Nutrition for Today: Weight loss ingredient Semaglutide, found in Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus
The newest weight loss fad isn’t a diet this time — it’s a drug.
Semaglutide, to be specific.
Semaglutide is all the rage right now among those wanting to lose weight. It seems to be the miracle we’ve all been waiting for — easy weight loss without the need for diet or exercise.
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in three medications manufactured by Novo Nordisk. These include Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus.
Ozempic is approved by the FDA for treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is an injectable drug and is administered weekly.
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Wegovy is very similar to Ozempic, but contains a higher amount of semaglutide. Wegovy is approved by the FDA as a weight loss drug. It is also administered by injection.
Rybelsus is a tablet taken orally every day. Rybelsus is only approved for treatment of type 2 diabetes, and not weight loss.
All three help to treat type 2 diabetes by increasing insulin levels, and therefore, lowering blood sugar levels. And all three are effective in promoting weight loss.
Studies have shown that most adults lose an average of 15% of their body weight in about one and a half years when taking these medications.
Wegovy is the only one of the three that is specifically approved by the FDA for weight loss. However, Wegovy has become so popular for weight loss that demand has exceeded supply.
When supplies of Wegovy dwindled down, practitioners began prescribing Ozempic and Rybelsus off-label for their weight loss patients. Off-label drug use is the practice of prescribing a drug for a different purpose that is not FDA approved. This practice has led to shortages of this medication for patients with type 2 diabetes.
Some pharmacies are now compounding their own version of customized weight loss drugs containing semaglutide.
How does Semaglutide work?
Semaglutide helps promote weight loss primarily in three different ways.
First, it targets the center in the brain that regulates appetite, which reduces hunger.
Second, it slows down the emptying of food from the stomach, which allows you to feel full longer, reducing the urge to eat until much later than would normally occur.
And third, it reduces the sensations of reward and pleasure associated with eating. This helps reduce cravings for unhealthy, calorie-dense foods.
Who can take this medication?
Semaglutide is approved for adults and children 12 years of age and older. But certain criteria must be met in order for practitioners to prescribe it.
Adults must be either obese (with a BMI of 30 or more) or overweight (with a BMI of 27 or more), plus have at least one weight-related medical condition, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.
Children must have a BMI at the 95% percentile or greater (this is determined using standardized pediatric growth charts).
Is it safe?
Ozempic has been in use since the FDA approved it in 2017. Typical side effects include gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain. These symptoms are typically mild and tend to dissipate over time.
Other possible side effects include increased risk of diabetic retinopathy and behavioral changes such as agitation and irritability. It can cause kidney injury and increase the risk of thyroid tumors. And many people report significant hair loss while taking semaglutide.
What are the pros and cons of semaglutide for weight loss?
Benefits of semaglutide include rapid and effective weight loss, especially for those who have not had success with other methods.
Health improves when weight loss is achieved with semaglutide. Improvements are seen in blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and improved lipid profiles (cholesterol and triglyceride levels).
Semaglutide can help people make healthier food choices by reducing cravings for high-calorie, unhealthy foods.
Disadvantages include the potential for unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects and other health risks.
The cost of the medication may be prohibitive for many people, with the average cost of the medication running around $1,000 per month for the brand-name versions. These medications are not covered by insurance when used for weight loss purposes.
There is still some question about its long-term safety. This is a relatively new medication, and possible unknown adverse effects could emerge as these medications are used over time.
Some final thoughts
Semaglutide must be taken continuously for it to continue to remain effective. Once discontinued, most people will regain two-thirds of their weight back. It’s like any other medication — it only works as long as you take it.
Semaglutide should be used as part of a comprehensive weight management program that includes lifestyle changes such as regular physical activity, healthy eating habits and behavior modification.
It is my belief that these medications should only be taken while working with a team that includes a registered dietitian so that healthy eating habits can be taught, increasing the likelihood of long-term success.
Is this really the cure we’ve been waiting for, which will allow us to lose weight without diet and exercise?
Yes, you will lose weight on semaglutide without changing your diet and lifestyle, and your health will likely improve significantly.
But adopting healthy lifestyle habits will make the treatment more effective and will significantly increase your chances of attaining permanent weight loss.
After all, no one wants to lose all that weight, and then just turn around and regain it all.
Susie Bond is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist in private practice. Contact her at NutritionistOnCall@gmail.com
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Are Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus good for weight loss? They can be
