Jeremy Clarkson, the former Top Gear host and current Clarkson’s Farm presenter, has made a candid admission about the effects of his weight loss medication. In a recent column for The Times, Clarkson revealed that the drug Mounjaro (Tirzepatide), which he has been taking to manage his weight, is “eating” his muscles. Despite this concerning side effect, Clarkson confessed that he is reluctant to take the necessary steps to counteract the muscle loss.
Beginning his piece with reflections on New Year’s resolutions, Clarkson expressed skepticism about lifestyle changes like “living clean,” calling them “simply isn’t worth the effort.” He then turned to his personal experience with Mounjaro, a medication known for suppressing appetite and slowing stomach emptying, which has helped him shed three stone over six months.
Clarkson explained, “Science and painstaking research recently determined that Mounjaro is eating my muscles and that to counteract this I absolutely must do weights in the gym.” However, he added, “So what am I going to do about that? Come off Mounjaro probably. I really can’t abide being out of breath.”
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The presenter also shared that while he has plateaued in his weight loss, the drug continues to suppress his appetite effectively. “The shoes I was wearing last year are falling off me as I’m walking around,” Clarkson remarked. He called Mounjaro “astonishing,” noting that although his weight loss has stalled, he’s neither gaining nor losing weight thanks to the medication.
Experts like those at online pharmacy Chemist4U note that weight loss from Mounjaro includes a significant portion of non-fat mass, such as muscle and bone mass. Clarkson’s experience underscores this, as the muscle loss is a notable drawback.
On the topic of side effects, Clarkson denied experiencing common issues like constipation but acknowledged he feels “a little bit duller and not quite as sharp.” His partner, Lisa Hogan, hinted he had become slightly grumpier. When asked about diminished libido, Clarkson joked, “I’m 65 – it’s hard to know what’s causing that.”
In all, Clarkson’s honest health confession shines a light on the complexities of using weight loss medications and balancing their benefits with potential downsides.