This suggests that subjects would need to stay on Semaglutide indefinitely to keep the weight loss off. It once again proves that weight loss can only be accomplished by lifestyle modifications of making permanent changes in both diet and exercise to lose weight. Also, an interesting fact is that whey protein also increases GLP-1 levels and reduces appetite
SEMAGLUTIDE WEIGHT LOSS SIDE EFFECTS SUMMARY
- Semaglutide weight loss side effects after discontinuing include weight gain.
- Semaglutide signals the brain that you are full and reduces appetite.
- When participants discontinued Semaglutide, participants regained about 2/3 of their initial weight back after a year.
INTRODUCTION
Most people want to lose as much body fat as possible in the fastest time, but this often results in losses in lean muscle mass and a deterioration in metabolism. Researchers tracked the participants in the Biggest Loser Show, and many regained body fat after the show ended.
Most of the participants in the study lost a dramatic amount of body fat and muscle mass. When researchers tracked these participants after the show had ended, they had a 21% decrease in total energy expenditure; RMR per kilogram of lean mass decreased by 504 calories per day, indicating a profound loss of lean mass has a profound impact on metabolic rate.(2)
EXERCISE ALONE IS NOT THE ANSWER
Exercise has many beneficial effects, such as improving body composition and reducing high blood pressure and heart disease. Many people think exercising more is the best way to lose body fat, but two systemic reviews found that exercise alone without caloric restriction had minimal effects on weight loss.(3, 4) It has been found that 1% of participants can achieve significant weight loss by exercise alone. (3)
It takes a considerable number of calories burned during exercise to achieve significant weight loss. In a study of overweight adults, those whose exercise expenditure was greater than 2500 calories per week had half the weight regain as those who performed exercise expenditure with less than 2500 calories.(5) A typical resistance exercise session burns about 200-300 calories per hour, whereas an hour of cardio burns about 400-500 calories per hour.
Current guidelines for individuals seeking to lose weight or prevent regain are recommended to increase exercise duration thru aerobic exercise to 200–300 min/week. This roughly equates to 2000 kcal/week or an average of over 400 kcal per exercise session. This roughly translates to about 60 minutes at 3.5 mph on a treadmill or a leisurely bike ride, depending on your body weight.
Now the scary part is that one Chewy Trail Mix Granola Bar contains 415 calories to compensate for that hour of exercise. You have eaten more than you burned in 60 minutes in 5 bites! It’s easy to see how hard it is to lose body fat just by exercise. A large-scale study of over 38,204 college students found that most students reported more exercise is the best way to lose weight rather than a diet.(6) This is not true despite the widely held belief that exercising more is better for fat loss.
SEMAGLUTIDE REVOLUTION
Most people, out of frustration, have turned to pharmacological drugs for obesity treatment since most people don’t want to exercise or diet. A BMI above >30 is considered obese. A recent study made headlines about a new anti-obesity drug called Wegovy (i.e., Ozempic and Wegovy are the brand names for Semaglutide).
Semaglutide is a class of prescription drugs (i.e., injection) approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA initially approved semaglutide injections in December 2017 under the brand name Ozempic for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The approval was based on its ability to improve blood sugar control in conjunction with diet and exercise in patients with type 2 diabetes.
In June 2021, the FDA further approved a higher dose of semaglutide (2.4 mg) under the brand name Wegovy, specifically for chronic weight management in adults with obesity. This approval followed clinical trials that demonstrated the drug’s effectiveness in promoting weight loss when used as part of a comprehensive lifestyle management program that includes dietary changes and increased physical activity.
There is a lot of buzz about people using Semaglutide. You can check out some of the discussions of semaglutide weight loss reviews on Reddit. If you search for 6-week plan ozempic weight loss results, you will find a vast array of before and after photos of the dramatic weight loss.
HOW DOES SEMAGLUTIDE WORK?
Semaglutide, an analog of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), is administered subcutaneously once a week. When blood glucose levels rise, GLP-1 prompts the pancreas to release insulin, which in turn helps reduce blood glucose levels. Semaglutide signals the brain that you are full and reduces appetite. The recommended use is to combine Semaglutide with a reduced-calorie diet. Also, an interesting fact is that whey protein also increases GLP-1 levels and reduces appetite. (8, 9)
The first study on Semaglutide found that patients taking Semaglutide lost an average of 33.6 pounds compared to the placebo group, which lost 5.72 pounds over 68 weeks.
The estimated mean weight change at week 68 was 14.9% with 2.4-mg Semaglutide, compared with −2.4% with placebo. The subjects followed a reduced-calorie diet of a 500 kcal deficit per day, and increased physical activity of 150 minutes per week was encouraged.
The Semaglutide group also lost more body fat and retained more lean muscle mass than the control group.(7) So what happens when you decide to come off Semaglutide?
SEMAGLUTIDE WEIGHT LOSS SIDE EFFECTS
A new study was released this week on a one-year withdrawal after Semaglutide. The researchers wanted to examine if the subjects could keep their weight loss off. Participants regained about 2/3 of their initial weight back after a year. The subjects remained 5.6% below their original pre-weight before entering the trial. Those who gained the most weight regain after withdrawal was observed in participants who had lost 20% or more of baseline body weight during treatment.
It could also be that the subjects stopped their diet and physical activity program while using Semaglutide may also have contributed to the trajectory of weight regain. (7) The subjects kept about 5% of their initial weight loss off, which could be construed as positive.
PHYSIOLOGICAL SEMAGLUTIDE WEIGHT LOSS SIDE EFFECTS
Caution should be taken before considering using Semaglutide under medical supervision. Possible side effects include abdomen pain, hypoglycemia (i.e., low blood sugar), fast heartbeat, dizziness, trouble breathing, difficulty swallowing, tiredness, shortness of breath, gallbladder problems, nausea, belching, heartburn, hoarseness, lump at the injection site, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and bloating.
Less common but more serious side effects may include Pancreatitis (i.e., those with a history of pancreatitis), Diabetic retinopathy complications, Allergic reactions, and Kidney problems. Thyroid cancer (there have been some concerns about a potential link between semaglutide and thyroid cancer, though the evidence is limited)
Herbal products can have severe interactions with semaglutide, so talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist before using any over-the-counter supplement.
Conclusion
This suggests that subjects need to stay on Semaglutide indefinitely to keep the weight loss off. It once again proves that weight loss can only be accomplished by lifestyle modifications of making permanent changes in both diet and exercise.
How much weight can you lose in a month on semaglutide?
The amount of weight lost on semaglutide varies depending on individual factors such as starting weight, diet, and exercise habits. Clinical trials show that users can lose an average of 15-20% of their body weight over a period of several months.
REFERENCES
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