What Is Semaglutide And How Does It Work?
Semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic® and Wegovy®)[1] is an injectable medication which, when used in combination with diet and exercise, helps with blood sugar control, appetite control, and potential weight loss. Semaglutide belongs to a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, which mimic the hormone GLP-1 in your body to lower blood sugar levels after you’ve eaten a meal.
Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is a hormone that has a strong impact on the regulation of blood sugar by stimulating glucose-dependent insulin secretion. Insulin is a hormone that promotes sugar uptake by the cells, stores sugar as glycogen, promotes the building of fat, and signals the body to build skeletal muscle. In addition, GLP-1 inhibits glucagon release (which slows down the release of sugar into the blood so that you burn more fat), slows down gastric emptying (makes you feel full), and lowers the desire for food intake (because you feel full).
GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide help to control your blood sugar, curb your appetite, and slow digestion. GLP-1, the key hormone involved, slows the process of gastric emptying. In addition to causing your pancreas to release insulin, semaglutide also blocks a hormone that causes your liver to release sugar (glucagon). Together, these functions can help decrease your appetite, causing you to eat less food and lose more weight.
Until recently, semaglutide was only accessible to diabetic patients. On June 4 2021, the FDA approved Wegovy® (semaglutide) for adult obesity treatment after the impressive clinical trial results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Nearly 2,000 participants, at 129 centers in 16 countries, injected themselves weekly with semaglutide or a placebo for 68 weeks. Those who received the semaglutide lost close to 15 percent of their body weight, on average, compared to 2.4 percent among those receiving the placebo. All participants received the same exercise and nutrition counseling. Over a third of the participants receiving the drug lost more than 20 percent of their weight. Symptoms of diabetes and pre-diabetes also improved in many patients. Due to its impressive clinical trial results and patient success stories, it has been acclaimed by physicians and major publications as a “game changing weight loss wonder drug” linked to major weight loss in obesity patience.
It is strongly encouraged that this medication be used in combination with healthy diet and exercise to aid in achieving sustainable, long-term results.
The Ivím Weight Loss program is a virtually-consulted program. All appointments with the physician are conducted virtually.
[1] Ozempic® and Wegovy® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk. Ivim Health has no affiliation with Novo Nordisk. The compounded semaglutide products available as part of Ivim Health’s Weight Loss Program are not made by Novo Nordisk or any company affiliated with Novo Nordisk.
