Semaglutide portland

Losing Weight With Semaglutide

March 29, 2023 By , , , , , , ,

Semaglutide for Weight LossSemaglutide as a medication has been widely used for over a decade in the world of type 2 diabetes. Yet, it is fairly new in the realm of weight loss. After a year of a deep dive into the research and developing a program that we believe can lead to lasting results, we are happy to be offering Semaglutide in our office. We offer a medically supervised program with specific dietary recommendations. We believe that using Semaglutide as a “tool” to reset habits and patterns with food is a way to use the medication to help you reach and maintain your weight loss goals. We have found that when Semaglutide is used in conjunction with other efforts, such as a lower carb diet and exercise, Semaglutide can lead to lasting results. At The Natural Path, we like to use Semaglutide as a tool to help change your diet and reset habits and patterns with food.

What is Semaglutide? Why We Need to Use it as a Tool

Semaglutide in its pharmaceutically branded forms is also known as Wegovy or Ozempic. Semaglutide was originally used as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide is also known as a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist, and at low doses, Semaglutide increases insulin secretion and can signal to the brain that you are full.  Many patients who use Semaglutide notice a dramatic decrease in appetite, which often results in weight loss.  However, if you do not make dietary changes then the results may not last. We feel very strongly that Semaglutide needs to be used as a tool to make dietary changes if you want to this to be the gift that keeps on giving. n 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved semaglutide for chronic weight loss management in adult patients. The FDA approval was given to the branded form known as Wegovy (active ingredient Semaglutide) for those with a BMI Over 30 or those with a BMI over 27 + a comorbid condition.  Semaglutide can also be made in compounding pharmacies. It is always important to be sure you are using a state of the art, US certified pharmacy. In our practice at The Natural Path, we use Semaglutide from a reputable compounding pharmacy with amazing results. We dose appropriately and the goal is to use Semaglutide as a tool to reset habits and patterns with food.

How Does Semaglutide Work and How is it Used?

Semaglutide mimics the GLP-1 protein that our body naturally makes in the intestine in very small amounts. Semaglutide sends a signal to the brain, creating a signal of satiety. This natural form of Semaglutide has a half-life of a few minutes.  The newer, modified form of  Semaglutide has a half-life of seven days.

Another action of Semaglutide is its ability to delay gastric emptying. In our patient population, we see minimal side effects on the program.  We believe this is because we ask our patients to follow a specific eating plan.  As you adjust to the medication, semaglutide should give you a feeling of fullness that makes it easier to reduce your caloric intake and enjoy nutrient rich food.  The dose of Semaglutide starts of small and increases gradually overtime. It is suggested to take 16-20 weeks to work up to higher doses. We uniquely tailor your dose to the length of time you have been on the medication, your side effects, and your level of appetite suppression. In our clinical experience, we have not found higher doses to mean more weight loss. In fact. some of our patients never go above .25 mg and have incredible appetite suppression and weight loss at this dose.   It is imperative that you pair Semaglutide use with dietary changes and exercise to have lasting results.

 Side Effects of Semaglutide

The most common side effects of semaglutide are nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea. These typically occur in the earlier stages of treatment and resolve over time. Slowly increasing your dosage with close supervision from your healthcare provider can lessen these effects. You should seek medical attention immediately if you experience a change in urine production, vision changes, nausea and vomiting that doesn’t go away, or severe abdominal or stomach pain.

Semaglutide Results

Studies have shown notable results with semaglutide injections when used in conjunction with other weight loss measures. In a double-blind study of 1,961 adults, those using Semaglutide reduced their body weight by 14.9% over 68 weeks compared to just 2.4% for those using the placebo.

Of the patients in the semaglutide group, 86.4% had a weight reduction of at least 5%, 69.1% had a weight reduction of 10% or more, and 10.5% lost at least 15% of their body weight. In the placebo group, just 31.5% lost at least 5% of their body weight, 12% lost 10% of their body weight or more, and 4.9% lost at least 15% of their body weight.

Another 68-week study yielded similar results. Of the 611 participants, those using Semaglutide had a mean body weight change of 16% compared to just 5.7% for those using the placebo. In this study, patients consumed a low-calorie diet for the first eight weeks and received intensive behavioral therapy over the course of 30 visits during the 68-week trial period.

The Ideal Patient for Weight Loss with Semaglutide

The FDA approved semaglutide for chronic weight loss management in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or higher or those with a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or higher and at least one weight-related ailment, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or type 2 diabetes.  At The Natural Path, we will have an initial meeting to be sure you fully understand the program, we will recommend a specific eating plan and you will have full support the whole time you are under our care.  We do not recommend Semaglutide in our office for insulin dependant diabetics, breast-feeding/pregnant woman, history of thyroid cancer or pancreatitis, or those not having enough abnormal fast stores to burn.

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