What is Ozempic?

 

According to a 2023 article by Grant, K., the main ingredient in Ozempic is a peptide called Semaglutide.  Semaglutide is an agonist for Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors (1). 

 

To explain this further, it essentially helps your GLP-1 hormone work better.  Your GLP-1 hormone is normally released in your stomach and gut after eating.  It helps produce insulin which helps to stabilize & lower the sugar in your blood.  This hormone also slows down the digestion process of food, therefore making you feel less hungry and decreasing cravings. Medication like Ozempic essentially kicks this natural process into high gear!  Studies have demonstrated that adults that are obese or have type-2 diabetes do not release this GLP-1 hormone as much as healthy adults do.  These adults therefore feel hungry after a meal earlier than healthy adults, and they tend to have more cravings for food as well.  It’s no wonder then that the Ozempic drug has been helping these adults feel fuller longer and have less cravings (2).

 

Ozempic and Weight Loss

 

It's likely to help you lose weight (3)!

 

It’s common sense.  If the drug cuts down on appetite and on cravings, it would cut the overall calories a person eats in a day and therefore lead to weight loss.  

 

“The study found those taking semaglutide lost weight - significantly more than people who had the placebo (-14.9% of their body weight compared with -2.4% of body weight)” ( Ball, L., & Burch, E., 2024).

 

For the people who start out as obese, losing anything from 5% body weight or more will likely reduce their risk of chronic disease.  Therefore, by helping obese adults lose weight, studies say Ozempic may indirectly reduce risks of chronic diseases (3).

 

Beware of “Budget Ozempic”

 

Because Ozempic has been in short supply, there’s been a growing trend on social media about "Budget Ozempic".  However, make no mistake, this is not a less expensive version of the drug Ozempic.  It is an entirely different drug.  As Wheate, N., & Pace, J. reported in their 2023 article, the main ingredient in “Budget Ozempic” is PEG 3350 (7).

 

“Medically, PEG 3350 is mainly sold in Australia through pharmacies in laxative and stool softening products. It is also used to clean out your bowels before a colonoscopy.” (Wheate, N., & Pace, J., 2023).

 

When you take PEG 3350 (which is a pill, or a powder you mix with water), it isn’t absorbed by your body.  Instead, it attracts water to your gut and essentially makes your poop softer - potentially even liquid.  Because your body is made almost entirely of water, and this drug makes you poop much of it, your weight will likely go down on the scale.  However, it will also cause dehydration (7).

 

Because your body is smart, it will eventually catch on and will adjust to regain balance by absorbing more water than it typically does the next time you drink or eat food that contains water.  Your body will always want to make up for what it lost.  So you will eventually regain that weight back (7).

 

If you take PEG 3350 type drugs, especially long term, you will likely have symptoms of fatigue and tiredness, and in extreme cases it can result in death (7).

 

Ozempic Side Effects

 

Digestive Problems

The most common and widely known side effects of Ozempic are nausea, vomiting & digestive issues such as diarrhea, constipation and stomach pain (1)(2)

 

Fatigue

In his 2024 article, Collins, C. also reported that fatigue was the second most common side effect.

 

Serious Side-Effects

Because Ozempic is fairly recent, most studies out there agree that the long term effects of Ozempic are still unknown which poses a significant risk.  The 2023 article by Grant, K states: 

 

“some Ozempic users have developed stomach paralysis due to the drug's ability to slow down the passage of food through the digestive tract” (Grant, K, 2023).

 

In his 2024 article, Collins, C. reports more severe side-effects included gallbladder disease, acute pancreatitis, hypoglycaemia, acute kidney disease and injection site reactions.

 

In another 2024 article, Ball, L., & Burch, E. reported the same serious side effects.  They explain that in one study, 2.9% of participants had to stop taking Ozempic because the gastrointestinal adverse effects were not tolerable, and 8.6% had to reduce the dose for the same reasons.

 

Psychiatric Symptoms

A study from Europe analyzed the psychiatric symptoms that happened at the same time adults were taking Ozempic between January 2021 and May 2023.  They found that 1.2% of the group reported psychiatric symptoms.  Of those who reported psychiatric symptoms, 39% reported depression, followed by anxiety and 19,6% reported suicidal ideation. Following these findings, the US Food and Drug Administration investigated further and were not able to prove that the use of Ozempic is what caused those symptoms (3).  

 

However, if you’re someone already suffering from these symptoms and you would like to try Ozempic, I would advise paying close attention to those symptoms to ensure they don’t worsen.  

