Intermittent fasting is often presented online as a simple way to lose weight. You may see people talking about eating windows, fasting apps, 16:8 routines, or not eating after a certain time, as if it is suitable for everyone.

At Aster, we think it is important to be careful with this message.

Weight loss patches are often promoted online as an easy way to lose weight. You may see them described as ‘slimming patches’, ‘GLP-1 patches’, ‘fat-burning patches’ or ‘natural weight loss patches’. The claims can sound very appealing: apply a patch, absorb ingredients through the skin, reduce appetite, burn fat and lose weight without much effort.

Weight loss injections have become a major topic in recent years, and two of the names people hear most often are Mounjaro and Wegovy. Both are prescription-only medicines used for weight management, and both work by affecting appetite, fullness and food intake. However, they are not the same medicine, and the right option depends on the individual patient, their medical history, their goals, their risk factors and how they tolerate treatment.

At Aster, we believe patients should understand the difference between treatments before starting a programme. Weight loss medication can be very helpful for some people, but it should always be used with proper clinical assessment, ongoing monitoring and lifestyle support.