If weight loss is on your mind, you have probably heard about Semaglutide (a.k.a. Ozempic and Wegovy). In the never-ending quest for a magic bullet for weight loss, Semaglutide and other GLP-1 medications seem like an enticing way to drop a few extra pounds. Wondering if you are a candidate for this medication? Read this month’s blog for more information!
Semaglutide is a medication prescribed primarily for Type 2 Diabetes. It is also used as a weight loss drug in cases of obesity. While this is highly beneficial for individuals with these conditions, there is concern about its growing popularity for people who simply want to lose a few pounds.
Like any drug, Semaglutide comes with potential side-effects and downsides.
How does Semaglutide work in the body?
Semaglutide is a peptide that is similar to the body’s hormone glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1. It is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that works in several ways to manage blood sugar and promote weight loss. It can be administered by subcutaneous injection or taken orally.
Controls Blood Sugar: Semaglutide stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas when blood sugar levels start to elevate. Insulin lowers blood sugar by transporting glucose from the blood into the cells. This helps prevent blood sugar spikes after meals.
Suppresses Appetite: Semaglutide acts on the brain’s appetite centers to promote a feeling of fullness and satiety. This causes a person to eat fewer calories overall, promoting weight loss.
Slows Gastric Emptying: Semaglutide slows down the rate at which the contents of the stomach empty into the small intestine. This affects the rate at which carbohydrates are broken down and absorbed into the bloodstream, decreasing the post-meal rise in blood sugar levels.
Slows Digestion and Absorption: Semaglutide slows down digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, preventing spikes in blood sugar levels.
Suppresses Glucagon Release: Glucagon is a hormone that signals the liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream. By suppressing glucagon release, Semaglutide helps prevent excess glucose production and elevated blood sugar.
Possible side effects of Semaglutide
As with any medication, there are possible side effects with Semaglutide.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Gas and bloating
- Abdominal pain or GERD
- Dehydration
- Pancreatitis (rare but serious)
About 40% of people taking Semaglutide experience some side effects. These side effects can be mitigated by a slow introduction of the medication and by employing important dietary strategies.
The Radiance Functional Medicine approach to using Semaglutide
At Radiance Functional Medicine, we take great care with prescribing Semaglutide to our patients for weight loss. It is not a quick-fix for people wanting to lose 5-10 pounds. It is also not for someone who is unwilling or unable to put healthy habits into place with diet, exercise and other lifestyle factors. Semaglutide is also contraindicated for people with certain medical conditions.
Dr. Tracy McCubbin meets personally with the patients before agreeing to prescribe Semaglutide. She reviews a patient’s full medical history, current lifestyle and lab results to ensure that Semaglutide is the proper choice. She prescribes Semaglutide based upon a patient’s BMI, fasting insulin levels, fasting glucose levels, HgbA1C, TSH, kidney and liver function and an agreement to follow dietary and exercise guidelines. These labs then need to be checked every 3 months while on therapy.
Coming off of Semaglutide
Coming off of Semaglutide can come with challenges. The body returns to its normal biochemical processes and it’s common for people to regain the weight they lost if they haven’t taken steps to heal issues going on in the body, or haven’t dialed in their diet and lifestyle. It’s important to receive care and counseling to learn how to keep the weight off with follow up appointments with Dr. Tracy and meeting with our Nutritionists about lifestyle changes.
The Radiance Functional Medicine Semaglutide Membership
There are many benefits of having a one-year Semaglutide membership with the Radiance Functional Medicine team. We work in partnership with our patients from beginning to end. We continue to check our Semaglutide patients’ blood markers to ensure their safety and that goals are being met. Once weight loss has been achieved, patients are weaned strategically from Semaglutide, while following diet, lifestyle and supplement plans. We continue to counsel our patients in keeping the weight off.
At Radiance Functional Medicine, we believe that food is medicine. We hope that you will allow us to help you heal your gut, balance your hormones, or find a way of eating that helps you thrive! Schedule an appointment to get started. Whether you are looking for a Nutritionist or Functional Medicine Doctor in Denver or your local area, we see patients in person and virtually. Call our office at 303.333.1668 to schedule your Initial Consultation.
