Dr. Platt believes that antidepressants can increase estrogen levels. Estrogen is “lipophilic,” which means it promotes fat storage. He is talking about a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Great technical jargon, so I’ll just write down a few examples of drugs that Dr. Platt mentions: Zoloft, Seroxat, Trevilor, Citalopram, Lexapro, and Fluxet (various trade names) – his quote: “often lead to weight gain.”

The Dual Role of Antidepressants in Weight Management”

Dr. Platt continues, “Some doctors prescribe these antidepressants to help patients lose weight because they increase serotonin levels. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter in the brain that reduces food cravings. For people with weight problems who have particular cravings for certain foods, these antidepressants can sometimes be beneficial. Most of the time, however, antidepressants cause you to gain weight. Tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil or Desipramine and Norpramin can also cause weight gain.

Medication-Induced Weight Gain: Antidepressants and Beta-Blockers”

The only medication that, in Dr. Platt’s opinion, does not lead to weight gain is Wellbutrin – known in Germany as Elontril. If you have to take antidepressants, especially in higher doses, it is certainly a good idea to consult your doctor about an alternative treatment option. Beta-blockers are drugs that are mostly prescribed by cardiologists to relieve the heart. Dr. Platt writes, “Patients taking beta blockers are guaranteed to gain weight.” “These drugs block the release of adrenaline into the bloodstream.” The crux of the matter: “The body needs adrenaline to stimulate the release of fat from fat cells. If the fat has no way to get out of the cells, the body has no way to burn it.”

The Impact of Beta-Blockers on Thyroid Function and Weight Gain”

Beta-blockers also affect thyroid function. What is particularly interesting is Dr. Platt’s explanation that beta blockers are also used as additional therapy in the treatment of hyperthyroidism because the conversion of T4 to T3 is inhibited. For people with normal thyroid function or hypothyroidism, taking a beta blocker, for example, to relieve the heart, obviously means a high risk of (further) hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism – as many of us know – also makes you fat! Dr. Platt concludes the section on beta blockers as follows: “Beta-blockers soon lose their effect on heart patients because the weight that these patients automatically gain cancels out many of the positive effects that the beta blockers originally had.”

“Estrogen and Its Role in Weight Gain Among Women”

We already know the hormone estrogen as a keyword for antidepressants. Dr. Platt writes in the introduction, “Probably the most common cause of weight gain in women is the intake of estrogen. I say this because estrogen is one of the most widely sold drugs in the world. It is prescribed to women for life…” Dr. Platt gives the example of hormone replacement therapy during menopause and the contraceptive pill from early adolescence until the onset of menopause.

The Lipogenic Effects of Estrogen and Progestin in Hormonal Treatments”

We have already learned that estrogen promotes fat storage. Dr. Platt continues, “Women who still have their uterus are prescribed a progestin in addition to estrogen because taking estrogen alone can cause uterine cancer.” And how does progestin affect fat storage? Well, it also has a lipogenic effect, meaning it can “just like estrogen, progestins cause the formation of fat and cellulite and increase the risk of breast cancer.” Dr. Platt cites contraceptive injections called “Provera” as an example. Women are “guaranteed to gain 10 kg in weight” during treatment.

“The Estrogenic Effects of Medicinal Plants: A Case Study with Hops

I would like to add that there are also (medicinal) plants that have a very strong estrogen effect and can lead to weight gain. Hops is an example – that just happened to me recently. Hops are contained in natural sleep aids, for example in combination with valerian. That’s why I recommend taking a very close look at the effects of the product in question, especially when taking self-prescribed “drugstore pills”. When I took the valerian stuff, I thought: it’s only herbal, so I can take a little more. Great, now I can lose 6 kilos.

The Role of Diuretics in Blood Sugar Regulation and Fat Storage

Diuretics are diuretics that are prescribed to people with edema and high blood pressure. According to Dr. Platt, these drugs can raise blood sugar and thus attract insulin. Insulin is the fat-storage hormone par excellence… just to be on the safe side, I’ll briefly explain what insulin’s job is: insulin transports blood sugar and amino acids from proteins to the muscles and to all other parts of the body where energy is burned. If too much sugar is consumed for acute needs, insulin ensures that the sugar is stored in the form of fat in the fat cells. Since greatly increased blood sugar is toxic, insulin is a very important hormone. However, remembering the actual function of insulin also makes it clear why excess carbohydrates simply do not help with weight loss. I will continue this topic elsewhere; you now have a rough overview of why diuretics can lead to increased fat storage.

The Misconception of Diuretics in Diet Plans for Weight Loss”

My comment number 2: Some people use diuretics as part of diet plans and consider the greater weight loss to be proof that the weight loss is working. To this, we can now say: ha – the body is made up of more than half water. Of course, you will lose weight if you flush it out – but you will not become slimmer in the sense of being healthier, having less unhealthy belly fat, etc.

“Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Water Retention: A Closer Look

For the sake of completeness, I will mention the anti-inflammatory drugs mentioned by Dr. Platt as the cause of weight gain. Unfortunately, he does not specify which products he is talking about and also says that it is probably water retention, so I am personally less concerned about this. Water retention will disappear again when the reason for the retention is eliminated. For example, the medication is no longer taken. Extra water is certainly not convenient either, but as long as it does not assume risky dimensions, I think it is negligible. If in doubt, always speak to your doctor, just to be on the safe side.

The Impact of Statins on Thyroid Function and Weight Gain”

This topic is interesting. Statins are drugs that are prescribed to lower cholesterol levels. The effect on weight is indirect in that the coenzyme Q10 levels are lowered by the statins, which in turn prevents the conversion of T4 into T3 (the active thyroid hormone). For people with existing hypothyroidism or a previously normal thyroid level, this, of course, worsens the conditions not only for weight loss, for which a healthy (or at least well-regulated) thyroid function is important – but also for overall well-being. “It is really interesting that the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States all seem to promote weight gain.”

Understanding Medications That Promote Weight Gain

 I don’t know if Dr. Platt’s list is complete – perhaps the number of “fat-makers” or “fat-promoters” is much higher. If you are taking medication from this list, I ask you to go to your doctor and discuss alternative treatment options. Please refrain from stopping prescribed medication on your own. Even if your doctor thinks it makes sense to stop taking it, he may give you instructions on how long you should reduce the dose or what other treatment options are available.

Understanding Medications That Promote Weight Gain

I find the book very clear, it also describes how to lose weight in terms of hormones and body function and why starvation, competitive sports, and eating little do not contribute to success at all. But Dr. Platt’s book is about much more than just weight; he presents the reasons and solutions for several different health problems.