Semaglutide is a new and effective medication approved by the FDA forweight loss. Semaglutide affects GLP-1, a hormone that plays a role in
appetite and digestion. People using semaglutide report reduced hunger andcravings. Semaglutide is a once weekly injection in the abdomen with studies
showing up to 15% loss in body weight. Semaglutide works best whencombined with a healthy diet and exercise.
Semaglutide is recommended for the following people:
• BMI of 30 or greater
• BMI of 27 or greater with at least one weight related condition such as
high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol.
Semaglutide is contraindicated with:
• A history of medullary thyroid cancer.
• History of gallbladder disease.
• History of pancreatitis.
• Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2.
It may take a few months to reach the dose that is effective for you and common side effects include nausea, bloating and heartburn. Fatigue and dizziness can also occur. These are managed by slowly increasing your dose over time. Even though these mild side effects can be expected, more significant symptoms such as upper abdominal pain that radiates to your back, vomiting and fever should be reported right away to your healthcare provider.
There is some information that suggests in addition to losing fat, that lean muscle mass may also be lost while using semaglutide. To avoid this, there must be a focus on consuming high quality protein and engaging in regular resistance training while using semaglutide for weight loss. Losing fat related weight can be an amazing way to improve health, but it is important to retain
our lean muscle mass for optimal health as well.
Overall, semaglutide for weight loss can be an amazing tool to curb appetite and reduce food cravings. It also improves insulin resistance which can be a major barrier to weight loss. When combined with a healthy diet and an exercise plan that includes resistance training, semaglutide can help you achieve your weight loss goals.
