With as many as 1 in 8 people around the world living with obesity doctors and researchers are working hard to find ways to help individuals lose weight safely and effectively. You might have heard about a type of medication called GLP-1s, which stands for "glucagon-like-peptide-1 agonists". These medications were first made to help with type 2 diabetes, but now some of them are also approved by the FDA to help with weight loss.
One of these medications, semaglutide, has been getting a lot of attention lately. It's a GLP-1 medication that can make a significant difference for people who are trying to lose weight.
In this blog post, we will talk about semaglutide weight loss in more detail to learn whether or not it may work for you. So, let’s get started.
Semaglutide is a type of medication that falls into a group called GLP-1 RAs. These medicines work by acting like a hormone called GLP-1, which your body releases after you eat.
How does it work?
GLP-1 has a few roles in the body. One of them is to help make more insulin, which lowers your blood sugar levels. That's why doctors have been using semaglutide for over 15 years to help with Type 2 diabetes.
But, and this is the exciting part – GLP-1 in higher amounts interacts with the brain, helping you feel less hungry and more full.
So, when you take semaglutide along with eating well and exercising, it can help you lose weight. And that's not all – it might also lower your chances of getting cancer, diabetes, or heart disease, especially if you're overweight or obese.
Studies have revealed promising findings about semaglutide regarding weight loss and overall health enhancement. One such study involved participants who were obese but didn't have type 2 diabetes. They were injected once a week with semaglutide in conjunction with following a calorie restricted diet and physical exercise. By week 68 they achieved average losses of 9.6 to 17.4% of their initial body weight and also saw improvements in their cardiometabolic and psychosocial indices.
Further investigation is necessary to grasp the complete advantages of semaglutide and similar GLP-1 medications. Current research suggests that GLP-1 medications may offer various beneficial biological effects, including reducing brain inflammation, encouraging nerve growth, enhancing heart performance, curbing appetite, slowing down digestion, regulating blood fats, and decreasing fat buildup.
Although semaglutide has shown impressive outcomes, it’s vital to recognize potential adverse effects. Typical side effects may include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation, which often diminish as the body adapts to the medication.
While rare, individuals may encounter more severe side effects such as gallbladder complications, kidney issues, or an elevated risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when combined with other diabetes medications.
That's why it's vital to talk about semaglutide with your doctor before beginning, and why we have board certified professionals as part of our program.
To reduce side effects, we suggest gradually increasing the dose according to your weight loss journey. Your doctor will consider your side effects and progress with each dose. It's also advisable to stay hydrated and ensure you're getting adequate protein.
There's a common misconception about GLP-1 medications, and anti-obesity medications in general, that they offer a quick fix for weight loss—you take them, shed pounds rapidly, and then stop. However, many find the best results by taking these medications continuously, much like medications for conditions such as high blood pressure.
Obesity is a chronic condition, much like hypertension and heart disease. Like these conditions, managing obesity often involves long-term medication use.
At MINT Stl, our semaglutide weight loss program has a duration of 90 days during which time patients are provided with a suite of personalized health services designed to promote weight loss and improve metabolic health.
As our program aims for steady and sustainable weight loss over the long term, most members opt to continue with a maintenance dose of their medication. However, some may successfully stop taking the medication without regaining weight. When the time comes, your personalized weight maintenance plan will consider your goals, comfort level, medical history, and other factors.
Semaglutide and similar weight management medications often make it easier to adopt healthier habits, like improving your diet and exercise routine. Just as with stopping a diet or exercise plan, you might experience weight fluctuations if you discontinue the medication.
GLP-1 medications may not be suitable for everyone. Specifically, semaglutide is approved for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher (classified as obese) or a BMI of 27 with at least one weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.
You should avoid semaglutide if your medical history includes:
or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2)
Before beginning semaglutide, it's important to have a candid discussion with your healthcare provider about its possible risks and benefits. They can assess whether semaglutide aligns with your medical history, current health condition, and weight management objectives.
Semaglutide represents a promising advancement in the realm of obesity therapies. Although it's not a "miracle cure," its capacity for substantial weight reduction and enhancement of health is indisputable. By engaging in discussions with your healthcare provider and taking into account your individual circumstances, you can confidently determine if semaglutide aligns with your weight loss goals.
Why not schedule a consultation with the experienced team at MINT Stl to learn if our Semaglutide Weight Loss Program is a good fit for you and take the first step to a transformative health journey.
