Semaglutide and weight loss; it sure has become a hot topic in the world of health and wellness.
And as with any trending topic in today’s world, it makes its way into every headline and social media post, with people of all disciplines broadcasting their opinions.
Although there are many qualified individuals sharing their knowledge, there’s just as much misinformation and people creating false narratives.
It can be hard to know what’s real and what’s not, and it’s certainly no different when it comes to information around semaglutide and weight loss.
As a result, there is a lot of misconception around how it works.
We’re here to clear that up.
Let’s start with a brief synopsis of what semaglutide is and what it does.
Semaglutide and Weight Loss - A Brief Overview
In those who have experienced excess weight for most of their lives and are met with insulin resistance, it can become nearly impossible to shed pounds.
As a GLP-1 receptor agonist, semaglutide lowers blood sugar by aiding in insulin release from the pancreas - a physiological process that’s suboptimal in those who are chronically overweight. (1) Not only that, semaglutide has a leg up over other weight loss medications due to its appetite reduction effect.
In terms of weight loss and improvement of metabolic health conditions, semaglutide is very effective - but still, many questions remain.
We’re here to sift through fact and fiction to give you a clear and accurate understanding of semaglutide as it relates to weight loss.
Let’s unmask some myths.
Myth 1: Semaglutide is a magic fix for weight loss.
This is something that’s mistakenly assumed - especially with the large number of celebrities broadcasting their use of semaglutide and the miracle results they’ve seen.
The truth is, although marked weight loss is certainly seen (up to 15%!), there is no magic fix when it comes to sustainable weight loss.
Results are largely dependent not only on regular, long-term weekly injections, but one other key component that many people tend to miss - lifestyle change.
We are a huge proponent of this, because it’s a critical (if not THE most critical) component of what supports a successful, long-term weight loss journey.
Not only that, it supports the objective of obtaining optimal wellness. Which is the goal anyway, right? You don’t just want to lose weight - you want to keep it off and see improved measures of overall health so you can live your best life possible.
So is semaglutide the ticket to long-term weight loss? No, not on its own. But couple it with a lifestyle that incorporates a healthy diet and exercise and you’ll see impressive results.
Myth 2: Semaglutide is only for weight loss in people with obesity.
Although semaglutide was developed for the treatment of obesity and has been studied as such, it has also been proven to be effective in those who are overweight with weight-related health concerns, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.(3)
Each person has a unique health profile and should be assessed accordingly.
We don’t like to put people in a box and label treatments as being for one specific type.
Depending on your health and body composition, semaglutide could greatly benefit you and your weight loss journey, and that’s what we can help assess.
At Biofuse, our health professionals will review your health history and individual profile to best discern whether semaglutide may be right for you.
Myth 3: Semaglutide has dangerous long-term side effects
Every medication comes with its risks and potentials for adverse side effects, but semaglutide is generally well tolerated.
The most common side effects experienced are gastrointestinal in nature.
This includes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These side effects can be managed well with proper titration of the medication, as well as lifestyle changes such as reducing fatty foods and not eating too close to bedtime.(4)
Each case and each individual is unique. Working alongside a healthcare professional is important in order to report and manage any adverse effects, and they are there to discuss any questions or concerns you might have.
Myth 4: Stopping semaglutide will cause you to regain all of the weight lost
This is partly true - weight regain can happen with the discontinued use of semaglutide, but there’s more to it than that.
The weight that people gain back is typically seen in those who rely on semaglutide as a magic cure-all.
As we discussed before, long term weight loss results are best supported with lifestyle changes.
By putting a focus on making healthy lifestyle changes while taking semaglutide, you are setting yourself up for a more sustainable change.
Now trust us - we understand that this is the difficult part.
Changing your eating habits and motivating yourself to start a regular exercise plan can be very overwhelming. Not only that, it can be hard to know what your body needs. But even the smallest every day changes compound greatly over time, and you can find support in professionals such as our functional medicine practitioner. She meets you where you’re at and assesses your health on a cellular level, determining the best supplements and treatment modalities to support you on your weight loss journey.
Myth 5: All weight loss is muscle mass
Another common concern mentioned by consumers is the amount of muscle loss seen, but experts agree that the benefits outweigh the risks.
Karl Nadolsky, an endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist, referenced semaglutide’s primary clinical trial. This study found the ratio of fat mass to lean mass loss falls within the parameters of what’s considered typical with your general weight loss modalities.(5)
"All weight-loss interventions result in some lean mass loss”, says Nadolsky.
To further support a healthy fat mass to lean mass loss, resistance training and other means of building muscle (such as adequate protein intake) are strongly recommended. Keep in mind - muscle supports fat loss!
Reach Out To Us
We hope this cleared up some common misconceptions around semaglutide and weight loss - it’s important to us that you have access to information that breaks down the science in a digestible way.
And if you still have questions, we’re here for you!
At Biofuse, we’re dedicated not only to providing products and services that deliver results, but to supporting you in achieving optimal health and wellbeing - providing vibrant health at a cellular level.
Schedule your next appointment to optimize your health today.
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