Ozempic
By: Robert Regler
Ozempic is a drug intended to manage diabetes. It has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for adults with type two diabetes. It is a weekly injection that helps lower blood sugar by helping the pancreas create more insulin. However, there has been a trend in which people who do not have diabetes use it for weight loss. While weight loss is a side effect of Ozempic, it is not the intended purpose. Ozempic causes people to lose weight in a variety of ways. First, it mimics the hormone your body releases when it signals to your brain that it is full. When your brain believes your body is full, you are less likely to consume additional food and thus weight loss is natural. It also slows down the digestion process and increases the amount of time it takes for food to leave your body. Finally, Ozempic decreases your blood sugar levels, thus causing your body to burn through its fat stores for energy. Even though it is an appealing option for losing weight, Ozempic is not approved for weight loss.
Ozempic is not recommended for weight loss for a variety of reasons. First, your body may get used to it. Once your body loses weight due to the use of Ozempic, you are likely to gain the weight back once you stop using. This can create unhealthy habits by adding something into your daily routine that should not necessarily be there. There are also signs that using Ozempic for weight loss can lead to conditions such as hypoglycemia, pancreatitis, and thyroid tumors. In addition, overuse can become detrimental to one’s mental health and can be connected to eating disorders.
While the quick fix of Ozempic may be appealing to many, there are a lot of risks associated. Weight loss is not the primary purpose of this drug and misuse can create a lot of problems. If you are looking to lose weight, you should consult with a medical professional. If you are interested more in this topic or anything similar, the Southwest Council provides free presentations for parents, community members, and schools. If you are interested in having a presentation, please feel free to reach out at (856) 794-1011.
Sources:
https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/ozempic-for-weight-loss-does-it-work-and-what-do-experts recommend/2023/07
https://www.columbuspark.com/blog-articles/ozempic-for-weight-loss-non-diabetic