Ozempic vs. Metabolic Health: The Truth About GLP-1 Drugs
Alright, let's talk about the elephant in the room: Ozempic. It’s the biggest weightloss buzzword in the media right now and I’m sure you’ve got some questions and curiosities about this magical drug. Maybe you’ve even had friends or family members tell you that they’re on it and push you to start it too. Looking at success stories and results, it can be tempting to want to “take the easy way out”, especially if you feel like you’ve tried every diet under the sun and still can’t get that stubborn weight to budge. But what’s the real deal? And more importantly, is there a way to get the same benefits without hopping on the pharmaceutical train? Spoiler alert: Yes, yes there is.
What is GLP-1?
GLP-1 is a hormone naturally produced in your gut. It plays a huge role in regulating blood sugar, slowing down digestion, and helping you feel full after meals.
Think of it like this: GLP-1 is what tells your brain “Hey, we’re full – we don’t need more food right now!” Which is what makes it essential for both metabolic health and weight management.
Pharmaceutical drugs like Ozempic mimic and increase GLP-1, which is why they help with weight loss. But here’s the thing, your body already makes this hormone. And with the right strategies, you can enhance your natural GLP-1 production without relying on medication. Like any medication, GLP-1 drugs come with side effects and can negatively impact our health in other areas.
The Risks of Taking Ozempic
Nausea, vomiting, and stomach issues: Let’s be real, nobody wants to feel like they are on the verge of getting sick all the time. GLP-1s can cause you to feel sick, gassy, constipated, or nauseous.
Nutrient deficiencies: Eating less doesn’t mean eating better, it is harder to get in all proper nutrients on such little food. You may notice things like hair loss and muscle loss due to improper nutrition.
Muscle loss: You might be seeing the scale go down, but you’re not just losing fat – muscle is also disappearing. This comes down to improper nutrition while you are on the drug.
Long term effects: There are so many unknowns to this drug as it hasn’t been around long enough for us to understand what can be impacted after extended use. Because of the impact on metabolic slowdown, once you stop taking it your body might put the weight right back on.
How We Can Naturally Boost GLP-1 Without the Drugs
Here’s the good news – your body already produces GLP-1! It might just need a little encouragement to get a natural boost!
Eat more protein and fiber: these help to keep blood sugar steady and digestion regular
Prioritize gut health: prebiotics and probiotics help support GLP-1 production
Exercise: regular exercise improves insulin sensitivity
Quality sleep: helps regulates your hormones and cortisol levels which may be leading to inflammation and holding on to stubborn weight
Manage stress: chronic stress and high cortisol levels wreak havoc on your metabolism
Let me just leave you with this – quick fixes rarely lead to lasting results. If you are ready to truly transform your metabolic health, ditch stubborn weight gain, and feel better long-term, you need to heal your body by identifying the root causes. Metabolic health is forever – its more than a quick fix with a temporary drug.
Ready to dive in? I would love to hop on a Discovery Call with you to chat through your symptoms, areas of concern, and goals so that we can formulate a plan that will have you taking back control of your health!