‘Dancing With The Stars’ Brooke Burke, 53, Concerns About Ozempic— Stressing The Importance of ‘Muscle, Weight Training, & Boundaries Within a Nutritional Plan’

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brooke Burke (@brookeburke)

Burke also commented on the “depleted” look of people using GLP-1 drugs, saying it’s “because people are losing their appetite.” She continued, “That’s the hormone, right? It helps you curb your appetite. They’re not eating.

“That’s terrible for your metabolism. That is terrible for everything.”

“I know we wanna cheat the system as Americans, we do. We’re looking for that quick fix; it’s not necessarily sustainable. Everything from hormones to Ozempic to fad diets to tips and tricks to what’s real, what’s BS. And I am really honest with my community,” Burke explained to Page Six.

“If any of us think that we’re going to go take a prescription, and it’s going to solve all of our problems, and we’re gonna be able to stay on that, we’re in big trouble.”

Meanwhile, Burke also previously spoke with Fox News Digital on the same topic, saying, “I think that Ozempic has some great benefits, and I also think it has some dangers. I think the lazy person that’s turning to a quick fix for numbers on a scale, that doesn’t have boundaries, that’s not disciplined, that doesn’t understand the value of muscle, of weight training and of boundaries within a nutritional plan is gonna crash and burn.

“I think it’s super dangerous.”

She added, “Somebody who can’t move the needle for whatever reasons it may be, diabetics, hormones, there’s a long list of them, that can work with a doctor under their care, manipulate the system, bring down glycemic levels.

“I think it has some great benefits, but it requires a purposeful plan.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brooke Burke (@brookeburke)

Burke concluded, “Ozempic’s a big topic,” the Brooke Burke Body founder added. “It’s a mystery. It’s very misunderstood. And it’s also great for a lot people, and then there’s a percentage of people that it’s not good for.

“You gotta partner up with your doctor in all areas. You gotta be a great patient. You have to have an intimate relationship with your practitioner.”

The beloved model often shares videos of herself workout out on Instagram and offering advice to her followers. In a recent post, she shared footage of her working out, writing, “Show up today to be better tomorrow#fitnessmotivation #Stronger every day #yoga.”

In another post, she explained her fitness journey and how she’s become so confident in her own skin.

She captioned the post, “In my 40’s, I was self conscious about extra baby belly skin. At 50, ohhh Menopause dished out another set of challenges. At 51, a Dr. suggested that I get a tummy tuck [I did NOT], At 53, I love my ABs. I love the house. My children were built in.

“I love the weekly body sculpting commitment. I show up differently, I meet myself differently, I speak to myself differently. I am different & I accept ‘ALL Of Me’

Burke concluded, “Here’s what I’m doing differently … deep CORE work, eating more protein, extending my fasting window, cold plunge for extra fat burning, sauna sweat, walking as much as possible, BB Body body sculpting programs, anti-inflammatory diet [most days], core focused #Yoga, strength training in my workout split.”

How GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Work

GLP-1 RAs mimic a hormone your body naturally makes (called glucagon-like peptide-1) that helps regulate blood sugar and feelings of hunger. Initially developed to treat type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels, these medications were later found to have an impressive effect on appetite control. As a result, many people who take them lose significant amounts of weight.

“GLP-1 … is a hormone that is secreted in the L cells of the intestines, and we all make GLP-1 after we start to eat a meal,” Dr. Holly Lofton, director of the Medical Weight Management Program at NYU Langone in Manhattan, tells SurvivorNet.

“After food reaches the stomach, the stomach sends GLP-1 to the brain to sense hunger is no longer present and the person starts to feel more full. In the hypothalamus, specifically of the brain, once the brain receives that GLP-1, it sends a message to the person to stop eating.”

The native GLP-1 that our bodies make and the GLP-1 agonists go to the brain and block appetite signals, go to the stomach to help it empty more slowly, and help shrink fat cells, Dr. Lofton explains.

And weight reduction is not the only effect these medications may have. Researchers are learning that GLP-1 RAs could also influence other behaviors — such as smoking or alcohol use — and possibly reduce certain health risks that come with obesity. In fact, several large studies show that people taking GLP-1 RAs have better heart health, lower rates of kidney problems, and may even be less likely to develop some types of cancer.

Can GLP-1 Drugs for Weight Loss Lower Cancer Risk? What Patients Need to Know About Obesity and Cancer

It’s important to note that because obesity and obesity-related conditions have been linked to several types of cancer, doctors believe that these types of medications may also be able to help some patients lower their cancer risk.

