Ozempic for Weight Loss: Many people attempt to lose weight using numerous techniques that have gained popularity online. One such fad is the keto diet, which has as its first requirement a full abstinence from sugar. In other words, you shouldn’t consume rice, bread, or anything sweet. But should one stop eating carbohydrates to lose weight?
Samia, a university student, spent a considerable amount of time abstaining from all forms of carbohydrates in order to shed several pounds. Severe hair loss started after just two weeks of noticeable weight loss. He saw that he had trouble remembering a lot of things. Body strength is declining; in addition to ulcers, new physical issues have emerged.
Like Samia, many people who want to lose weight quickly cut rice out of their diet. Others refrain from eating bread. Shamshunnahar Nahid, chief nutritionist and director of the division at Bardem General Hospital said that such a trend is wholly incorrect. The keto diet is typically recommended for people who have seizures in order to reduce the quantity of glucose in the brain. If you follow such a diet for a long period of time, you risk becoming ill! Correct Guidance The daily diet must include carbohydrates, which are also necessary for weight loss.
Why are you unable to avoid carbohydrates?
Being from a nation where rice is the main crop, our bodies have become accustomed to eating rice. One of our bodies’ primary sources of energy is the sugar found in rice. Sugars are also found in milk, certain fruits, flour, bread, and other foods. According to science, six different types of food—carbohydrates, meat, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water—should be ingested every day to maintain good health. The first item on the list is sugar. Carbohydrates make up almost half of the body’s total calorie requirements, according to Shamshunnahar Nahid.
The body starts converting fats and carbohydrates into energy when you quit eating rice to lose weight. The body produces a specific kind of harmful ketone when fat rapidly starts to decline. It impacts various organs. Low blood pressure, constipation, kidney issues, and even an increased risk of heart disease can all result from an improper diet. It is impossible to survive without eating anything sweet, including bread, rice, and bread. Naturally, it will go back to the same rice after some time. Whatever weight was lost, you will regain it more quickly than before.
Bread or rice?
Nowadays, a lot of people practice a method known as a gluten-free diet. Gluten allergies are very common. A gluten-free diet is also recommended for people who are hyperactive or have excessive amounts of ammonia in their bodies. Due to the gluten in bread, many people refrain from eating it. Nutritionists advise them to consume a reasonable amount of rice to satisfy their bodies’ sugar requirements.
Compared to bread, rice has a higher glycemic index. That is, after eating rice, the sugar that is already present is broken down until it mixes with the blood, whereas this occurs a bit later after eating bread. Therefore, those who are gluten-free might consume bread to reduce their weight. due to the delayed digestion of bread.
In order to shed weight in a healthy way, you must consume sugary foods on a daily basis. Potatoes and oats must be consumed in moderation if one does not wish to eat rice or bread. Every day, you should exercise properly. Shamshunnahar Nahid remarked, “Whatever you eat, you have to break down extra calories and go to sleep.” The best way to lose weight is by doing this.
What Is Ozempic?
Adults with Type 2 diabetes can use the injectable drug Ozempic to help regulate their blood glucose levels. People with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease can also use it to reduce their risk of heart attack and stroke.
Ozempic is a member of the GLP-1 agonist drug class. GLP-1 agonists reduce blood sugar levels after meals by imitating the action of the gut hormone GLP-1. Additionally, they prevent your liver from producing glucose and give you a longer-lasting feeling of fullness.
Ozempic is offered as a once-weekly pre-filled pen injector. In its class, it is regarded as a long-acting alternative. This is due to the fact that Ozempic lasts longer in your body than other drugs that require daily or twice-day injections.
Under the trade name Rybelsus, semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, is also offered as an oral tablet for Type 2 diabetes. Additionally, Wegovy, a higher-dose variant, is used for the control of chronic weight gain in adults both with and without diabetes.
Is it Insulin?
