Up at the "Weight Loss Shot" Scene: The Not-So-Shiny Side of Ozempic
Understanding the Basics: Ozempic - A Breakdown
From Oprah Winfrey to Elon Musk, everyone's talking about Ozempic, the hype machine revving up. But what lies beneath the surface of this miraculous "weight loss shot"? We got two diabetologists to spill the beans on the simple truth about Ozempic.
First things first: "Ozempic ain't no weight loss shot, mate," emphasizes Jochen Seufert, head honcho in endocrinology and diabetology at the University Hospital Freiburg. "Ozempic is diabetes medicine, and one of the perks is losing those unwanted pounds." While millions have taken Ozempic and its predecessors for over two decades to manage their diabetes, unforeseen side effects are rare. "These drugs do a great job, and the pros far outweigh the cons," says Jürgen Wagner, lead doc in internal medicine at the Stauffenburg Clinic.
Your Tummy's Going on a Ride
Ozempic contains an active ingredient called semaglutide, transforming it into a diabetes buster. Semaglutide mimics blood sugar-regulating hormones in our bodies, encouraging feelings of fullness and curbing overeating. Simultaneously, it slows down your stomach's pace and food processing. Ta-da! You eat less and shed the pounds.
So, what are the repercussions of relying on Ozempic for trimming down? Seufert claims that occasional side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or heartburn are due to the semaglutide tampering with your food digestion. But these problems dwindle with precise dosing. Phew!
There's also a whisper of semaglutide leading to thyroid and pancreatic cancer, but Seufert deems that "an unlikely story after massive studies." Only a minute number of folks report cases of pancreatitis, another potential side effect.
Obesity Remedy Underemployed?
According to Wagner, our overweight population is getting the raw deal. Semaglutides are underutilized when it comes to dealing with obesity. A whopping 25 percent of Germans are considered obese, and that figure could be much higher, Wagner guesses. The risks involved in developing secondary conditions like diabetes, sleep apnea, arthritis, sky-high blood pressure, and heart problems are no joke. "We're blessed to have medications that genuinely make a difference," says Wagner.
Semaglutide and Fertility: A Love-Hate Relationship
When overweight people slim down, fertility often rebounds, Wagner explains, regardless of the semaglutide. He admits there's a chance semaglutid might interfere with the oral contraceptive pill sometimes, though.
The Apocalyptic "Ozempic Face"
You might've heard a thing or two about the dreaded "Ozempic face." Characters with sunken cheeks, haggard eyes, and deep wrinkles are apparently symptoms of this alleged side effect. But scratch the surface, and it turns out that the "Ozempic face" is just a sign of misuse. People who don't need the medicine but still want to shed pounds could wind up dangerously underweight, triggering nasty side effects. Additionally, semaglutides have led to shortages in the past, putting diabetes patients in a difficult spot because of the weight loss hoopla. "Absolutely ludicrous to inject Ozempic for a swimsuit body," warns Wagner.
Celeb Kathy Bates jumped on the Ozempic bandwagon, using it in tandem with diet and exercise to combat her weight gain. And Seufert's verdict? "It's a blessing, and there may very well be a Nobel Prize for it," he chimes in.
Fascinating Fact
Did you know semaglutide is inspired by the saliva of the Gila monster, a desert lizard native to North America? From this discovery, exenatid, another medicine similar to semaglutide, was developed.[enrichment data]
Source: ntv.de
- Diabetes
- Medicine
- Weight Loss
• The use of medicinal products like Ozempic, containing the active ingredient semaglutide, is rooted in science and health-and-wellness, as it aids in managing diabetes and promoting weight loss by encouraging feelings of fullness and slowing down food processing.• Despite occasional side effects such as nausea and heartburn, semaglutide-based medicines like Ozempic, according to experts, have proven to be beneficial in dealing with obesity, a pressing health concern, and may even lead to a Nobel Prize recognition.