 

Drug Tolerance

Because we don’t know Ozempic’s long term effects, we don’t know if its effectiveness will slow down after some time.  They specify that this process is called drug tolerance, and it wouldn’t be the first drug to have this problem.  Other long-term drugs that are used to treat depressions and anxiety (known as antidepressants) and some chemotherapies have had this very problem (5).  

 

What this means is, if Ozempic can lead to drug tolerance, which is very possible, a person would have to continuously increase their dose to have the same effect over time.  I was prescribed a dopamine agonist once and one of the side effects was loss of appetite (similar to Ozempic), but after 2 months on this drug, my body got used to it and I found my normal appetite again.  

 

Another point to bring up is if Ozempic turns out to be a drug that leads to tolerance, people could experience withdrawal symptoms when coming off of it.  This would be devastating if it’s the case.  

 

Ozempic Cost

 

Canadians can expect to pay anywhere between  $350 up to $1,400 per month for Ozempic (1).  This was in 2023.  

 

However, if you have type-2 diabetes, your insurance plan will likely cover a good portion.  

 

Ozempic Long Term

 

Ozempic…for life?

Most researchers agree that for those who take Ozempic for weight loss, they should prepare to have to take this drug long term (as long as they want to keep the weight off) (2).

 

A 2022 study found that most people regain the weight they lost within a year of stopping Ozempic (1).

 

In other words, Ozempic may not be for you if you don’t want to have 1 injection every week for the rest of your life.

 

Difficult to access

It may not always be this way, but as we stand in 2024, Ozempic can be difficult to access. Due to a shortage currently, pharmacists are told to prioritize people with type-2 diabetes (3).

 

Not the first weight loss drug

 

• Organotherapy was known to help people lose weight in the years 1920s to 1940s - but as it turned out was also poisonous. 
• Amphetamines were all the craze between the 1930s and 1970s - but turned out to be highly addictive
• The fen-phen pill in the 1980s & 1990s was also known to suppress appetite - but turned out to cause heart valve and lung disease.  
• Ephedra was popular in the 1990s and 2000s - but it was linked to health problems ranging from heart attacks and seizures.

 

Like Beckett said:

 

“This isn't the first time we have heard that weight-loss drugs will change the world. Ozempic and its family of GLP-1-mimicking drugs are the latest in a long line of weight loss drugs. Each looked promising at the time. But none have lived up to the hype in the long term. Some have even been withdrawn from sale due to severe side effects.” (Beckett, E., 2024)

 

In other words, be careful, that's all. 

 

What Ozempic Does NOT Treat:

 

If you’re like many people, your excess weight is not just a result of appetite.  It is something that creeped up on you because you were dealing with other very difficult stressors in your life like stress, bad habits (such as snacking on food at night), addictions such as alcohol, low energy, or lack of time.  

 

Ozempic does not treat underlying weight loss barriers like stress 

 

Ozempic won’t make your job easier, it won’t make child care easier, it won’t make moving easier, it won’t make renovations easier, and it certainly is not going to make your financial situation easier either.

 

Whatever is causing you stress won’t disappear when you’re taking Ozempic.  And stress often leads to weight gain because it makes us turn to more convenient foods.  Which brings me to my next point…

 

Ozempic does not equal healthy eating

 

As we’ve covered, Ozempic helps to cut your appetite, it doesn’t necessarily lead to healthier food choices.  In other words, you can lose weight if you eat less junk food, but at the end of the day, you’re still eating junk food. 

 

You may find yourself losing weight, but still feeling very unhealthy.  This makes sense if you think about the nutrients your body needs.  The human body needs a good amount of healthy protein, fats, and complex carbs to function correctly - not to mention all the vitamins and minerals that also contribute to ultimate health.  

 

Eating less could lead you to lack vital nutrients.  This means you may find yourself thinner but sicker more often and for longer.  

 

Ozempic does not treat addictions. 

 

Another point to discuss is how cutting back on food, if you’re a person who was using food as a pleasurable reward, will leave you a void to fill.  Just like any addictions, when you cut out the substance, you will still be left with the very problem that got you addicted in the first place.  

 

If you cut out food, you will still be left with loneliness, stress, insecurity, depression - whatever it is you were trying to escape by eating snacks.  So, unless you plan on replacing that void with another healthy coping strategy you may find yourself replacing food with another unhealthy coping strategy like TV, alcohol, Social Media, Shopping, Gambling, etc.  

