Have you been hearing a lot about semaglutide in the media recently? You’re not alone. Semaglutide is an injectable medication originally developed to treat Type 2 diabetes, but it’s recently gained popularity as a weight loss method.
And if you’re struggling to lose weight, you might wonder if semaglutide can help you achieve your weight loss goals. Angie Huff, Pharm.D, Jenny Theriot, NP, and our team at SYNC Wellness + SYNC Life are here to help answer your questions.
We specialize in customized weight loss solutions in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Here’s what you need to know about semaglutide for weight loss.
How semaglutide works
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It works like glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a natural hormone that your body makes to regulate your blood sugar levels.
GLP-1 helps stimulate your body to release insulin and reduces the amount of glucose your liver releases. It also slows down your digestive process and keeps your stomach fuller longer, helping you feel less hungry than usual.
How semaglutide can support weight loss
Recent studies have shown that semaglutide can help people lose weight, even if they don’t have diabetes. The drug works by suppressing your appetite which reduces your food intake. And since it makes your stomach empty slower, it can increase how full you feel after eating.
Along with reducing food and calorie intake, research shows that semaglutide may increase energy expenditure. This increase can help you burn more calories and support your weight loss efforts.
One study published in The New England Journal of Medicine showed that semaglutide could be effective to help obese individuals lose weight. The study included over 1,900 participants and documented their progress over 68 weeks. The people that received semaglutide lost an average of 15% of their body weight, compared to 2.4% in the group who didn’t.
Is semaglutide right for you?
Semaglutide shows promise as a weight loss option, but it’s still a relatively new treatment. The best way to find out if semaglutide can help you lose weight is to schedule a consultation with your healthcare provider.
Dr. Huff and our team offer comprehensive health evaluations to create a customized weight loss plan for you. We review your medical history, do a physical exam, and discuss your weight loss goals to help you decide if semaglutide is right for you.
It’s important to note that semaglutide isn’t a magic weight loss pill. We recommend semaglutide in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise plan to achieve optimal results, and we monitor your progress closely.
Like all medications, semaglutide may cause side effects, like nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting. These side effects should go away after a few weeks, so contact our team if you experience consistent symptoms.
If you have excess weight to lose, semaglutide could make it easier to shed those pounds. Find whether it might be right for you by calling the SYNC Wellness + SYNC Life office at 225-425-7962 or sending us an online message now.
