Most of us are on a diet. It could be a diet to spend less time watching TV in order to spend more time exercising, it could be a diet to spend less time on social media in order to spend more time with family at the end of each day, or it could be a diet to spend less time eating unconsciously and spend more time eating purposefully and meaningfully. We all have to stop bad habits in order to champion ourselves through creating good habits that will benefit our whole lives.
Last year, in 2023, we saw a large uptick in weight loss medications that weren’t exactly initially for weight loss. Ozempic is a diabetic medication designed to help lower blood sugar levels and get diabetics to a neutral level. Drugs.com describes Ozempic like this, “Ozempic is a brand name for a medication called semaglutide, the generic name for Ozempic and Wegovy, which may be used to manage type 2 diabetes or to reduce the risk of future cardiovascular events in people with type 2 diabetes.”
The other medications that have been touted as weight loss injectable options are Mounjaro and Zepbound, labeled as anti-obesity medications under the generic name of tirzepatide. Dosing is the greatest difference between Ozempic and the other “weight loss” medications.
Just to be clear, the mayo clinic defines type 1 diabetes as “a chronic autoimmune disease that prevents the pancreas from making insulin.”
Type 2 diabetes is a condition that happens because of a problem in the way the body regulates and uses sugar as a fuel. That sugar is also called glucose. If the body has too much sugar circulating in the blood, high blood sugar levels can lead to disorders of the circulatory, nervous and immune systems. Type 2 diabetes means there are 2 problems: 1- the pancreas does not produce enough hormone to regulate the movement of sugar into the cells and 2- cells respond poorly to insulin and take in less sugar.
There is no cure for diabetes. Losing weight, eating well and exercising can help manage the disease. If diet and exercise aren’t enough to control blood sugar, diabetes medications or insulin therapy may be recommended.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your body use glucose for energy and regulate blood sugar levels.
Glucose is blood sugar, a type of simple carbohydrate. If blood sugar levels dip too low or grow too high, they can affect your body’s everyday functioning. Dietary glucose is a monosaccharide or simple sugar, making it the simplest type of carbohydrate. When we consume dietary glucose, our body converts it into blood glucose. This is one of our body’s primary fuel sources, along with fat and protein.
Simple sugar foods include white bread, white rice, white pasta, candy, soda, pastries, syrup, table sugar.
Complex sugar foods include brown rice, oats, fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains.
(Photo courtesy of pharmaserve.com)
“Weight loss doesn't begin in the gym with a dumb bell; it starts in your head with a decision.”― Toni Sorenson, The Great Brain Cleanse
Ozempic was designed to treat type 2 diabetes in adults who also have heart disease, along with diet and exercise, to help reduce the risk of heart disorders, to reduce blood sugar levels and to help with weight loss. It is available in 3 strengths, given once per week through an injection.
Side effects depend on your initial medical condition. According to drugs.com, “if you are between the ages of 18-60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, you are more likely to experience: low blood sugar levels, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation. Initial administration of this medication should be done by your doctor. Ozempic does not take the place of insulin and is not effective in people with type 1 diabetes or for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis. Animal studies have reported thyroid tumors in rats. It is not known if semaglutide increases the risk of tumors in humans. Ozempic may increase the risk of pancreatitis.”
Now that you know a bit more about Ozempic and what it is intended for, you may be asking if it is a good solution to help jump start a weight loss program? The simple answer is no.
According to health.clevelandclinic.org,” Ozempic and Wegovy can treat obesity, but it is not for people who just want to drop a few pounds.” However, if you've been consistent with your nutrition and exercise and still feeling stuck, it might be worth talking to your doctor about an alternate action plan. Just be sure to do your own research and have all the facts before trying any new drugs or medications.
“Obesity is a metabolic disease. Obesity isn’t a behavioral problem. It is not managed by just eating less or exercising more. It is a dysfunction of the normal pathways that regulate our body weight or, more specifically, our body fat. Taking anti-obesity medications or other GLP-1s like Ozempic, may change your body’s reaction to food intake and weight loss.”
Risk factors of Ozempic: (according to health.clevelandclinic.org)
1-Pancreatitis
2-Low blood sugar
3-Vision changes (diabetes-related retinopathy)
4-Allergic reactions
5-Fatigue or dizziness
6-Gallstones
7-Kidney issues
8-Thyroid tumors or cancer
If any of the following applies to you, you should avoid taking Ozempic for weight loss: (according to health.clevelandclinic.org)
1-Pancreatitis or other pancreatic-related issues
2-Kidney disease or kidney-related issues
3-Type 1 diabetes
4-Diabetes related retinopathy
5-Family history of thyroid cancer or thyroid issues
6-You are under the age of 18
7-You are pregnant or breastfeeding
8-Family history of endocrine issues
“When people tell me they can’t afford to join a gym, I tell them to go outside; planet Earth is a gym and we’re already members. Run, climb, sweat, and enjoy all of the natural wonder that is available to you.” ― Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience
“Although 42% of people in the United States have the disease of obesity, only 2% are being treated with anti-obesity medications. When taking an anti-obesity medication under a doctor’s care, all of the GLP-1 medications have been proven to work. You take your life into your own hands when you go off label and without a doctor overseeing your care. These medications are not for aiding in dropping a few pounds. These medications are for serious health reasons and long-term effects of obesity and diabetes.” Lifestyle modifications and commitment to following doctor’s orders are the second step toward this weight loss aid. The first step is learning and deciding if this is a right path for you.
So, the choice is yours, to Ozempic or Not to Ozempic. Which will you choose and why?
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