Weight loss drugs have come a long way in recent years. Among them is semaglutide. If you’ve been on the hunt for fresh ways to manipulate your weight, you likely have.
One of the most buzzed-about is semaglutide, a drug that’s rapidly emerged as a game changer in the field of medical weight loss.
So what is semaglutide, and why are doctors writing so many prescriptions for it? Let’s look into the science and all that you need to know about Semaglutide Weight Loss.
What is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide was first produced in tablet form as a remedy for diabetes treatment. This drug essentially belongs to the medication category named GLP-1 receptor agonists.
The medication is fundamentally an artificial form of the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone that, inter alia, controls the sugar, insulin, and hunger levels in the blood.
In 2021, semaglutide was approved by the FDA for weight management in the long run among adults with obesity or overweight, accompanied by at least one of the following weight-related conditions, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or hypercholesterolemia.
How Does Semaglutide Help With Weight Loss?
There are several actions at work when it comes to semaglutide and weight loss. This medication slows the movement of food from your stomach. You are going to feel full for a longer time after your meal and are less likely to snack or overeat.
It also impacts the appetite centers in your brain, reducing hunger and appetite. Since it acts on several aspects of hunger regulation and digestion, it would therefore result in massive weight loss even on its own. But when taken with a usual diet and normal exercise, the best result comes.
Who Should and Shouldn’t Use Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is for use in adults whose body mass index (BMI) is:
- 30 or above (obese), or
- 27 or above (overweight) with one or more conditions associated with overweight
It is not for everyone. You must not take semaglutide if:
- You or any of your family members, either past or present, have medullary thyroid cancer
- You have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2
- You are pregnant or may become pregnant
- You have pancreatitis or a severe gastrointestinal illness
Always seek advice from a doctor before using weight loss tablets.
Weight Loss Benefits of Semaglutide
Physicians prescribe semaglutide for weight loss, not just because it enables patients to lose weight, but also due to all the health advantages that accompany it.
Now let’s discuss the benefits further.
Clinically Proven to Result in Up to 15% of Body Weight Being Lost
In clinical trials, the average weight loss in patients taking semaglutide was 12–15% of their body weight during 68 weeks. That is much greater than with most other medications currently available for weight loss.
Decreased Visceral Fat and Waistline
It is the visceral fat, specifically in the area surrounding the belly, that semaglutide targets. Visceral fat is the fat that covers the body’s major organs and, according to research, causes diabetes and heart disease. In a few months, the size of their midsection shrinks drastically.
Enhanced Insulin Sensitivity and Reduced HbA1c
At first, semaglutide was introduced to provide better treatment for those suffering from diabetes, yet it appeared to be also capable of making individuals more responsive to insulin and thus of decreasing the HbA1c levels.
At the same time, non-diabetics are not left behind, and they also benefit from proper control of their blood glucose levels.
Reduced Major Cardiovascular Events
Further, it has been made clear in the study that semaglutide is a real card killer, meaning that it even reduces heart attacks, strokes, and other major cardiovascular issues, mostly among people with type 2 diabetes.
This feature makes it very attractive to individuals who have had problems with their cardiovascular system in the past.
Decreased Inflammation Markers and Fatty Liver
It is known that inflammation is usually the initiator of a lot of chronic diseases. Consequently, the trial gives evidence that semaglutide is able, firstly, not only to lower the markers of inflammation but also to prevent their occurrence, and secondly, to decrease the fat in the liver, also known as fatty liver disease.
Slowed Gastric Emptying and Appetite Hormone Control
One thing you might not be aware of but should know is that after eating a meal, there is a delay in your stomach getting empty.
This is due to the effect of the food that you eat on the digestion, and because of the hormone GLP-1 (semaglutide), which is the one that conveys the message that you have had enough food.
Semaglutide vs Other Weight Loss Treatments
There are plenty of weight loss options out there, such as diet plans, exercise regimens, fat burners, surgery, and medications.
So, how does semaglutide compare? Unlike older appetite suppressants that can elevate your heart rate or blood pressure, semaglutide works in harmony with your hormones. It doesn’t cause jitters or interfere with your ability to sleep and provides more long-term, sustained weight loss.
Contrary to older drugs such as phentermine, semaglutide is safer and more efficient, particularly in those with chronic illness.
Is Semaglutide a Long-Term Weight Loss Solution?
Semaglutide is not a quick fix. Although the outcome is dramatic, the weight comes back if you discontinue and go back to the same ways. That is why physicians advise taking it in conjunction with a long-term life shift.
A few patients may continue taking the medicine on a permanent basis, particularly those who have diseases such as diabetes or extreme obesity, if it is under a doctor’s monitoring.
How to Start Semaglutide Safely?
If you wish to take semaglutide to shed extra pounds, the initial thing to do is to approach the concerned healthcare provider who is educated and trained enough to recommend it to you.
They will ask you questions about your medical history, your weight, and health problems, in order to figure out whether it is appropriate for you.
Here’s how a typical treatment regimen looks:
- Starting dose: Often begins at 0.25 mg weekly
- Gradually increase: Slowed down over months to reduce side effects
- Maintenance: Most individuals level off at a dose of 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg weekly (for weight loss)
Conclusion
Semaglutide for weight loss is revolutionizing how obesity is treated. It’s reducing the risk of disease and allowing people to feel better in their bodies.
Semaglutide may not be for everyone, but it holds hope for millions of Americans who are overweight or obese or who have obesity-related conditions.
