Ozempic & Wegovy Semaglutide Medications for Weight Loss
By now everyone has heard about the amazing new weight loss medications Ozempic and Wegovy. But many people don’t quite know how they work to help men and women rapidly lose weight – without restrictive diets and excessive exercising.
The active ingredient in both Ozempic and Wegovy is actually a substance called semaglutide that imitates natural weight regulation mechanisms in the human body.
In this article, integrative medicine doctor and weight loss specialist Dr. Ruthie Harper, MD in Austin, TX explains this amazing new weight loss technology, and discusses how semaglutide can help women and men lose weight, so that they can look and feel their best!
How Semaglutide Causes Weight Loss
Semaglutide is a medication that was previously developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but it has also been found to have a significant effect on weight loss. So, after a lengthy period semaglutide was also approved by the FDA as a weight loss medication, under the brand name Wegovy. Additionally, physicians started using semaglutide in a form called Ozempic to help with weight loss.
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, which means that it activates the GLP-1 receptor in the body. The GLP-1 receptor is responsible for regulating appetite, glucose metabolism, and insulin secretion. When semaglutide is administered, it activates the GLP-1 receptor in the brain, which leads to a decrease in appetite and food intake.
In lay person terms, semaglutide activates certain brain regions that control hunger and fullness. Additionally, semaglutide slows down the emptying of food from the stomach, which can lead to reduced hunger, so that patients eat much less.
In addition to its effects on appetite and food intake, semaglutide also has a positive impact on stimulating metabolism – causing more calories to be burned.
Semaglutide also increases insulin sensitivity, which can help to regulate blood glucose levels and prevent insulin resistance. This effect can also lead to weight loss, as insulin resistance is a common cause of weight gain and difficulty losing weight.
Clinical Trials on Ozempic, Wegovy Semaglutide for Weight Loss
Several clinical trials have been conducted to test the effectiveness of semaglutide for weight loss. One such trial, called the STEP 1 trial, involved 1,961 adults with obesity or overweight who did not have diabetes. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either semaglutide or a placebo injection once a week for 68 weeks, in addition to lifestyle interventions such as diet and exercise.
The results of the trial were impressive: participants who received semaglutide lost an average of 15% of their body weight, compared to just 2.4% in the placebo group. Additionally, a significantly greater proportion of participants in the semaglutide group achieved weight loss of 5% or more (86.4% vs. 31.5% in the placebo group) and 10% or more (69.1% vs. 12.0% in the placebo group).
Other trials have also shown the efficacy of semaglutide for weight loss, including in people with diabetes. For example, the SUSTAIN 6 trial showed that semaglutide led to weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes who were at high risk of cardiovascular events. In this trial, participants who received semaglutide lost an average of 3.7 kg (8.2 lbs), compared to an average gain of 1.9 kg (4.2 lbs) in the placebo group.
Other Benefits of Semaglutide for Weight Loss
Semaglutide weight loss is about much more than just “looking good”. Semaglutide medications have also been shown to have a positive impact on other health markers, such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and markers of inflammation. In the STEP 1 trial mentioned earlier, participants who received semaglutide also saw improvements in these markers compared to the placebo group.
Semaglutide Weight Loss Medications (Ozempic, Wegovy) | Austin, TX
Because there are some potential risks and side effects associated with semaglutide it should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional – like weight loss specialist Dr. Ruthie Harper, MD in Austin, TX – as part of a comprehensive weight loss program that includes diet and exercise.
When used correctly under medical supervision the combination of reduced appetite, increased fullness, and improved metabolism make semaglutide an effective medication for weight loss. If you live in the Austin, TX area and have been struggling to lose weight, schedule an appointment with integrative medicine Ruthie Harper, MD to discuss semaglutide today.
