Weight gain is natural as we age and our metabolism slows, so many individuals turn to weight reduction medications. The most recent weight reduction medication to take over Hollywood and trickle right down to mainstream America is known as Ozempic, a brand-name type of semaglutide.
As social media has made it easier than ever to study recent kinds of medication, semaglutide’s popularity and results have positive reviews flooding the web.
So how much weight are you able to lose on semaglutide? In this text, we are going to break down what semaglutide is, evaluate weight reduction outcomes, and learn use semaglutide for weight reduction.
Table of Contents:
- What Is Semaglutide?
- What Does Semaglutide Do?
- How Much Weight Can You Lose On Semaglutide?
- Suggestions On How To Use Semaglutide For Weight Loss
- Additional Advantages Of Semaglutide
- Semaglutide Side Effects
- FAQs
What Is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is an element of a category of medicines called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. GLP-1, a hormone produced within the intestines, is released within the gastrointestinal tract as a response to eating.
Considered one of the first roles of semaglutide is to advertise insulin production, which lowers blood sugar levels. It also reduces glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar levels. Increasing insulin and reducing glucagon helps control blood sugar levels, which could be very helpful for diabetics and losing a few pounds. As such, semaglutide is prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes, obesity, and chronic weight management.
Higher doses of GLP-1 have also been shown to interact with the parts of the brain accountable for reducing appetite and feeling full. Which means, in higher doses, semaglutide becomes a good higher tool for weight reduction or management. To date, the FDA has only approved it in three brand-named, pharmacologic weight reduction medications: Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy.
Ozempic is by far the most well-liked of the three for weight reduction, but it surely’s also very effective for diabetes treatment. It is also approved to assist reduce the chance of heart attack, stroke, or death in patients with heart disease or type 2 diabetes mellitus. It’s currently only available as a weekly injection, but a pill version is being developed as of summer 2023.
Rybelsus could be very much like Ozempic, except it’s in tablet form, becoming the primary GLP-1 receptor agonist available in oral form. Further, while each Ozempic and Rybelsus are approved for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus, only Ozempic is approved for weight management.
Learn more about Ozempic and Rybelsus in our article: Ozempic vs Rybelsus: Which Is Higher?
The last kind of semaglutide available, Weygovy, differs from Ozempic and Rybelsus in that it is barely prescribed for weight reduction and management, not diabetes. Wegovy is a once-a-week injection approved for anyone over 12 for weight problems. It incorporates higher amounts of semaglutide to act as an appetite suppressant and increase satiety1.
Desirous about additional appetite suppressant options? Try our article on the 7 Best Appetite Suppressants!
What Does Semaglutide Do?
The important thing to semaglutide and weight reduction is glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. GLP-1 causes the pancreas to release insulin, a vital a part of losing a few pounds.
Insulin plays a big role in body fat since it regulate available blood sugar levels, either storing and breaking down fats. Extra insulin helps glucose enter cells for use as energy moderately than be stored as fat, and semaglutide can stave off insulin associated weight gain.
Along with releasing insulin, GLP-1 also reduces the discharge of glucagon. Glucagon helps prevent glucose from entering the bloodstream, causing blood sugar levels to rise. So by increasing insulin and reducing glucagon, semaglutide helps regulate blood sugar levels and subsequently helps you drop a few pounds.
In higher doses, equivalent to in Wegony, semaglutide can even help by suppressing appetite and increasing satiety. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study explored how semaglutide helps weight reduction in obese individuals.
After twelve weeks of once-weekly, 1.0 mg injections, they found that participants using semaglutide had significantly reduced food cravings, higher control of hunger and eating, and a lower preference for fatty foods. Patients achieved a weight reduction of 5 kg (11 kilos), primarily of fat2. This study confirms that semaglutide can act as a strong appetite suppressant and increase satiety, resulting in less eating.
Lastly, semaglutide might help burn fat because GLP-1 slows down the speed at which food enters the small intestine during digestion. The slower rate helps nutrients absorb step by step, controls blood sugar levels, and makes you are feeling full longer – all mechanisms that fight hunger and fat.
How Much Weight Can You Lose On Semaglutide?
