Doesn’t it feel like a lot of people seem to be talking about a new weight loss wonder drug? Some new method that is driving amazing results. Given that this time of year is popular for weight loss, I felt like it would be important to shed some light on this topic.
The method everyone is talking about is GLP-1 agonists which are peptides also commonly known as Semiglutide. So, what is this medication, how does it work and where does one obtain it?
Semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®) and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®), another medication in the same class, are used to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes. Both medications are known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Which is a very medical way of saying they help the body produce more insulin, slowing down the production of unnecessary glucose from the liver resulting in well controlled blood sugar levels.
These peptides are taken as a once weekly injection. They work for weight loss by suppressing appetite, reducing food cravings and increasing the feeling of fullness. They also increase the amount of fat that is burned for energy while reducing inflammation, helping to improve overall health and well-being.
As with most medications, there are some potential side effects that should be taken into consideration before choosing either as part of your medically supervised weight loss program. While this isn’t a list of all the potential side effects, the most common are: nausea, acid reflux and constipation or loose stools. Often these symptoms are temporary and go away over time or with adjustments in dosing and supplementation. Dosing can play a role in managing side effects as well as success in losing weight healthfully.
This is why I use specialty pharmacies for my medical weight loss patients. General pharmacies, like CVS and Walgreens, have limited options for dosing and concentrations of these medications. Specialty pharmacies allow prescribing doctors to truly personalize dosing for their patients. Furthermore, the out-of-pocket costs can sometimes be significantly less than what a general pharmacy offers, especially for patients that cannot get their insurance to cover the prescription.
Social media has done a great job of bringing awareness to these medications. However, as it often can be with the internet, not everything you see is as it seems. Peptides should not be used as a “quick fix” for rapid weight loss. This is where things like “Semaglutide Face”, the hollow, drawn, unhealthy looking appearance, happen. This is a side effect of losing too much weight too quickly. Loss of two to five pounds weekly is the ideal rate for healthy, sustainable loss with just about any program. While Semaglutide and Tirzepatide can be great tools in a medically supervised weight loss program, it is important to remember that they are only one piece of the bigger picture. Having an open and honest conversation with your doctor is the first step. Good nutrition, supplementation, and sleep, reducing stress, moving your body and having a support system are all important elements as well. These are the foundational building blocks for keeping the weight off and optimizing your overall health and wellness.
By Dr. Danielle McDevitt
Doctor Danielle McDevitt is a board-certified Internal Medicine Physician that has centered her practice at the juncture of traditional and functional medicine. She is passionate about helping her patients, team, family and friends thrive at any stage of life. For more info about Dr. McDevitt go to https://bit.ly/3HegoZ9
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