More warnings might make patients want to rethink their potential use of so-called 'skinny jabs' like Ozempic and Wegovy.
While there's no denying that the injection of semaglutide works in terms of shifting those last few pounds that you don’t think the gym will be able to, there are increased concerns about what we're doing to our bodies.
Promoted by celebrities including Elon Musk, Amy Schumer, James Corden, Meghan Trainor, and more, these drugs might help manage your weight, but they come with a whole host of potential side effects ranging from 'Ozempic breath' to reports of mental health issues.
There are also worries about substantial weight gain when you eventually come off the drug, meaning many believe it's not a long-term solution.
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While one study claimed that semaglutide could be used to treat metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), the simple fact is we don't know what future problems these jabs could cause.
In a new simulation from Zack D Films, we're shown how Ozempic works to reduce the amount of fat in your body. As the video explains: "Once Ozempic is in your bloodstream, it activates the parts of the brain that make you feel full, reducing your appetite.
"It also stabilises your blood sugar, stopping sudden cravings. Then it slows down how fast your stomach empties food, which keeps you feeling full for longer after a meal."
That all well and good for those who worry about they're overeating, and even though the weight might soon drop off you, the video continues: "This causes you to lose weight as you eat less. But it can make some people feel sick and even give them diarrhoea."
Elsewhere, a YouTube short from content creator Dr Boz reiterates that Ozempic shouldn't be 'allowed' for weight loss, and instead, should be used for its intended purpose as an anti-diabetic medication. Speaking to her one million followers, Dr. Boz said: "Mark my words, put them in a time capsule and open it in 15 years. Ozempic has a remarkable weight loss, but what they didn't focus on is that when these people are losing weight, they are losing muscle mass at a way higher rate than they should."
Particularly highlighting the danger for older patients, she continued: "When you lose that much muscle mass, you cannot gain it back without extreme measures. The chemistry behind how they are losing that weight is really a starvation weight loss.
"This is the kind of weight loss that will decrease their immune system, decrease their muscle mass, decrease their bone density and decrease their longevity."
Dr. Boz's concerns were shared in the comments, with someone else writing: "It should be prescribed with a weight loss plan: high protein and exercise and education. Prescribed responsibly to the right patient."
Another added: "For those who are struggling to move due to weight causing pain or discomfort, I think it can be worth it. Supporting patients to do strength training and have adequate nutrition intake to maintain muscle bulk should be part of any care plan for weight loss, whether with medication or not."
One Ozempic supporter concluded: "I’m on Ozempic for over a year and i can now stop eating when I want and cravings are barely there. However I always include protein in all my meals because it’s common sense whenever you are in a caloric deficit you need enough protein. I also train 2-3 times a week in the gym. So far everything’s working fine, no muscle loss."