The quantity of weight someone can lose varies by individual due to several other vital aspects, including eating regimen, exercise routine, and genetics. With that said, we regularly get asked how much weight we are able to lose with semaglutide, so let’s assess weight reduction outcomes from research first.
Within the 12-week study above, the participants lost a median of 11 kilos (5 kg), primarily of fat mass2. A more long-term study was published within the Latest England Journal of Medicine, featuring nearly 2,000 people over 68 weeks.
Participants, considered obese with a minimum body mass index (BMI) of 30, received a once-weekly dose of two.4 milligrams of semaglutide or a placebo. The semaglutide group had a remarkable 15% average drop in body weight, with several experiencing greater than a 20 percentage weight reduction in comparison with a 2.4% drop within the placebo group.
The common weight reduction on semaglutide was 33.7 lbs (15.3 kg) in comparison with only 5.7 lbs (2.6 kg) within the placebo group3. These studies show that semaglutide users’ weight dropped significantly, with patients achieving weight reduction, on average, of 1 pound per week.
Semaglutide Weight Loss Results: Real User Experiences
It could actually be difficult to relate to the outcomes of a study involving anonymous people. That is why we at all times like to check weight reduction outcomes from research to real people regarding semaglutide.
Reddit is loaded with positive results from every type of individuals. Within the “Average Weight Loss” thread, several people report an early phase where they shed 5-10 kilos moderately quickly, followed by a median lack of one pound per week.
One user lost 23 kilos in just seven weeks on 0.7 mg weekly, stating, “I’ve never ever lost weight this easily.” (source)
One other who was 6’3″ and 357 kilos prior to starting semaglutide, explained that they lost a tremendous 111 kilos in only eight months. “Best I’ve felt since my 20s,” the user posted. (source)
The commonality throughout the thread was that the majority people lost weight quickly at first, then roughly one pound every week. A separate commenter posted: “1lb every week for me was average. Some weeks it was 2, and others lower than 1. Consistency is essential. When you try this each week of the 12 months, you are ~50lbs lighter.” (source)
A further user agreed, stating “I lost 7 or 8 the primary week (water weight I assume) and have lost 0.5-1 lb since then.” (source)
Semaglutide Weight Loss Timeline
As you’ll be able to gather from the outcomes above, the quantity of weight you lose with semaglutide varies as time goes on. So let’s examine what a typical timeline might appear like.
In fact, following a healthy eating regimen and exercising consistently is imperative to maximise weight reduction on semaglutide. I like to recommend following our Weight Loss Meal Plan and incorporating some workouts that may support your goals, like this Best Elliptical Workout For Weight Loss or certainly one of these 7 Best Circuit Training Workouts.
1) Week 1:
Based on studies and human testimonials, most individuals lost roughly five to 10 kilos in the primary week of semaglutide. Many users think the initial weight reduction is primarily water weight, but after that, it’s all from fat.
2) Weeks 2-4:
A very important thing to notice regarding the start of semaglutide use is the dosage. Most individuals start at a lower dose before working as much as the next dose as needed.
A Reddit user posted: “1st week: – 2.5 kg 2nd week: -2 kg third week: – 0.9 kg 4th week: – 2.3 kg On day 32: – 0.4.” (source)
In order that they lost 5.5 lbs week 1, 4.4 lbs week 2, 2 lbs week 3, 5 lbs week 4, and slowed right down to 0.9 lbs by day 32, for roughly 18 lbs in the primary 32 days on semaglutide.
3) Long-Term:
The study we mentioned above tested how much weight you’ll be able to lose on semaglutide over 68 weeks. This long-term study showed that, on average, patients achieved weight reduction of 15% of total body weight, similar to roughly a 34 lb loss.
A separate study measured semaglutide weight reduction in 175 participants at three and six-month intervals. The outcomes showed a complete body weight reduction percentage of 5.9% at three months and 10.9% at six months, almost double. (4)
Based on these results and the 68-week study, plainly a 15% lack of body weight is normal for a 12 months on semaglutide.
Desirous about listening to a real-life user talk through their 6-month experience taking Ozempic? I highly recommend you watch the video I’ve posted below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=/w-3cgQE6kG0
Suggestions On How To Use Semaglutide For Weight Loss
Semaglutide is normally administered as a subcutaneous injection once every week under the skin of the stomach, thighs, or upper arm. Ideally, it is best to rotate body parts every injection to present each site a break. If needles aren’t your thing, don’t be concerned because a tablet version can also be available.
