We live in a society where more than 50% of adults in the UK have an unhealthy BMI that increases the risk of long-term health concerns. The causes of obesity are complex, it is not because someone is lazy or greedy. Many factors such as a dysregulation of hormones such as leptin, ghrelin and insulin impact our ability to regulate our blood sugar or control our hunger. Additional factors such as stress responses, poor access to healthy food choices or hectic lifestyles make it difficult to create time to prepare and choose healthy foods or plan time to exercise.
A quick search on the internet for weight loss intervention will bring up 309,000,000 hits. Traditional strategies such as adopting a healthy well-balanced diet and regular exercise need to be the cornerstone of any weight loss intervention. These are not easy to adopt or sustain. This sees many desperate individuals adopting fad diets, extreme short-term interventions or even dangerous high-risk surgical interventions. This demonstrates the significance of this problem and how desperate many individuals are to resolve it.
Conventional methods are failing to help address obesity for numerous reasons and as a result type II diabetes is on the increase. This medication was being evaluated as a strategy to help stabilise blood sugar and insulin production in patients with type II diabetes, it was during these clinical trials that researchers discovered how successful this medication was at helping people lose weight.
This medication was originally called Semaglutide.
When this was first introduced to the market as a treatment to help people with an unhealthy BMI lose weight, it had a 12-hour half-life and had to be injected every day.
Further research and development saw the half-life change to 7 days, when the clinical trials were completed, a higher percentage of excess body weight was lost. At this point, the medication was called Ozempic. Further research examined the dosing structure, this was changed and it was renamed as Wegovy. The higher dose was also associated with increased weight loss.
Measuring tape and diet pills on a coloured background close-up. Diet plan, nutritional supplements, fat loss aid, weight control. High-quality photo
Wegovy and Ozempic are both prescription medications classed as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. These are synthetic versions of the hormone GLP-1, which helps regulate appetite and blood sugar levels. Both these medications are administered via subcutaneous injection once a week.
GLP-1 medications (Wegovy and Ozempic) have been shown to improve blood sugar control, insulin sensitivity, and lipid profiles. Clinical studies have shown average weight loss in excess of 15-20%. They have the potential to reduce many of the obesity-related complications such as hypertension, type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
As well as having an impact on metabolic parameters they also slow the progress of food through the gastrointestinal tract which in turn gives a feeling of fullness for longer. This also encourages patients to eat less and also contributes to weight loss.
However, this can contribute to many of the side effects associated with these medications. These include reflux, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation. In the majority of patients side effects are usually mild to moderate in severity and tend to improve over time. However, some individuals may experience more significant adverse reactions, so it’s essential to discuss potential risks with a healthcare provider and discuss strategies to help avoid and manage the potential side effects.
Developing an unhealthy BMI is very rarely due to a short-term issue but tends to be an issue that a person has been dealing with for a long time. If this was classified as a medical condition it would be classed as a chronic health condition such as hypertension or type II diabetes. In this chronic condition, medications are used to treat the disorder and reduce the negative long-term health impacts. You would likely be on this medication for life.
With that in mind can you use weight loss medication short term? Yes, If you are looking for a tool to help you tackle your weight issues these medications can be very successful for the correct patient. However, if you don’t engage in traditional strategies such as healthy calorie-controlled diets and exercise you are likely to return to your original weight when you stop taking the medication.
So is this a wonder drug that can cure obesity and help everyone lose weight?
No, Not everyone is a candidate for Wegovy or Ozempic. These medications are indicated for adults with a BMI above 30 or greater than 27 if the patient has weight-related co-morbidities. They are only suitable when traditional weight loss interventions have been tried and failed. Patients need a careful evaluation to determine eligibility for this treatment and to confirm this medication is not contraindicated or likely to make them very ill.
There are pros and cons with all medical interventions and patients should have a full and clear understanding of both the short-term benefits and the long-term implications. Many patients use Wegovy and Ozempic to lose weight but also for sustained maintenance helping individuals maintain a healthier weight over the long term. However, we cant stress enough it’s only a tool, you need to adopt sustainable lifestyle changes to maximise the benefits of treatment.
Wegovy and Ozempic represent exciting advancements in the field of weight loss medication, offering effective and convenient options for individuals struggling with obesity or overweight. While these medications have shown significant benefits in terms of weight loss and metabolic health, they are not without potential risks and considerations. Patients should work closely with their healthcare providers to assess their suitability for treatment and develop a comprehensive plan that incorporates lifestyle modifications for long-term success.
Unfortunately, like most medications in the UK counterfeit products are available from unregulated sources, in some cases the drug sold was not Wegovy or Ozempic but Insulin. This has hospitalised a few patients so please be careful and choose a regulated source. Yes, they are more expensive but that is because of the cost of the genuine product. As always we wish you to stay healthy and happy no matter which intervention you choose.
With the right support and guidance, individuals can unlock the transformative potential of Wegovy and Ozempic on their journey towards achieving a healthier weight and improved overall well-being.
