In the event you’re on social media or observe the information, you have doubtless heard of Ozempic. Initially designed to deal with kind 2 diabetes, this treatment has gained widespread consideration for its weight reduction advantages. However do these claims maintain up below scientific scrutiny? To search out out, we consulted Destini Moody, RDN, CSSD, LD, a registered dietitian and sports activities dietitian with Garage Gym Reviews, who explains precisely what occurs to your physique if you take Ozempic.
Learn on to find out how Ozempic’s results in your physique may help you make knowledgeable selections about its use and what to do whereas taking the drug. And for extra, do not miss How Do Ozempic, Wegovy & Mounjaro Examine for Weight Loss?
What’s Ozempic?
Ozempic is an injectable, non-insulin prescription treatment primarily used to handle kind 2 diabetes. It comprises semaglutide, a compound that mimics a hormone in your physique accountable for regulating blood sugar ranges. In response to 2023 research, Ozempic lowers blood sugar by stimulating insulin manufacturing from the pancreas and lowering the discharge of glucagon, one other hormone concerned in glucose regulation.
Past blood sugar management, Ozempic is famous for its potential to help in weight reduction. Many customers report a decreased urge for food and slower gastric emptying, which results in feeling fuller longer and consuming much less. A 2022 research in JAMA discovered that sufferers who have been obese or overweight who took Ozempic skilled a mean physique fats discount of practically 11% over six months.
Addressing the broader attraction and utilization of Ozempic, Moody notes, “Ozempic may be life-saving for many who wrestle to train or management starvation as a consequence of weight points. Nevertheless, it is also develop into well-liked among the many rich who can afford to purchase the medication to shed pounds for extra aesthetic functions.”
Ozempic’s influence in your physique.
Ozempic has a number of rapid and long-term results on the physique, various from helpful to probably regarding. This is an in depth have a look at these impacts, in response to Moody.
- Adjustments in urge for food and fatigue: Some rapid results of Ozempic are modifications in urge for food and fatigue.
- Adjustments in look: It’s normal for customers to tackle a barely gaunt look if weight reduction is sudden and vital.
- Lengthy-term results: There’s restricted proof on the long-term results of Ozempic because the drug’s use for weight reduction remains to be comparatively new, however some scientists recommend that persistent gastrointestinal misery and coronary heart points are potential.
- Rebound weight acquire: Moody cautions in opposition to long-term use of the drug for weight reduction, as discontinuing use will trigger your regular urge for food to return again, which can lead to rebound weight acquire.
- Cardiovascular advantages: Some studies recommend long-term use of Ozempic might decrease the danger of cardiovascular occasions, resembling coronary heart assaults and strokes, in individuals with kind 2 diabetes. These prolonged advantages spotlight Ozempic’s potential function in boosting general well being and lowering your threat of long-term diabetes-related issues.
Potential drawbacks of taking Ozempic.
Whereas Ozempic is praised for its diabetes administration and weight reduction advantages, it additionally has potential drawbacks. Listed below are a number of the most typical and severe negative effects to pay attention to.
- Gastrointestinal points: In response to a 2022 research in Frontiers in Public Health, typical negative effects of semaglutide embody gastrointestinal points resembling nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and belly ache.
- Constipation: The National Institutes of Health additionally cites constipation as some of the frequent Ozempic negative effects.
These signs are often extra pronounced if you first begin the treatment and have a tendency to decrease over time as your physique adjusts. Nevertheless, they are often uncomfortable and should require dietary changes or different interventions to handle successfully.
- Severe negative effects: Along with gastrointestinal signs, Moody cautions there are extra severe however much less frequent negative effects to think about, stating, “Extra severe negative effects of Ozempic use are pancreatitis, thyroid most cancers, and gallbladder illness.”
- Elevated threat of pancreatitis: A 2023 study discovered that sufferers with diabetes taking semaglutide had a 74% larger threat of acute pancreatitis.
That is why discussing these dangers together with your healthcare supplier is crucial to make sure the advantages of taking Ozempic outweigh the potential drawbacks in your particular well being scenario.
Suggestions for altering your life-style when taking Ozempic.
Whereas Ozempic may be efficient for weight reduction, adopting wholesome life-style habits is essential to take care of long-term well being and enhance longevity. Listed below are some ideas for making wholesome life-style modifications when taking Ozempic, courtesy of Moody:
- Handle your urge for food: Ozempic primarily impacts urge for food however does not educate customers how you can change their life-style to take care of weight and well being.
- Eat a wholesome, well-balanced eating regimen: These taking Ozempic can nonetheless have a poor eating regimen, placing their well being in danger, as weight is only one piece of your general well being puzzle.
- Train recurrently: Constant train, particularly weight coaching, is really useful as fast weight reduction from Ozempic use can lead to muscle loss.
- Construct and preserve muscle mass: Sustaining quantity of muscle mass is correlated with higher well being and weight reduction, not simply look.
- Maintain wholesome habits: It is important to think about how you can maintain wholesome habits and life-style modifications to take care of weight reduction as soon as the purpose is met, slightly than relying indefinitely on the drug.
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Adam Meyer, RHN