Ozempic is not insulin, but rather a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes by controlling blood sugar levels. Ozempic is a medication that can effectively manage type 2 diabetes by regulating blood sugar levels. Unlike insulin, which directly lowers blood sugar levels, Ozempic works by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin only when blood sugar levels are high. According to Lydia Alexander, a board-certified obesity medicine specialist and president-elect of the Obesity Medicine Association, Ozempic is less likely to cause low blood sugar compared to insulin. This makes Ozempic a valuable alternative for individuals who are at risk of experiencing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) while managing their diabetes.
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, is not officially listed as a weight loss medication; however, research supported by Novo Nordisk, the company that manufactures Ozempic, suggests users may experience weight loss. [1][2]. Semaglutide was in fact given the go-ahead by the FDA in 2021 under the trade name Wegovy for weight loss. Wegovy, on the other hand, contains a greater amount of semaglutide than Ozempic—2.4 milligrams of semaglutide as opposed to 0.5, 1, or 2 milligrams in Ozempic.
Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, increases the effects of the GLP-1 hormone, which is a naturally occurring hormone. Dr. McGowan notes that GLP-1 affects weight through two main processes in addition to its effects on blood sugar and diabetes:
reduces hunger, appetite, and cravings by influencing the brain’s hunger centers, specifically the hypothalamus.increases the duration of fullness and satiety after meals by slowing the pace of stomach emptying.Dr. McGowan continues, “The overall effect is decreased hunger, prolonged fullness, and ultimately weight loss.”
In a significant clinical trial funded by Novo Nordisk, 1,961 people who were overweight or obese but did not have diabetes were given 2.4 mg of semaglutide or a placebo once a week for 68 weeks, along with lifestyle counseling. Semaglutide users lost 14.9% more body weight than semaglutide placebo users (2.4% less) [1].
It’s crucial to keep in mind that the study’s semaglutide dose was larger than the dose offered by Ozempic. The dose of semaglutide in the FDA-approved weight-reduction medication Wegovy is 2.4 milligrams, though.
“The FDA has only approved Ozempic for the treatment of diabetes. It is not a drug for weight loss, says Dr. McGowan. He continues, “Its sibling drug, Wegovy, is specifically approved for the treatment of weight.”
Despite the fact that Ozempic and Wegovy are virtually the same drug (only offered in different doses), it should be noted that while Wegovy is frequently not covered by insurance, the opposite is frequently the case with Ozempic.
Dr. McGowan points out that the availability of Wegovy has been significantly hampered by high demand, resulting inventory issues, and supply chain difficulties. Because of this, Wegovy has frequently been out of stock since it was first introduced, and many people are now using Ozempic for weight loss off-label. Dr. McGowan observes that this affects the accessibility of Ozempic for diabetics.
While semaglutide may aid in weight loss while being taken, most people will gain back a significant amount of the weight if they stop taking it. As noted by Rekha Kumar, M.D., Chief of Medical Affairs at the evidence-based weight care program Found and practicing endocrinologist at an academic medical institution in New York City, “Studies show that stopping Ozempic completely will likely lead to regaining most of the weight lost within several months.”
“GLP-1 medications [like Ozempic] are designed to be taken long-term,” says Dr. McGowan. They are long-term drugs used to treat chronic diseases, including diabetes and obesity.
Ozempic is not FDA-approved for weight loss, but it has been shown to promote weight loss as a side effect in individuals with type 2 diabetes. In clinical trials, some individuals who received Ozempic lost weight, on average, compared to those who received a placebo. The weight loss effect of Ozempic is thought to be due to its ability to reduce appetite and promote feelings of fullness, which can lead to a decrease in calorie intake.
However, it’s important to note that Ozempic should not be used solely for weight loss purposes. It should only be used as directed by a healthcare provider for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Additionally, like all medications, Ozempic can have side effects, and it may not be suitable for everyone. It’s important to talk to a healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of Ozempic before starting treatment.
Is Ozempic safe for Diabetic patients?
According to Fatima Cody Stanford, M.D., an obesity medicine physician-scientist at Massachusetts General Hospital, associate professor of medicine and pediatrics at the Harvard Medical School Unit, and member of the advisory board at Sweetch, Ozempic is a safe drug with a number of advantages. “About 80% of type 2 diabetes patients also have concomitant obesity. As a result, these individuals gain in two ways from the treatment of their obesity and diabetes.
