It’s been shown in many studies, over the years, that carrying excess weight raises a person’s risk of heart disease and other leading causes of death. Unfortunately, about 70 percent of Americans are overweight or obese, and shedding those extra pounds can be a struggle. More and more, overweight people are turning to semaglutide for weight loss. Could it be the right solution for you?
Marketed under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist that very effectively mimics the GLP-1 hormone, which is the hormone targeting appetite. Semaglutide has been studied in four trials, lasting 68 weeks each, to test its efficacy, with 2,600 patients receiving semaglutide and 1,400 receiving a placebo instead. The results demonstrated that semaglutide group had significant weight loss, compared to the other participants. In fact, without following a restrictive diet or exercising rigorously, those patients taking semaglutide averaged a 14.9 percent reduction in body weight, with a third of them losing at least 20 percent. Semaglutide increases a person’s sensitivity to insulin while decreasing the hunger hormone and suppressing appetite. It can help people with diabetes control their blood sugar, and it also helps to lower their heart attack and stroke risk, particularly when used in conjunction with diet and exercise modification.
When you consider the effects of a person losing between 10 and 20 percent of his or her body weight, that is extremely significant. In fact, just losing a few pounds can help lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol level, and improve blood sugar levels. Furthermore, weight loss reduces chronic inflammation, which is good for a person’s overall health.
Of course, as with any medications, semaglutide is not for everyone, and can have side effects. The most common side effects include upset stomach, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, belching, heartburn, dizziness, and vomiting. People with a family history or personal history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 should not take semaglutide, nor should anyone who is hypersensitive to semaglutide.
Does semaglutide work for long-term results? There is every indication that it can be highly effective for weight loss, and the benefits don’t diminish as long as there is a shift in diet and physical activity. Without a comprehensive lifestyle plan, the body will revert to its previous state in terms of appetite and metabolism, once the medication is withdrawn. Patients need ongoing support from their medical team in order to sustain weight loss, which is an important factor in heart health.
FAQs
Whether you are considering semaglutide treatments or you are looking for expert care in treating weight loss, the talented team of skilled professionals at Twin Lakes Heart & Vein Center is here for you. Since 1993, we have been providing cardiovascular care and weight-loss treatments for the community in Boca Raton, offering unparalleled care through a preventative, patient-centered approach and leading-edge technologies. We are committed to building life-long relationships with our patients, helping you achieve a heart-healthy lifestyle through a comprehensive heart health approach to heart disease. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us through our website.
