Weight loss pills, pens, and other diet products flood the market yearly, but do they help?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 70% of Americans are overweight or obese. Because these conditions are considered a major contributing factor to many chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer, bringing that percentage down has been a focus area for public health initiatives.
Despite the constant barrage of ads that promise weight loss, there has never been an FDA-approved drug that produces lasting results. That’s all changed.
A drug that the FDA approved in 2005 for people with diabetes had some surprising results. Semaglutide helped stabilize blood sugar and made their disease manageable, but it also caused substantial weight loss without dieting. People with diabetes lost 20% or more of their body weight, a benefit that taking insulin alone didn’t provide.
Semaglutide mimics a natural drug produced by the body, GLP-1, that lowers blood sugar levels and makes us feel full after eating. Many people who have difficulty dieting have insufficient GLP-1 in their bodies, so they keep eating even when they are full and have intense cravings for sugar-based snacks after and between meals.
Semaglutide suppresses appetite and increases satiety by mimicking a hormone called GLP-1.
According to Margaret Sangfry, a registered dietician, “GLP-1 is a hormone secreted by the intestinal tract. It stimulates insulin secretion, which thereby lowers blood sugar levels.”
In healthy people, the pancreas secretes insulin when they eat food, which helps process sugars in those foods and naturally keeps blood sugar at a healthy level.
Elevated blood sugar levels are a key symptom of prediabetes and diabetes, and lower blood sugar levels are associated with a healthy metabolism. People with Type 2 diabetes often have GLP1 hormone levels that are lower than they should be.
The hormone GLP-1 slows down how quickly the stomach empties, so you’ll feel full longer after eating. It also suppresses appetite by sending signals from the gut to the brain that you’re full and no longer hungry. Semaglutide that mimics GLP-1 is sold under the brand name, Wegovy.
Wegovy has minimal side effects, such as nausea, constipation, or diarrhea. However, gastrointestinal symptoms often improve as patients begin to tolerate the doses. Additionally, your doctor can prescribe other medications to help treat side effects if needed.
Are you a good candidate?
You may be a good candidate if you are ready to lose weight and have been unsuccessful with other weight loss programs. Over 85% of the original Wegovy study participants experienced “clinically significant weight loss.” If you have had trouble losing weight in the past and are searching for an alternative to other weight loss options, Wegovy could be an excellent option for you!
Have questions or want to learn more? Visit Prohealthmemphis.com.
