The Rise of Ozempic for Weight Loss
Ozempic, also called semaglutide, was initially designed as a remedy for sort 2 diabetes. However on June 4, 2021 the FDA permitted the primary weight-loss drug since 2014. Ozempic, or Wegovy, one other model identify of semaglutide, has been making waves since then. Many individuals are turning to this drug as a approach to shed kilos shortly, and it’s been hailed as a game-changer within the weight reduction world. It does work higher than earlier weight reduction medication, however like every shortcut, there’s a catch—and for some, it’s known as “Ozempic face.”
What Is “Ozempic Face”?
“Ozempic face” is a time period that’s been popping up on social media and in conversations about weight reduction. It refers back to the hole, aged look that some individuals expertise after losing a few pounds with Ozempic. The face can lose its youthful fullness, resulting in a extra sunken look that some say makes them look years older. Whereas shedding further kilos can really feel wonderful, this surprising facet impact has left many questioning: What’s happening right here?
The Science Behind Fast Weight Loss and Facial Modifications
While you shed weight shortly, your physique doesn’t simply burn fats—it might additionally lose one thing known as fat-free mass, which incorporates muscle. It’s inconceivable to shed weight shortly and solely lose fats. Some muscle loss is inevitable. So, this loss isn’t restricted to your arms, legs, or core; it might occur in your face too. With out the pure padding of fats and muscle, your facial options could begin to look extra pronounced, and pores and skin can sag, creating that aged look.
Is Ozempic Worse for Growing old Pores and skin than Different Weight Loss Strategies?
All fast weight reduction strategies trigger the lack of some muscle, often round 25-30% of complete weight reduction is lean tissue, additionally known as fat-free mass. It mainly is every thing however the fats within the physique, not simply muscle. And as you lose a bunch of weight it’s apparent that some fat-free mass has to go as effectively. In spite of everything, you might be changing into a smaller model of your self. Ideally, in case you have a puffy face, you need to lose the fats in your face and be extra engaging. One of many targets for weight reduction is to look youthful, and “Ozempic face” is certainly not going the precise path.
However, whereas changing into smaller, you want to develop into leaner as effectively, proper? You do not need to be skinny fats. So, right here is the catch. In medical trials, such because the Step 1 Trial for Ozempic, the fat-free weight reduction was almost 40%, not simply 20-30%. For the typical participant that started off at 232 kilos, they misplaced 30.0 kilos over the 68 week trial. Fats loss was 18.4 kilos, together with 11.6 kilos of lean tissue, in accordance with the DEXA scans of 140 individuals within the examine. Ideally, the lean tissue loss would have been round 5-7 kilos, not almost 12 kilos!
How Ozempic Causes Muscle and Fats Loss
Ozempic works by mimicking a hormone in your physique that regulates urge for food. Primarily, it makes you are feeling full sooner and eat much less. And your abdomen stays full longer, so that you truly are fuller. So, you find yourself consuming rather a lot much less energy whereas on the drug. This after all results in weight reduction, however your physique could not all the time distinguish between fats and muscle when it’s burning energy. Sadly, this implies a few of the muscle mass you lose could possibly be out of your face, contributing to “Ozempic face.”
The Affect of Dropping Facial Muscle and Fats
For many individuals, losing a few pounds is about feeling and searching more healthy and youthful. However when your face begins trying older, it may be irritating—and even upsetting. It’s all backwards!
However past aesthetics, shedding muscle is a well being concern, too. Muscle is crucial for power, power, and even conserving your metabolism working easily. So, whereas Ozempic could make it easier to shed kilos, the way in which it impacts your face and muscle mass may not align along with your targets. And in the event you acquire again weight after getting off the drug, which is what often occurs, you do not acquire muscle again until you’re employed at it. And most of the people do not work at it, in order that they find yourself with a worse, fattier physique composition than earlier than they began losing a few pounds.
Stop “Ozempic Face”
The excellent news? There are methods to struggle again in opposition to “Ozempic face.” As Dr. Stu Phillips talked about on the podcast Docs Who Elevate, “Muscle and health is made within the health club, however weight is misplaced within the kitchen.”
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Elevate Weights. Add Power Coaching to Your Routine: Resistance workouts, like lifting weights or doing body weight exercises, will help you keep muscle mass whereas shedding fats. That is the tried and true methodology for preserving muscle groups whereas losing a few pounds.
In keeping with a examine revealed in The New England Journal of Medication weight reduction induced by calorie restriction and both cardio train, resistance train, or a mix of each confirmed that resistance train or a mix of cardio and resistance train prevented lack of lean mass and power higher than cardio train alone. So, lifting weights is significant to conserving your muscle groups. “Use or lose it” applies to muscle and bone power. By lifting weights it’s attainable that you’ll get smaller muscle groups, however acquire in power on the identical time. Fatty muscle in overweight individuals is not as robust as lean, educated muscle, so it’s OK to slim down some.
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Eat Sufficient Protein: You do not have to develop into a protein-aholic, however protein is useful in sustaining muscle mass. Simply watch out the place you get your protein. Be sure to’re majoring on protein from plant meals like beans, lentils, some natural soy merchandise, and nuts and seeds. Use extra food-based proteins and use supplemental protein powder simply as that, a complement for an additional serving or two. This can be troublesome, seeing that Ozempic makes lots of people really feel nauseated lots of the time.
How a lot protein do you want? About 0.5 grams per pound of physique weight will probably be sufficient. It is not as a lot as some bodybuilders advocate, however it’s greater than the RDA (0.8 g per kg of physique weight / 0.36 grams per pound of physique weight) and protein guru Dr. Stu Phillips says that is sufficient to take care of your lean physique mass.
Different Widespread Facet Results of Ozempic
“Ozempic face” isn’t the one facet impact to pay attention to. Some customers additionally report nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea. Not often, critical issues like pancreatitis or gallbladder points can happen. Gallstones are a typical difficulty with fast weight reduction. At all times seek the advice of a healthcare supplier earlier than beginning any new treatment, particularly one with such highly effective results.
Is Ozempic the Proper Selection for You?
Ozempic may appear to be a miracle for weight reduction, nevertheless it’s not for everybody. In one other weblog I focus on the burden loss plateau that’s seen in each examine of the drug. You might not be pleased with the place the drug leaves you. Earlier than beginning this or any treatment, it’s essential to weigh the advantages and dangers along with your physician. Understand that lasting weight reduction all the time requires greater than only a capsule—it takes a wholesome, decrease calorie food regimen than you might be used to, common cardio and resistance train, and a dedication to sticking with a brand new life-style.
Conclusion
“Ozempic face” is an actual and shocking facet impact of utilizing Ozempic for weight reduction. Whereas the drug will help you drop kilos, you must use it alongside of no less than resistance train (lifting weights), and doubtless with cardio train as effectively to forestall “Ozempic face” and the lack of muscle mass. The important thing to wholesome weight reduction is steadiness: preserving your muscle, defending your well being, and caring for your physique as an entire. And you’ll shed weight, a number of it, with out Ozempic as effectively.
Reducing weight ought to make you are feeling higher and look higher, not older. By taking a considerate method and dealing along with your physician and well being coach, you will discover a plan that helps you obtain your targets—with out sacrificing your smile within the mirror.
