OZEMPIC - A MIRACLE DRUG?
What is the connection between Ozempic and insulin resistance?
Have you heard of the trendy medication that has taken Hollywood by a storm? If you are keeping up with the news, you know the medical drug I am talking about! This injectable medication is called Ozempic (Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound…) and it has risen in popularity due to its weight loss benefits. Multiple influencers and celebrities like Elon Musk and Chelsea Handler have raved about it. Ozempic became such a hot commodity that there was a supply shortage across the nation, then the ability to get the medication as brand-name became increasingly more difficult. You may also know the medication by its compounded name Semaglutide and Trizepatide. With all of the hype surrounding this medication, you may be wondering if Ozempic is right for you. After all, it seems as though Ozempic is a miracle drug for weight loss given all of the attention it is getting!! What is Ozempic? Ozempic is the brand name for a medication called Semaglutide. It was approved by the FDA in 2017 for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, and it belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists. GLP-1 is a hormone released from our gut after we eat. Ozempic mimics GLP-1 and acts on its receptors, which are primarily located in four areas of the body: the pancreas, the brain, the liver, and the gastrointestinal tract. How is Ozempic administered? Ozempic is injected once a week under the skin of your upper arm, thighs, or abdomen. The dose is slowly increased depending on the patient and results.
Insulin is a hormone released from your pancreas that helps regulate blood glucose, or sugar, by helping blood sugar get into your cells to be used for energy. If you are constantly eating high carb foods throughout the day, your blood sugar will spike multiple times throughout the day. This causes your pancreas to release more insulin to try to overcome the increasing blood sugar levels. In insulin resistance, your cells stop responding to insulin, which leads to excess sugar in the bloodstream. When excess blood sugar is not metabolized correctly, it can give rise to other conditions such as weight gain, heart disease, and more. Eventually, insulin resistance can lead to Prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes. Ozempic helps patients with insulin resistance eat more sensibly by reducing sugar cravings and appetite for better portion control. However, this medication works best when paired with balancing carbohydrates with adequate protein and fiber intake. Is Ozempic the same as Metformin? Ozempic is not the same as Metformin, although both medications help control blood sugar levels. Metformin is an oral pill that is FDA approved for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. It is also used off-label in the treatment of insulin resistance, prediabetes, gestational diabetes, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). It works by decreasing the amount of glucose produced by the liver, lowering sugar absorption in the intestine, and making your cells more susceptible to insulin. So, should I take Ozempic? Ozempic can be effective for optimizing blood sugar levels, assisting with weight loss, and giving you control back if used appropriately. You must also rule out that the medication is not contraindicated for you. At our clinic, we focus on nutrition based medicine, dietary changes, proper vitamin levels, and energy expenditure. With detailed evaluations of our clients, we are able to identify if the generic Semaglutide is a good fit for our clients to treat insulin resistance, prediabetes, and Type 2 diabetes in combination with our treatment protocols and plans. It is vital to use this medication with fueling the body appropriately to maintain adequate muscle mass while losing fat mass. It is also important to monitor vitamin levels to ensure levels do not drop too low. We also focus on improving sleep and stress, as these two factors can impact blood sugar stability. It is important to take Ozempic in combination with healthy lifestyle practices to ensure that you do not gain the weight back after stopping Ozempic. –Jenni Berman PA-C, CPT, CNS, CICI
What are the benefits of taking Ozempic? Potential benefits of Ozempic are: • Weight loss • Reduced appetite • Reduced cravings • Blood sugar stability • Feeling in control of your meal plan again
There is also evidence that GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Ozempic, reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke in patients with Type 2 diabetes. What are the side effects of Ozempic? The most common side effects associated with Ozempic are the following: • Gastrointestinal side effects • Low iron levels • Loss of muscle mass if not used with the proper meal plan • Vitamin Deficiencies • Inflammation of the pancreas • Allergic reaction
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