 

I would be interested in finding out if people using Ozempic have noticed an increase in other addictive substances or activities when their appetite decreased. 

 

Yates, N. brought this up in her 2024 article: 

 

“Why is giving up the pleasure we get from eating seen as a reasonable exchange for losing weight? Is this really a healthy long-term solution?” (Yates, N.,2024)

 

Ozempic does not treat a lack of energy

 

If anything, like we’ve mentioned earlier in this blog, it will likely lead to more fatigue.  So, if you’re someone who is already feeling chronically tired, you will likely struggle even more if you use Ozempic.

 

As a mental health professional myself, I know first hand that low energy can lead to isolation and depression.  

 

Another point to consider is that by making you more tired, Ozempic may cause you to have a harder time to exercise than you already had.  

 

So although Ozempic may help you cut your appetite and therefore help you lose weight, it won’t help you exercise more.  And exercise has been proven time and time again through many decades to help with weight loss AND mental health AND lowering risks of chronic diseases.  

 

Ozempic won’t help your Self-Esteem 

 

I know you think your self-esteem will improve once you lose the weight, but believe me, if you had poor self-esteem as a person with excess weight, you will likely still have poor self-esteem as a person with a normal weight.  

 

Your self-esteem is determined by the thoughts you hold of yourself as a whole (not just your body).  You may get a boost of self esteem when you see yourself losing weight, but your thoughts will likely still be negative towards yourself in general.  

 

This means you will still feel inadequate (at work, in your relationships, etc.) except now you will be thinner.  Trust me, as a person who is currently maintaining an ideal weight, I still have to work on my self-esteem every single day!  

 

Ozempic targets your appetite and your blood sugar.  It does not improve your brain and the thoughts you allow to fester in there.   

 

Ozempic will not cure your mental health problems

 

Just like Ozempic can’t change the complex patterns that causes poor self-esteem, Ozempic can’t cure your anxiety or depression if you suffer from those conditions.  Again, it may improve the perception you have of your body, but it will stop there. 

 

Conditions that cause chronic anxiety and/or depression are more complex than your appetite!

 

So, if you think Ozempic and weight loss is the answer to your daily emotional & psychological suffering, think again!

 

Ozempic does not treat sleep issues

 

If your sleep problems came solely from your excess weight, then you may find yourself sleeping better when taking Ozempic.   But if you’re like more North-Americans, your sleep issues stem from stress, digestion, or chronic pain (or all of them combined).  

 

Remember, Ozempic causes you to digest slower.  So if you’re someone who lacks sleep because of digestive issues, don’t be surprised if Ozempic makes this worse for you.  

 

We’ve already talked about the fact that Ozempic doesn’t treat stress, but it certainly is not known to treat pain either.  Again, if the sole reason you experience chronic pain is because of your excess weight, then you may feel some pain relief when taking Ozempic.  But if you suffer from chronic pain because of an unresolved injury, Ozempic is not going to change this.  

 

The Natural Ozempic

 

Remember, we already have a hormone in our body that cuts down our appetite and reduces cravings, called GLP-1.  Ozempic simply kicks this process in high gear.  What if there are other ways to kick this process in high gear WITHOUT taking Ozempic?

 

Wouldn’t that be ideal?  

 

Imagine having similar positive effects as Ozempic, without having to endure the negative side-effects, and without having to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars out of pocket every month!! 

 

Does that exist???  

 

YES IT DOES!!

 

The answer is simple: Resistance Training & Foods high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats.

 

I figured you wouldn’t believe me so I brought some science to back me up!

 

• Eating healthy fats (fish and fish oils, olive oil, avocados, nuts, etc.) (8)(15)
• Increasing protein intake (12)(14)(15)
• Eating more fiber, whole fruits, and vegetables (9) (10) (11) (13)(15)
• Resistance Training (11)

 

Yep, that’s it!   Those foods have the power to help your body secrete more GLP-1 hormone and therefore lead to weight loss just like Ozempic does!  

 

The Alternative You Should Consider

 

If you’re interested in losing weight in a more natural way, but you’re struggling to stay consistent with healthy habits like healthy eating and more exercise, don’t worry.  You are part of a very large group of people who don’t want to resort to drugs, but at the same time feel hopeless when trying to adopt healthy habits.  

It’s because you haven’t tried a weight loss framework.

A weight loss framework is a step by step plan that teaches you about more than just nutrition and exercises, but about the other crucial steps you need to lose weight and keep it off like how to build habits that stick - or how to address food addictions!  

