Oral weight management therapy
Un supporto nel tuo percorso di dimagrimento.
This approach is designed to function at gastrointestinal level by reducing the quantity of fats and carbohydrates absorbed by the intestine and inducing early satiety.
Such treatments help patients to control their food intake and, when combined with diet and exercise, can contribute significantly to weight loss.
Overweight and Obesity, a silent threat to health.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), overweight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m² or more, while obesity is defined as a BMI of 30 kg/m² or more. While not perfect, this classification is used globally as a clinical and epidemiological reference tool.
| Classification | BMI |
|---|---|
| Underweight | <18.50 |
| Normal weight | 18.51-24.99 |
| Overweight - Pre-obesity - Obesity class I - Obesity class II - Obesity class III |
≥25 25-29.99 30-34.99 35-39.99 ≥40 BMI |
| Categorisation of body mass index (BMI) according to a world health report. | |
Obesity and overweight are conditions characterised by an excessive accumulation of adipose tissue, which can impair health and increase the risk of numerous chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, certain types of cancer and musculo-skeletal disorders.
Obesity is not simply the result of individual choices, but a complex and multi-factorial condition, influenced by genetic, environmental, psychological, socio-economic and cultural factors.
For people with obesity, even a modest weight loss (5-10% of initial weight)can lead to clinically relevant benefits, especially if achieved gradually and accompanied by regular physical activity.
The main international guidelines recommend a combined approach: balanced diet, regular physical activity and, if necessary, pharmacological or behavioural support
The benefits of weight loss for obese or overweight individuals.
1
Improves control of blood sugar levels by reducing fasting blood glucose and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in individuals with diabetes or pre-diabetes.
2
Lowers arterial pressure and improves the blood lipid profile (increased HDL, reduced LDL and triglycerides).
3
Reduces visceral fat accumulation and systemic inflammation, helping to protect on the heart, liver and blood vessels.
4
Increases mobility, improves joint function, and reduces pain in individuals affected by diseases such as osteoarthritis.
5
Improves quality of life, self-efficacy and mental health, reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms.
Adding exercise to calorie restriction.
- Helps to preserve muscle mass during slimming;
- Enhances insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular health;
- Is associated with a greater likelihood of maintaining the weight lost over time.
Devices based on absorbent materials
Oral devices based on absorbent materials are ingestible medical devices that, once in the stomach, incorporate water and increase in volume, thus taking up space. This process induces early and prolonged satiety and promotes weight loss. After a few hours, they disintegrate without being absorbed, which means they do not cause any systemic effects.
The key characteristics are:
- Volume increase: this allows the device to increase in volume by absorbing water, thus stimulating satiety receptors.
- Elasticity: thanks to its consistency the material adapts to gastrointestinal movements, mimicking that of food and reducing friction or micro-trauma.
The effectiveness of such oral devices for weight loss derives from controlled swelling and
physio-compatible elasticity.
The benefits of oral therapy
- Easy to take: a simple option that can be integrated into the daily routine.
- Helps to reduce feelings of hunger and improve portion management.
- Designed to be part of a healthy lifestyle, combining a balanced diet and regular exercise.
- Promotes improved quality of life and can help to reduce the risks associated with being overweight.
Each weight management path is different and should be approached on an individual basis.
Consult your doctor to find out whether oral therapy is the right choice for you.
Sources
- Obesity. World Health Organization n.d. https://www.who.int/health-topics/obesity (accessed June 17, 2025).
- Khanna D, Peltzer C, Kahar P, Parmar MS. Body Mass Index (BMI): A Screening Tool Analysis. Cureus n.d.;14:e22119. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.22119.
- Organisation WH. Obesity - Preventing and Managing the Global Epidemic: Report on a WHO Consultation. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2000.
- Elmaleh-Sachs A, Schwartz JL, Bramante CT, Nicklas JM, Gudzune KA, Jay M. Obesity Management in Adults A Review. JAMA 2023;330:2000–15. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2023.19897.
- Jensen MD, Ryan DH, Apovian CM, Ard JD, Comuzzie AG, Donato KA, et al. 2013 AHA/ACC/TOS Guideline for the Management of Overweight and Obesity in Adults. JACC 2014;63:2985–3023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2013.11.004.
- Magkos F, Fraterrigo G, Yoshino J, Luecking C, Kirbach K, Kelly SC, et al. Effects of Moderate and Subsequent Progressive Weight Loss on Metabolic Function and Adipose Tissue - Biology in Humans with Obesity. Cell Metabolism 2016;23:591-601. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2016.02.005.
- Romero-Gómez M, Zelber-Sagi S, Trenell M. Treatment of NAFLD with diet, physical activity and exercise. Journal of Hepatology 2017;67:829-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2017.05.016.