Debunking Myths about Semaglutide

Did you know that Semaglutide is both a diabetes and weight loss medicine?

You might recognize Semaglutide by the name Ozempic, which has been FDA-approved for type 2 diabetics. More recently, the pharmaceutical manufacturer Novo Nordisk has unveiled a pharmaceutically branded form of Semaglutide, known as Wegovy, as a weight loss game changer. Wegovy was recently FDA-approved for weight loss if you have a BMI over 30 or a BMI over 27 with a co-morbid condition.

Semaglutide regulates blood sugar levels, suppresses appetite, and creates a feeling of fullness. Many news outlets report that high-profile celebrities use Semaglutide to lose weight; however, it’s not suitable for everyone, and it isn’t easily accessible, either. You must be clinically overweight and have a certain BMI to be eligible.  Semaglutide must also be used responsibly, and I highly recommend using it in a medically supervised environment.

Semaglutide is not only for Diabetes

In February 2022, Semaglutide finally received recognition for its weight loss success. NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) issued guidance recommending that Semaglutide be officially prescribed for overweight adults and children over 12. Semaglutide has shown to be very effective in our clinical practice at The Natural Path. We do find it is important to pair it with a lifestyle diet. Our goal is to have our patients use the medication as a tool to shift their lifestyle diet.

Semaglutide can make a small percentage feel sick temporarily (rarely does it last)

One of the more common side effects of Semaglutide is nausea and vomiting; I would say that I only see these symptoms in 5% of the population.  If you experience nausea while taking Semaglutide, the good news is that it typically won’t last and should subside once your body adjusts to the medicine.  Let your medical professional know if you experience nausea. I find that Zofran can be beneficial for nausea. Most experience it the day after injection and maybe the day after, and it tends to subside.

In the meantime, there are ways to manage nausea symptoms:

• Eating healthy foods and avoiding fried food, sugary foods, high-fat foods
• Eating foods that are hydrating, like fruits and vegetables
• Eating slower – chew your food
• Stay upright after eating
• Getting some fresh air
• Stay hydrated and use electrolytes daily
• Make sure bowels move every day

If you find that your symptoms persist, you should contact your doctor.

Eat a healthy diet of clean proteins, low-carb veggies, and healthy fats with Semaglutide

While semaglutide helps you lose weight, it isn’t a miracle. It is so important to put in the work. I like to think of Semaglutide as a tool or a helping hand that can point you in the right direction on your own, like a helping hand to support and steer you in the right direction on your weight loss journey.

Semaglutide affects your hormones rather than reducing the fat your body absorbs from food, like orlistat. This is fine if you’re sticking to a strict, low-calorie diet, but if you overeat fat, the side effects can be unpleasant.  Semaglutide works differently by decreasing the appetite. This helps you stick to a healthier, low-calorie diet and develop good, long-lasting habits to continue when you’ve stopped treatment to maintain your weight.

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