The Rise of Ozempic for Weight Loss
Ozempic, also called semaglutide, was initially designed as a therapy for sort 2 diabetes. However on June 4, 2021 the FDA authorized 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 method 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 medicine, however like all shortcut, there’s a catch—and for some, it’s referred to 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 reducing weight 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 additional kilos can really feel wonderful, this sudden facet impact has left many questioning: What’s happening right here?
The Science Behind Fast Weight Loss and Facial Adjustments
While you shed some pounds rapidly, your physique doesn’t simply burn fats—it may well additionally lose one thing referred to as fat-free mass, which incorporates muscle. It’s unattainable to shed some pounds rapidly and solely lose fats. Some muscle loss is inevitable. So, this loss isn’t restricted to your arms, legs, or core; it may well 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 Getting older Pores and skin than Different Weight Loss Strategies?
All fast weight reduction strategies trigger the lack of some muscle, normally round 25-30% of complete weight reduction is lean tissue, additionally referred to as fat-free mass. It mainly is all the things 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 properly. In any case, you might be changing into a smaller model of your self. Ideally, if in case you have a puffy face, you need 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 certainly not going the best course.
However, whereas changing into smaller, you wish to change into leaner as properly, proper? You do not need 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 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 line with 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. Primarily, it makes you are feeling full quicker and eat much less. And your abdomen stays full longer, so that you truly are fuller. So, you find yourself consuming quite a bit much less energy whereas on the drug. This after all 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 among the muscle mass you lose might be out of your face, contributing to “Ozempic face.”
The Impression of Shedding Facial Muscle and Fats
For many individuals, reducing weight is about feeling and searching more healthy and youthful. However when your face begins wanting 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 energy, vitality, and even holding your metabolism operating easily. So, whereas Ozempic could assist you to shed kilos, the best way it impacts your face and muscle mass may not align together with your objectives. And should you achieve again weight after getting off the drug, which is what normally occurs, you do not achieve muscle again except 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 reducing weight.
Learn how to Stop “Ozempic Face”
The excellent news? There are methods to battle again towards “Ozempic face.” As Dr. Stu Phillips talked about on the podcast Docs Who Raise, “Muscle and health is made within the health club, however weight is misplaced within the kitchen.”
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Raise Weights. Add Power Coaching to Your Routine: Resistance workout routines, like lifting weights or doing body weight exercises, might help you preserve muscle mass whereas shedding fats. That is the tried and true methodology for preserving muscle tissues whereas reducing weight.
In accordance with a research printed in The New England Journal of Medication 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 significant to holding your muscle tissues. “Use or lose it” applies to muscle and bone energy. By lifting weights it’s attainable that you’re going to get smaller muscle tissues, however achieve in energy on the identical 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 change into a protein-aholic, however protein is useful in sustaining muscle mass. Simply watch out the place you get your protein. Ensure 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 will likely 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 take care of your lean physique mass.
Different Frequent 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, severe problems like pancreatitis or gallbladder points can happen. Gallstones are a standard problem 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 look like a miracle for weight reduction, but it surely’s not for everybody. In one other weblog I talk about the load loss plateau that’s seen in each research of the drug. You will not be pleased with the place the drug leaves you. Earlier than beginning this or any treatment, it’s necessary to weigh the advantages and dangers together with your physician. Needless to say lasting weight reduction at all times requires greater than only a tablet—it takes a wholesome, decrease calorie eating regimen 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 might help you drop kilos, it is advisable to use it alongside of no less than resistance train (lifting weights), and doubtless with cardio train as properly 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 a complete. And you’ll shed some pounds, numerous it, with out Ozempic as properly.
Dropping pounds ought to make you are feeling higher and look higher, not older. By taking a considerate method and dealing together with your physician and well being coach, you could find a plan that helps you obtain your objectives—with out sacrificing your smile within the mirror.