Dissecting the hype around Ozempic 😵‍💫

The Semaglutide Scandal: Unpacking the Hype

Today, we're untangling the threads of a widespread health trend that's been capturing celebrity attention and headlines alike - Semaglutide aka Ozempic. This drug, traditionally used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, has become the new "in" thing for weight loss. But, as always, we're here to uncover the science, expose the drawbacks, and remind everyone that there's no quick fix to lookin’ good.

What Is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a medication that was initially designed to treat type 2 diabetes. Its primary function is to mimic a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that targets areas of the brain that regulate appetite and food intake. By doing so, it helps control blood sugar levels, reduces insulin resistance, and creates feelings of satiety (fullness), hence its appeal to the weight loss world. Effectively after popping this pill you are going to feel more full from less food and feel full for longer. Sounds like a magic pill for you over eaters huh.

The Science Behind Semaglutide

In the realm of type 2 diabetes management, semaglutide has been fairly successful. However, its hijack for weight loss purposes originates from its side effect of reducing appetite. Clinical studies have indicated that semaglutide can lead to significant weight loss, but it's crucial to remember that these studies involved patients with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition, like hypertension or high cholesterol.

The Celebrity Effect and the Mainstream Surge

Celebrities and influencers have a notorious history of promoting health fads, and semaglutide has unfortunately joined the ranks. This widespread promotion creates a surge in demand, making the drug more mainstream. However, turning a diabetes medication into a weight loss miracle pill not only misrepresents the drug's purpose but also puts unnecessary pressure on supplies meant for people who genuinely need it. Other considerations include:

1) ability to keep the weight off once you stop taking it, and

2) side effects from taking it

The Dark Side of Semaglutide

Despite its potential weight loss benefits, semaglutide isn't a free ride to the land of fitness. The drug is associated with a significant number of side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, and more. Some people have even experienced more serious adverse effects, like gallbladder disease and kidney issues albeit, those symptoms are much less prevalent.

The Verdict: A Sustainable Approach to Weight Loss

Losing weight isn't about following trends or finding shortcuts. Sustainable weight loss, the kind that leads to long-term health, comes from making healthier decisions and overall forming better sustainable habits.

Taking semaglutide for weight loss isn't just a misuse of a vital drug needed by those with diabetes, but it's also a gamble with your health. Side effects aside, relying on a pill for weight loss doesn't teach the essential habits and changes necessary to maintain that weight loss.

My overall assessment of Ozempic is as follows: if you like shitting your pants and paying for medicine you don’t really need because you’re too lazy to eat healthier, it will be a great shortcut to lose some weight for the short term.

You’re far better off saving your money and finding some recipes that allow you to eat large quantities of food that don’t contain a lot of calories.

High Volume Low Calorie Foods

If you’re looking for some foods that’ll fill you up, look no further. Here’s a handful of foods you can pig out on without turning into a hog.

• Steamed vegetables - eat as much as you want, son. The only reason I say steamed is because it doesn’t have any oil.

• Protein ice cream - you can eat an entire tub for less than 300 cals and it helps you hit your protein target. For reference a tub of Ben and Jerry’s is well over 1k cals. Google ninja creamy recipe’s. You’re welcome.

• Baby carrots - I already mentioned vegetables but they are honestly just a goated snack food. You can smash an entire bag sans shame. I’ve seen some fitness folk online dipping them in 0 cal maple syrup to satisfy cravings but that’s a little hardcore for me. To each their own 🤷‍♂️.

• Cauliflower rice to replace regular rice.

• Rice cakes instead of chips. Dill pickle is undefeated.

• Low fat cheese

• Shirataki noodles/rice to replace regular noodles (shirataki noodles have ~14 calories per 100g as it’s almost entirely dietary fibre). I’ve heard they are basically indigestible so it’s effectively a 0 calorie food. Be warned: Full noodles may come out your rear so maybe consider the rice instead 😂. They’ve also been known to have somewhat of a laxative effect. Sometimes I add the rice into a stir fry to to add volume to a meal when I’m really hungry.

  

• Drink Ultrafiltered milk (50% less sugar/carbs, 50% more protein), to replace regular milk as it makes it easier to hit your protein. Same cals but better macros.

• Watermelon - I shouldn’t have to explain this one but it’s 99% water. Most fruit for that matter is pretty filling, you ever tried eating 5 apples? Exactly.

• Low fat greek yogurt - I dare you to muck an entire tub. You won’t. And that’s why no one will remember your name.

• Green cabbage - add it to any dish with noodles or rice. It adds a ton of volume and tastes pretty great, especially in a stir fry.

• Chickpea / Lentil / Black bean / edamame pasta as a replacement for regular pasta

  

  Edamame has most protein but chickpea is tastiest

• Use a spiralizer to make zucchini noodles (or another veg) to replace regular pasta noodles

Did we miss anything?