What is Semaglutide?
Regarded as a revolutionary treatment for lowering blood sugar and managing body weight, Semaglutide is being hailed as the miracle drug for weight loss that can potentially reduce the health risks associated with obesity. Sold under various brand names like Wegovy, Rybelsus, and Ozempic, the active ingredient Semaglutide has been making waves in recent years for its effectiveness and the benefits offered.
If you have heard about Semaglutide but wonder what it is and how it works, this article is for you. Read on to learn what Semaglutide is, how it is used, and how it can assist with weight loss.
Semaglutide; a Brief Description
The lower gastrointestinal tract in the human body has GLP-1, a glucagon-like peptide 1 hormone that is produced when you eat to curb hunger, and it communicates to the brain when you are full. It lowers the blood sugar level by slowing down the process of digestion and stimulates the insulin secretion rate.
The receptors for this hormone are located in the part of the brain that regulates hunger and food cravings. Semaglutide imitates the behavior of GLP-1, helps curb appetite, and makes you feel full for longer while modifying and improving the body’s mechanism for regulating blood sugar and storing fat.
Semaglutide was formed initially for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis, a metabolic condition whereby a diabetic individual’s body does not produce sufficient insulin and causes excessive production of blood acids called ketones. Drugs containing Semaglutide are hence used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, ketoacidosis, and cardiovascular diseases like stroke or heart attack and also for weight loss.
How does Semaglutide Work for Weight Loss
By now, you may be familiar with how the glucagon-like peptide 1 hormone works and how Semaglutide mimics this hormone. A drug containing Semaglutide, when administered, binds to the GLP-1 receptors in your brain to stimulate its activity, leading to many positive downstream impacts. It implies that when the hormone receptor is activated, it triggers the production of incretin hormones that aid in insulin production when required and reduce the amount of excessive glucose released by the liver.
It also aids in slowing the rate at which your stomach digests the food and empties, resulting in reduced appetite, leading you to reduce your food intake.
While GLP-1 is naturally produced and does not last long, Semaglutide is synthetic and hence fundamentally reformed to last comparatively much longer. As a result, you feel satisfied even after eating a much smaller food portion than before. You are also less likely to take snacks between meals, leading to a much lower food intake throughout the day.
The change in eating behavior, when combined with other lifestyle changes like a healthy diet and exercise, can lead to effective weight loss over time. It also eventually reduces the health risks associated with obesity, like heart attack, particularly in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Who Can Use It?
Semaglutide is the main active ingredient in Ozempic, a medicine approved for weight loss in the UK, European Union, USA, and Canada. If you are clinically obese or overweight with a high body mass index, you can use Semaglutide for weight loss and management. In terms of age, it can be used by people with ages between eighteen and seventy-five who have a high BMI and a medical condition that is mostly associated with excessive body weight.
However, if you tend to develop an allergic reaction to the ingredients or have a family history of thyroid cancer, you should not use Semaglutide. The cost of Semaglutide may vary depending on the strength of the ingredient and usage, i.e., whether you are taking the medicine only or if it is part of a service package, including consultancy and assistance in your weight loss journey.
Conclusion
Semaglutide has become a popular drug that aids in weight loss and is increasingly becoming a part of weight loss programs globally. While the effectiveness of Semaglutide is well-established, it is important to seek medical guidance before taking medication, as the doctor will provide accurate advice based on your medical history. Also, if you are taking any other medication, it is important to consider the possibility of drug interaction before incorporating Semaglutide into your regimen.
At the same time, it is advised to inform your medical practitioner if you have any kidney or stomach issues or eye problems due to diabetes. Once you begin using Semaglutide, keep your doctor in the loop, and if you experience any side effects, inform them instantly.