May 29, 2024 – Weight loss drugs reminiscent of Ozempic And Ways have taken the 12 months by storm, with users touting extreme weight reduction results, sometimes tons of of kilos. These GLP-1 drugs – that are used to treat diabetes and obesity – help suppress your appetite by keeping you fuller longer. But what happens when taking these drugs doesn't produce the specified results?
It may come as a shock to contemplate that these recordings were described as “Miracle cure” for weight reduction. But “at least 10 to 15% of patients who start these medications will not respond,” said Dr. Marilyn Galindo, a specialist in internal medicine and obesity medicine. She can be the owner of Leon Springs Primary Care and Obesity Medicinea medical facility in San Antonio, Texas.
After gaining 20 kilos after menopauseMariele Hoffman, a 54-year-old real estate agent from Tampa, Florida, was searching for a fast option to shed weight. Her gynecologist prescribed weekly semaglutide and vitamin B12 injections to assist her shed the additional kilos. (Semaglutide is the generic name for Ozempic and Wegovy.) Since she didn't notice any weight reduction or any effects in any respect, she said, she was advised to be patient. After 6 weeks of taking the injections, Hoffman finally gained weight and eventually stopped taking the medications altogether.
“I carefully reviewed my diet during those 6 weeks to find the cause of the weight gain,” she said. “Even though I ate the same foods in the same amounts, I could not identify any contributing factors other than the medications I was taking.”
While some people taking these drugs may not see results, Galindo noted, there may very well be several reasons they aren't losing kilos. First, it's necessary to present the drug enough time to do its job. Your doctor will often prescribe you an initial dose to permit your body to regulate before moving on to a therapeutic dose. Once you're on the suitable dose, you must lose no less than about 5% of your body weight throughout the first 3 months of taking the drug, she said. In short, 3 to six months is a superb time period to see if the drug is correct for you.
Genetics may play a task in how your body responds to semaglutide, Galindo said.
“obesity is a very complicated disease,” she said. “They may need a different medication to combat their obesity, and a lot of it is genetic.”
The speed or slowness of the metabolism also plays a task. “If you don’t have enough [of the medication] in your bloodstream, then the drug won’t be just right for you,” Galindo said. People with diabetes may also have problems with the drug, as insulin resistance can make losing weight difficult and certain diabetes medications can also cause weight gain.
The success of semaglutide may also be due to lifestyle changes, says Sarah Palmer, a certified physician assistant and owner of Living Free Weight Loss Clinica medically supervised nutrition, weight loss and mental health counseling service.
“GLP-1 is an incredible tool. But with any change in food plan, Weight loss plan or medication, it's necessary that the person stays energetic and makes the sometimes uncomfortable changes crucial to develop a permanently healthier lifestyle,” Palmer said. Exercise, such as strength training three to four times a week, can make all the difference between someone losing weight long-term or just starting to lose weight before hitting a plateau. The “calories in, calories out” approach – or consuming fewer calories than the body burns – is a good indicator of the nutritional portion of GLP-1 weight loss, she said.
Prioritizing lean protein (usually 100 grams per day, but that varies depending on your weight) and drinking enough water (64 to 90 ounces per day) are paramount, the experts said. And highly processed and fried foods eaten in excess can not only negatively impact your weight loss, but also lead to harmful side effects, such as: Diarrhea, NauseaAnd Backflowsaid Palmer. But eating too few calories can also delay weight gain because it can slow your metabolism, she said.
“Chronic dieters who’re accustomed to restricting calories and skipping meals but haven’t lost weight consequently are unlikely to attain significant weight reduction with these medications,” she said.
Think of semaglutide as a tool, not a solution, Palmer said.
“The solution is Repairing your relationship with yourself and with food,” she noted. “The medication is a tool that can make these changes easier, but ultimately it can't do all the work for you.”