How Does Semaglutide Work for Weight Loss
It’s no secret that Semaglutide benefits lie in active fat burning. On the other hand, the mechanism of operation often remains in the shadows from consumers. If you want to know how does Semaglutide helps you lose weight, then you have come to the right place. In this article we will tell you more about Semaglutide, its principle of action, and features of treatment.
How Does Semaglutide Work in the Body?
The drugs based on Semaglutide are already well-known to many people from different parts of our planet. However, some still need to understand how does semaglutide work in reality. Wegovy, Ozempic, and other injections operate on the same principle, as they consist mainly of Semaglutide. This substance works on the body in different ways.
GLP-1 Receptor Activation
You may have heard earlier that Semaglutide was originally developed and used for people with type 2 diabetes. Why is that? Quite simply – its main function is to activate GLP-1 receptor agonists. Generally, this hormone has an important role in the human body, being responsible for blood sugar levels and the feeling of satiety. When you start to feel hungry, you should know that this is how the GLP-1 receptor behaves.
Actually, activation of the GLP-1 receptor in the human body affects many things. In addition to feeling satiety, it can regulate glucose levels. This is why Ozempic has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat patients with diabetes.
Blood Sugar Control and Insulin Sensitivity
Those who have at least a minimal familiarity with medicine and anatomy know what insulin is. Its benefits include helping us control sugar levels. If this function is not performed normally, the person is considered to have type 2 diabetes. How does it work in real life? The drug stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin when glucose levels rise, helping to avoid sugar spikes.
Scientists at Novo Nordisk invented Semaglutide more than 10 years ago to control blood sugar levels when the body can’t do it on its own. Patients take this medication regularly and in cases when sugar levels go beyond the normal range. Moreover, this substance helps to increase the sensitivity of cells to insulin, which reduces the risk of insulin resistance.
Delayed Gastric Emptying and Fullness
After doctors began prescribing Semaglutide to patients with type 2 diabetes, they quickly noticed one interesting feature. The patient’s stool became less frequent than it had been before starting the treatment. Scientists began looking for an explanation for this fact and realized that Semaglutide stimulates delayed gastric emptying. This is a great effect for overweight people who want to become thinner.
When you have delayed gastric emptying, you feel like your stomach is full. Even though you last ate 3-5 hours ago, you feel like you just walked out of a restaurant a few minutes ago.
How Semaglutide Speeds Up Metabolism
Significantly accelerating metabolism is another option how does Semaglutide cause weight loss. You are probably familiar with people who eat a lot and yet always stay skinny. This means that these people have a fast metabolism. On the other hand, it is extremely difficult for them to gain 5-10 kilos of weight. That’s what Semaglutide does:
- The action of this substance is aimed at improving the body’s sensitivity to insulin. As a result, the efficiency of converting calories into energy becomes higher. This accelerated metabolism allows you to spend more calories than you leave in your body.
We want to note that fat storage is often influenced by insulin. When you experience frequent insulin spikes (seen in diabetics), more fat can remain and linger under the skin. Therefore, increased insulin sensitivity helps your body handle the food you eat more efficiently and burn fat.
Semaglutide and Belly Fat Reduction
You may ask what does Semaglutide do to your body by entering the bloodstream. As we have already said in this article, its effects are to reduce appetite, speed up metabolism, and increase insulin sensitivity.
All these effects, in combination, help the patient to burn fat faster. Since the largest fat reserve in people is concentrated in the abdominal area, this zone actively falls under the action of the drug. Some studies by medical specialists have proved that fat from the abdomen leaves faster than from other areas of the body.
How Quickly Does Semaglutide Work for Weight Loss?
After the popularity of Ozempic, a drug under the brand name Wegovy was released, which is intended for overweight and obese people. It is not surprising that many people, before buying it, are interested in how quickly, after injections of the drug, you will be able to see the desired numbers on the scale. Actually, the final result depends on many factors.
Expected Weight Loss in the First 4 Weeks
Semaglutide is a substance that has been actively used by people for about 12 years. During this time, doctors have managed to conduct a lot of research, and there are no secrets for overweight people about the speed of the drug’s effect. People want to understand in advance how many kilograms of weight to lose in one month of treatment with Semaglutide.
