Just like the fountain of youth, a quick fix weight loss solution has long been sought. Until recently neither of these two have come to fruition, but sometimes a drug is approved by the FDA for one medical issue, and they discover it offers another benefit. Semaglutide is one of those drugs. Originally approved for Type 2 diabetes, it was quickly seen that patients lost weight as an extra benefit. Although it’s not for everyone, it can help many patients who have struggled with their weight for years even if they don’t have diabetes. Let’s pursue more information and a guide to semaglutide for weight loss.
What Is Semaglutide and How Does it Work?
Semaglutide is an FDA-approved drug for weight loss in qualified adults. It is released in a weekly injection.
Semaglutide imitates a hormone which controls insulin production, glucose metabolism, and it slows down how quickly your stomach empties out. You feel fuller for a longer period of time. The hormone is known
as GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide, which is released in your digestive tract after eating.
As of today semaglutide is only approved for weight loss under the label Wegovy. Other medications are being used off label like Rybelsus (in pill form) or Ozempic. Schedule a consultation with Carolina Pain and Weight in Mooresville and Salisbury to see whether you are a good candidate for semaglutide.
It is expected more brands will be FDA approved and released in 2024 for weight loss.
With 70% of Americans overweight, this obesity crisis can lead to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some cancers.
How Effective Is Semaglutide for Weight Loss in Non-Diabetics?
In an early study of 2,000 obese patients compared people taking semaglutide plus diet and exercise vs. people doing the same lifestyle changes without semaglutide.
After 68 weeks one-half using semaglutide lost 15% of their body weight and nearly one-third lost 20%. The other group doing only lifestyle changes lost 2.4% of their weight.
Later studies confirmed similar results.
Common Side Effects of Semaglutide
The most common side effects patient experience include the following:
- Fatigue
- Gastrointestinal issues like constipation, diarrhea, and gas
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Stomach issues like nausea and vomiting
Ask Carolina Pain and Weight Loss who should not take semaglutide for weight loss.
Other Health Benefits of Semaglutide
There are several health benefits of taking semaglutide, including:
- Reduced body weight, cholesterol, high blood pressure, inflammation, and oxidative stress are additional health benefits of taking semaglutide.
- It suppresses appetite, lowers blood sugar, increases insulin production and secretion as it slows down gastric emptying in the intestines to help you feel fuller longer.
- Lastly, you lose weight.
Contact Carolina Pain and Weight Loss if you have additional questions about semaglutide and to find out if it’s right for you.