Is Ozempic really a good solution for losing weight?

Is Ozempic really a good solution for losing weight?


Studies have shown that the substance can help reduce appetite and lead to weight loss




According to the most recent projections, by 2030, 30% of Brazil’s adult population will be obese. And why so much concern about this rapidly growing figure? Because obesity is a major fuel for diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, stroke and various types of cancer.

Furthermore, during the pandemic, it was noted that complications from Covid-19 were more frequent in obese patients. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes obesity as a chronic disease, present in the International Classification of Diseases, with the code “CID E66”.

If calorie consumption is excessive, exceeding the amount needed by the body to maintain itself, sooner or later obesity will appear. Given the medical and economic costs associated with obesity, weight control is not a matter of luxury or beauty standards, but rather fundamental to providing a better quality of life for society as a whole, regardless of age, gender or by social class.

If on the one hand it is necessary to avoid obesity, on the other it is possible to see the most diverse strategies for losing weight. Some of them, published by celebrities and digital influencers, have enchanted many because they are the safest and most suitable for those who want to return to their ideal weight. However, it is necessary to weigh the benefits and risks.

Discover semaglutide

One substance that has attracted attention is semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic. In 2018 she arrived in Brazil to treat diabetic patients. Since one of its adverse effects is weight loss, it has begun to be explored via “offlabel” for this purpose, creating a lack of the product for those who need it most, namely diabetic patients. However, it is worth thinking about the risks offered by semaglutide.

Indeed, the benefits of semaglutide cannot be denied. Studies have shown that this substance can help reduce appetite, control blood sugar levels and, as a result, lead to weight loss.

However, like a box of juicy strawberries, it can also hide less pleasant realities (that celebrities don’t tell you about). Among the reddest strawberries there may be some that are green, or even damaged. In the context of semaglutide, these “greens” represent the risks and complications also associated with its use.

Adverse effects of semaglutide

Studies and clinical reports have raised concerns about adverse effects of semaglutide, ranging from headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation, bad breath, and fatigue, to more serious complications, such as pancreatitis, gallbladder stones, and even thyroid stones.

Its relationship with important mood changes and depression has also recently been studied. And let’s remember just one detail: since it has a long duration of action, these effects can last weeks even after stopping treatment. Its half-life, i.e. the time interval in which its plasma concentration is reduced by half, is seven days.

Therefore, contrary to what many say that its action time is seven days, I emphasize that it takes a week to reach its half in the bloodstream, and therefore leaves its trail of effect for many weeks.

Semaglutide is not a cosmetic

Get this straight: semaglutide is not a cosmetic. Consulting with a qualified healthcare provider is essential. A doctor can evaluate your health condition and actual needs to determine whether this substance is a safe and appropriate option.

Pharmacists can also be your reliable source of information about this highly sought after product. Nutritionists are also essential to ensure an ideal diet that helps you lose weight.

In this quest for weight loss, don’t play with your health. Remember my analogy with strawberry boxes: perhaps the only way to avoid finding green or rotten ones is regular exercise, a good night’s sleep and an adequate diet. Thus the account closes.

Thiago de Melo Costa Pereira

He is a researcher, professor, speaker and writer.

Source: Terra

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