Drugs that result in weight loss like Ozempic and Wegovy are discussed everywhere, on news headlines, celebrity podcasts, and speculated on by celeb followers.
Even WeightWatchers is getting in the business of dispensing weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic.
Weight Watchers announced a week ago that it is acquiring digital health startup Sequence, whose corporate name is Weekend Health. The telehealth platform, which offers access to health care providers specializing in chronic weight management, will be complemented by WeightWatchers’ existing workout and nutrition programs.
Ozempic is an FDA-approved medication for type 2 diabetes. Ozempic also causes weight loss.
Wegovy is a FDA approved drug for weight loss.
People without diabetes became interested in using Ozempic for weight loss after news of its perceived benefits made the rounds on social media platform TikTok, and celebrities began using the drug.
However, these weight loss "miracle drugs" as they are being called, are fraught with serious health risks.
Ozempic is prescribed for people with type 2 diabetes who are struggling maintaining normal blood sugar levels, Often in the case where metformin has stopped "working".
Ozempic is Fraught with health risks
Severe side effects/complications of Ozempic and Wegovy
There are possible serious side effects from taking Ozempic. These side effects can be life-threatening.
1) Thyroid cancer
Ozempic and Wegovy have caused thyroid cancer in rodents. Wegovy has a black box warning for thyroid c cell tumor cancer.
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Saxenda (liraglutide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) both contain a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumor cancer; however, studies have only identified this risk in animals.
- In studies with rats and mice, these medicines caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if these medicines will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people.
2) Pancreatitis
Some people taking Wegovy (semaglutide) can develop inflammation in the pancreas (pancreatitis). This can potentially lead to pancreas damage, bleeding, or even death.
According to clinical trials, Ozempic also may cause pancreatitis, which is a painful inflammation of the pancreas
3) Kidney Disease & Kidney Injury
Wegovy (semaglutide) might cause kidney damage. If you already have kidney failure, the medication might also worsen your condition. In some cases, this kidney damage can lead to the need for dialysis.
People who already have kidney damage are at higher risk, but it can also happen in people without any known kidney disease
According to Ozempic’s website:
“In people who have kidney problems, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems to get worse."
Acute kidney injury,
4) Eye Problems: Diabetic retinopathy
In studies, some people with Type 2 diabetes and a high risk of heart disease who took Wegovy (semaglutide) developed eye problems such as cataracts, glaucoma, and damage to the retina
Ozempic can increase chances of developing diabetic retinopathy.
5) Gallbladder Problems
Some people taking Wegovy (semaglutide) can have gallbladder problems including gallbladder inflammation and formation of gallstones.
6) Hypoglycemia- low blood sugar
Instances of Hypoglycemia were Common (in 1% to 10% of adults taking Ozempic):
Hypoglycemia is even more dangerous than high blood sugar. Severely low blood sugar can cause serious complications, such as a loss of consciousness or death. Signs of low blood sugar include sweating more than usual, shakiness, a racing heart, changes in vision, weakness, and confusion.
Common side effects
- Nausea (44%)
- Diarrhea (30%)
- Vomiting (24%)
- Constipation (24%)
- Stomach pain (20%)
- Headache (14%)
- Tiredness (11%)
- Indigestion (9%)
- Dizziness (8%)
- Stomach swelling or bloating (7%)
- Burping (7%)
- Low blood sugar in adults with Type 2 diabetes (6%)
- Gas (6%)
- Stomach problems due to infection (6%)
- Acid reflux (5%)
"OZEMPIC FACE"
Not surprisingly, weight loss miracle drugs actually make people look years older.
According to Dr Paul Jarrod Frank, the phenomena has even brought about a new term to describe it: "Ozempic face"
“Ozempic face” describes the deflation and sagging that can occur to a visage after weight loss.
“I see it every day in my office,” Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank said. “A 50-year-old patient will come in, and suddenly, she’s super-skinny and needs filler, which she never needed before. I look at her and say, ‘How long have you been on Ozempic?’ And I’m right 100% of the time.”
There are also other side effects of the drug that cause serious discomfort, such as weeks of acid reflux, heartburn, nausea, and stomach upset.
Retired Wall Street exec Beth Rubin lost 19 pounds after taking the drug, but told The New York Post that she was plagued by acid reflux and heartburn for the first five to six weeks.
Our weight says a lot about our state of health
Our weight says a lot about our state of health.
A healthy body is able to maintain healthy weight.
If you're overweight, suffer from obesity, or even if you have an extra 10-20 pounds around the waistline, then that's an indication that your body is struggling. Its struggling with inflammation, toxins, or high insulin levels. Your body may be struggling with one of these or with all three.
Did you know that fat cells do much more than store fat? Did you know that our bodies purposely create and hold onto fat cells? And not just to store fat. It may sound crazy, but its true.
FAT CELLS SERVE AN IMPORTANT PURPOSE.
FAT CELLS NOT ONLY STORE FAT, BUT THEY ALSO STORE TOXINS.
Normally the liver and colon is able to effectively remove toxins from the body, but, if the liver and colon are clogged up, then they cant do their job effectively. In other words, if your normal detoxification pathways are blocked, then fat cells will provide a temporary solution.
For example, If our digestion is weak and our colon is flooded with putrefying foods and bacteria, the toxins in the colon will leak through the intestinal wall into the blood stream.
The body will attempt to keep the blood and vital organs clean and pure at all costs. So, it creates fat cells to "safely" store the hazardous toxins. This is a temporary solution.
At the end of the day, toxins have to be stored somewhere.
For this reason, No matter how much some people work out at the gym, their bodies will hold on to their fat cells. When we lose weight, the fat cells release their stored toxins into the blood stream, and we have to have a strong detoxification network operating in order for us not to get sick. So the body will not get rid of the fat cells until it feels healthy and secure enough to let them go.
That's why its so hard for people to lose weight. Because they are not detoxing.
HOW CAN I LOSE WEIGHT IN A HEALTHY WAY?
Step 1 as I've explained above, is to avoid foods and chemicals that cause toxic buildup such as animal proteins, pesticides on non-organic fruits and veggies, dangerous household chemicals, all processed foods, and medications.
Step 2 Medications, whether prescribed or not, flood the liver with toxins. Many Americans can be taking over 5 prescriptions at once, many of which have side effects, and all of which put strain on our detoxification system. Work with your medical provider, psychiatrist, or holistic doctor to lower your medications. If your medical provider does not want to help, find someone else that will. Get on a healthy diet plan so that you can eliminate the need for medications altogether.
Step 3: Adopt a healthy vegan diet plan that helps you eliminate toxins naturally, with detoxifying herbal teas and proper stone ground bread. Avoid all processed foods. Fresh juicing with lots of green vegetables like kale, parsley cilantro and spinach. Beets, carrots and celery are also great for juicing and they detox the liver. The detox diet is very simple and it consists of proper bread, vegetables (cooked, raw, and juiced), and fruits (especially organic berries). After 2 weeks the body will feel lighter and cleaner.
Resources:
Wegovy (semaglutide): Basics, Side Effects & Reviews (goodrx.com) What is Ozempic?
Why stars risk aging faces for weight-loss drug (nypost.com)