Learn more about the 5 Step Framework to Lose 30lbs or more Without Having to Follow a Standard Diet.  I host regular FREE Online Masterclasses.  Click HERE to Register!

 

Love Julie,

Certified Health Coach

 

REFERENCES

1- Grant, K. (2023). Using Ozempic for “minor” weight loss: Fair or foul? Clinical Endocrinology News, 1–4.

2- Collins, C. (2024). No, taking drugs like Ozempic isn’t “cheating” at weight loss or the “easy way out.” Conversation (Conversation Media Group Ltd), 1.

3- Ball, L., & Burch, E. (2024). Considering taking a weight-loss drug like Ozempic? Here are some potential risks and benefits. Conversation (Conversation Media Group Ltd), 1.

4- Yates, N. (2024). 31% of Australians are obese - is Ozempic a healthy solution? A GP considers Johann Hari’s inside take on a “mass experiment.” Conversation (Conversation Media Group Ltd), 1.

5- Beckett, E. (2024). Drugs like Ozempic won’t “cure” obesity but they might make us more fat-phobic. Conversation (Conversation Media Group Ltd), 1.

6- The use of Wegovy and Ozempic may complicate surgical procedures. (2024). India Together, N.PAG.

7- Wheate, N., & Pace, J. (2023). What is “budget Ozempic” that’s all over social media? Can it help me lose weight? Conversation (Conversation Media Group Ltd), 1.

8- Nobile, V., Duclos, E., Michelotti, A., Bizzaro, G., Negro, M., & Soisson, F. (2016). Supplementation with a fish protein hydrolysate (Micromesistius poutassou): effects on body weight, body composition, and CCK/GLP-1 secretion. Food & Nutrition Research, 60, 1–N.PAG. https://doi.org/10.3402/fnr.v60.29857

9- Haldar, S., Chia, S. C., & Henry, C. J. (2018). Polyphenol-rich curry made with mixed spices and vegetables increases postprandial plasma GLP-1 concentration in a dose-dependent manner. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 72(2), 297–300. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-017-0069-7

10- Montelius, C., Erlandsson, D., Vitija, E., Stenblom, E.-L., Egecioglu, E., & Erlanson-Albertsson, C. (2014). Body weight loss, reduced urge for palatable food and increased release of GLP-1 through daily supplementation with green-plant membranes for three months in overweight women. Appetite, 81, 295–304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2014.06.101

10- Montelius, C., Erlandsson, D., Vitija, E., Stenblom, E.-L., Egecioglu, E., & Erlanson-Albertsson, C. (2014). Body weight loss, reduced urge for palatable food and increased release of GLP-1 through daily supplementation with green-plant membranes for three months in overweight women. Appetite, 81, 295–304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2014.06.101

11- Akbarpour, M., Shoorabeh, F. F., Mardani, M., & Majd, F. A. (2021). Effects of Eight Weeks of Resistance Training and Consumption of Pomegranate on GLP-1, DPP-4 and Glycemic Statuses in Women with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrition & Food Sciences Research, 8(1), 5–10.

12- Rai, C., & Priyadarshini, P. (2023). Whey protein hydrolysates improve high-fat-diet-induced obesity by modulating the brain–peripheral axis of GLP-1 through inhibition of DPP-4 function in mice. European Journal of Nutrition, 62(6), 2489–2507. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-023-03162-4

13- Neacsu, M., Vaughan, N. J., Multari, S., Haljas, E., Scobbie, L., Duncan, G. J., Cantlay, L., Fyfe, C., Anderson, S., Horgan, G., Johnstone, A. M., & Russell, W. R. (2022). Hemp and buckwheat are valuable sources of dietary amino acids, beneficially modulating gastrointestinal hormones and promoting satiety in healthy volunteers. European Journal of Nutrition, 61(2), 1057–1072. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-021-02711-z

14- Ren, M., Zhang, H., Qi, J., Hu, A., Jiang, Q., Hou, Y., Feng, Q., Ojo, O., & Wang, X. (2020). An Almond-Based Low Carbohydrate Diet Improves Depression and Glycometabolism in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes through Modulating Gut Microbiota and GLP-1: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients, 12(10), 3036. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12103036

15- References

Bodnaruc, A. M., Prud’homme, D., Blanchet, R., & Giroux, I. (2016). Nutritional modulation of endogenous glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion: a review. Nutrition & Metabolism, 13, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12986-016-0153-3