Embla

Happy to announce we are featured in this mornings news article from Sifted. ☕️ GLP-1 medication has proven to be extremely effective for weight loss. But medicine cannot stand alone. That is one of the reasons Nicholas Syhler and Laust Wilster Axelsen established Embla. One of our key missions is to pave the way for more healthy and sustainable approaches to medical weight loss. For instance, we are proud to use an average 59 % less medication, but reaching same weight loss as the clinical studies. We support our members by holistic health coaching, creating better habits that will improve chances of long-term weight loss. And we are beyond proud of the results we have had so far. Proud to say we have helped more than 10,000 people, surrounded by now 50+ fantastic colleagues in both Denmark and UK, challenging what seems like an exciting next chapter, ready to grow and expand further with what we see as a sustainable and indeed succesful business model. A special thanks to Seed Capital Denmark, Inovo.vc, Crowberry Capital, VentureFriends and Founders for believing in us and giving us the ability to grow further and pave the way for preventative healthcare, fighting obesity. We are all looking forward to the exciting journey ahead of us🚀 Niels Vejrup Carlsen Tine Marie Kjærgaard Lindgreen Hekla Arnardottir Apostolos Apostolakis Simon Sylvest Jack Peters Fivos Tsoukatos Przybylak

For too long, the conversation around obesity has been dominated by outdated ideas. Ideas that: - Place blame on individuals - Reduce health to a number on a scale - Stigmatize people for the size of their bodies But we know better now. Science tells a different story — one that demands a shift in focus. At Embla, we work to drive that change: From blame → To acknowledging complexity From stigma → To understanding and empathy From short-term fixes → To holistic, lasting solutions Because obesity isn't just about personal willpower. It’s influenced by biology, genetics, mental health, emotions, sleep, society and a range of other factors. Yet, stigma is still the biggest barriers to real progress. This #WorldObesityDay let's remind each other that true health is more than weight and that to build a healthier future we must start by meeting each other with respect, not judgment.

"How are you guys doing that?!" That was the first reaction from our very first U.S. employee. And he’s not alone. Most people are surprised when they hear that our program helps people lose more weight with significantly less GLP-1 *and* transition off the medication without regaining the weight. But that’s what happens when you combine breakthrough medication with world-class behavioral support and a true focus on treating root causes. And now, we’re bringing this approach to the U.S. 🇺🇸 Obesity is at an all-time high, and Americans deserve better care. With our science-backed, long-term weight loss approach, we’re here to make a real difference. We’ve already partnered with key players and are looking to collaborate with more pharmacies and TPAs. Interested in improving obesity care together? Let's talk.

This is what comes up when you search for "weight loss" on Pinterest: "Get skinny in a week." "Burn belly fat in 14 days." "Lose 10 lbs fast." Now, imagine you're someone who's been struggling with your weight for 10, 20, even 30+ years. Do these promises resonate with you? Do they feel realistic? Hopeful? Achievable? Of course not. They're absurdly simplistic and harmful. Messages like these imply that being overweight is something you can fix in the blink of an eye by following a few quick steps or consuming some oddly specific "magic" solution. This is what decades of oversimplified views on obesity and weight loss have led to. But isn’t it time for a change? Weight loss isn’t as simple as a "3-day military diet." It’s influenced by genetics, hormones, habits, relationships, psychology, and social conditions. It’s complicated because people are. Reducing it to a quick fix undermines the real, ongoing struggles of over a billion people worldwide. Instead, we need to acknowledge the complexity. Embrace it. Only then can we create meaningful change. Both for individuals and for society as a whole. Embla

I did the math. Here's the only way for GLP-1s to become good investments for payors: First of all, it depends on how they're used. Let's compare the economics of the US, UK, and Denmark. Healthcare spending per capita in the US is around $15,000 annually. In Denmark and the UK it's around 50% of that. Obesity is costly, with healthcare spending nearly doubling for individuals with the condition. Let's be optimistic and assume that treating obesity would cause an avg. reduction of $10,000 per individual with obesity in the US and $5,000 in the UK and Denmark. In Denmark and the UK, a year of GLP-1 treatment (semaglutide or tirzepatide) costs approximately $3,000. In the US, the figure soars to almost $10,000 (even after rebates). With studies showing that fewer than 1/3 of patients remain on GLP1s after 1 year, the US business case looks weak. And the UK and Denmark are at best breakeven. So how can you as a payor see a positive return on investments in GLP-1 treatments? In the UK, GLP-1s are seen as a *temporary* intervention with NICE guidelines recommending that use does not extend beyond 2 years. If you're able to maintain the weight loss after 1 or 2 years treatment, the math shifts dramatically, with significant long-term savings. GLP-1s will be rolled out in the UK to millions over the next years with full reimbursement. But there is still an upfront investment and a risk that many will rebound. This is where comprehensive obesity care comes into play. While GLP-1s suppress hunger (which causes weight loss), they cannot address the psycho-social root causes of obesity. To ensure lasting results *and* positive ROI, payors only choice is to pair GLP-1s with proper care that supports positive behaviour chance and long-term improvements. This is the only way we can turn GLP-1s into a meaningful investment. Not just in financial terms, but in healthier lives. Embla

