Ozempic

Weight loss is a necessary step toward better health, if we are overweight, especially if we are in the obesity range. There are so many reasons, you could probably list them for me, so I will spare you. For those of us who are challenged with carrying extra pounds, myself included (my mother taught me to count calories before I was 10!) and have tried everything, this new drug, Ozempic and others like it, feel like a godsend.

Typical of any outside substance to lose weight, there can be side effects. I went online to learn more:

Originally created for Type II Diabetes patients, due to it’s interference with insulin, Ozempic, (semaglutide) works by helping the body regulate blood sugar and promoting weight loss by slowing down digestion and increasing feelings of fullness. NOTE: Sugary foods, especially those high in refined carbohydrates, can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels, making it harder for Ozempic to effectively manage blood glucose. Additionally, consuming excessive sugar can exacerbate potential side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, especially when combined with Ozempic's effect of slowing down digestion.

Weight loss does happen, and it can happen rapidly. This is a wonderful feeling! Beware, there are other, rarer side effects: pancreatitis, and a freezing of the motility of the gut(inability to digest). The drug works by shutting down the appetite, so you literally do not or in some cases, cannot eat. You may feel ill when you do eat. Watch this short 3 min video about side effects from a surgeon. He says you must be free of this drug for 2 weeks before any surgery with anesthesia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbFf31gHVjY

If you are already on the Ozempic protocol, keep in touch with your doctor, your gym, your counselor. Continue to improve your stress management and get plenty of physical activity so you can make healthy habits that are sustainable. Learn about environmental toxins in our food supply that are endocrine disrupters. This is one major cause so many have gained weight and cannot lose. The early studies report that many people regain the weight they have lost a year after they stop the medication. This is true of many fad diets, supplements, and other weight programs. You may be able to keep it off by changing your lifestyle while you are taking the drug.

Losing weight can be a lifelong challenge. Medications can help, but only temporarily. Your health is in YOUR hands. Eat healthy in season, organic, lightly cooked, non-inflammatory foods. In any case, love yourself!

Play well, eat well, live well!