While watching television, there’s a good possibility you’ve seen commercials for Ozempic. It is a prescription drug approved for individuals with type 2 diabetes. Ozempic helps individuals with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels by encouraging the body to produce more insulin when needed. Ozempic also slows down the digestion of food, which can help people feel fuller longer and resist unnecessary snacking or unhealthy eating choices. Despite being intended for use by those with type 2 diabetes, it has proven to be an effective weight loss supplement for those without diabetes. Are you thinking you’d like to try Ozempic for weight loss? If so, your physician will evaluate your medical history and determine if Ozempic is the best weight loss management supplement for you. Let’s take a look at how Ozempic works.
How Does Ozempic for Weight Loss Work?
The main compound in Ozempic is semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that works by stimulating the pancreas to produce insulin when blood sugar levels are elevated and slow down the digestion of food. GPL-1 is a hormone produced in the small intestine to stimulate insulin production. It also prevents glucose from entering the bloodstream and lowers blood sugar levels by slowing the emptying of the stomach which also makes you feel full longer. This can reduce overeating and snacking. Although Ozempic was developed as a diabetes management drug, it can help reduce weight in those who are overweight or obese, especially when combined with diet and exercise.
What If I Don’t Have Diabetes?
Semaglutide, the main compound in Ozempic, is FDA-approved at higher doses for treating individuals living with obesity and other weight-related medical problems under the name Wegovy.
However, Ozempic has been found to be successfully prescribed off-label in assisting individuals to lose at least 5% of their starting body weight after taking it for 12 weeks or more. Ozempic is typically prescribed along with lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, in order to achieve maximum results. Ozempic also helps to reduce the risk of complications associated with obesity, including heart disease and diabetes.
Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare company headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, sponsored a large clinical trial with 1,961 adults with excess weight or obesity who did not have diabetes. They were given 2.4 milligrams of semaglutide or a placebo once a week for 68 weeks, along with lifestyle intervention. Those who took semaglutide lost 14.9% of their body weight compared with 2.4% for those who took the placebo.
Ozempic for Weight Loss
At Vive Aesthetics and Wellness, we are always on the cutting edge of weight loss solutions for our clients. Dr. Pinto initially founded Vive to help individuals struggling with weight and obesity. While he has since expanded his practice to include aesthetic treatment, he has never lost his passion for helping his patients achieve their weight loss goals and improve their overall health. Dr. Pinto is double board-certified in both Family Medicine and Obesity Medicine, which sets him apart from his peers.
Dr. Pinto has been successfully prescribing GLP-1 medications like Ozempic off-label for weight loss for over a decade. If you are dealing with excess weight or obesity, Ozempic for weight loss may be right for you.
Individuals with pancreatitis, type 1 diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, or a family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma should not take Ozempic. It should also not be taken by individuals under 18 or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
The only way to determine if Ozempic for weight loss is right for you is to schedule a consultation. Dr. Pinto will evaluate your medical history and determine if Ozempic is the best option to assist with your weight loss journey. Contact us today and take your first step toward weight loss and better overall health.
