Marietta Sangai Sirleaf, known professionally as Retta, is an American stand-up comedian and actress. Born on April 12, 1970, Retta's ability to make others laugh was a major talent. After graduating from Duke, Retta worked as a chemist. In her spare time, she performed stand-up at Charlie Goodnights Comedy Club in Raleigh, North Carolina. Eventually, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in comedy. Retta started doing standup in 1996, although she said she did not start "earning money" until 1998, when she began touring on the college circuit. In 2009, Retta started making regular guest appearances on the NBC comedy series Parks and Recreation as Donna Meagle, an employee in the Parks Department of the fictional town, Pawnee, Indiana.
Retta's experience with type 2 diabetes has transformed her into a health advocate, coinciding with the emergence of promising new medications like retatrutide for weight management. Retatrutide is under evaluation to treat type 2 diabetes, obesity, or both. This article explores Retta's health journey and examines the potential of retatrutide as a groundbreaking weight loss solution.
Retta's Personal Health Journey
Retta's journey with type 2 diabetes began in early 2022 when her doctor informed her that her blood sugar levels were bordering on prediabetes. Despite traveling for "Ugliest House in America," she focused on eating and exercising to manage her glucose levels. However, in July 2023, she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and began taking medication.
Retta's proactive approach to her health has led her to partner with Dexcom, the maker of Stelo, to establish National Glucose Awareness Week from September 23-29, 2024, in partnership with the nonprofit Beyond Type 2. This initiative aims to raise awareness about glucose and encourage people to take action to own their glucose health by featuring a variety of educational resources.
Retta emphasizes the importance of knowing your blood sugar levels and understanding how to regulate them. She has learned to adjust her habits, such as reducing creamer in her coffee, to avoid glucose spikes.
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Understanding Glucose Health
Experts emphasize that maintaining stable glucose levels is crucial for minimizing the risk of long-term complications associated with diabetes, such as eye disease, nerve disease, kidney disease, and heart disease. Dr. Karl Nadolsky, an endocrinologist, notes that increased variability in glucose levels can also increase these risks.
Dr. Rekha B. Kumar, an associate professor of medicine, highlights the role of exercise and muscle metabolism in managing blood sugar. She explains that the more active our muscles are, the more leeway we may have with what we put into our bodies. Nadolsky also emphasizes the importance of resistance training and increasing aerobic and non-exercise physical activity to improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels.
The Rise of Retatrutide in Weight Management
Weight loss is a significant concern for millions of people. While some rely on traditional methods like strict diets and exercise, others are exploring medical interventions. Retatrutide is a new weight loss medication introduced by Eli Lily, the creator of Mounjaro.
Retatrutide resembles the actions of three hormones: glucagon, GIP, and GLP-1. These hormones promote blood sugar regulation, slow stomach emptying to enhance feelings of fullness and suppress hunger.
Clinical Trials and Results
Retatrutide has shown promising results in clinical trials. In one study involving people with type 2 diabetes and a BMI ranging from 25 to 50, participants who took higher doses of the medication experienced dose-dependent weight loss. Those on the highest dose of 12 mg per week lost about 17% of their body weight at 36 weeks. The drug also successfully reduced their blood sugar levels.
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In another study with people who had obesity and weight-related conditions, participants significantly reduced their body weight after just 24 weeks, ranging from 7.2% for those taking the lowest dose of 1 mg to 17.5% for those taking the highest dose of 12 mg. At 48 weeks, those on the highest dose lost slightly more than 24% of their body weight, while those on the lowest weekly dose (1 mg) lost almost 9%.
How Retatrutide Works
Retatrutide, like other weight loss drugs, imitates hormones in the body that control hunger and satiety. Wegovy functions like glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). Mounjaro functions like GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). Retatrutide is designed to work like GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon, which is also involved in controlling appetite.
Dr. Dan Skovronsky, the chief scientific and medical officer at Eli Lilly, suggests that the drug’s triple action may be one of the reasons retatrutide showed this level of weight reduction. Medications like these can prevent overeating, help people consume less food, and reach satiety levels.
Retatrutide vs. Other Weight-Loss Drugs
Weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy belong to a class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. These drugs trigger insulin production and slow down the passage of food from your stomach into your small intestine, lowering blood sugar and promoting weight loss. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) stimulates the GLP-1 receptor and GIP hormone, promoting more weight loss and better blood sugar regulation.
While research on retatrutide continues, available studies show that it may enhance the weight loss effect more than other GLP-1 drugs due to its triple effect. Participants on the highest dose of retatrutide lost around 24% of their body weight in 48 weeks, surpassing the weight loss achieved with Mounjaro in a similar timeframe.
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Potential Side Effects
Retatrutide's side effects are similar to those of Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy, mainly gastrointestinal issues such as constipation, mild-to-moderate nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These effects were generally mild to moderate in severity at larger doses, and dosage reduction was the usual treatment.
Retatrutide Dosage and Usage
When it comes to retatrutide dosage, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. The dose that works for you will depend on your body, your weight loss goals, and how your body reacts to the treatment. Most people begin with a low starting dose to give their body a chance to adjust. The typical retatrutide starting dose is around 2.5 mg, taken once a week. After a few weeks on the starting dose, your doctor may recommend increasing your dosage. This process is called dose escalation, and it’s done gradually to ensure your body handles it well. Once you’ve reached your goal weight or are seeing the results you want, your dosage will likely be adjusted to a maintenance dose.
Like any treatment, retatrutide can cause side effects, especially when adjusting dosages. Common side effects include nausea, dizziness, or diarrhea, but these usually go away as your body gets used to the treatment.
Clinical studies have found that people taking retatrutide at doses between 5 mg and 15 mg experienced the most notable weight loss over several months vs. lower doses, but lower doses were still very effective.
Finding the right retatrutide dosage is key to making sure you get the most out of your treatment. By starting low, increasing slowly, and adjusting as needed, you can safely reach your weight loss goals.