The past few years dominated the headlines about the potential use of the medication in treating weight loss: the drug Ozempic. Another ready-to-use drug for treating Type 2 diabetes – Ozempic also acts as semaglutide, which can be used for weight loss due to its success, bringing it to become a highly contested medical treatment in the sphere of obesity care. But how precisely does Ozempic work about weight loss?
This overview of Ozempic will guide you through the science behind its functions, benefits, and possible side effects.
How does it help people lose weight?
It is the hormone version of GLP-1. Its functions altogether involve the regulation of blood sugar, tracking appetite, and improving function within the gastrointestinal system.
The semaglutide in Ozempic may help in losing weight as:
- Increased insulin sensitivity: It improves the body’s power over blood sugars while reducing cravings and can provide enough metabolic energy. This can affect weight loss in several ways, relating to better fat storage and a decrease in the build-up of fats.
- Slowed Gastric Emptying: Ozempic reduces the rate at which food departs from the stomach. It is termed gastric emptying. Because of slowed gastric emptying, the food remains in the stomach for longer, which is the basis for the fullness and reduced hunger between meals.
- Improved Glucose Control: Ozempic regulates the blood sugar for Type 2 diabetic patients through enhanced outflow of insulin when the blood sugar levels are high and through decreased glucose production in the liver. Balanced glucose regulation can support weight loss since stable blood sugar levels do not cause an energy crash that induces hunger.
Clinical Studies That Establish Ozempic as an Anti-Obesity Drug
Many clinical trials have established the efficacy of Ozempic in producing weight loss in non-diabetic patients. One of the most significant studies that came to mind recently was found in the New England Journal of Medicine from 2021, wherein it illustrated that patients receiving the active moiety of Olympic-semaglutide began losing around 15% of body weight after 68 weeks. The placebo lost a total of about around 2.4%. This dramatic result led to the approval of Wegovy for weight management in adults and reinforced the potential of semaglutide as a weight loss treatment.
Another study showed that patients in Ozempic who were treated with weight loss lost between 5 and 10% of their actual body weight, which is most significant for those who received the medication treatment with lifestyle modifications: diet and exercise. The above studies suggest that Ozempic is a good adjunct in a comprehensive weight loss program rather than the program per se.
Who Should Take Ozempic Injection?
Ozempic is commonly prescribed to patients who are overweight or obese and fail to reduce their weight on diet and exercise. The drug has been approved for use among patients with type 2 diabetes who cannot manage their weight and blood sugar.
This medicine is most potent for persons falling within the criteria provided:
BMI ≥ 30 (obesity), or
BMI ≥ 27, along with one or more associated conditions like hypertension, sleep apnea, or type 2 diabetes.
Side Effects and Considerations
As with any other medication, Ozempic has side effects. The possible side effects are as follows.
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea or constipation
Abdominal pain
Thyroid carcinoma
Conclusion
Long-term success with Ozempic would demand healthy lifestyle habits such as balanced eating, regular physical activity, and well-being-supporting behaviors. Being a prescription drug, Ozempic can be the only hope for those suffering from obesity or weight-related health problems. It acts as an agonist of GLP-1, decreases appetite, slows gastric emptying, and increases insulin sensitivity, contributing to weight loss. In most clinical studies, patients achieved substantial weight loss.