“Some of the benefits for using GLP-1 agonists can be weight loss, improvement in glycemic control or blood glucose, decreased risk of weight-related conditions such as various cancers, like breast cancer, endometrial cancer, colon cancer, liver disease,” Dr. Lofton explains.

Long-Term Use: Understanding The Challenges

One challenge with GLP-1 RAs is that their benefits can fade quickly if the medication is stopped. Unlike bariatric surgery, which creates lasting changes in the digestive tract, GLP-1 drugs need to be taken long-term to maintain their effects. Once a person discontinues them, the body no longer receives that constant boost of hunger-suppressing signals, and weight regain can happen quickly.

RELATED: Navigating the High Costs of GLP-1 Weight Loss Medications Like Ozempic and Wegovy: A Deeper Dive

Regaining weight after stopping treatment may undo some of the possible benefits related to lowering cancer risk. There are also important considerations about changes in body composition when people lose weight quickly (often losing muscle along with fat), and whether repeated cycles of weight loss and regain could affect overall health.

Side Effects and Concerns

GLP-1 RAs are generally considered safe, but like all medications, they come with potential side effects.

These can include:

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation
• Stomach discomfort or reflux
• Possible increased risk of gallstones due to rapid weight loss
• Rare concerns about thyroid cancer (though large studies have shown conflicting results and no definitive increase in thyroid cancer risk)

“The most commonly reported side effects with GLP-1 agonists tend to be gastrointestinal in nature because this is a gastrointestinal hormone. What’s commonly reported is nausea and patients tend to have more side effects the first time they take medication, and it tends to decline as they take that same dose again,” Dr. Lofton says, adding that measures can often be taken to help mitigate side effects.

If you’re considering a GLP-1 medication, make sure you speak with your doctor about these risks and how to manage or reduce them. It’s also important to keep in mind that these drugs can be expensive, and insurance coverage varies widely. High costs often make it difficult for patients to stay on treatment over the long haul, which is exactly when these medications seem to provide the most benefits.

Should You Consider a GLP-1 RA?

Deciding on a weight loss approach — whether it’s lifestyle modifications, medication, or surgery — is highly personal. Some points to consider with your healthcare team include:

• Your Overall Health: Do you have type 2 diabetes or other chronic conditions affected by weight? GLP-1 RAs can improve blood sugar control and lower cardiovascular risks, in addition to promoting weight loss.
• Cancer Risks: If you have a strong family history or other risk factors for obesity-related cancers, long-term medication use might offer extra benefits — but the evidence, while promising, is still growing.
• Commitment and Cost: These medications often need to be taken indefinitely to maintain weight loss. Make sure you feel comfortable with the potential side effects, follow-up visits, and ongoing costs.
• Alternatives: Bariatric surgery, structured lifestyle changes, and other treatments may also reduce cancer risk and help you lose weight. Talk with your doctor about which option is best suited to your overall health and personal goals.

GLP-1 receptor agonists are powerful tools in the fight against obesity. Emerging research suggests they may also help reduce the risk of certain cancers that are tied to excess weight, potentially to a degree that mirrors — or, in some aspects, surpasses — bariatric surgery. However, questions remain about long-term adherence, muscle loss, side effects, and whether the benefits persist after stopping the medication.

If you’re considering a GLP-1 RA, it’s crucial to have a thorough discussion with your healthcare provider about the benefits, risks, and costs of treatment. Together, you can map out a plan that helps you achieve healthier weight control, lowers your risk for certain obesity-related cancers, and enhances your overall well-being for the long run.

The Weight Loss Drugs Ozempic and Wegovy May Strengthen The Immune System And Potentially Fight Cancer

Questions To Ask Your Doctor

• Am I a candidate for a GLP-1 receptor agonist?
• How will I be monitored if I start taking these drugs?
• What lifestyle changes should I make while taking these drugs?
• What if I need to stop taking the medication?

Exercise and Cancer

It’s always best to consult with a doctor to see what types of exercise may be right for you. For people living with cancer, it’s especially important to get exercise, as experts say that light workouts or even going for a walk can help manage symptoms from treatment, and keep your muscles and bones strong.

How to Maintain a Healthy Diet During Cancer Treatment

Dr. Sairah Ahmed, an associate professor in the Division of Cancer Medicine at MD Anderson Cancer Center, previously told SurvivorNet that diet, exercise, (and stress control) are extremely important when going through cancer therapy, as well as once you’re done treating your cancer.

Dr. Ahmed stresses the importance of physical exercise. “The more physically fit you are going through your cancer treatment, the less side effects you’ll have and the faster you’ll get back to your normal quality of life.”

What to Know About Diet and Exercise if You Have Cancer

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.