From quick fixes to real health risks, here’s what you need to know about using medications like Ozempic for weight loss.
This week we’re talking about Ozempic and the weight loss buzz surrounding it! Between Jimmy Kimmel’s Oscar jokes, endless social media chatter, and Weight Watchers new telehealth service connecting patients with doctors who prescribe medications like Ozempic, it seems like everyone’s talking about it. Even back in late 2022, there were rumors about celebrities hosting Ozempic parties, with everyone from Mindy Kaling to Elon Musk being suspected of using it or something similar.
I started getting questions from clients and podcast listeners, so naturally, I went digging. Ozempic was originally designed for people with Type 2 Diabetes to help lower A1C levels, control blood sugar, and reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events like stroke or heart attack. During use, doctors and patients noticed a side effect, weight loss. Once that became public knowledge, demand skyrocketed, with people willing to pay big money for these medications even if they didn’t have Type 2 Diabetes. The goal? Weight loss.
It’s important to note, though, that Ozempic is not yet approved for weight loss. A similar drug called Wegovy is FDA-approved for weight management, but only for people who have another health condition tied to weight, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or Type 2 Diabetes.
Medications like Ozempic and Wegovy belong to a class called GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs mimic the GLP-1 hormone, which helps regulate blood sugar and digestion. Research proved GLP-1 slows how quickly your stomach empties after eating, so food stays in your stomach longer, helping you feel full and satisfied for more time. That’s why people experience reduced appetite and lower food intake leading to weight loss. GLP-1 receptors also exist in the brain’s hypothalamus, which regulate food intake from the central nervous system. Together, these effects can significantly lower A1C levels, and for people with Type 2 Diabetes, this can literally be lifesaving. But for those using Ozempic purely for weight loss, it’s not without health risks.
As a health coach, I couldn’t help but think about the potential dangers for people taking these medications without medical necessity. If your A1C isn’t elevated to begin with, you could end up with low or very low A1C levels, which research shows can increase the risk of liver disease and even death. That’s serious business.
I also reviewed several studies on these medications, and here’s the thing, the research is still limited. Most studies measure outcomes after just a few months, so we don’t yet know what happens with long-term use or when someone stops taking them. Plus, weight and BMI are not our best indicators of health. They don’t measure body composition, which means people could lose muscle or bone density while appearing lighter on the scale. That’s not real health progress.
If you’ve been feeling stuck or hopeless about your weight, please know it’s not out of your control. Nutrition and lifestyle can absolutely make a difference. Fiber, protein and quality fat also slow gastric emptying. There are herbs and supplements that can also help your body properly respond to the hormones related to hunger and satiety. Understand that weight management is complex, these treatments assume we only eat when we’re hungry, don’t eat when we’re not and more. Like everything, weight management is biopsychosocial; all three elements are critical and any treatment that addresses only one (and especially only part of any one) is lacking if we’re looking for optimal health and vitality.
As of now, companies behind these drugs are seeking FDA approval to market them for weight loss. Whether they’re approved or not, I encourage you to approach the headlines with curiosity, not blind faith. Talk openly with your kids about celebrity weight loss trends and the messages they send. Remember that your worth isn’t determined by your weight, and that health is about so much more than what shows up on the scale.