Does Ozempic Work? Seattle Dietitian Shares 4 things You Should Know
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is an injectable, semaglutide medication that acts as a GLP-1 receptor agonist.
GLP-1 receptors are in charge of controlling blood sugar levels through insulin secretion. When injected, Ozempic will bind to the GLP-1 receptor, which stimulates insulin secretion and delays gastric emptying (how quickly the stomach empties). As a result, your blood sugar levels go down.
What is Ozempic meant for?
The medication, similar to Wegovy and Mounjaro, was developed to help individuals with diabetes to control their blood sugar levels and manage diabetes. Ozempic is meant to be a second-line or third-line treatment for those with type 2 diabetes. In other words, Ozempic is prescribed when other forms of diabetes management have been unsuccessful.
What is Ozempic being used for?
While there are some individuals being prescribed Ozempic solely for the treatment of diabetes and to help control blood sugar levels, many people are being prescribed Ozempic for reasons unrelated to diabetes. Some research studies have shown that weight-loss is a common side effect of Ozempic. Because of this, celebrities, influencers, and individuals across the United States are using Ozempic to change their body shape and size. In fact, many Ozempic-users don’t have diabetes and aren’t prediabetic. So much so that it has created an Ozempic shortage for those needing the medication to manage their diabetes.
Does Ozempic work?
There is a lot of nuance to his question and to answer “Does Ozempic work?”, it's important to understand the context of why Ozempic is being prescribed and used. Ozempic is effective in controlling blood sugar levels and helping with insulin secretion, which means that it works very well for those who have diabetes. In regards to weight loss, there is a lot that is not being talked about when it comes to the “effectiveness” of Ozempic.
Ozempic inadvertently causes weight-loss in these 3 ways:
Delayed gastric emptying - When taking Ozempic, your stomach holds onto food for longer periods of time meaning that your stomach is fuller for longer. This means that even if you eat significantly less than what you normally would, your stomach feels full and you become less hungry.
Nausea, vomiting, & diarrhea - Ozempic often results in side effects that can rapidly expel contents from the body, like vomiting and diarrhea. Additionally, Ozempic-users report intense nausea that reduces appetite and makes it difficult to consume food.
Mimicking satiety hormones - Ozempic mimics the hormones that naturally signal to your brain that you are full. This means that you feel full, even if you ate significantly less than you normally would. Ozempic causes you to stop eating, even if your body is still hungry.
Ozempic works if you are struggling with diabetes and lifestyle modifications/other medications aren’t improving your health condition.
4 Reasons Why Ozempic May Not Be Right For You:
1. Ozempic disrupts hunger and fullness signals.
Part of the reason why Ozempic “works so well” for weight loss is because it completely disrupts your ability to sense when you’re hungry and when you’re full. Normally, your body has the ability to signal to your brain when you are physically hungry and when you are physically satisfied. By mimicking satiety hormones in the body, Ozempic tells your brain that you don’t need food. On Ozempic, you will become much fuller much faster than you normally would, but this doesn't mean you actually need less food!
Ozempic side effects, such as lack of hunger, may lead to malnourishment. Your body has no way to distinguish between intentional food restriction and starvation. On Ozempic, you may lose weight and continue to feel as if you aren’t hungry, even if your body is malnourished, no matter your body size.
2. When you stop taking Ozempic, it stops working = It’s a lifetime medication
Ozempic is meant to be a life-long medication for people with diabetes who have tried lifestyle modifications and/or other medications with no results. People who begin taking Ozempic for diabetes management have often tried many other solutions before resorting to medication, and they often rely on Ozempic for a long period of time.
In the case of weight loss, if you do lose weight Ozempic, you will only maintain it for as long as you are taking the medication. In other words, when you stop taking Ozempic, it stops working. Many people report gaining all the weight back and thensome with drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. Post drug use, people report feeling intense cravings for food and an increase in binge eating behaviors. This comes as a result of the undernourishment that many experience while on Ozempic due to the suppression of hunger cues.
Additionally, Ozempic can be incredibly expensive, sitting at upwards of $1,000+ a month when used off-label as insurance doesn’t cover Ozempic if you are non-diabetic. If you’re wanting to take Ozempic for a long-term weight loss (again, not everyone experiences weight loss from Ozempic, or at least not as much as they are often promised) and weight management unrelated to diabetes treatment, be prepared for a long-term financial burden and potential issues in Ozempic production.
3. Using Ozempic for weight loss can cause serious side-effects.
Although Ozempic can result in weight loss, it wasn’t designed to be a weight-loss medication. There are serious side effects and risks to consider if you take Ozempic for reasons other than diabetes management. Ozempic can also cause or worsen disordered eating behaviors and eating disorders.
Potential side effects of Ozempic for weight-loss include:
Low blood sugar (known as hypoglycemia)
Menstrual cycle disorders (for those who experience menstruation)
Malnutrition and vitamin/mineral/electrolyte deficiencies
Gastrointestinal issues put you at increased risk for nutritional deficiencies, dehydration, long-term digestive issues, and more
Severe vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation
Bone loss
Hormone and endocrine related issues
4. Weight loss Companies, Diet Companies and the Pharmaceutical industry profit from Ozempic sales.
Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company responsible for manufacturing Ozempic, profited approximately $8.7 billion in the year 2022 from Ozempic sales alone. For 2023, the company predicts a 23% sales growth for Ozempic.
If Ozempic sounds too good to be true, chances are that it is. Using Ozempic as a weight-loss treatment can be dangerous, financially burdening, and can exacerbate pre-existing issues in the long term, like disordered eating, binge eating, dieting, and restriction. Ozempic may work for some as a short-term solution, it’s not a way to achieve or develop sustainable lifestyle modifications that will benefit your health.
It can be so exhausting trying to identify and avoid weight loss fads, especially with so many differing healthcare opinions and lots of confusing information. If you’re struggling with your weight and want to steer clear of unsustainable weight loss crazes, Bravespace Nutrition is here to help. Our Seattle-based practice focuses on the importance of healing your relationship with food and your body and offers support around any health issues that you may have. Our eating disorder dietitians are here to help you avoid fad diets and weight loss crazes and rediscover the joy of food! Schedule a free 15 minute discovery phone call today to get started.
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Are you wondering if you should take Ozempic? Are you struggling with your body shape and size and want support?
Our dietitian nutritionists at Bravespace Nutrition in Seattle, WA can offer guidance and support as to whether Ozempic and other similar medications are right for you. It’s hard to navigate all the information that is out there and we can offer sound medical advice and support you with body image concerns. Reach out to schedule a free discovery call today!