How to Safely Use Ozempic to Lose Weight – A Holistic Perspective
Hero or Villain?
There’s been a lot of press, especially bad press, about Ozempic. That is the brand name for semaglutide and other peptides used for weight loss and diabetes management.
And like many things in health care, it's not as black and white as it appears.
Ozempic can be effective in helping you lose weight and manage chronic conditions like:
Diabetes Type II
Cardiovascular Disease
Metabolic Dysfunction (1)
It can be a safe option for some people when managed properly and when you’ve integrated healthy choices into your daily routine. But if your dose is too high or you don’t make a shift in your lifestyle – the side effects can lead to an unhealthy pattern of yoyo dieting or worse.
I’m Dr. Martina Sturm of Denver Sports and Holistic Medicine. This week I’m uncovering the pros and cons of using peptides like Ozempic.
I’m breaking down how they work, adding a holistic perspective, and emphasizing the importance of integrating foundational lifestyle practices.
To get started, you need to learn what peptides are and how they work in your body.
What Are Peptides and How Do They Work?
Peptides are not drugs. They’re small-chain amino acids and are the building blocks of proteins. They serve as biochemical messengers in the body and have many potential health benefits.
The most common peptides are:
Body Protection Compound 157 (BPC-157)
Semaglutide
Sermolin
Hexarelin (Examorelin)
Collagen Peptides (2)
Peptides occur naturally in the body and can target specific organs and pathways. Polypeptides (more than one) play an important role in inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, neurological diseases, and cardiovascular diseases.
They work inside your body by binding to receptors, interacting with other proteins, and impacting your hormones.
By binding to specific receptors inside the body and within your nervous system, polypeptides can increase insulin resistance inside your fat cells, suppress your appetite, and speed up your metabolism.
Polypeptides can attach themselves to certain proteins changing their structure and how they work inside the body. By doing this, they can slow the growth of certain cancers like colon cancer. They can also change the way Alzheimer’s disease progresses in the brain.
They can initiate the release of hormones like leptin signaling feelings of fullness in the stomach and suppressing the hormone ghrelin, which stimulates your appetite leading to weight loss.(3)
But when you have too many fat cells (adipose tissue) you can experience chronic low-grade inflammation.(4) This inflammation releases (pro-inflammatory cytokines) from those cells and interferes with the messages going to and from the brain. These messed-up signals cause obesity-related metabolic dysfunction like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.(1)
One peptide recently covered in the mainstream media is glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone, aka incretin. It’s produced by your intestinal cells in response to food to lower your blood sugar by promoting insulin secretion. GLP-1 agonists behave like GLP-1 and fall under the brand names of:
Ozempic
Wegovy
Mounjaro
Semaglutide
Tirzepatide
GLP-1 agonists have been used for years in the management of diabetes and weight loss. It comes in both an oral application and can be injected into the skin. (1)(5)
GLP-1 agonists and other peptides have some exciting benefits, especially in the management of obesity and other chronic conditions related to excessive weight gain. However, when using Ozempic to lose weight, it’s important to understand the side effects and remember other considerations – including integrating important lifestyle practices.(3)
Understanding Ozempic and Its Impact on Weight Loss and Diabetes Management
GLP-1 agonists, including Ozempic, have been used for years to help control blood sugar and support weight loss.
GLP-1 agonists act like the natural hormone, incretin. This stimulates an increase in insulin and decreases glucagon lowering your blood sugar.(2)
GLP-1 agonists slow down gastric emptying, making you feel full longer and thus you eat less. But at what consequence? We will discuss that later.
It’s been used within the body-building community for years to help with ideal body composition. But it’s best used when your metabolic health, including diabetes and weight gain, is severe and hard to manage.(1)
It’s been approved as a second line of treatment for diabetes and is not to be replaced with holistic practices to improve your health like:
Eating a whole foods diet and balancing your macronutrients
Strength training to make up for loss of lean muscle mass
Getting enough sunlight and vitamin D
Reducing and managing your stress levels(1)(6)
Improving sleep duration and quality
Optimizing your gut health
Minimizing alcohol intake
GLP-1 agonists have been shown effective, but there are also a variety of concerns with using these to manage your weight loss.(5)
But first, let’s look at the benefits.
