe and sustainable, but in truth, they often lead to unintended side effects, muscle loss, and rapid weight regain after stopping. The greatest misconception is that you can achieve true wellness through medication alone, but I’ve seen time and again that only a root-cause, personalized approach to nutrition and lifestyle delivers real, lasting results.

   Can you help articulate why it is important to upgrade one’s lifestyle in conjunction with medicated weight loss?

   While I do not recommend medications for weight loss, it’s vital to recognize that upgrading one’s lifestyle is essential for achieving true and sustainable health — whether or not someone chooses a medicated approach. Medicines may trigger temporary changes on the scale, but only improvements in nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress management can address the deeper causes of weight gain and protect against chronic disease. Without lifestyle changes, the benefits of medication are fleeting, and most people will find themselves right back where they started — often with new health concerns. Lasting transformation happens when you commit to whole-person health, empowering your body to heal, thrive, and stay resilient for life.

   Beyond medication, what supplementary treatments or therapies do you recommend in conjunction with weight loss drugs for the best results?

   While I do not prescribe or recommend weight loss drugs, the real path to lasting results always includes nourishing food, targeted herbs, and natural supplements where appropriate. I focus on helping clients create personalized nutrition plans that support metabolic health, gut function, and stable energy — paired with specific herbs or plant-based compounds that can gently support natural detox, inflammation, and cravings. When combined with mindful movement, stress reduction, and restorative sleep, these holistic therapies empower the body to heal and thrive far beyond what any medication can achieve.

   How do you see the future of medicated weight loss evolving with advances in science and medicine?

   While I respect the ongoing research and the hope that advances in medicine may bring, I remain cautious about the long-term impact of medicated weight loss. In my experience, these drugs provide temporary results but rarely address the true drivers of weight gain or support whole-body health in a sustainable way. I believe the future of lasting wellness will always depend on empowering individuals to upgrade their nutrition, lifestyle, and mindset — root-cause solutions that science increasingly supports as fundamental to lifelong health.

7. What is the best way for our readers to continue to follow your work online? 

   www.dynamicnaturaladvantage.com

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.

https://medium.com/authority-magazine/dr-laleh-talebian-of-dynamic-natural-advantage-wellness-what-you-need-to-know-before-you-consider-5fd47a0ea700