Ozempic is a prescription injectable that's become increasingly popular over the last few years. While researchers identified semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic decades ago, the medication didn't receive approval from Health Canada until 2018. Since then, it's been a game-changer for women looking to lose weight and get healthy.
Ozempic is a branded prescription drug containing the active ingredient semaglutide. Currently, semaglutide has approval as an anti-diabetic medication. However, licensed healthcare providers can prescribe it for off-label use to help with weight loss and weight management. When paired with a healthy diet and exercise, semaglutide medications can lead to impressive weight loss, transforming women's lives throughout Canada.
Semaglutide medications like Ozempic can facilitate blood sugar management and weight loss in a few different ways. The medication is a GLP-1 agonist, which means it mimics the effects of GLP-1 hormones, chemical messengers produced mostly in the small intestines and colon. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormones serve many purposes in the body. They trigger insulin release from the pancreas and prevent the liver from releasing stored sugars, helping to control glucose levels. Additionally, GLP-1 hormones act on the hunger centres of the brain to reduce unhealthy food cravings and increase feelings of fullness.
These mechanisms can work wonders to help those living with type 2 diabetes. On top of that, they can help those struggling with being overweight or obese to slim down, control appetite, and achieve better overall health. An estimated 31 percent of women in Canada are overweight and roughly the same percentage are obese. More and more women are turning to Ozempic and other semaglutide medications to make positive changes. And unlike fad diets, extreme workouts, and unregulated pills, semaglutide medications are a clinician-backed way to overcome weight loss challenges.
What Women Need To Know About GLP-1s Like Ozempic
It’s important to note that GLP-1 medications like Ozempic aren't for everyone. Women need to discuss their health history and goals with a licensed healthcare provider to confirm their eligibility for treatment before receiving a prescription for off-label use. For example, if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant, Ozempic is not right for you at this time. That’s because GLP-1 medication can potentially cause a change in ovulation.
There’s another thing to consider before pursuing a prescription. GLP-1 medications like Ozempic are a long-term commitment and work best when you’re ready to transform your lifestyle. When used as part of a diabetes or weight loss treatment plan including a healthy diet and exercise, Ozempic can improve appetite control, making it much easier to create the calorie deficit needed to sustain weight loss.
What Are the Benefits of Ozempic?
The two primary benefits of Ozempic are blood sugar and appetite control. Semaglutide medications like Ozempic imitate the effects of natural hormones that play a part in blood sugar and hunger regulation. When taken regularly, semaglutide can prevent your liver from releasing stored blood sugar while stimulating insulin release. These effects can make managing your blood sugar much easier, which both diabetic and non-diabetic women can benefit from.
When it comes to weight loss, Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications can help reduce hunger and cravings for unhealthy foods. GLP-1 medications do this by sending signals to the areas of the brain that influence appetite, increasing feelings of fullness.
If you start taking Ozempic, you might notice that cravings for junk food are no longer constant. Many women taking GLP-1 medications report a reduction of "food noise" as one of the surprising benefits they experienced. By telling the brain it no longer feels hungry, semaglutide medications like Ozempic can help women avoid unhealthy snacking and make smarter eating choices.
Beyond hunger and blood sugar control, you may experience several other health-related benefits. Slimming down with Ozempic can improve women's overall health. That may result in a decreased risk of prediabetes and cardiovascular events. Some women also experience better liver health, a lower risk of obesity-related cancers, improvements in sleep apnea, and more.
Common Side Effects & What to Expect
There are some side effects to look out for when you first start taking Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications. The most common include nausea, constipation, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain. While less common, more serious side effects like dizziness, joint pain and racing heartbeat can also occur.
The good news is that common side effects are typically temporary. Furthermore, health care providers manage dosing to minimize the risk of experiencing adverse effects. GLP-1 medications require titration. That means you begin on a smaller dose before slowly working your way up until you reach the long-term maintenance dose. Titration helps you experience maximum benefits with minimal side effects.
Ozempic is a once-weekly injectable. The starting dose is typically 0.25 milligrams. After four weeks of that dosage, your doctor may increase your dose to 0.50 milligrams for another four weeks. The maximum dose is 1 or 2 milligrams, depending on your needs.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Ozempic?
Ozempic can be beneficial to a wide variety of women. It's a treatment option approved for those with type 2 diabetes. Healthcare providers can also prescribe it to treat other weight-related conditions, including prediabetes, hypertension, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and more.
Women who are obese or overweight also have much to gain from taking Ozempic. Licensed healthcare providers can prescribe GLP-1 medications for weight loss for off-label use. Generally, the best candidates are those with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. Doctors often prescribe GLP-1 medications like Ozempic to women who have a BMI as low as 27 if they also have weight-related health conditions.
Lifestyle Tips for Weight Loss & Management
To reach your health goals and maintain progress with Ozempic, you must first improve your lifestyle. Ozempic makes it easier to make healthier choices, but you should still approach this journey as an opportunity for major positive changes.
Our first tip is to follow medical advice to a tee. Despite its growing popularity and widespread use, GLP-1s are still medications you have to inject into your body. Follow your physician's guidance. Stick to their dosing schedule to mitigate the risk of adverse effects. Be patient! You'll reach the maintenance dose in due time. Jumping straight into large doses can be dangerous.
As you start losing weight, be mindful of what you eat. GLP-1 medications can help change your mindset by reducing appetite and cravings. You might naturally eat less, but you still need to eat healthy foods to speed up your progress. Swap the simple carbohydrates for wholesome complex carbs. Ditch the high-fat snacks, eat more fruits and vegetables, stick to lean proteins, and avoid highly processed foods.
Another major tip is to listen to your body. It can take time to get used to feeling full when you're on GLP-1 medications. You may find yourself eating large meals like you did in the past. Resist the urge to overeat because overeating in the early stages of your journey can set you back.
Finally, start moving and keep at it multiple times a week to create a good calorie deficit for weight loss. Ozempic can help you eat less, but you should still get active to burn as many calories as possible. You don't have to go over the top with your exercise routine. Going on daily walks, exploring cardiovascular exercises, and doing light strength training can make a big difference on your journey.
Consult a Healthcare Provider to Learn More
Losing weight can feel like an uphill battle, but it doesn't have to be that way. Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications are flipping the script on weight loss, finally providing clinician-backed support for millions of women seeking health and happiness.
When you’re ready to start your weight loss journey, connect with a licensed healthcare provider and explore treatment options like Ozempic that can help you take charge of your health and reach your goals.
