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Reality checked by Nick BlackmerReality checked by Nick Blackmer
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A latest ballot of over 1,000 adults revealed that one in 4 surveyed mentioned they’d think about using an injectable weight reduction drug with out consulting their physician.
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GLP-1 medicines—like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound—may help you shed kilos, however provided that taken correctly.
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Weight problems drugs professionals recognized six frequent errors individuals make on weight reduction medicine—even when obtained with a prescription.
Weight loss drugs like Ozempic have surged in recognition in recent times, and analysis exhibits they could assist with the whole lot from the guts to the kidneys. But when they aren’t obtained or taken correctly, their results could also be restricted—and even harmful.
One pattern has medical professionals significantly apprehensive. A ballot performed on behalf of the Ohio State Wexner Medical Middle discovered that of 1,006 adults surveyed, a couple of quarter mentioned they’d think about using an injectable weight reduction drug with out consulting their physician.
Individuals concerned with these medicine can bypass a session with a physician by shopping for the medicines from on-line pharmacies, which a latest examine discovered typically don’t require a prescription. Nevertheless, taking these merchandise may be dangerous. The identical examine discovered that many on-line pharmacies promoting semaglutide, the lively ingredient within the standard medicine Ozempic and Wegovy, lack a legitimate license and supply merchandise containing unsafe dosages or components.
Christopher McGowan, MD, a gastroenterologist and weight problems drugs specialist, instructed Well being that even when you do obtain a drug that incorporates semaglutide or tirzepatide, the lively ingredient in Zepbound and Mounjaro, it will be a significant mistake to not seek the advice of a physician earlier than taking it. “Semaglutide and tirzepatide are potent, injectable medicines that shouldn’t be used with out medical supervision,” he mentioned, including that they’ll trigger severe side effects like extreme nausea and vomiting, dehydration, intestinal obstruction, and gallbladder illness.
Whereas turning to non-prescription weight reduction medicines is a big concern, it’s not the one misstep individuals make in the case of weight administration medicine, which belong to a category of medication often called GLP-1s. Listed below are six others, in keeping with weight problems drugs professionals.
Skipping Doses
Some medicines may be taken as wanted—however GLP-1s aren’t considered one of them. “Some individuals suppose lacking a dose right here and there’s innocent, however consistency is vital with medicines like semaglutide to keep up its effectiveness,” Michael Snyder, PhD, medical director of the Bariatric Surgical procedure Middle at Rose Medical Middle and in-house weight problems specialist at customized weight care firm FuturHealth, instructed Well being. “The entire outcomes that you’re on the lookout for are based mostly on very regimented dosing directions.”
Snyder suggests setting reminders or utilizing a medicine organizer to keep away from missed doses. “Staying constant helps make sure that the treatment works as supposed, main to higher outcomes,” he mentioned.
Not Consuming Sufficient Protein
Even when not taking prescription GLP-1s, getting sufficient protein could be a game-changer for weight reduction as a result of it builds muscle and is probably the most satiating of the three macronutrients.
However when somebody takes a weight reduction treatment, protein turns into much more vital. “It’s crucial to eat sufficient protein to keep up skeletal muscle,” mentioned Elizabeth Sharp, MD, a board-certified inside drugs doctor and CEO of Well being Meets Wellness. “In the event you drop some pounds however lose an excessive amount of muscle, you’ll be able to truly find yourself with the next physique fats proportion after weight reduction.”
A 2024 systematic overview helps this, discovering that semaglutide was extremely efficient at decreasing physique weight but additionally triggered noteworthy decreases in lean physique mass, which incorporates the whole lot besides fats.
Semaglutide and tirzepatide decelerate abdomen emptying, making individuals really feel fuller sooner, and for longer. However even when you don’t really feel very hungry on a GLP-1, attempt to construct your meals and snacks round a plant- or animal-based protein supply. “I inform my sufferers to prioritize protein first, and in the event that they aren’t hungry in any respect, to show to easy-to-consume and dense proteins, like protein shakes and cottage cheese,” weight problems drugs doctor Alexandra Sowa, MD, founding father of GLP-1 help system SoWell, instructed Well being.
Associated: Ozempic vs. Mounjaro: Head-to-Head Study Shows Weight Loss Winner
Not Consuming Sufficient Fiber
Fiber is one other nutrient you received’t need to skimp on whereas taking GLP-1s. “A typical mistake shouldn’t be consuming sufficient fiber to assist stop constipation, a standard facet impact of semaglutide,” registered dietitian Su-Nui Escobar, DCN, RDN, instructed Well being.
Escobar acknowledged that getting sufficient fiber may be difficult when your urge for food is low. Nonetheless, she encourages making high-fiber decisions when doable. “Meals like beans, lentils, and smoothies can present fiber with out considerably growing meal quantity.”
Not Exercising
Occurring weight reduction treatment doesn’t imply exercise ought to fall by the wayside. Actually, it’s possible you’ll need to work out extra whereas on these medicines to fight muscle loss. “Train is crucial to preserving muscle mass and metabolism,” McGowan mentioned. “The aim isn’t to drop as quickly as doable. We need to lose fats, not muscle, and train will guarantee this.”
Whereas a mixture of cardiovascular and weight-bearing train is good, each McGowan and Sowa advocate a extra important concentrate on strength training. “It is very important construct up your muscle tissue as you drop some pounds for basic well being, performance, and long-term metabolic features,” Sowa mentioned.
Stopping Too Early
When getting on weight reduction medicines, McGowan mentioned it’s crucial to know that they’re not a brief “kick-start” to a weight reduction journey. “Anybody beginning a GLP-1 treatment for weight reduction ought to plan to remain on it indefinitely. These usually are not designed for short-term use, and sufferers want to grasp that weight regain is assured after stopping the treatment,” he mentioned.
In the event you do cease taking the meds, anticipate to have some challenges. “Rebound starvation” could enhance your urge for food for months after discontinuing GLP-1s, McGowan defined. And weight is near-guaranteed to come back again on. “Many sufferers are quickly regaining the burden that they misplaced, plus extra.”
Lastly, don’t anticipate the medicine to alter the basis causes of excess weight. “A few of the most vital work I do with sufferers isn’t with diet or health, however with their mind,” Sowa mentioned. “I ask individuals to look at their habits and to make use of the medicines to create new experiences with meals, alcohol, and rest.”
She inspired wanting inside—through journaling or different reflective practices—to grasp your core beliefs about food. “Figuring out these perception tendencies is the primary strategy to rewire [your] ideas.”
Skipping Meals
Whereas on GLP-1s, it’s seemingly you received’t really feel very hungry—so do you actually should eat? “Skipping meals is a giant mistake,” Escobar mentioned. Avoiding common meals consumption could result in low nutrient ranges, she defined. Or, when you pile all of your each day energy right into a single too-large meal, you possibly can have disagreeable gastrointestinal unwanted side effects.
There’s one other draw back you would possibly expertise, too. “For some sufferers, it might appear thrilling to not should eat in any respect, however this strategy will backfire by means of each a lowered basal metabolic rate (BMR) and disproportionate muscle-to-fat loss,” mentioned Sowa.
“Make sure that to eat not less than two meals a day and one snack a day,” Escobar suggested. “I typically counsel making an attempt meals which are straightforward to eat throughout low-appetite days, corresponding to high-protein smoothies or mini-meals.” Consuming at usually scheduled occasions may additionally assist preserve you on monitor along with your consumption.
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