Unraveling the Obsession: What's the Real Deal with Weight Loss Med Ozempic?
Understanding Ozempic: A Look at Its Composition and Purpose
The buzz around diabetes drug Ozempic has reached a fever pitch, with celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Kathy Bates, and Elon Musk hopping on the bandwagon. However, what they may not know are the potential pitfalls associated with this "weight loss miracle." Two diabetologists spill the beans exclusively for ntv.de.
First things first: Ozempic is not a jack-of-all-trades weight loss potion. Jochen Seufert, head of endocrinology and diabetology at the University Hospital Freiburg, clarifies, "Ozempic is a diabetes medication, and weight loss is one of its common side effects." Although Ozempic and its predecessors have been on the market for two decades, adverse effects are relatively rare, according to Seufert. "These are very helpful medications, and the positive effects outweigh the negatives," adds Jürgen Wagner, chief physician for internal medicine at the Stauffenburg Clinic.
Hunger, under control
Ozempic's active ingredient, semaglutide, aids in managing diabetes by mimicking hormones that induce feelings of fullness. It also slows down the digestive process. "The Autonomic nervous system is activated, leading to reduced food intake, and consequently weight loss," explains Wagner.
However, it's essential to keep in mind that semaglutide can have side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or heartburn. Thankfully, managing the dosage effectively minimizes these unwanted effects. There's also a slim chance that semaglutide could increase the risk of thyroid and pancreatic cancer, but Seufert assures this probability is "in the promille range or completely off the table." Cases of pancreatitis may occur in rare instances.
A misused blessing?
For Jürgen Wagner, underutilization of semaglutides to treat obesity is more problematic. Given that a quarter of Germans are officially considered obese, it's likely the actual figure is much higher. Complications like diabetes, sleep apnea, arthritis, high blood pressure, and stroke risk follow closely behind obesity. "It's a blessing that we have medications like semaglutides addressing this weight range," says Wagner.
However, there is a definite drawback: the infamous "Ozempic-Baby" phenomenon. Since fertility is closely tied to body weight, weight loss can increase fertility for significantly overweight individuals. But Seufert cautions that "the Ozempic-Face, characterized by sunken cheeks, hollow eyes, and wrinkles, is a sign of misuse, leading to underweight and potential complications." Furthermore, the widespread hype surrounding Ozempic has caused supply shortages, potentially denying diabetes patients the necessary medication. "It is certainly not advisable to use Ozempic purely for a beach body," Wagner agrees.
Celebrities and their decisions
Actress Kathy Bates stands firm by her choice to combat progressive obesity with Ozempic, coupled with a dietary change and increased exercise. And Jochen Seufert doesn't shy away from praising the medication, stating, "This could be a groundbreaking discovery, and there might even be a Nobel Prize for it."
By the way: research to develop semaglutide was initiated in the 1980s after discovering a hormone called GLP-1 in the saliva of the Gila monster, a desert lizard from North America. From this finding, exenatide, a similarly functioning medication, was created[6].
Remember, the decision to use Ozempic should always be made in consultation with a healthcare professional to ensure a thorough understanding of potential risks and benefits.
Source: ntv.de
- Diabetes
- Medications
- Diet
[1] Diabetes Care. Semaglutide in Type 2 Diabetes. https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/43/5/1029
[2] Ophthalmology. Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Associated With Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists: A Multicenter Observational Study IVAN PROJECT. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2020.07.003
[3] Diabetes Therapy. Safety and efficacy of liraglutide as an adjunctive therapy to metformin in obese patients with type 2 diabetes: a subgroup analysis of the LEAD-5 trial. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13300-010-0067-3
[4] JAMA. Effects of semaglutide injections on weight loss: a pooled analysis of four Phase 3 randomized clinical trials. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2772383
[5] New England Journal of Medicine. Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Risk in Type 2 Diabetes. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1711894
[6] The New York Times. How a Chemical in the Saliva of a Desert Lizard Led to a Blockbuster Drug. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/17/well/eat/gila-monster-ozempic-weight-loss-medication.html
- The use of medicines like Ozempic, which is a diabetes medication, is supported by science due to its ability to mimic hormones that induce feelings of fullness, slow down the digestive process, and aid in weight management through reduced food intake.
- Given the high prevalence of obesity in Germany, the underutilization of medications like semaglutide for weight management, which can lead to complications like diabetes, is a more significant problem that warrants attention in the health-and-wellness sector.
