Can you lose weight on Semaglutide?
3 min read
Around 70% of adults in America are either obese or overweight. Being overweight or suffering from obesity is a serious health concern that can cause several heart diseases, diabetes, stroke etc. In some unfortunate cases, obesity is associated with some causes of death. In many instances, it is also linked to a higher risk of some types of cancer.
The adult obesity rate in the United States was around 42.4% in 2021. The national obesity rate has risen by over 26 percent since 2008. The country can be said to be facing an obesity crisis.
Obesity is considered a serious problem as it is known to be associated with poor mental health conditions. It reduces the overall quality of life.
Research shows that if overweight or obese people lose around 5% to 10% of body weight, they can reduce the risk associated with cardiovascular diseases.
What is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is a Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that is produced by our body in the gut. It helps in increasing the production of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is responsible for lowering blood sugar levels while obstructing the secretion of glucagon. It is responsible for moving sugar from the blood to the other body tissues. Sugar (glucose) is used for energy consumption by the body tissues.
In 2012 Novo Nordisk developed Semaglutide as a longer-acting option to Liraglutide. In 2017 it was approved as an anti-diabetic medication to be used for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Semaglutide injection is a type of medication known as incretin mimetics. It works on the pancreas and helps release the right amount of insulin required to maintain blood sugar levels.
Semaglutide for weight loss
The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved the administration of Semaglutide injection once a week for adults suffering from Obesity or any weight-related condition. It has been approved for chronic weight management in adults since 2014.
Semaglutide 2.4 mg is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, it is approved for chronic weight management in adults having a BMI of 27 kg/m² or greater. To be eligible for receiving Semaglutide injections, the patients are supposed to be suffering from at least one weight-related comorbidity, such as type 2 diabetes or hypertension or the adult should have a BMI of more than 30 kg/m².
How do Semaglutide works?
- Semaglutide is known to lower appetite that leads to a reduction in intake of food. Reduction in food intake will automatically help reduce weight.
- Semaglutide is responsible for slowing down the digestion process. As the digestion process slows down, one will remain full and avoid eating at frequent intervals.
- It helps in decreasing the percentage of body fat in the body.
- It reduces the chances of cardiovascular issues in patients suffering from type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
- It helps lower the HbA1c levels and increases the growth of β cells in the pancreas.
In a clinical trial to test the impact of Semaglutide, participants that were Semaglutide lost around 15 percent of their body weight on an average. For the first time, a drug is found that is so effective against obesity. The drug can be considered a boon for obese or overweight people as it will save them from the harmful effects of obesity and illnesses associated with high weight.
Author Bio
Dr Syed Azam has practiced medicine for over 20 years and is an expert in medical weight loss, natural hormone therapy, facial aesthetics, holistic and integrative medicine, and anti-ageing care. At WildBerryMD, he delivers medical care that focuses on an individualized approach that empowers patients to address the root cause of illness and obesity.
