Have you heard of Ozempic? Viral antidiabetic drugs and their active ingredient semaglutide have recently surged in popularity due to their weight loss properties. That said, nutritionists warn that the drug’s effects are far from permanent.
Usually prescribed to adults with type 2 diabetes, Ozempic went mainstream after being shared on social media as a celebrity weight loss “secret”.
since then, report and the study The majority of people taking Ozempic for weight loss found that they eventually regained most of the weight they had lost after stopping the medication.
Here’s what the experts have to say about semaglutide and the dreaded “Ozempic rebound”.
What is Ozempic and how does it work?
Ozempic is a relatively recent prescription drug containing the active ingredient semaglutide, Similar drugs like WegobeeThis is usually a liquid medicine that is injected weekly into the abdomen.
semaglutide is a class of drugs called incretin mimeticsworks by helping the pancreas release the right amount of insulin in response to rising blood sugar levels.Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels.
Ozempic essentially helps you “measure the amount of carbohydrates in your diet to prime your body for the right amount of insulin secretion.”
Semaglutide injections can also slow the movement of food through the stomach, making you feel “fuller” for longer. Studies have also shown a lower risk of heart disease in some people taking the drug, Jenkins said.
“If people could lose weight, they would have fewer heart attacks anyway,” he pointed out.
Kinga Balogh, Registered Dietitian based in Ontario JM Nutritiontold Starr that our brains are also sensitive to semaglutide.
Evidence also indicates that semaglutide increases the breakdown of fat stores for energy and prevents the liver from releasing sugar into the bloodstream, Barrog continued.
What are the side effects of Ozempic?
According to Dani Renouf, a registered dietitian at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, one of the most common side effects of Ozempic is nausea.
“It creates a sort of ‘loop’ in the gut, and people can get a little nauseous because of this release of insulin.” can cause.”
People taking semaglutide may encounter other digestive problems such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Other less common side effects According to the Mayo Clinicexcessive gas in the stomach and intestines, bloating, belching and passage of gas, heartburn, recurrent fever, and yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Jenkins said the drug appears to be relatively safe given the mild symptoms — at least for now.
“These came on the market relatively recently, so there are no reported long-term adverse effects. It seems like a very safe drug to take,” he said.
What Happens During the “Ozempic Rebound”?
a 2022 study published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism We followed 327 people after they stopped taking semaglutide injections.After over a year, participants regained, on average, two-thirds of the weight they had lost. The study found that the health gains in the elderly were similarly reversed.
Renouf was not surprised by this discovery. “Over time, her body tends to readjust after stopping the medication,” she said. It depends a lot on other ways you’re trying to lose weight. “
Semaglutide’s effects only last for about a week, after which the body may begin to return to its default state. This process will also stop the side effects of semaglutide, he said, Renouf.
Balog says it’s very common to gain weight after stopping a weight-loss program or medication. she said.
“Such dire results certainly deter patients and health care professionals looking for weight management solutions. Drugs such as semaglutide offer a ray of hope, but enthusiasm for this drug’s efficacy.” is still questionable,” Balog continued.
Should I take Ozempic for weight loss?
There is no denying that Ozempic and semaglutide are effective in weight loss. A number of studies have been published on this subject. Landmark 2021 study in the New England Journal of Medicine They found that the drug led to an average 15% loss in body weight.
But experts say that when we stop taking the drug, our bodies are likely to return to normal, unless we make lifestyle changes in the long run.
“What we don’t realize is that weight management requires a biopsychosocial and more holistic approach,” Balog said.
“Patients often have disrupted eating patterns, rely on food to cope with mental health problems, experience food insecurity, or secondary to restricted physical activity due to side effects of medications or other medical conditions. Weight loss can be temporary unless these underlying issues are addressed.
Then there’s the issue of affordability. In Canada, Ozempic will range from $200 to $300 per month without insurance, Balog said. Wegovy saves her about $400 a month, she added.
Availability should also be considered. Ozempic is intended to treat diabetes, a potentially life-threatening condition, but much of the supply goes to people seeking the drug for cosmetic weight loss. It came to the point that British Columbia restricted the sale of the drug after discovering that thousands of prescriptions were being sent to Americans.
Semaglutide, on the other hand, is a promising solution for people with treatment-resistant obesity, especially those who live in environments that promote obesity, Jenkins said.
“We put people in a very hostile environment,” Jenkins said, referring to the poor quality of available food, an increase in sedentary lifestyles and other factors. “I think that’s why we’re doing all sorts of things[to lose weight]. Right now, I’m having bariatric surgery where surgeons remove fatty tissue.
“What we’re saying is, do you want bariatric surgery, or can you take drugs that don’t seem to be toxic?”
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