In an effort to maximize results on semaglutide, there are just a few key tricks to follow:
- Eat smaller portions more regularly, moderately than 2-3 big meals
- Drink as much water as possible
- Avoid alcohol or drugs
- Attempt to give attention to eating slower
- Avoid unhealthy foods equivalent to fatty foods, processed foods, or items high in sugar
- Maintain a consistent exercise routine
The more muscle you are in a position to construct, the more body recomposition becomes obtainable. Start by picking certainly one of these workout splits, after which pairing it with some HIIT and LISS cardio.
To learn more about various diets that pair well with semaglutide treatment, take a look at our article on How To Successfully Use Meal Preparation For Weight Loss. As well as, our High Protein Meal Plan is great for those with weight reduction goals.
Additional Advantages of Semaglutide
Apart from weight reduction and weight management, semaglutide is principally used to treat type 2 diabetes. Additionally it is used to assist prevent heart attack, stroke, or death in patients with type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Semaglutide Side Effects
There are particular unwanted effects to search for with semaglutide, including:
- Nausea
- vomiting
- Diahrrea
- Headache
- Injection site reactions
More rare unwanted effects might occur, so seek medical attention should you experience things like bleeding, a burning feeling within the chest, pancreatitis, hypoglycemia, or loss/change of taste.
FAQs
Listed here are a few of the mostly asked questions with semaglutide.
Does semaglutide work?
Yes, semaglutide could be very effective at weight reduction and has been proved to yield prolonged weight reduction outcomes. Countless studies and human testimonials show short- and long-term success using semaglutide.
Is semaglutide similar to Ozempic?
Yes, Ozempic is a brand-name medication containing semaglutide. It is run once every week via injection.
Is semaglutide approved for weight reduction?
Yes, semaglutide is prescribed for weight reduction and weight management.
How briskly does semaglutide work for weight reduction?
It begins working almost immediately, with most users losing roughly five kilos or more in the primary week.
How long do you are taking Wegovy for weight reduction?
Studies have been done for as much as 68 weeks showing secure use of Wegovy in order that it could be taken for at the least a 12 months.
Does Rybelsus cause weight reduction?
Yes, Rybelsus is prescribed for weight reduction, and patients drop a few pounds at a implausible rate.
Is semaglutide secure for weight reduction?
Yes, semaglutide is secure for weight reduction, but there could also be minor unwanted effects equivalent to nausea, diarrhea, or headaches.
Summary Of Semaglutide For Weight Loss
Semaglutide has taken mainstream America by storm, with recent people finding incredible success daily.
As a tool to assist the body produce more insulin and suppress appetite, people have had incredible success with weight reduction, with most users reporting losses of roughly one pound per week with minimal unwanted effects.
With these implausible results, it’s no wonder it’s certainly one of the most popular weight reduction drugs within the fitness and entertainment industries. Semaglutide is an ideal strategy to take the subsequent step in your weight reduction journey.
To learn more about two different types of semaglutide and find the very best option for you, take a look at our article: Ozempic vs Rybelsus: Which Is Higher?
References:
- Research, Center for Drug Evaluation and. “Medications Containing Semaglutide Marketed for Type 2 Diabetes or Weight Loss.” FDA, 31 May 2023, www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/medications-containing-semaglutide-marketed-type-2-diabetes-or-weight-loss.
- Blundell, John, et al. “Effects of Once‐Weekly Semaglutide on Appetite, Energy Intake, Control of Eating, Food Preference and Body Weight in Subjects with Obesity.” Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, vol. 19, no. 9, 5 May 2017, pp. 1242–1251, https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.12932.
- Wilding, John P. H., et al. “Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Obese or Obesity.” The Latest England Journal of Medicine, vol. 384, no. 11, 10 Feb. 2021, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33567185/, https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183.
- Ghusn, Wissam, et al. “Weight Loss Outcomes Related to Semaglutide Treatment for Patients with Obese or Obesity.” JAMA Network Open, vol. 5, no. 9, 19 Sept. 2022, p. e2231982, jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2796491?resultClick=1, https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.31982.
