Understanding Ozempic and Weight Loss

Over the past few years, weight loss drugs have become increasingly popular as a tool for individuals struggling with overweight and obesity.1 With mass media coverage and use by well-known celebrities, demand has increased exponentially, and resulted in supply shortages nationally. Weight loss medications such as Ozempic are typically used to treat type 2 diabetes, although they have also been approved for weight loss. Due to the increased demand, those who rely on these medications for management of type 2 diabetes and/or weight related issues are left without their prescriptions filled. With weight loss medications now harder to gain access to, it poses the question, how can we create a longer-term solution to overweight and obesity, without relying so heavily on prescription medications? This presents an opportunity to those wanting to achieve weight loss to explore healthier and more sustainable weight loss options.

The active ingredient in most weight loss drugs such as Ozempic is semaglutide. Semaglutide works by mimicking the effects of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which helps to regulate blood sugar levels in the body and also suppresses appetite.2 It is used for the treatment and management of type 2 diabetes, and has recently become popular as a weight loss tool due to its effects on appetite.

One of the key benefits of semaglutide is its ability to help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar levels. This is achieved by increasing the amount of insulin that is produced by the pancreas and reducing the amount of glucose that is produced by the liver.2 In addition, semaglutide slows the emptying of the stomach, reducing hunger, which can help to promote weight loss in people with diabetes.

While semaglutide-containing medications can be used as a tool to improve weight and diabetes management, it is also important to consider the side effects that can occur such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.3 Furthermore, the effects of such medications on appetite suppression will stop once the medication is stopped. This necessitates dietary changes and physical activity for a longer-term weight loss solution which can improve overall health outcomes and also has fewer side effects than any weight loss medication.

Instead of relying on medications to achieve weight loss goals, the focus should be on educating people about maintaining a healthier lifestyle, which includes eating a healthy, balanced diet with a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean protein sources and whole-grain carbohydrates. Furthermore, addressing individual underlying lifestyle factors that are contributing to their weight gain such as poor sleeping habits and lack of physical activity.

It is important to consult with your doctor and dietitian to create a personalised plan to ensure you achieve your health goals.

At Be Fit Food, we offer complementary dietitian consultations that are personalised to help you begin your weight loss journey. Click here to book in your first consultation: Free Dietitian Consultation | Be Fit Food

References:

To provide you with the best experience with Be Fit Food, we have ensured a range of documents are available to you including: Incident Management Policy, Complaints Management Policy and Complaints Management Form. If you need assistance with any of these documents, please contact our Customer Service team on 1300 263 257.