I'm sure by now you have heard of Ozempic, which is typically the most popular form of semaglutide being used right now. It is (supposed to be) used to control blood sugar, and potentially reduce cardiovascular risks in those with type 2 diabetes.
How do Semaglutides Work?
Semaglutides (like Ozempic or Wegovy),work by binding to and activating glucagon like peptide (GLP-1) receptors in our body, mimicking the natural GLP-1 that our body makes. GLP-1 is a peptide hormone produced in response to food, that essentially signals to us that we are full and satisfied. It also works by slowing down the transit time of our food, meaning that it will take longer to digest.
GLP-1 is secreted in response to a food consumption, and targets an area in the brain that regulates our glucose levels, insulin secretion, and appetite. It also increases the release of insulin from our pancreas, which helps bring down blood sugar levels. With high amounts of GLP-1 present, this can send a signal to your enteric nervous system (aka the nervous system in your gut) that you are full, even without the presence of food.
Potential Side Effects
Like many other medications, there are side effects to consider. Here are some of the most common side effects that we know of:
Other side effects can include severe lack of energy, pancreatitis (inflammation/swelling of the pancreas), and diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage of the eyes). You might have also heard of "Ozempic face", where the face beings to appear hollowed out with more saggy and/or wrinkly skin. Rapid weight loss can cause our fat stores in the face to become depleted rather quickly, which makes the loose elasticity and skin sag quicker than if you were to lose weight steadily.
How to Naturally Stimulate GLP-1 Secretion
Fiber-rich foods (nuts, seeds, beans / legumes, lentils, fruits, veggies...)
Probiotics (fermented foods like pickles & sauerkraut, supplements...)
Protein (high quality, unprocessed proteins will help increase satiety)
Berries (rich in polyphenols)
Certain teas & herbs such as green tea, ginseng, fenugreek, turmeric
Cinnamon (helps to increase insulin sensitivity)
Hydrate with water and electrolytes
My Takeaway as a Dietitian:
There is definitely a population of people who could benefit a great deal from semaglutides like Ozempic, such as those with type 2 diabetes and struggling to control their blood sugar, or those who are severely overweight and have other health problems such as a cardiovascular risk. However, I personally feel that it is being over-prescribed to those who do not need it, and are simply using it for aesthetic weight loss purposes and leaving those who truly need it without access. There are so many ways to go about healing your body with nutrition FIRST, and there are no side effects!
There are a lot of risks that can come along with injecting an exogenous hormone agonists every week when you do not truly need it. I have heard many people say it leaves them with very little energy, and after the injections stop it is very likely the weight will come back since you are not truly learning anything about how to nourish your body and lose weight sustainably.
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