Ozempic-Friend or Foe?

The new drug Ozempic has been QUITE the buzz lately.

If you’ve been tuning in, you may have seen some celebrities who have struggled with weight gain suddenly lose it seemingly overnight.

Maybe you have gained an interest in the drug yourself as an easy way to lose weight.

For those of you who don’t know, Ozempic is not a weight loss drug. It is generally known as semaglutide and is approved for people who have Type 2 Diabetes. It helps the pancreas secrete insulin and delays food from leaving the stomach, which makes you feel fuller for longer. 
Although it is not approved for weight loss, many doctors have been prescribing it for those who are considered obese. 

However, semaglutide itself has been known to be effective for weight loss and has been available as an active ingredient in the weight loss drug Wegovy for years. The difference between the 2 drugs (which are made by the same company) is mainly the dosing and intended use-with Ozempic having a smaller dose of semaglutide and is not approved for weight loss like Wegovy.  

The question we should all be asking is, “what’s the catch?”

I have yet to find a single drug that does not have a side effect. And with all the buzz going around, I decided to do a deep dive into Ozempic.

Firstly, let’s list all the manufacturer’s listed adverse reactions:

• Pancreatitis (persistent severe abdominal pain, sometimes radiating to the back and which may or may not be accompanied by vomiting),

• Diabetic Retinopathy Complications (damage to the retina that is the leading cause for blindness)

• Acute Kidney Injury/Renal Failure (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or dehydration) with possibility of dialysis as a medical intervention if renal failure occurs

• Hypersensitivity Reactions (anaphylaxis, angioedema/swelling)

• Macrovascular outcomes (dysfunction with the blood cells)

• Abdominal pain

• Constipation

• Changes in vision

• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): dizziness/light-headedness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability, or mood changes, sweating, slurred speech, hunger, confusion or drowsiness, shakiness, weakness, headache, fast heartbeat, or feeling jittery.

• Nausea, Vomiting, and Diarrhea

Super fun, right?

Studies have also shown that it can cause:

• Loss of lean body mass-which is muscle and bone 

• Gastroperisis-which is paralysis of the stomach, which leads to severe digestive problems

• Thryoid C-cell tumors

In addition, as more and more people have now taken this drug, we are seeing that many people gain the weight back after coming off.

Why does this happen? Because people haven’t made the right diet and lifestyle changes to truly sustain the weight loss in the first place. 

Also, the host of side effects listed above are SERIOUS and will throw any body into a state of dysfunction that can negatively impact weight loss efforts.

These side effects aren’t rare either. 

I’ve personally heard stories from people who have taken the drug who have wound up in the hospital or have experienced other side effects linked to hormonal imbalances and menstrual cycle disturbances. 

I KNOW that losing weight can be difficult and complex. It can be a long process that takes consistency and patience, but it can be achieved without drugs! 

No one enters the state of being overweight or obese overnight, it’s a gradual progression. Weight loss is no different, especially if you do it the healthy way. 

There are a lot of factors to take in when creating a weight loss plan because there are a lot of reasons why people are overweight in the first place. These are the things that need to be addressed in order to achieve sustainable weight loss!

If someone truly wants to lose weight then it’s important to identify WHY they are eating in a way that is unhealthy and then create a plan of action that will provide solutions for you.

This is what I help my clients with. I have always made it clear that I am not a weight loss coach. I am a holistic nutritionist that can help women lose weight. 

I help women create a nutrient-dense diet and healthy lifestyle based on what is best for their individual bodies and lives. I am here to support, encourage, and provide resources throughout their health journey so that they can create sustainable habits that will launch them into a healthy, balanced body. This body will eventually settle into a healthy weight-naturally.

Working holistically means we are working on body, mind and spirit-all of which are involved in weight loss and eating in general. The result is true transformation. 

If you’re sick of fad diets and prescription drugs, yet still desire to find a healthy weight, I can help you. You can book a 20 minute complimentary discovery call with me here and we can discuss your personal path to wellness together.