Weight Loss

Should I Take Ozempic?

Jeremy White • July 25, 2024

Should I Take Ozempic?

Ozempic is the brand name for semaglutide, a medication developed by Novo Nordisk to treat Type II Diabetes. It’s a GLP-1 receptor agonist, which means it mimics a hormone your body naturally produces. This hormone, glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1), plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar and has several other benefits. Ozempic is FDA-approved for both diabetes treatment and weight loss.

How Semaglutide Works

Semaglutide works in several ways:

  1. Boosts Insulin Production: It helps your pancreas release more insulin.
  2. Reduces Glucagon Levels: It lowers the amount of glucagon, which means your liver releases less glucose.
  3. Slows Digestion: It delays the release of food from your stomach, helping you feel full longer.
  4. Increases Fullness: It sends signals to your brain to make you feel full.
  5. Reduces Neuroinflammation: It helps decrease inflammation in your brain, potentially benefiting conditions like dementia and Parkinson’s.
  6. Supports Beta Cell Regeneration: It promotes the growth of insulin-producing cells in your pancreas.
  7. Improves Glucose Uptake: It helps your body absorb more glucose into tissues, reducing blood sugar levels.

These actions can lead to significant weight loss, better blood sugar control, and overall improved metabolic health. Semaglutide might also improve cognitive function and help prevent major cardiac events and neurodegenerative diseases.

Benefits of Semaglutide

  • Weight Loss: Helps you shed pounds.
  • Lower A1C Levels: Improves this key diabetes marker.
  • Low Hypoglycemia Risk: Less likely to cause low blood sugar compared to other diabetes meds.
  • Lower Blood Pressure: Indirectly reduces blood pressure through weight loss.
  • Better Cholesterol Levels: Helps lower cholesterol.
  • Diabetes Prevention: Reduces the risk of developing Type II Diabetes.
  • Cardiovascular Health: Lowers the risk of heart disease.
  • Kidney Protection: Reduces the risk of kidney disease.

Is Semaglutide Safe?

Yes, semaglutide has proven safe in clinical trials. However, like any medication, it can have side effects. The most common ones are gastrointestinal issues like nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, which usually subside over time. Some pharmacies combine semaglutide with vitamin B-6 to reduce these side effects.

Although animal studies have shown risks like pancreatitis and thyroid carcinoma, these have not been consistently seen in human studies. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure it's the right medication for you.

Accessibility and Cost

If you have Type II Diabetes or obesity, your insurance often covers Ozempic. If not, compounding pharmacies can provide semaglutide at a more affordable price.

How to Take Semaglutide

Semaglutide is available as an oral pill or a weekly subcutaneous injection. Both are effective, though the injectable version has more research backing it and tends to offer better weight loss results.

By addressing the underlying metabolic issues related to Type II Diabetes and obesity, semaglutide can help you lose weight, keep it off, and possibly reverse the harm caused by these conditions.

At Oasis Integrated Health, we're here to design a comprehensive weight loss program tailored to your needs, considering your lifestyle, financial situation, genetic profile, and health conditions. Let us help you unleash your healthiest self.

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