I have recently been hearing about this new drug taken by celebrities and being used for weight loss and fat loss called Ozempic. I'm always skeptical of these new drugs, as it always seems like they are popular for a short time before we figure out that they are more harmful than originally thought, or we find out they are not as effective as proclaimed. Upon going down the rabbit hole, I did find that this is an interesting drug, but should be looked into thoroughly before deciding if you'd like to take it.

This drug is known as a GLP-1 agonist, but in simple terms, it helps manage blood sugar, specifically for people with type 2 diabetes. Although people are using Ozempic for weight loss, it has not been approved by the FDA for weight loss purposes, and this drug was created to treat diabetes in overweight people. Recently, the drug has been rebranded under the name Wegovy and pushed to the market as a weight loss drug and has been approved by the FDA.

How does it work? Ozempic binds to GLP-1 receptors (Glucagon Like Peptide), which is a hormone released by the body upon food consumption. In short, Ozempic causes insulin to be secreted by the pancreas. It slows down the amount of sugar released from your liver, which slows down food processing in your stomach. To simplify, yet again, this means that Ozempic works to control/lower blood sugar levels. With less blood sugar spikes, one finds that their appetite is suppressed and you feel full more often, especially when the drug is releasing the same hormones that are released after food consumption.

Some side effects from this drug include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and A LOT of gastrointestinal issues. This drug is slowing your gastric processes, and thus is going to make the user feel kind of crappy. From anecdotal testimonies, these issues tend to work themselves out in a couple weeks after the body adjusts. It is worth noting that some of this is due to dehydration as well. In comparison, this drug currently boasts less side effects than others, especially when we look to the past and consider that we fed amphetamines to people to suppress their appetites. Always keep your eyes on new studies, however.

Now, is this a safe drug to take for weight loss? All I have is my personal opinion based on the information that I've looked into, and here's my thoughts: For obese people, yes. Especially for morbidly obese populations. We know that for those who struggle with obesity that they have a different rewards system in relation to dopamine release in their brains for food consumption, and sometimes surgeries or more intense medications may the best remedy to prolong their lives and give them a chance at creating a new relationship to food. Particularly, for those who have struggled off and on for years and years trying to figure out how to lose weight and keep it off, this drug may be beneficial. However, where I start to draw a hard line is for those who are only trying to lose up to around 40-50 lbs and haven't tried natural techniques like working out and fixing their diet. And unfortunately, I fear that specific population may be the biggest consumers of the drug, simply because celebrities are taking it, and it's the next "Quick Fix." It's worth noting that when people stop taking this medication, if they have not practiced making a paradigm shift in their eating habits, the weight comes right back.

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I saved one last side effect for the conclusion of this article, because I believe that it is worth noting that most people who have taken Ozempic have not only experienced fat loss, but extreme muscle loss as

well. THIS IS NOT GOOD! Now, in many cases, weight loss and even fat loss may mean slight muscle loss for the patient or client. However, according to Dr. Peter Attia, if someone who weighs 200 lbs loses 10 lbs of fat and 10 lbs of muscle, this is extremely concerning. In fact, if we look at body fat percentage, will have actually increased! This means you have effectively become fatter while losing weight.

In closing, I believe this may be a drug that proves to really change some lives, for those who actually need it. For those who truly struggle with being morbidly obese, this maybe a game changer. However, I urge anyone who is considering taking this to talk to their doctors, as well as exhaust all other avenues before taking this drug. It is common in our culture to find the "magic pill" which can potentially lead to unintended consequences. Working out and practicing good eating habits are still proven to be the best preventative medicine and remedy to current ailments.

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Nate Wilson is a certified personal trainer through NASM and is the owner of Elite Fitness LLC. He is certified for Fitness Nutrition and is a Behavior Change Specialist. Contact Nate at 640-0668 or [email protected].