Four Medicine Cabinet Culprits Making You Fat
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted January 17, 2025
Picture this. You’re doing everything “right.” You’re trying to manage your weight by watching portion sizes, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep.
But the numbers on the scale won’t go down.
Even worse, you realize they’ve been slowly CLIMBING.
If this sounds familiar, the culprit could be hiding in your medicine cabinet.
Keep reading to discover four drugs that could be a roadblock to your weight loss…
It turns out many common medications—especially those used to treat chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and depression—could be secretly sabotaging your weight management efforts.
A groundbreaking review published in the journal Endocrinology analyzed data from over 250,000 patients taking common medications.
They found that various medications can cause weight gain between five to 20 pounds!
What’s worse, this often happens so gradually that many people don’t make the connection between the drugs and their growing waist.
Here are some of the most common drugs that could be causing your weight to climb…
- Beta-blockers (blood pressure medications): These meds slow your metabolism and make exercise feel more challenging. Some patients report gaining up to 10 pounds in their first few months of treatment.
- Insulin and sulfonylureas (diabetes medications): While crucial for managing blood sugar, these drugs can promote weight gain by increasing hunger and fat storage. Studies show packing on anywhere from five to 15 pounds while taking these meds isn’t uncommon.
- Antidepressants: Mood meds, particularly SSRIs and tricyclics, can affect both appetite and metabolism. About 25 percent of people taking these medications gain weight.
- Antihistamines (allergy medications): These drugs can increase appetite and make you feel too tired to exercise.
But here’s the good news—you’re not stuck between managing your health condition and maintaining a healthy weight. There are steps you can take to minimize medication-related weight gain:
Work With Your Healthcare Provider
- Never stop or adjust medications on your own
- Ask about switching to weight-neutral alternatives
- Discuss timing your medications to reduce side effects
Adjust Your Strategy
- If your medication increases appetite, focus on high-fiber, protein-rich foods that keep you feeling full.
- If fatigue is an issue, break exercise into shorter, more manageable sessions.
- Keep a detailed food and symptom journal to identify patterns.
Remember, weighing your medication’s benefits against potential side effects is crucial. And keep in mind there are often alternatives that work with your body instead of against it.
The key is to be proactive. If you notice unexplained weight gain, don’t wait months hoping it will resolve itself. Talk to your healthcare provider about your concerns and come up with a plan.
Here’s what else we’ve covered this week in Living Well Daily…
Skip This Dangerous Weight Loss Shortcut
Off-brand weight loss drugs like Ozempic knockoffs are flooding the market—but they carry serious risks. Discover the dangers and why lifestyle changes are FAR safer.
“Habit Stacking” Hack Helps New Year’s Resolutions Stick
By the second Friday of January, many of the most well-intentioned New Year’s resolutions will have been abandoned. Find out why and how to beat the odds.
Common Kitchen Tools Could Triple Your Cancer Risk
New research has made a disturbing discovery about common black plastic kitchen tools. They could literally be making you sick. Here’s why…
Surprising Link Between Balance and Weight REVEALED
Recent research suggests that improving your balance could be a game-changer for maintaining a healthy weight AND staying steady on your feet.
Mailbag: Naturally Target Cholesterol
Want to lower your cholesterol but have a complication such as cancer? Don’t target cholesterol alone; focus on reducing inflammation, too.
Dodge Dementia with TWO Old-School Solutions
Meta: Think shielding your brain from dementia is complicated? Try these two “old-school” solutions for protecting brain health.
Why Age Steals Your Sleep—And How to Take It Back
Tossing and turning more these days? Uncover the causes of age-related sleep changes and discover how to reclaim your restful sleep.
P.S. Surprising link between balance and weight REVEALED.
SOURCE:
Davidson MB, et al. Impact of Common Medications on Body Weight: A Comprehensive Review. Endocrinology. 2024;165(1):22-35.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Microplastics’ Hidden Link to Chronic Disease EXPOSED
By now, you’ve heard about microplastics. These tiny fragments of plastic have invaded virtually every corner of our planet. We’re just beginning to understand the scope of the threat, but we know microplastics pose a serious risk to our health. If you’re like many folks, you’ve shrugged off those dangers, thinking there’s nothing you can...
Shakespeare’s “Remembrance” Herb Protects Memory
You probably have a jar of rosemary sitting in your spice rack. Perhaps you sprinkle it on potatoes or add it to roast chicken. But what if this humble herb could hold the key to fighting one of the most devastating diseases we can face as we age? It turns out a hidden compound inside...
Is Your Gut “Good”? How to Check
I always get asked, “How do I know if my digestion is working right?” Well, the answer is pretty simple, but it’s also a little gross. A simple test you can do at home reveals whether your digestion is normal or not. Your digestive system processes everything you eat—extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste. The time...
Hidden Sugar Trap Fuels Lung Cancer
We’ve long known that smoking is the main villain behind lung cancer. But what if your dinner plate has quietly joined forces with the enemy? A new study from the University of Florida reveals that the typical Western diet could be laying the groundwork for aggressive lung cancer growth by feeding tumors with stored sugar....
Mailbag: Can A Diabetic Enjoy Desserts? The Surprising Answer
“If you have diabetes, may you eat a very few sweets in a week?” —Sweet Tooth Hi Sweet Tooth, Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where your body either resists the effects of insulin (a hormone that regulates sugar in your blood) or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood sugar levels....
Sleepless Nights? Beware of this Deadly Danger
We all have that friend who brags about their four-hour-a-night sleep schedule like it’s some kind of superpower. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” they proclaim while chugging their third energy drink of the morning. Well, science has bad news for these sleep-skimping show-offs. You might be accelerating your appointment with the Grim Reaper far more...
Drive-Thru Disaster Hits Fast Forward on Aging
Ever wonder why some of your high school classmates look like they’re aging much faster while others seem frozen in time? It’s not always just good genes or expensive creams—it could be what they’re ordering at the drive-thru. A troubling new study revealed that a fast-food habit doesn’t just expand your waistline—it fast-forwards your biological...
The “Salty” Truth About Your Mood
You know salt gets a bad rap for raising blood pressure. But what if I told you it might be messing with your mood, too? According to a new study out of China, eating too much salt could trigger depression—not just through vague “bad diet” effects, but by activating specific immune cells in the brain....
Ancient Herb Has a Modern Secret for Youthful Skin
You can spend hundreds—maybe even thousands—on anti-aging creams, lotions, and potions that promise to turn back the clock. But let’s be honest… most of them do little more than moisturize and smell nice. Now, a new study is turning that entire anti-aging skincare industry on its head—and the secret comes from an herb that’s been...
Let It Go—The Unexpected Freedom of “Fart Walks”
Ever notice your walk sometimes comes with some, well… unexpected sound effects? One step, two step, POOT! There’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for this natural phenomenon. Passing gas on your daily stroll is totally normal—and it means your digestive system is working well. Here’s what’s happening… Walking and other physical activities stimulate your digestive tract,...