The Rise of Ozempic for Weight Loss
Ozempic, also referred to as semaglutide, was initially designed as a remedy for kind 2 diabetes. However on June 4, 2021 the FDA accepted the primary weight-loss drug since 2014. Ozempic, or Wegovy, one other model title of semaglutide, has been making waves since then. Many individuals are turning to this drug as a technique to shed kilos rapidly, 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 superb, this surprising facet impact has left many questioning: What’s happening right here?
The Science Behind Speedy Weight Loss and Facial Adjustments
Once you shed weight rapidly, your physique doesn’t simply burn fats—it will probably additionally lose one thing known as fat-free mass, which incorporates muscle. It’s unimaginable to shed weight rapidly and solely lose fats. Some muscle loss is inevitable. So, this loss isn’t restricted to your arms, legs, or core; it will probably 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 Ageing Pores and skin than Different Weight Loss Strategies?
All speedy weight reduction strategies trigger the lack of some muscle, normally round 25-30% of complete weight reduction is lean tissue, additionally known as fat-free mass. It principally is every part 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 nicely. In any case, you might be changing into a smaller model of your self. Ideally, if in case you have a puffy face, you wish to lose the fats in your face and be extra enticing. One of many objectives for weight reduction is to look youthful, and “Ozempic face” is unquestionably not going the proper path.
However, whereas changing into smaller, you wish to grow to be leaner as nicely, proper? You do not wish to be skinny fats. So, right here is the catch. In scientific trials, such because the Step 1 Trial for Ozempic, the fat-free weight reduction was practically 40%, not simply 20-30%. For the common 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, based on the DEXA scans of 140 individuals within the research. Ideally, the lean tissue loss would have been round 5-7 kilos, not practically 12 kilos!
How Ozempic Causes Muscle and Fats Loss
Ozempic works by mimicking a hormone in your physique that regulates urge for food. Basically, it makes you’re feeling full quicker and eat much less. And your abdomen stays full longer, so that you truly are fuller. So, you find yourself consuming so much much less energy whereas on the drug. This in fact results in weight reduction, however your physique could not at all times distinguish between fats and muscle when it’s burning energy. Sadly, this implies a number of the muscle mass you lose might be out of your face, contributing to “Ozempic face.”
The Impression 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 important for energy, vitality, and even holding your metabolism working easily. So, whereas Ozempic could make it easier to shed kilos, the best way it impacts your face and muscle mass may not align together with your objectives. And in case you achieve again weight after getting off the drug, which is what normally occurs, you do not achieve muscle again until you’re employed at it. And most of the people do not work at it, so that they find yourself with a worse, fattier physique composition than earlier than they began losing a few pounds.
The best way to Stop “Ozempic Face”
The excellent news? There are methods to struggle again towards “Ozempic face.” As Dr. Stu Phillips talked about on the podcast Docs Who Raise, “Muscle and health is made within the fitness center, however weight is misplaced within the kitchen.”
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Raise Weights. Add Energy Coaching to Your Routine: Resistance workout routines, like lifting weights or doing body weight exercises, can assist you preserve muscle mass whereas shedding fats. That is the tried and true technique for preserving muscle mass whereas losing a few pounds.
In line with a research revealed in The New England Journal of Drugs weight reduction induced by calorie restriction and both cardio train, resistance train, or a mixture of each confirmed that resistance train or a mixture of cardio and resistance train prevented lack of lean mass and energy higher than cardio train alone. So, lifting weights is important to holding your muscle mass. “Use or lose it” applies to muscle and bone energy. By lifting weights it’s attainable that you’ll get smaller muscle mass, however achieve in energy on the similar time. Fatty muscle in overweight individuals is not as sturdy as lean, skilled muscle, so it’s OK to slim down some.
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Eat Sufficient Protein: You do not have to grow to be a protein-aholic, however protein is useful in sustaining muscle mass. Simply watch out the place you get your protein. Be sure you’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 tough, seeing that Ozempic makes lots of people really feel nauseated a variety of the time.
How a lot protein do you want? About 0.5 grams per pound of physique weight can be sufficient. It is not as a lot as some bodybuilders suggest, 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 keep up 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. Hardly ever, severe issues like pancreatitis or gallbladder points can happen. Gallstones are a standard difficulty with speedy weight reduction. All the time seek the advice of a healthcare supplier earlier than beginning any new remedy, particularly one with such highly effective results.
Is Ozempic the Proper Selection for You?
Ozempic would possibly look like a miracle for weight reduction, but it surely’s not for everybody. In one other weblog I focus on the load loss plateau that’s seen in each research of the drug. You might not be pleased with the place the drug leaves you. Earlier than beginning this or any remedy, it’s necessary to weigh the advantages and dangers together with your physician. Remember the fact that lasting weight reduction at all times requires greater than only a tablet—it takes a wholesome, decrease calorie food plan than you might be used to, common cardio and resistance train, and a dedication to sticking with a brand new way of life.
Conclusion
“Ozempic face” is an actual and shocking facet impact of utilizing Ozempic for weight reduction. Whereas the drug can assist you drop kilos, you have to use it alongside of no less than resistance train (lifting weights), and doubtless with cardio train as nicely to forestall “Ozempic face” and the lack of muscle mass. The important thing to wholesome weight reduction is stability: preserving your muscle, defending your well being, and caring for your physique as an entire. And you’ll shed weight, numerous it, with out Ozempic as nicely.
Reducing weight ought to make you’re feeling higher and look higher, not older. By taking a considerate strategy and dealing together with your physician and well being coach, you’ll find a plan that helps you obtain your objectives—with out sacrificing your smile within the mirror.
