Weight loss can be a difficult and challenging journey for many individuals. Diet, exercise, and other lifestyle components should be the first line of defense. However, in recent years, many experts are preaching that obesity is predominantly genetic in origin and there is little you or I can do to correct it.

Then they proceed to sell you the solution through pharmaceutical intervention and profit off our illnesses.

Weight loss drugs have become increasingly popular within the past decade, and two of the newest and most effective options are Ozempic and Wegovy.

Ozempic and Wegovy are both prescription medications that are designed to help people lose weight. They work by targeting the hormones in the body that control appetite and food intake. Specifically, they stimulate the release of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), a hormone that reduces hunger and promotes feelings of fullness. (1)

Ozempic (semaglutide) is a once-weekly injection that was originally approved by the FDA in 2017 for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In 2021, the FDA approved Ozempic for weight loss in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or with a BMI of 27 or higher and at least one weight-related health condition, such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.

Wegovy (semaglutide) is similar to Ozempic but is a much higher dose and is taken once a week as well. It was approved by the FDA in 2021 specifically for weight loss in adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or with a BMI of 27 or higher and at least one weight-related health condition.

While Ozempic and Wegovy have proven to be effective at promoting weight loss, they do come with a host of potential side effects. (2)

The most common side effects of both medications are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Other, more severe, side effects include:

Pancreatitis - both medications have been associated with an increased risk of pancreatitis, a condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed and can be life-threatening. (3)
Gallbladder problems - there have been reports of gallbladder disease or gallstones in patients taking Ozempic or Wegovy. (4)
Hypoglycemia - both medications can lower blood sugar levels, which can be dangerous for people with diabetes. (5)
Thyroid cancer - animal studies have shown an increased risk of thyroid cancer in rats treated with high doses of semaglutide, although the risk in humans is not known. (6)

Weight Rebound Effect

Some concerns have been raised about the potential for rapid weight rebound after treatment cessation.

Weight rebound is a phenomenon that occurs when a person regains weight after losing it. This effect is common among people who lose weight through dieting or weight loss medications. Weight rebound occurs because the drug never treated the underlying root cause of the weight gain.

Many individuals who start weight loss drugs have any varying degree of metabolic dysfunction (mitochondrial dysfunction, hormone dysregulation, etc.) and the drug doesn’t address these issues.

According to a recent study titled “Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: The STEP 1 trial extension” participants who had completed the original 68-week STEP 1 trial were randomly assigned to receive either semaglutide or placebo for an additional 48 weeks. (7)

The results showed that participants who received semaglutide during the extension period regained nearly all the weight back a year later.

The authors concluded the findings by suggesting that continued treatment with semaglutide may be necessary to maintain weight loss and cardiometabolic benefits.

This is the perfect drug for Big Pharma because it requires the individual to stay on it for life.

Final Thoughts

Ozempic and Wegovy have definitely helped many individuals achieve weight loss in the short term. However, we do not know the long-term ramifications these new class of drugs will have, and they are already showing many potential side effects that should be carefully considered before starting treatment.

Most importantly, they also do not address the underlying metabolic dysfunction of the weight gain in the first place. Inside today’s video we go over all this and 4 root cause ways to burn body fat naturally.

Disclaimer: As with any medication, it is important to discuss the risks and benefits with a healthcare provider to determine if these medications are the right choice for you.