Could Semaglutide be a potential solution for weight loss?

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, has shown promising results as a weight loss solution. While it may not work for everyone struggling to lose weight, Semaglutide injections have been shown to help many people shed some pounds they haven’t been able to lose through lifestyle changes alone.

Originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, Semaglutide was found to have a side effect of reducing appetite, which led to weight loss for some patients. Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company behind Wegovy, decided to conduct additional trials to test Semaglutide’s effectiveness for weight management in people with a BMI over 30 or over 27 with a weight-related health condition.

These trials proved successful, leading to Semaglutide’s approval by the FDA in June 2021 as a weight-loss treatment under the brand name Wegovy at a dosage of 2.4mg per week.

How Does Semaglutide Help Suppress Your Appetite for Weight Loss?

Semaglutide has gained attention for its ability to help with weight loss by suppressing appetite.

Because Semaglutide lasts longer in the body, it can help reduce appetite and make you feel more satisfied.

When starting Semaglutide for weight loss, it’s important to be mindful of your appetite, use the hunger scale, and eat from a smaller plate to adjust to your new, smaller appetite.

Overall, Semaglutide can be a helpful tool for those struggling to lose weight by reducing appetite and helping them make healthier food choices.

 How Does Semaglutide Aid in Weight Loss?

Semaglutide is known for its weight loss benefits, which are mainly attributed to its ability to reduce appetite. This makes it easier for individuals to decrease their caloric intake and consume smaller portions of food. Unlike other weight loss medications that block dietary fat, Semaglutide works by suppressing appetite, making it a unique weight loss treatment.

The active medicine in Semaglutide contains a GLP-1 receptor that mimics the hormone our bodies produce after eating. This hormone sends a signal to the brain to stop eating because you’re full. However, the natural hormone’s half-life is only around two minutes, which means that it’s quickly broken down by enzymes. Semaglutide was designed to be resistant to these enzymes, making it last longer in the body, slow down the digestive process, and increase satiety.

While Semaglutide can help reduce appetite, it’s not a magic fix for weight loss. Individuals taking this medication should still make lifestyle changes, such as choosing low-calorie, satisfying foods and reducing their fat intake. Making these changes will result in a negative energy balance, which is essential for sustainable weight loss.

It’s essential to understand that Semaglutide won’t result in overnight weight loss, but it can make the weight loss journey a little easier. 

What are some tips for successfully losing weight with Semaglutide?

Losing weight with Semaglutide requires more than just taking the medication. While it can help reduce appetite and make it easier to stick to a low-calorie diet, lifestyle changes are still necessary for successful weight loss. Here are some tips to help you on your journey:

Along with taking Semaglutide, take a look at your current diet and exercise habits. Identify areas that could use a change, such as cycling to work instead of taking the bus or reducing alcohol intake.

When taking Semaglutide, aim to eat between 1200-1500 calories per day. If you currently eat more than this, gradually reduce your calorie intake instead of cutting to 1200kcal straight away. 

Most of your diet should be composed of low-calorie and low-GI carbohydrates, along with plenty of lean protein. These types of foods contribute towards feeling more satisfied for longer.

Increasing the amount of exercise you do is an important part of losing weight. This can include walks, swimming, or any activity that gets your body moving.

Weighing and measuring out your food can be key to maintaining a low-calorie diet. Even with reduced appetite, it’s easy to consume more calories than your body needs, which can hinder weight loss.

What do the STEP trials reveal about the effectiveness of Semaglutide for Weight Loss?

Losing weight with Semaglutide varies for individuals due to several factors like underlying health conditions, medications, starting weight, and more. However, the STEP trials conducted by Novo Nordisk offer insight into the weight loss potential of Semaglutide.

In STEP 3 of phase 3 trials, 611 people with a BMI over 30 but without diabetes participated. They were given either Semaglutide 2.4mg weekly or a placebo for 68 weeks. By the end of the trial, the Semaglutide group lost an average of 16% of their starting weight, while the placebo group managed only 5.7%. 

In STEP 4 of phase 4 trials, 902 participants took Semaglutide 2.4mg weekly for the first 20 weeks. Some continued with Semaglutide, while others were switched to a placebo for the remaining 48 weeks. The Semaglutide group lost an average of 17.4% of their starting weight, while the placebo group lost only 5% of their starting weight.

These results support the case for Semaglutide being taken long-term rather than as a short-term treatment, as obesity is often a chronic condition that requires longer-term support.

Most people who use Semaglutide for weight loss lose at least 5% of their body weight within 12 weeks of taking the treatment (not including the titration period). Patients who meet this criteria can continue with Semaglutide, while those who do not may be offered alternative weight loss medications or surgical procedures like bariatric surgery.

As a Californian, you’re no stranger to the importance of staying healthy and active. With the abundance of outdoor activities and natural beauty at your fingertips, it’s no wonder that Californians are some of the healthiest people in the country. But despite our best efforts, maintaining a healthy weight can still be a challenge. 

That’s where Zappy Health comes in. As a local weight loss and wellness clinic serving California residents, we’re dedicated to helping our community achieve their health and fitness goals. Whether you’re looking to lose a few pounds or make a significant lifestyle change, we’re here to help.

We believe that everyone deserves to live a healthy and happy life, and that’s why we’re committed to helping you achieve your weight loss goals. If you’re ready to take the first step towards a healthier lifestyle, we invite you to contact us today or book a consultation on our website at https://zappyhealth.com/weight-loss/.

Together, we can make your weight loss journey a success!