The Pros of Using GLP-1 agonists Such As Ozempic for Treatment of Metabolic Dysfunction
The primary function of GLP-1 agonists, like Ozempic, is to lower your blood sugar by naturally boosting your insulin levels.(6)
Let’s dive in a little deeper to understand how GLP-1 supports blood sugar regulation and other potential health benefits.
Reduced Blood Sugar Levels. GLP-1 agonists stimulate cells in the pancreas to increase the release of insulin and prevent the release of glucagon. Both hormones regulate blood sugar in an opposing manner.(8)
Suppresses Your Appetite Leading to Weight Loss. GLP-1 agonists release hormones in the gut that increase feelings of fullness (leptin) and delay stomach emptying, leading to weight loss over time.(8) The loss of weight is positively associated with cardiovascular improvements and better blood sugar control.(6)
Pancreatic Beta Cell Protection. Beta cells found in the pancreas release insulin to control your blood sugar. GLP-1 agonists stimulate the release of insulin, promote the growth of beta cells, and prevent their death caused by pro-inflammatory cytokines.(7)
Cardiovascular Benefits. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide.(8) And there is a strong relationship between heightened cardiovascular risk and poor control over your blood sugar. In both the SUSTAIN-6 and PIONEER-6 studies, researchers have found a 24% reduction in cardiac risk with the use of Ozempic as compared to the placebo.(6)
Cognitive Benefits. Some studies show improvements in learning and regrowth of neurons in the brain and the central nervous system. And reduced build-up of beta-amyloid proteins found in Alzheimer’s disease.(7)
Multiple Organ Benefits. Better regulation of your blood sugar can have a systems-wide effect. Using GLP-1 agonists promotes better blood sugar regulation and improves cardiac function. It also improves kidney function by increasing natriuresis (sodium excretion) and diuresis (increased urination) and lowering glucose and fat made in the liver – a contributor to fatty liver disease.(8)
Initially, the use of GLP-1 agonists was associated with severe side effects. Several concerns reported initially were either not found in subsequent studies or were dismissed.
Although the risk/benefit appears to be in favor of its use, it's important to review the potential side effects and minimize the possible harmful effects – especially if you’re already taking insulin to manage your blood sugar.(5)
Drawbacks of Using GLP-1 Agonists Like Ozempic to Lose Weight
GLP-1 agonists, including the use of Ozempic, are not without side effects. The potential drawbacks of using such peptides to lose weight or manage your blood sugar include:
Hypoglycemia. It’s possible that these agents could cause harmful drops in your blood sugar. For those who take insulin alongside GLP-1 agonists, this potential side effect is higher.(5) Overall, the occurrence of hypoglycemia is low. If this does happen, your dose of GLP-1 agonist may need to be adjusted.(6)
Gastrointestinal Issues. These have been the most reported side effects of GLP-1 agonists. This includes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.(4) Ozempic has been shown to reduce one’s appetite by delaying gastric emptying (gastroparesis) and slowing intestinal motility. This also could lead to gastrointestinal upset, cyclic vomiting, and nutrient depletion.(6)(7)(9)
Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer. When GLP-1 agents were first introduced, they were soon linked to episodes of acute pancreatitis and a potential risk of cancer. Over time researchers found conflicting evidence because those who have diabetes naturally have a high risk of developing pancreatic-related issues.(5)
In most animal studies, there was no change within the pancreatic physiology even when given the normal human dose.(5) If acute pancreatitis occurs, Ozempic should be stopped immediately.(6)
Thyroid Cancer. In the US, Ozempic (semaglutide) has a box warning for thyroid C-cell tumors. This warning is based on studies using rodents. Research using semaglutide on monkeys with up to >60 times the normal human dose has not shown abnormal C-cells after 20 months.(5)
Gallbladder. There is an increased risk of gallbladder events related to incretin-based therapies for weight loss. Specifically for those who have more than average weight loss. One meta-analysis showed a 28% increased risk with the use of GLP-1 therapies.(5)
Cardiovascular. All GLP-1 agonists have been observed to increase heart rate with an average of 2.75 beats per minute while using 0.5 mg of Ozempic. And 3.2 beats per minute with a dose of 1.0 mg. Either of these doses and increases in heart rate were not connected to harmful cardiac episodes.(5)
