Recently the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved semaglutide in the treatment of Chronic weight management for adults struggling with obesity or being overweight. When used along side a reduced calorie diet and exercise, research shows promising results for this latest innovative treatment.
In the last several decades, we have seen the prevalence of obesity rise at an exponential rate. Nearly three times what it was 50 years ago! To make matters worse, obesity is correlated with many other health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain forms of cancer. By reducing obesity, it is also possible to alleviate secondary conditions such as sleep apnea and osteoarthritis. That’s why this new breakthrough treatment could greatly improve our patients’ health and quality of life!
So how does this breakthrough treatment work?
Semaglutide works to mimic a hormone called glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1). This particular hormone targets areas of the brain that regulate appetite. Recently, an endocrinologist at Yale Medicine simplified this explanation, “This medicine helps you feel full earlier,” says Ania Jastreboff, MD, PhD. “It means you will have little desire to reach for ‘seconds’ or a snack later.”
As it relates to diabetic patients, Dr. Jastreboff went on to explain, “Individuals with type 2 diabetes secrete less GLP-1 in response to eating compared to those who do not have the condition. Experts believe that’s also true for people with obesity. With semaglutide, people are receiving more GLP-1, albeit in a synthetic form,” she says. “They’re essentially getting back more of that hormone, which helps them feel full.”
At Elite Personalized Medicine, our practitioners are all about a customized, functional medicine approach to solving health concerns. By simply receiving more of a hormone that your body may be lacking, you could potentially experience less cravings, regulated blood sugar and reduce calorie intake. Consequently, we are better able to manage diabetes and weight management in our patients.
How well does it work?
As for semaglutide’s effectiveness, one recent randomized, double-blind, controlled study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that patients lost an average of 12.4% more of their initial body weight compared to those who received a placebo. Another study assessed the efficacy of semaglutide administered to diabetic patients and results were just as promising.
Recently, Timothy Garvey, MD at University of Alabama described this new treatment as a “game-changer”. He went on to say, “We have not seen this degree of weight loss with any previous medication. More than 50 percent of trial participants are losing 15 percent of their body weight, and anywhere between a third and 40 percent of participants are losing 20 percent of their body weight.”
Such controlled research studies are important in understanding the safety and efficacy of semaglutide. With such encouraging data and results, we feel confident in the efficacy of this treatment and are very excited by the improvements being shown in patients.
This treatment seems to be effective, but is it safe?
It seems, yes. Side effects appear to be mild and seem to decrease over time. Most common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, constipation, headache, fatigue, indigestion, low-blood sugar, flatulence, and reflux. If any of these side effects concern you, we would encourage you to speak with one of our physicians at Elite Personalized Medicine. Our medical professionals are trained in providing customized, functional healthcare and can answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Who is an ideal candidate for Semaglutide?
Speaking with a medical professional as it relates to your individual health history will help to assess whether semaglutide is the best treatment option for you. If you are interested in speaking with any of our physicians at Elite Personalized Medicine, please contact us and we will be happy to schedule a consult for you.