The Dark Side of Ozempic - Understanding the Risks and Dangers of Ozempic
The Dark Side of Ozempic - Understanding the Risks and Dangers of Ozempic
When I received a text message from a local IV Vitamin Therapy Clinic with an offer for a weight loss product called Semaglutide aka Ozempic, I was floored. Was it that easy to give anybody possibly the most contraversional weight loss product in our history? Wasn't this something that was meant for people suffering from obesity and diabetes? Was this even legal and when as a society did we start normalizing weight loss at all costs for health?
So what is Ozempic exactly?
This particular drug, also known as Wegovy, was approved by the FDA in 2017 specifically to support people with type 2 diabetes and weight loss in obese people. Despite its benefits in controlling blood sugar levels and obesity, Ozempic is not meant to be used by the average person and should not be treated as a weight loss option to squeeze into a dress for an upcoming occasion.
Let's first acknowledge the Popularity of Ozempic:
Despite being a relatively new medication, Ozempic has gained significant popularity in recent years. According to a report by Forbes, sales of the drug have doubled every year since its launch in 2018, making it one of the fastest-growing diabetes medications on the market. The demand for Ozempic has also been fueled by social media. TikTok users have been documenting their weight loss using the hashtag #ozempic, which has garnered 74m views and counting. However, the popularity of Ozempic does not necessarily mean that it is without risks. In fact, there are several potential dangers associated with the use of this medication. Besides the physical dangers of the drug shared below, It's important to address the emotional and mental dangers of believing you need to look a certain way to feel a certain way.
Let's take a look at the science?
Ozempic is a medication that belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. GLP-1 is a hormone that is naturally produced in the body in response to food intake. It helps to regulate blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin release from the pancreas and reducing glucagon release from the liver. GLP-1 also slows down gastric emptying, which can help to reduce appetite and promote feelings of fullness. The active ingredient in Ozempic is semaglutide, which is a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist and only needs to be administered once per week making it very easy to commit to.
This pubmed research explores how Panax Ginseng, the same ingredient found in Juna's Gut Therapy drew a conclusion that ginsenosides stimulated GLP1 secretion both in vivo and in vitro. The antidiabetic effects of ginsenosides may be a result of enhanced GLP1 secretion.
The Dangers of Ozempic are real.
There is some evidence to suggest that Ozempic may increase the risk of kidney damage. According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, patients taking Ozempic had a higher incidence of kidney damage than those taking a placebo. Another common danger associated with Ozempic is the risk of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. This can occur if the medication causes too much insulin to be released in the body, leading to a sudden drop in blood sugar levels. Symptoms of hypoglycemia can include dizziness, confusion, sweating, and even loss of consciousness in severe cases. According to a study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, patients taking Ozempic had a higher incidence of thyroid tumors than those taking other diabetes medications.
In addition, there is something called Ozempic withdrawal and the body can gain back up to ⅔ of the weight lost rapidly. Obesity and diabetes are chronic diseases and medications may need to be considered long term in addition to positive lifestyle changes which remain non-negotiable.
So who cannot take Ozempic?
There is no “one size fits all” mentality here. Lifestyle and healthy habits should play a huge role in maintaining blood glucose levels and healthy weight. Whether you are, or aren't diabetic, you should consider making healthy day to day decisions that stabilize your glucose levels to promote healthy digestion, brain health and over all vitality. These include but don't limit: avoiding processed, sugary foods and making sure to incorporate organic fruits and vegetables high in fiber, high quality meat or fish protein and work on optimizing your sleep - (these sugar-free plant powered sleep gummies are our favorite). If your body has a challenging time breaking down food, add a clinically backed enzyme blend to your meals to help you process your food, absorb nutrients faster and ultimately help you eliminate what your body doesn't need. Lower your stress as much as possible by limiting your caffeine intake, exercising often, and touch nature. All 3 of these activities will lower cortisol in your body and work to maintain healthy blood sugar.
And this is so important - optimize your gut daily. A healthy gut encourages the secretion of gut-derived metabolic hormones, including glucagon-like peptide-1 such as GLP-1. The same GLP-1 receptor agonist that Ozempic selectively binds to and activates the GLP-1 receptor, the target for native GLP-1. This hormone increases insulin levels when there's glucose in the blood, helping to get glucose into your cells to improve blood sugar levels.
Whether Ozempic is for you or not for you, use best practices for optimizing gut health; a healthy diet, maintaining optimal digestion and repairing and nourishing.
L-glutamine, a powerful amino acid that repairs the gut also stimulates glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) secretion in humans and offers a therapeutic approach to managing insulin levels which in terms affects obesity. Panax ginseng, a herb used in Traditional Chinese Medicine is often used for Glucose intolerance and insulin resistance and supports healthy weight management due to changes in the gut microbiota. Both ingredients can be found in our revolutionary Gut Therapy formula.
The body does not work without the mind and vice versa. In addition to supporting the physical body, emotional support is crucial to supporting the body's transition.
Common Questions:
Can Ozempic cause depression? Can Ozempic hair loss? Can Ozempic cause headaches? Can Ozempic cause muscle pain? Common side effects of Ozempic include nausea, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhea to name a few. While hair loss is not a listed side effect of Ozempic, clinical trials did show that 3 percent of Wegovy users and 6 percent of similar brand Mounjaro users experienced alopecia, a skin disease that can cause patchy bald spots or complete hair loss.
Conclusion:
While Ozempic can be an effective medication for controlling blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, it is not without risks. Patients taking this medication should be aware of the potential dangers and take steps to prevent them. Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels, thyroid function, and kidney function may also be recommended for patients taking Ozempic.
As with any medication, it is important to discuss the risks and benefits of Ozempic with your healthcare provider before starting treatment. By working together with your doctor, you can ensure that you are taking the appropriate steps to manage your diabetes while minimizing the potential dangers associated with Ozempic.
Resources:
Reimann, F et al. “Glutamine potently stimulates glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion from GLUTag cells.” Diabetologia vol. 47,9 (2004): 1592-601. doi:10.1007/s00125-004-1498-0