Reviewed by Charles Wade, FNP-BC. For general education purposes, NOT medical advice.
At first, the original purpose of semaglutide wasn’t to help people lose weight. It was initially designed as a treatment for type-2 diabetes, but in trials, physicians noticed a pretty obvious effect – weight loss. Eventually, researchers leaned into that side effect, tested it for weight loss, and got it approved for that use.
The only way to see why it’s so effective is if you look at how it affects your stomach and your brain.
The Effects It Has on Your Body
When you eat, a hormone called GLP-1 is released in your gut. It has several simple functions: It signals your brain that you are full, it slows down the rate of food passing through your stomach, and it tells your pancreas to produce insulin.
Semaglutide is essentially replacing that natural hormone. The big difference? Your own body’s GLP-1 quickly goes away after you eat. Semaglutide doesn’t get metabolized by the body very quickly, meaning that the “full” feedback loop remains switched on for the entire week.
Why You Stop Thinking About Food
Hunger falls thanks to two fronts:
In the brain. It works on the part of the brain that controls hunger. It reduces the volume when it comes to all those cravings and the constant background thoughts about your next meal — what many people call “food noise.”
In your gut. It prolongs the stay of food in the stomach. Your stomach doesn’t empty quickly, and you remain full for quite a while after you’ve eaten what you normally would be hungry for and craving a snack.
People find themselves eating less when these two things happen together and they don’t have to fight the urge to skip snacks anymore.
By Keeping Blood Sugar Levels Stable, You’re Less Likely to Get a Craving
Semaglutide also helps to control insulin levels, preventing a blood sugar rise and subsequent drop following meals. The abrupt crashes are usually the cause of intense cravings for carbs or sugars.
Maintaining stable levels is one of the biggest advantages you can have if you deal with insulin resistance.
Why It Takes Time to Work
You don’t just begin with a full dose on day one. The drug accumulates in your system over a number of weeks.
Typically, you begin on a low dose (0.25 mg) and gradually increase it over four-week intervals! This slow ramp-up allows your gut to adjust to the slower digestion. Your appetite may be reduced in the first few weeks, but the most significant changes in appetite occur over 2 to 3 months as you reach higher doses.
The Side Effects Realities
During clinical trials lasting approximately 18 months, individuals lost an average of roughly 15% of their body weight. However, it is not magic; it doesn’t burn fat on its own. It makes it reasonable rather than exhausting to eat less and to make healthier choices.
Because digestion slows down, stomach problems are rather common, particularly in the beginning:
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Constipation or stomach discomfort
These tend to be worse immediately after you move to a stronger dose and then improve after a week or two.
Effective ways to reduce nausea:
- Eating smaller portions
- Taking your time
- Steering clear of food that’s greasy and heavy
Who Is Eligible for a Prescription?
Semaglutide is not intended to help people lose 5 pounds quickly. It’s clinically designed for adults with:
- BMI 30 or over
- BMI of 27 or higher and a medical condition like high blood pressure, hyperlipidaemia (high cholesterol) or type 2 diabetes
Next Steps
Wade’s Care First offers telehealth weight loss consultations in 9 states, available the same day. We will review your full health profile first to determine whether or not GLP-1 drugs are a good fit for you.
Most of the major insurance plans are accepted such as Medicare, Medicaid, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Humana, and Cigna.
Looking to explore your choices? Visit wadescarefirst.com.
