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 authorised 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 strategy 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 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 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 aspect impact has left many questioning: What’s occurring right here?
The Science Behind Speedy Weight Loss and Facial Modifications
Once you shed weight rapidly, your physique doesn’t simply burn fats—it may well additionally lose one thing known as fat-free mass, which incorporates muscle. It’s unattainable 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 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, often round 25-30% of complete weight reduction is lean tissue, additionally known as fat-free mass. It principally 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’re 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 engaging. One of many targets for weight reduction is to look youthful, and “Ozempic face” is certainly not going the best course.
However, whereas changing into smaller, you want to turn out to be 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 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, 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 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 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 few of the muscle mass you lose may very well be out of your face, contributing to “Ozempic face.”
The Influence 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 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 preserving 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 targets. And in case you achieve again weight after getting off the drug, which is what often occurs, you do not achieve 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 reducing weight.
Easy methods to Forestall “Ozempic Face”
The excellent news? There are methods to combat again in opposition to “Ozempic face.” As Dr. Stu Phillips talked about on the podcast Docs Who Carry, “Muscle and health is made within the gymnasium, however weight is misplaced within the kitchen.”
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Carry Weights. Add Energy Coaching to Your Routine: Resistance workouts, like lifting weights or doing body weight exercises, may also help you preserve muscle mass whereas shedding fats. That is the tried and true technique for preserving muscle mass whereas reducing weight.
In line with a research printed 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 power higher than cardio train alone. So, lifting weights is significant to preserving your muscle mass. “Use or lose it” applies to muscle and bone power. By lifting weights it’s attainable that you’ll get smaller muscle mass, however achieve in power on the identical time. Fatty muscle in overweight individuals is not as robust as lean, skilled muscle, so it’s OK to slim down some.
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Eat Sufficient Protein: You do not have to turn out to be 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 tough, seeing that Ozempic makes lots of people really feel nauseated a whole lot of the time.
How a lot protein do you want? About 0.5 grams per pound of physique weight might 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 aspect impact to pay attention to. Some customers additionally report nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea. Hardly ever, severe problems like pancreatitis or gallbladder points can happen. Gallstones are a standard situation 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 would possibly seem to be 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 might not be proud of the place the drug leaves you. Earlier than beginning this or any treatment, it’s vital to weigh the advantages and dangers together with your physician. Remember that lasting weight reduction at all times requires greater than only a capsule—it takes a wholesome, decrease calorie weight-reduction plan than you’re 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 aspect impact of utilizing Ozempic for weight reduction. Whereas the drug may also help you drop kilos, it is advisable to use it alongside of at the very least resistance train (lifting weights), and possibly with cardio train as effectively 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 taking good care of your physique as an entire. And you’ll shed weight, a lot of it, with out Ozempic as effectively.
Shedding pounds ought to make you are feeling higher and look higher, not older. By taking a considerate strategy and dealing together 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.