Having a higher weight *doesn't* mean you're: A bad person Weak-willed Lazy Undisciplined Irresponsible Unhealthy Unworthy of love and respect Unintelligent Less valuable Unsuccessful Incapable of change Unattractive Inadequate Lacking self-control Unmotivated Insecure It simply means you're a human being with a higher weight compared to "the average." Nothing more, nothing less. Whatever our size, everyone of us is equally valuable. Let's not forget that.

Should you “microdose” GLP-1s? Here’s my take after treating thousands with obesity. According to Fox News Media, Ozempic “microdosing” is becoming a popular weight loss trend. But is this really something to be concerned about or is it just people finding out that you don’t need to use the maximal doses to benefit from GLP-1 medications? -> Here’s my take on whether you should “microdose” GLP-1s or not: 1) It depends on how you define microdosing 2) It depends on the individual As noted by Dr Fatima Cody Stanford, the standard dosing is based on clinical trials. There’s not the same evidence behind microdoses.
 At Embla, we have 3 years of experience treating obesity with GLP-1s and already within the first months of using these novel drugs, it became clear to us that you needed to personalize the dose and titration. 
 Some would have a great effect on the lowest approved dose of 0.25mg semaglutide. Others would have side effects already on 0.5mg but no side effects if we ‘hacked the pen’ (as Dr Alexandra Sowa puts it) and treated with 0.38mg.  This led us to do a study with more than 2,000 participants, which found that the average maximum dose of semaglutide we used was 0.77mg (!). Way lower than the 2.4mg you end at if you follow the standard titration. Despite these lower doses, we still achieved an average real-world weight loss of 14.9% similar to outcomes seen in clinical trials.
 —> So, should you microdose GLP-1s or not?

 If you by microdosing mean using a maximum dose lower than 2.4mg but still within the range of approved doses, then yes. Many will need to ‘microdose’ using a dose that fits their bodies and unique situations. If you mean using doses significantly below 0.25mg, this is likely not more risky than higher doses but don’t expect any significant benefits. I know you will likely find this interesting: Henrik Rindel Gudbergsen Scott Conard, MD Laust Wilster Axelsen Paul Elsass Embla Prof Paul Gately Signe Torekov Søren Seier Azeem Yussouf Dr Oliver Large Simon Lucas Lise Geisler Bjerregaard Wendi Mader John Permenter Adam Baker Vik Panda

"Eat less and move more" is terrible weight loss advice. It's like saying "don't overthink" to an anxious person. Or "think happier thoughts" to someone dealing with depression. It's incredibly reductive and ignorant. Most people with a higher weight *know* what to do to lose weight, so information isn't the problem. They've also tried a million things before, so inaction isn't the problem either. What we're forgetting is this: People are complicated. Really complicated. Putting on weight may be a byproduct of eating too much and moving too little. But what's causing the overeating and inactivity? Is it: - Lack of nutrition knowledge? - Struggles with self-control? - Poor mental health? - An unhealthy relationship with food? - Social or financial struggles? - Hormonal issues like PCOS or thyroid problems? - Genetics making weight harder to manage? - Emotional eating from stress or trauma? - Food addiction or cravings for processed foods? - Side effects from medication? - No access to healthy food? - A busy lifestyle relying on fast food? - Skipping meals or irregular eating habits? When we say "eat less and move more," we ignore these deeper issues and oversimplify a complex problem. Let's start by acknowledging this complexity. Only then can we develop weight care solutions like Embla that actually works for real people.

Meet Cassandra. Like many of our members, she’s faced years of challenges with her weight. For her, the most frustrating part was feeling stuck in a version of herself she barely recognized. But after joining our programme (and committing to the process), Cassandra has completely transformed her life. Once, you might have met someone unsure and slightly anxious. Today, you’ll meet a woman radiating confidence, comfortable in her own skin, and ready to embrace life at full speed. "I feel like I can do anything."

I'm really excited to introduce Embla's re-brand, after months of hard work from an incredible team. A bold new look and feel, a cleaner and clearer proposition, reinforcing what we stand for: a health-focused weight-management program that celebrates and supports the journey of each individual. A huge thank you also to Andy Whitlock and Mike Scott for stellar work on brand strategy and creative direction.