Usually, the course of treatment with this drug is about 2-3 months. The first signs, such as appetite suppression, are observed during the first weeks. There were cases when patients noticed a decrease in the desire to eat just a few days after the start of the course.
In order to evaluate the treatment for obesity with Semaglutide, a large group of people were recruited. Men and women of different ages and different current weights were invited there. They were administered a minimal dose of Semaglutide every week without drastically changing their lifestyle. As a result, they managed to get rid of an average of 3.5 kg of weight in 4 weeks.
Factors That Affect Weight Loss Speed
Many factors affect how does Semaglutide work for weight loss. First of all, these are the organism’s specifics because each of us is different. That is why there is no formula that can be used to calculate how much weight can be lost with Semaglutide over a certain period of time. Here is what else affects the speed of weight loss:
- Chosen dosage.
- Sticking to a proper diet.
- Physical activity.
You should understand that a Semaglutide-based drug is not a magic wand that can create a miracle in a moment. Effectiveness requires patients to maintain a proper lifestyle.
Common Side Effects of Semaglutide
Taking Semaglutide regularly can bring you beneficial results and allow you to get rid of extra pounds. However, in some cases, the treatment may cause unpleasant side effects. During the studies, some of the patients reported various side effects, which we will describe below.
Gastrointestinal Side Effects
The most common negative effects that patients report during the course of Ozempic or Wegovy treatment are nausea and vomiting. According to statistics, about twenty percent of those taking this drug have experienced these sensations. Why does it happen? Nausea and vomiting are normal reactions of the body to the changes that the substance stimulates.
In rare cases, patients note the appearance of diarrhea. Usually, such effects are observed with huge doses, so it is recommended that the volume of injections not be changed without the doctor’s permission. To get rid of such side effects, follow a proper diet without fatty foods. There are also cases when it is forbidden to use Semaglutide.
Headaches and Other Side Effects
Among other side effects that can be often encountered is headache. Interestingly, the drug doesn’t provoke headaches when it enters the bloodstream. This side effect is a consequence of other changes that occur in the body. Here are what other side effects you may encounter during a Semaglutide course:
- Increased fatigue.
- Abdominal pain.
- Abrupt mood swings.
For example, a headache can cause low blood sugar or dehydration. This is why many medical professionals recommend that people who are overweight drink more water.
Tips to Maximize Weight Loss on Semaglutide
As you may have already realized, the number of lost kilograms of weight depends on both the drug and your actions. If you take the minimum dosage and lie on the couch, you shouldn’t expect impressive results. There are a few tips that will help you achieve the best effects.
Diet and Nutrition Tips
Certainly, the first recommendation is to change your attitude to nutrition. You already know how does semaglutide work for diabetes and obesity. Therefore, the appetite-reducing effect alone will not be enough for you. Your daily meals should not include burgers, chips, sodas, and other unhealthy foods. Experts say that the diet while taking Semaglutide should contain as much protein and healthy carbohydrates as possible. Here are the foods that will be good for you:
- Cucumbers, tomatoes, mushrooms and herbs.
- Rice, quinoa, and other grains.
- Greek yogurt with minimal fat content.
- Apples, oranges and watermelon.
- Lean cuts of chicken and eggs.
It is best to consult a professional nutritionist, who can make an individual nutrition plan for you for a month. After this period, you should analyze the results and change your diet if necessary.
Physical Activity and Exercise
The next tip that will help you increase the effectiveness of Semaglutide is physical activity. You should move more and do sports activities to burn more calories.
Moreover, experts have highlighted the sports activities that you should prioritize. This list includes swimming, running, jumping, and cardio exercises. The most important thing is to emphasize those exercises that help you burn as many calories as possible. When you take Semaglutide and exercise actively, you have a better chance of losing about 8 pounds in one month.
Conclusion: Is Semaglutide Right for You?
Surely, the effectiveness of Semaglutide has been proven many times in studies. However, in any case, before buying such a drug, you need to go for a consultation with a doctor. He will tell you which brand to choose, the optimal dosage, and other recommendations for weight loss when taking Semaglutide.