Dr. Cody Stanford continues, “Ozempic has also been shown to reduce major adverse coronary events, including heart attacks and strokes, and offers a host of other benefits.”
Ozempics is not risk-free for everyone, nevertheless. The following conditions, according to the business, should prevent anyone from using Ozempic:
Diabetes type 1 and pancreatitis
younger than 18 years old
breastfeeding or being pregnant
diabetic retinal disease
issues with the kidneys or pancreas
Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) runs in families.
MEN-2 is a disease of the endocrine system that causes multiple endocrine neoplasias.
It’s crucial to speak with your doctor or another licensed healthcare professional before taking any prescription drug to determine whether it’s safe for you to use and the best dosage for you.
While taking Ozempic, it is important to avoid certain foods and medications that may interact with the drug or affect blood sugar levels.
There aren’t many known medication interactions with Ozempic. However, that doesn’t rule out the possibility of interactions. For instance, Ozempic may prevent you from properly absorbing oral drugs. Although research hasn’t indicated that this is a problem, it’s still a good idea to be aware of it.
The risk of hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar) is generally increased while taking Ozempic along with other diabetic treatments. These, for instance, include:
Sulfonylureas for insulin, such as glipizide
Meglitinide drugs, such as repaglinide
Certain meals and beverages, especially those that can upset your stomach, may make Ozempic side effects worse. Others might undermine Ozempic’s capacity to reduce blood sugar and prevent weight loss. During therapy, it’s important to keep these to a minimum:
hot foods
Fried, oily meals
meals high in sugar and processed carbs, such as white bread
Alcohol
Your doctor can examine the list of medications you are currently taking and alert you to any possible interactions with Ozempic. In order to manage side effects and benefit the most from therapy, they can also offer advice on any dietary adjustments.
Common Side Effects of Ozempic
According to medical experts, Ozempic is generally considered a safe medication for individuals with type 2 diabetes. Dr. McGowan explains that the most common side effects of Ozempic are gastrointestinal in nature, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. However, these side effects are usually temporary and tend to improve over time as the body adjusts to the medication.
Since Ozempic can slow down gastric emptying, individuals may experience a feeling of early fullness. To help alleviate gastrointestinal side effects, Dr. Alexander recommends eating slowly and making dietary adjustments as necessary.
While rare, there are some potentially serious side effects associated with Ozempic. These include pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), vision changes, low blood sugar, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems, and thyroid tumors or cancer. It’s important to talk to a healthcare provider about any concerns or potential risks before starting treatment with Ozempic.
Should a diabetic patient use Ozempic to lose weight?
Dr. McGowen urges people with type 2 diabetes, particularly those who are obese or have a lot of additional weight, to speak with their doctor to determine whether Ozempic may be an effective treatment option for helping them manage their blood sugar and shed some pounds. “For the primary treatment of obesity, Wegovy is likewise an excellent option for any patient who has struggled to lose weight through diet and exercise alone, has a BMI of 30 and above (or 27 and above with an obesity-related comorbidity), and is willing to use a once-weekly injection long-term,” the author continues.
“The GLP-1 medications are far more effective for the treatment of weight than prior anti-obesity medications,” he says, “and should be considered first-line pharmacotherapy for the treatment of obesity.”
Dr. McGowan does not advise using Ozempic for short-term, cosmetic weight loss, though. Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs are not intended to be taken in this manner; they can cause potential adverse events, and ultimately, the weight lost will be gained back. Despite the fact that this has received a lot of media attention, The availability of Ozempic for those with type 2 diabetes (or, in the case of Wegovy, people with obesity)—those who need it most—is also being negatively impacted by this off-label use, he adds.
Dr. Cody Stanford adds that anyone with contraindications such as a history of pancreatitis, multiple endocrine neoplasia, or medullary thyroid cancer shouldn’t use Ozempic.