Is Ozempic safe for weight loss?
I was listening to the radio on the school run this morning and was surprised when the topic of Ozempic came up. One of the show hosts said that he had recently been to see the GP because he hadn’t been well. They had briefly discussed weight loss and she asked him if there was any history of diabetes in his family (there wasn’t). He doesn’t consider himself particularly overweight so he was understandably surprised when the GP then suggested that he try Ozempic.
I want to make it clear that I am not anti-medicine. Medicine saves lives.
What I am opposed to is people being prescribed medication for the wrong reasons or medication being presented as the only option when there are other more natural, and often more effective, treatment strategies available (with far fewer side effects).
An example of this is proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). I’ve lost count of the number of clients who have come to me with digestive problems and nutrient deficiencies due to their stomach acid being too low. These clients tell me that they have reflux and have been on PPIs (e.g. Nexium or Prilosec) for years. There has never been any attempt to try to determine what caused the reflux in the first place. What many people don’t realise is that PPIs are only meant to be used on a short-term basis (up to 8 weeks) and long-term use can reduce stomach acid levels too far, making reflux worse, increasing susceptibility to infections and reducing absorption of essential nutrients such as magnesium and vitamin B12.
Anyway, back to Ozempic. Ozempic is a diabetes drug, administered via self-injection once a week, that helps regulate blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It has been shown to be effective in reducing HbA1c levels (a measure of long-term blood sugar control) and aids in weight loss for some individuals with type 2 diabetes.
The key words here are ‘type 2 diabetes’.
Ozempic was not designed as a weight loss drug for the general population, however the media (in particular social media) has created huge interest and demand for the “Hollywood skinny jab”. The safety information guide on the Ozempic website clearly states in several places that it is not a weight loss drug, so I have concerns about it being used by people who do not have significant weight problems (or issues with blood sugar control).
As with any pharmaceutical drug, Ozempic has been associated with a range of adverse effects, including:
Gastrointestinal disturbances, e.g. nausea, vomiting, bloating, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and constipation
Injection site reactions, e.g. redness, swelling or itching
Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) symptoms, e.g. shakiness, dizziness, sweating, confusion and rapid heartbeat
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
In addition to these side effects, a 2022 research trial found that the study participants regained two thirds of the weight they had lost within a year of stopping taking Ozempic.
I understand that weight loss can be challenging and that people who are clinically obese may require medical intervention, however I feel that all healthcare professionals have a responsibility to encourage their patients to lose weight in a healthy and sustainable way, rather than immediately turning to prescription medication.
Healthy and sustainable weight loss strategies include following a balanced diet and “eating the rainbow”
Proven strategies to lose weight (and keep it off) include:
Consuming a balanced diet with a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and good fats
Ensuring that your energy input (the energy you consume from food and drinks) does not exceed your energy output (the amount of energy used for body processes and physical activity)
Avoiding soft drink (including diet drinks), refined carbohydrates and processed foods that are high in sugar, salt, fat and additives
Staying hydrated (sometimes thirst can be mistaken for hunger)
Being mindful of portion sizes to avoid overeating
Engaging in regular exercise, including a mix of cardiovascular and strength training
Managing stress (stress causes the release of cortisol which contributes to weight gain, particularly around the midsection)
Eating mindfully
Aiming for 7-9 hours of sleep each night (lack of sleep can cause hormonal imbalance and contribute to weight gain)
Avoiding crash diets (these are not sustainable in the long-term and can be harmful to your health)
If you would like help with weight loss, I encourage you to book a consultation or a free 15-minute discovery call.
References
Becket E, 2023, ‘Ozempic helps weight loss by making you feel full. But certain foods can do the same thing’ - without the side effects’, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Australia, viewed 17 July 2023, https://hmri.org.au/news-article/ozempic-helps-weight-loss-making-you-feel-full-certain-foods-can-do-same-thing-%E2%80%93
Danaphilis S, 2022, ‘Side effects of Ozempic: what you need to know’, Healthline, New York, viewed 17 July 2023, https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/ozempic-side-effects#serious-side-effects
John PH et al, 2022, ‘Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: The STEP 1 trial extension’, Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, vol 24 no 8, pp. 1553-1564.
Kines K & Krupczak, 2016, ‘Nutritional Interventions for Gastroesophageal Reflux, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Hypochlorhydria: A Case Report’, Integrative Medicine, vol 15 no 4, pp. 49-53.
Turner JP et al, 2022, ‘Deprescribing proton pump inhibitors’, Australian Journal of General Practice, vol 51 issue 11.