Ozempic Weight Loss Drug – miracle or mayhem?
Chances are you’ve recently heard the hype around Ozempic, the weight loss drug that celebrities, social media influencers and even billboard advertisers have been promoting.
So, what is it, how does it work and most importantly is it safe and effective as a weight-loss treatment for women over 40?
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic (as well as brands Wegovy and Mounjaro) are a class of drug called GLP-1, which stands for glucagon-like Peptide-1 receptor antagonist (that’s a mouthful!). Ironically, Ozempic was not designed as a weight loss drug, it is in fact, prescribed for the management of Diabetes, however, when weight-loss drug Wegovy demand outreached supply earlier this year, doctors started prescribing Ozempic instead because the active ingredient, semaglutide, is the same.
Is it effective for weight loss?
In short, yes…but.
Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs are used to stimulate the release of the hormone insulin, which helps diabetics move blood sugar into the body cells to be used as energy. From a weight-loss perspective, these drugs also slow down the digestive process called gastric emptying, meaning food stays in your stomach and small intestine for longer, so you stay fuller for longer and therefore eat less calories over the day. On top of that these drugs may also reduce cravings, helping people to feel more in control of their eating.
This causes a good amount of weight loss. In fact, a recent study in JAMA showed participants lost 15% of their body weight compared with the placebo group that only lost 2.4% body weight. However, if you stop taking the drug, the effects are likely to wear off and many people regain most of their weight as they’ve not learnt how to manage their lifestyle more healthily.
And Ozempic is not without consequences…
What are the side-effects of Ozempic drug?
The most common side-effects of Ozempic are nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Fun times! Plus, more reports are coming out about cases of stomach paralysis, which can lead to debilitating pain, bloating and heartburn.
On top of that, ‘Ozempic face is a term coined to describe the sagging jowls and sunken face caused as a result of taking the Ozempic drug for weight loss. For women in their 40s and 50s where collagen production is already reduced, this can accelerate the ageing of your face significantly.
Another risk factor is a lack of adequate nutrients. Since many people feel nauseous or full most of the day, and thus eating less calories, this may led to a lack of enough proper nutrients in your diet, which can cause tiredness, brittle hair, lack lustre skin and a loss of muscle mass. If you’re peri/menopausal, not getting enough nutrients can exacerbate your symptoms, mood and energy levels, and increase your risk of osteoporosis – in addition to any gastrointestinal and ageing side-effects.
Not exactly a drug that is sociable, glamorous or comfortable for everyday living – and in some cases downright dangerous.
How much does Ozempic cost?
The drug is taken via a weekly injection, and it’s not cheap. On average you can spend $1200 per month on Ozempic out of pocket, with many insurance companies not covering this drug for weight-loss purposes.
The pharmaceutical company that produces Ozempic, Novo Nordisk, currently has a monopoly on the drug and is incentivized to make as much money as they can during the celebrity craze for Ozempic as a weight loss drug. Until the craze fades and it can be manufactured generically or other companies develop a competitor drug, that monopoly means they can charge as much as they like, making this drug expensive.
Why is Ozempic so controversial?
There has been a lot of back-lash for the use of Ozempic for aesthetic weight loss purposes as it has led to a shortage of this life-saving drug for diabetic patients who rely on Ozempic to manage their insulin. This has led to a lot of anger and fear, particularly as already skinny celebrities and influencers have jumped on the Ozempic injection train for weight-loss.
That’s not to say it cannot play a role in weight-loss. In fact, it can potentially be used to treat obesity, which is considered a chronic disease often in need of prescribed drug treatment in conjunction with lifestyle changes. Obesity is categorized as a BMI of 30-40, and the FDA approved the prescription of Ozempic’s cousin drug, Wegovy, for someone who has a BMI above 30 or a BMI of 27 with at least one high-risk condition such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
In these circumstances, just as with diabetic patients, these drugs can help to support health goals and provide life-saving medical treatment. However, lifestyle intervention (diet, exercise and mental wellbeing) should ALWAYS come before drug treatment when dealing with weight-loss goals, as many folks can shift their weight successfully without prescribed weight-loss medications. If weight-loss medication is required, it needs to be taken under strict medical supervision, as the side-effects of these drugs can be really unpleasant to deal with and each patient, along with their medical team, need to weigh up the pros and cons of the treatment.
The bottom line on Ozempic for weight loss
This is a serious drug with potentially debilitating side-effects. It is not a quick-fix weight-loss plan to fit into that summer bikini and then stop taking it 3 months later. It’s a long-term commitment and certainly should not be prescribed to anyone of normal weight or slightly overweight who can manage with diet and exercise. The Hollywood culture of extreme dieting and weight-loss pill-popping has catapulted Ozempic as a ‘miracle’ replacement for a healthy diet and regular exercise. Even some Medi-spas are creating their own unregulated cocktails of Ozempic compounds, which can be ineffective and extremely dangerous for your health.
It is a slippery slope to take any weight loss drug without proper medical supervision or consideration for the long-term – both on your physical body, but also on your psychological wellbeing and body image.
What can I do to lose weight instead of taking a weight-loss drug?
- Eat off a medium side plate to subtly reduce your calorie intake and consider intermittent fasting if this works for you (seek advice from a dietitian/nutritionist or your doctor first)
- Opt for the healthy and easy-to-follow Mediterranean diet, which time and again kicks butt when it comes to weight loss results compared with other diets.
- Get enough good quality sleep – when we’re tired, we tend to overeat sugar and junk food to give us energy.
- Take time out to de-stress and have fun. Constant elevated stress hormone cortisol can lead to weight gain, and often that’s when we tend to emotionally eat unhealthy junk food.
- Try to move your body, even for 30 minutes, every single day. Alternate between cardio and strength training.
- Avoid fruit juice & sodas most of the time and enjoy some alcohol-free days if you drink.
- Eat lean protein at every meal to keep your muscle mass strong, and your body fuller for longer.
If you would like personalized advise on your health goals, please get in touch at [email protected] or follow me on Instagram or join our Facebook community for healthy inspiration.