Is Ozempic worth the hype? The key to weight loss

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic, also known by its generic name semaglutide, has been a game-changer in the world of diabetes management. This injectable medication has generated attention for its remarkable efficacy and potential weight loss benefits.

Ozempic belongs to a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. It is primarily used to manage type 2 diabetes, which is characterized by insulin resistance and impaired insulin production. Ozempic works by mimicking the effects of GLP-1, a naturally occurring hormone in the body that regulates blood sugar levels. In other words, it is a weekly injection that helps lower blood sugar by helping the pancreas make more insulin.

Main health effects of Ozempic

・Blood Sugar Control

One of the most significant benefits of Ozempic is its ability to lower blood sugar levels. It does so by stimulating the release of insulin from the pancreas, which helps to transport glucose into cells for energy. Additionally, it reduces the liver’s production of glucose, further contributing to improved blood sugar control. Better blood sugar management can reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications, such as cardiovascular disease, kidney problems, and nerve damage.

・Weight Loss

Since Ozempic acts like a GLP-1 receptor agonist, hence increases the hormone GLP-1 in the body. This hormone impacts the brain to control & reduce appetite but also prolongs the feeling of satiety as the two mechanisms to aid in weight loss. In a large clinical trial sponsored by Novo Nordisk (a pharmaceutical company), in 1961 adults who were either overweight or obese without diabetes were given semaglutide or a placebo every week for 68 weeks. As a result, 14% of those given semaglutide witnessed weight loss as compared to only 2% of those in the placebo group.

Though Ozempic is gaining popularity, primarily via social media, do note that it is a prescription drug, and with it comes potential side effects such as Pancreatitis(inflammation of the pancreas), low blood sugar, vision change, kidney problems, and more. Not to mention the hefty price tag; semaglutide is roughly around $800 per injection at an injection a week. Also to date, most of the weight loss effects witnessed are short-term & do not last.

Natural way to lose weight

There are plenty of natural ways for weight loss such as:

• Increasing daily physical activity
• Establishing a healthy sleeping schedule
• drinking more water
• trying an intermittent fasting diet; a method that cycles between intervals of eating & fasting which yields overall less calorie intake without consciously monitoring what you eat.
• Modify your diet. Consuming more protein & drinking more water, less processed food & added sugar in your diet.
• Taking supplements such as probiotics. There is growing evidence that gut bacteria can influence the production of hormones involved in appetite control, such as ghrelin and leptin.

R’s KOSO is made through a 1-year fermentation process from over 100 vegetables, fruits, and plants, including seaweeds and mushrooms. This provides balanced nutrition, combining probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics, which have proven to improve gut health.

R’s KOSO is also great to incorporate as part of intermediate fasting or a cleanse. Now there’s also the lower sugar version, which only contains 2.7 g per serving which is less than 1/3 of R’s KOSO original. You could take R’s KOSO lower sugar with your meal or replace your meal with it every day to support your gut health and control your appetite.

How to do Intermittent fasting with R's KOSO

Let’s get started!

Reference:

1. Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2021;384(11):989–1002.
2. Forbes Magazine. Ozempic for weight loss: Side effects, risks and more. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/health/body/ozempic-for-weight-loss/
3. Murphy, K. G., & Bloom, S. R. (2004). Gut hormones in the control of appetite. Experimental Physiology, 89(5), 507–516. https://doi.org/10.1113/expphysiol.2004.027789
4. Human Medicines European Public Assessment Report (EPAR): ozempic, semaglutide, diabetes mellitus, date of authorization: 08/02/2018, revision: 2, status: Authorised. (2019). Case Medical Research. https://doi.org/10.31525/cmr-bc1103
5. Ozempic® Side effects: Ozempic® (SEMAGLUTIDE) injection. Ozempic® Side Effects | Ozempic® (semaglutide) injection. (n.d.). https://www.ozempic.com/how-to-take/side-effects.html
6. Bjarnadottir, A. (2023, June 26). How to lose weight naturally: 29 tips supported by science. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/30-ways-to-lose-weight-naturally#TOC_TITLE_HDR_12
7. Johnstone, A. (2014). Fasting for weight loss: An effective strategy or latest dieting trend? International Journal of Obesity, 39(5), 727–733. https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2014.214