Ozempic is a type of treatment approached by type 2 diabetic patients. Some people also use it for the purpose of losing weight. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 40% of the population is facing the health issue of obesity. Out of many strategies developed to deal with this issue, ozempic is one of the most promising and proven ones. You will find in this article every detail you need to know about ozempic for weight loss, including its
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic, chemically known as semaglutide, is a medication in the form of an injection that is prescribed to be taken once a week. It is particularly designed to treat diabetes type 2 disease and has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
One reason people think of using ozempic for weight loss is that semaglutide, the active ingredient of this medicine, is an agonist of the GLP-1 receptor and is well-known for its potential to cause satiety by affecting the brain.
You can inject this medication in your thighs, arm, or abdomen, wherever you feel convenient.
What is the action mechanism of ozempic?
It is always suggested to understand the procedure of action of a medicine whenever you are going for a research to have a grip on better understanding. You might be aware of the action of insulin it bestows on your body.
It is a hormone offered by nature to humans to regulate the normal levels of sugar in your blood. This hormone takes up the glucose from your body and inserts it into cells and tissues dependent on insulin such as the liver, adipose tissues, and muscle.
It basically plays the role of a transporter, which carries the sugar obtained from beverages and foods to several body parts requiring glucose for energy synthesis and other important functions.
Another function insulin plays is that it signals the liver to store the excess glucose by converting it into glycogen, the storage form. As it is a GLP-1 receptor antagonist, ozempic also acts like that hormone and helps maintain blood sugar levels and aid in weight loss as well.
Moreover, ozempic also slows down the process of digestion, delays the emptying of the stomach, and, hence, maintains satiety or a feeling of fullness contributing to the loss of weight.
Is ozempic good for weight loss?
According to research, the ozempic can be used for weight loss as it contains semaglutide as its active ingredient. Like all other medicines aimed at weight loss, ozempic helps in losing weight in three ways:
- Reducing appetite
- Maintaining satiety or increasing fullness sensation
- Interfere with the absorption of fat
The question here arises, “Is ozempic approved for weight loss?” Although the medication is not approved by the FDA for weight loss aim, however, if taken carefully and by following instructions, it can offer beneficial results. Keeping track of a healthy lifestyle is important if you want to take off-label medicines for weight loss.
There are two main things which are important to follow for this purpose, a well-tailored diet and a good exercise routine. But you need not worry, as time passes, your body will get used to the effects of this medicine, and it will most probably become a new normal for you.
However, there are chances that your body will again start to gain weight as soon as you stop taking the ozempic dosage.
Ozempic Diet plan
People who take ozempic are often seen to complain about nausea or vomiting. A diet with high-fat or sugary content may cause such side effects.
Maintaining a complete balance in diet is important for ozempic medication including lean proteins, vegetables, fruits, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. The two most important things to avoid during the course are alcoholic and high-fat foods (greasy or fried).
Here is a sample of a diet plan you can follow during the course:
Breakfast (500 Calories)
| Greek Yogurt | 1 cup of fat-free, plain Greek yogurt blended with a few blueberries and a sprinkle of chia seeds |
| Omellete | 1 whole egg, mushrooms, tomatoes, 3 egg whites, and spinach. Use 1 tsp olive oil for cooking. |
| Green tea | 1 cup sugar-free green tea |
| Whole-grain toast | 1 slice with a topping of almond butter (thin spread) |
AM Snack (200 Calories)
| Almonds | 10-12 |
| Apple | 1 medium sliced |
Lunch (500 Calories)
| Quinoa | ½ cup (cooked) |
| Grilled chicken salad | Mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, carrots, grilled chicken breast (4 oz), cucumber, olive oil (1 tsp), balsamic vinegar (1 tbsp) |
| Fermented food | ½ cup sauerkraut |
PM Snack (200 Calories)
| Kefir | 1 cup (low-fat) |
| Carrot and cucumber sticks | With hummus dip (2 tbsp) |
Dinner (400 Calories)
| Steamed broccoli and cauliflower | 1 cup (seasoned with herbs) |
| Salmon | Baked salmon (4 oz) |
| Brown rice | 1/3 cup (cooked) |
Eve Snack (100 Calories)
| Cottage cheese | ½ cup (low-fat), a few almond silvers, and cinnamon |
The maximum dose of ozempic for weight loss is 2 mg once a week. According to research, if a 2 mg dose of ozempic is taken for 40 weeks, it can result in the loss of around 15 pounds. Hence, taking the right ozempic dosing for weight loss can be beneficial likewise both for maintaining the blood sugar levels as well as for keeping you fit in shape.
Who should or should not take ozempic pills for weight loss?
The main purpose of designing ozempic was to serve people suffering from diabetes. So, it is suggested that people who are suffering from type 2 diabetes are preferable to take this medicine for weight loss. However, there are some exceptions for people for which taking ozempic is not recommended. Avoid taking ozempic dosing for weight loss if you fall under any of the following categories:
- Pregnancy or nursing
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Family history of thyroid cancer
- Affected pancreas or kidneys
Are there any side effects of ozempic for weight loss?
Before taking any type of medication, it is important to take a look at its potential side effects. Due to these, medicines should only be taken when prescribed. If you want to use ozempic for weight loss, you should seek an off-label prescription from any licensed clinician, including nurse practitioners, physicians, or physician assistants. In the case of ozempic, the most common side effects are:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Nausea
On the more severe side, ozempic for weight loss side effects rarely induced can include some of the symptoms as follows:
- Pancreatitis
- Thyroid C-cell tumors
- Hypersensitivity
- Hypoglycaemia
- Diabetic retinopathy complications
- Acute gallbladder disease
- Acute kidney injury
You should immediately contact your healthcare provider if you encounter any of these symptoms.
From where can you get Ozempic?
The ozempic medicine is available on many telehealth platforms and is offered by several online retailers. Following are some of the options from which you can get your hands on the ozempic medicine:
Obtain a prescription:
Always consult your healthcare provider before taking any type of medicine, and use that prescription to get the medicine.
Buy from market
Once you have obtained a prescription, you can purchase this medicine from any nearby pharmacy. The price of the medication may depend on the coverage of your insurance.
Get it online
Now, several online retailers are also offering delivery of the medicine to your doorstep without any hustle. Some of these authentic retailers include PlushCare for Ozempic, Calibrate Metabolic Reset, and Sesame Care for Ozempic, etc. Make sure to check if the license and address details are mentioned on their website to ensure their authenticity.
Patient Assistance Programs
Some of the manufacturers also offer programs for patient assistance to help them cover the cost issue. You can check if there are any such programs available for Ozempic through the internet.
Conclusion
Ozempic is a medicine that is particularly designed to serve people affected by diabetes type 2. Its active ingredient acts like a natural hormone for maintaining ozempic and normal blood sugar levels. According to new research and based on personal experiences, people are now turning towards using Ozempic for weight loss purposes.
In this article, you can find every detail related to ozempic, including its introduction, mechanism of action, diet plan, benefits in weight loss, people who should take or avoid it, potential side effects, and ways of getting ozempic as well. One thing on top is that you should always consider consulting your healthcare provider before deciding to start any new medication.