In fact, there’s a strong relationship between heightened cardiovascular risk and poor control over your blood sugar. In both the SUSTAIN-6 and PIONEER-6 studies, there was a 24% reduction in cardiac risk with the use of semaglutide as compared to the placebo. (6)
Acute Kidney Injury. It has been suggested that acute kidney injury could occur, specifically as a result of nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. It has been reported that GLP-1 agonists could decrease fluid intake. This particularly concerns people in frail health and when taking certain medications like renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or diuretic drugs.(5)
Diabetic Retinopathy. There have been some cases of increased or worsening diabetic retinopathy with patients taking Ozempic as compared to the placebo. After further investigation, it was found that 30% of these patients had pre-existing diabetic retinopathy, a high A1C, long-standing diabetes, and were taking insulin.(5)
Worsening symptoms like blindness, vitreous hemorrhage, the necessity of photocoagulation, and the use of intravitreal agents usually occur in the first few weeks.(6)
Loss of Lean Muscle Mass. The danger of taking these types of peptides is losing weight too fast and experiencing the loss of lean muscle.(10)
“Ozempic butt” and “Ozempic face” occur when you have saggy skin and appear older as a result of fat tissue loss in the face and lean muscle in the lower part of your body. And when you stop taking these peptides after losing weight, fat fills the places where lean muscle has been lost. This can lead to a dieting rollercoaster and ultimately more weight gain(11)
Release of Toxins Stored in Fat Cells. Rapid weight loss can lead to an excess of toxins released from your fat cells. Your fat cells act as a storage depot for toxins, preventing them from harming your tissues and organs. Rapid fat breakdown (lipolysis) can mobilize these toxins to enter the bloodstream increasing inflammation and wreaking havoc on your metabolic health.(12)(13)
Cost. The cost of GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic is a big concern for the healthcare industry. At this time, Ozempic costs $10,000 per year. (14)
GLP-1 agonists, including Ozempic, should be avoided if you have:
Medullary carcinoma of thyroid
Pancreatitis
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome Type 2
Progressive Retinopathy
Congestive Heart Failure (6)
Overall Semaglutides like Ozempic and other GLP-1 therapies are well tolerated if dosed properly. The most common side effects reported were gastrointestinal in nature and usually subsided after two weeks. The side effects reported were also dependent on the dose taken by the participant.(6)
Despite looking like a “relatively safe” and certainly enticing option, Ozempic is not a replacement for implementing healthy lifestyle choices.
The Importance of Integrating a Holistic Lifestyle
The use of peptides like Ozempic to lose weight and manage your diabetes can be life-changing. But they also need to be used cautiously and only when your metabolic health has hit a roadblock.
It’s important you understand the root cause of your chronic disease and inability to lose weight. This class of peptides can kickstart stubborn cases of weight loss, but you still need to consider other important factors that lead to your weight gain and poor metabolic health. Things like:
Food sensitivities
Quality of sleep
Chronic stress (15)
If you choose to take Ozempic, you still need to do the hard work of:
Getting adequate sleep
Participating in intermittent fasting
Engaging in strength training at least three times per week
Eating a whole foods diet and paying attention to your macronutrients (1)
Limiting alcohol intake
There’s a lot to unpack here, and I know it can feel overwhelming. So much so that it's hard to know where to start. This is where functional medicine thrives, and I’m here to show you how.
Get Personalized and Holistic Health Care to Help You Lose Weight In Denver, Colorado
At Denver Sports and Holistic Medicine, I take the time to personalize a plan that’s right for you. You no longer have to try and sift through the mountains of health data and the latest weight loss trends that often fail most dieters.
Whether you’re having trouble managing your diabetes or stubborn weight loss, it's important we understand why. And together, we can create a holistic plan to address your metabolic dysfunction.
Ozempic may be a helpful tool for some stubborn cases of diabetes and weight loss. But it doesn’t replace the importance of adopting lifestyle habits that significantly affect your health and provide longer-lasting results.
To learn what approach might be best for you, I offer a FREE 15-minute consultation. Let's help you get started on living a life with better health and vitality.
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