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
Doctor-Approved Method to Ditch Blood Pressure Meds
In a world where drug solutions dominate healthcare, it’s refreshing to discover that best remedies sometimes don’t involve a single pill. A groundbreaking study shows simple relaxation techniques could be your secret weapon against one of America’s deadliest health conditions. Best of all? It’s free, easy to start right away—and your results are bound to...
Trouble Hearing? Your Heart Could Be at Risk
With research exploding and data pouring in, scientists are uncovering some weird (and surprisingly helpful) health connections. Today’s odd couple? Hearing loss and heart failure. Turns out your ears and your ticker are more connected than you ever imagined. A major study published in the journal Heart looked at over 164,000 people for nearly a...
Stay Up Late? It Could Destroy Your Mental Health
If you dread mornings but come alive at night, there’s concerning new research you need to know about. A recent study found that “night owls” are at higher risk for depression. But before you rush to set your alarm to get up with the sun tomorrow, there’s more to the story… Chronotypes are essentially your...
Go from Flabby to Fit with this Common Vitamin
If you’re like many of us, you woke up one day, looked in the mirror, and realized you’re no spring chicken anymore. Even worse—when you weren’t paying attention—it seems you somehow misplaced the muscles of your youth and have gone from fit to flabby. Aging has a way of humbling us like that. But scientists...
Seasonal Allergy “Off Switch” Discovered in the GUT
“Doc, why am I suddenly suffering from seasonal allergies when I’ve never had them before?” It’s a question I get all the time—and my answer might surprise you. Stop looking up at the trees—and start looking down at your gut… Your sneezing fits, itchy eyes, and runny nose might have more to do with what’s...
“Canary in the Coal Mine” Test Sniffs Out Brain Issues Early
One of the most common questions I get is how to tell if you’re starting to experience cognitive decline. I get it—losing your memory is scary, especially when it sneaks up on you. But here’s some exciting news that might put your mind at ease. A fascinating new study suggests that your nose might be...
BEAT Stubborn Leg Swelling Without Dangerous Diuretics
“I need help with edema.” —Swollen Hi Swollen, When patients complain of edema—fluid retention that causes feet, ankles, and legs to swell—I explain that, while conventional medicine immediately prescribes diuretic drugs, nature offers us effective solutions we can try first. I’ll share those in just a moment, but first, let’s take a quick look at...
Mental Health Linked to 30% FASTER Aging [6-Step FIX]
Your mind and body are more connected than you might realize—and a groundbreaking new study proves just how profound that connection really is. In fact, it’s this mind-body link that helps explain why battling depression can put you on the fast track to physical decline. Depression is the most common mental health condition worldwide. We’ve...
The Air You Breathe Is Silently Stealing Your Memory
You already know that air pollution damages your lungs. Chances are you’ve heard it can also harm your heart. And I bet you won’t be surprised when I tell you it claims millions of lives annually. But now, alarming new research suggests polluted air might also damage your brain. This study found that long-term exposure...
Get Intermittent Fasting Benefits Without Going Hungry
Intermittent fasting, which involves cycling between eating and fasting periods, is effective. There’s plenty of evidence for that. It’s not just weight loss, either. Intermittent fasting has significant benefits for metabolic health. However, many people find fasting difficult to stick to—and others can’t do it at all due to medical issues—so they miss out on...