Monday, November 1, 2021

Semaglutide for weight loss

Semaglutide for weight loss is an FDA approved medications for the use in certain patients with BMI's greater than 30.

Once weekly injections have lead to significant weight loss for patients looking to lose fat, tone their body and improve overall health




It is a weekly injectable prescription medication that has been FDA approved for use in adults with obesity and BMIs of over 30 or overweight patients with a BMI greater than 27 whom also have medical comorbidities/problems associated with their weight. Diabetes and high blood pressure for example. This medication has been shown to help patients both lose weight as well as maintain the weight loss.  A once weekly injection has been shown to cause patients to reduce their caloric intake and lose significant weight. Its so effective that the FDA approved Semaglutide (Wegovy) for use in adults for weight loss.


Semaglutide has been shown to be particularly effective when used in conjunction with the reduced calorie diet plan as well as some form of exercise and or physical activity. 

Approved by the US food and drug in ministration (FDA), The following press release stated by Dr John Sharretts, deputy Director of the division of diabetes, lipid disorders and obesity in the FDA‘s center for drug evaluation and research.  Wegovy or Semaglutide “offers adults with obesity or those who are overweight a beneficial new treatment option to incorporate into a weight management program.”  The benefits of starting a program for some induvial is too great to pass up, as ultimately one's health is in jeopardy when they are chronically overweight or obese. 


 

Based on statistics from the centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) an estimated 73% of all Americans over the age of 20 are considered overweight or obese. This comorbidity is directly related to several other secondary health problems. Being overweight or obese increases the risks of other comorbidities and serious medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers as well as stroke, orthopedic, neurological, and even psychological disorders and triples the likelihood of hospitalization due to COVID-19.





In a study published online in February 2016 in the journal cell metabolism, Dr Samuel Klein MD, Director of Washington University Center for human nutrition found that a relatively small amount of weight loss significantly lowered patient’s risk for conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease as well as showed improvement in metabolic functions in the liver, fat and muscle tissue as well. The benefits to losing weight are too numerous to list as unfortunately obesity is a significant risk factor and contributor to increased morbidity and mortality. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, to name a new. Not to mention the psychological issues that often occur as a result of being overweight.

  

fortunately, obesity is something that patients and physicians have some potential measure of control over and may be able to 

improve their BMI over time with smart diet and nutritional planning, increased exercise, some lifestyle modifications and when indicated and appropriate, physician monitored and prescribed FDA approved weight loss medications.

 

Semaglutide works by mimicking GLP-1 hormones (glucagon like peptide-1). GLP is a naturally occurring hormone which targets areas in the brain that are responsible for the regulation of both food intake and appetite. When taking semaglutide It’s advised to slowly increase the dosing over the course of 16 to 20 weeks until a patient can tolerate 2.4 mg injected once weekly, to reduce and potential side effects and benefit from the medications effect on the patient. In studies published on the FDA website, Wegovy showed an average weight loss of 12.4% of the participants initial body weight compared to individuals that received a placebo instead.  It has been shown to have tremendous potential for patients who are in need of a boost to get their weight loss journey started. 

 

On the US Department of health and human services website the national Institute of diabetes and digestive and kidney diseases defines overweight and obesity

A person whose weight is higher than what’s considered a normal weight adjusted for their height is described as overweight or someone who is obese. 


According to data from the national health and nutrition examination survey (The NHANES) 2013-2014 more than one and three adults were considered overweight and more than two and three adults were considered to be overweight or have obesity. More than one and every three adults were considered to have obesity and about one and every 13 adults were considered to have what was known as extreme obesity.


For children and adolescents between the ages of two and 19, one in every six were considered to have obesity however the FDA has not approved use for Semaglutide in patients under 18.  The body mass index scale or BMI is one of the most used tools to screen and estimate patients’ weight/height ratio. Normal weight is considered having a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 and anything 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight. 30 and above is considered obesity.  40+ is extreme obesity.

Some of the problems however with the BMI is they do not necessarily calculate variations in a person’s body type.  




For example, NFL leading rusher Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans stands 6‘3“tall and weighs 250 pounds of muscle and a world class athlete. His BMI of 31.2 puts him in a weight status of being considered obese which is 30.0 and above.  




Also considered obese with a BMI of 31.5 is All Star New York Yankee Arron Judge who is 6 foot 7 and 280 lbs. Also, all muscle and a physical specimen. There are many great resources for people looking to achieve healthy weight.  BMI is just a useful tool to help aide with and analyze progress and should be taken with certain considerations to put the total picture of health in perspective. 

 

Regarding the prevalence of obesity and overweight men and women, the CDC estimates that over 70% of all men and women are either overweight or obese. Fortunately, there are medications that may a tremendous benefit for those needing to lose weight. Semaglutide was granted FDA approval, via a 1 mg injection called Ozempic which was first approved as a treatment in 2017 for type two diabetes, and then found to possess remarkable weight loss potential. 




 

The New England Journal of medicine published an article titled “once weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity” which concluded that participants who were overweight or obese using 2.4 mg of semaglutide once weekly as well as making some lifestyle interventions showed sustained and clinically relevant reduction of their body weight. The main change in body weight from their week 1 baseline to week 68 was a 14.9% reduction in weight. 

 

Semaglutide 2.4 mg is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. GLP one is a hormone that occurs naturally in the body that helps you to suppress your appetite and delay the emptying of your stomach.  GLP-1 therapy is considered one of the most effective and safest weight loss management medication for obese patients trying to improve overall quality of life and to improve health outcomes. Medication like liraglutide, the generic version of trulicity, is prescribed to help patients manage diabetes and has been proven clinically safe and effective in weight reduction. Semaglutide helps patients eat less and feel fuller.  This medication helped many patients to lose weight slowly for about 16 months, well past the duration of time they were taking the medication. Losing weight slowly is typically a much safer and more effective long-term weight loss solution. I know most people really want a lose weight quick program however those can often result in the weight returning just as quickly as it was lost. When used in conjunction with a healthy balanced diet and smart lifestyle choices as well as a physical fitness routine, GLP-1 medications can dramatically improve the patient’s life for the better.



 

Consulting with a physician to discuss the benefits of Semaglutide is simple.  Fill out our new patient intake form by clicking the link here and we will reach out to schedule you for a free initial online consultation. You can call or text us with any questions at 561-277-8260 to see if you qualify. NovaGenix medical staff would love to assist with any questions and help schedule an appointment with our physician, Dr. Mackey. 




 NovaGenix Health and Wellness Weight LOss and HRT 609 N. Hepburn ave Suite 106 Jupiter, Florida 33458