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 permitted 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 shortly, 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 several 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 shedding 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 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
Whenever you shed pounds shortly, your physique doesn’t simply burn fats—it will probably additionally lose one thing referred to as fat-free mass, which incorporates muscle. It’s unimaginable to shed pounds shortly 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 Growing old Pores and skin than Different Weight Loss Strategies?
All speedy weight reduction strategies trigger the lack of some muscle, often round 25-30% of whole weight reduction is lean tissue, additionally referred to as fat-free mass. It principally is all the pieces 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 any case, you might be turning 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 engaging. One of many targets for weight reduction is to look youthful, and “Ozempic face” is unquestionably not going the proper course.
However, whereas turning into smaller, you wish to turn into leaner as effectively, proper? You do not wish 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 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, in line 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. Basically, it makes you are feeling full quicker and eat much less. And your abdomen stays full longer, so that you really 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 may very well be out of your face, contributing to “Ozempic face.”
The Affect of Dropping Facial Muscle and Fats
For many individuals, shedding pounds is about feeling and looking out 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 operating easily. So, whereas Ozempic could provide help to shed kilos, the way in which it impacts your face and muscle mass won’t align along with your targets. And should you acquire again weight after getting off the drug, which is what often occurs, you do not acquire 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 shedding pounds.
The right way to Forestall “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 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 workouts, 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 muscular tissues whereas shedding pounds.
In response to a examine 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 power higher than cardio train alone. So, lifting weights is important to conserving your muscular tissues. “Use or lose it” applies to muscle and bone power. By lifting weights it’s doable that you’re going to get smaller muscular tissues, however acquire in power on the similar 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 turn into 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 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 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 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 issues like pancreatitis or gallbladder points can happen. Gallstones are a standard situation with speedy weight reduction. All the time seek the advice of a healthcare supplier earlier than beginning any new medicine, particularly one with such highly effective results.
Is Ozempic the Proper Selection for You?
Ozempic may appear to be a miracle for weight reduction, however it’s not for everybody. In one other weblog I focus on the load loss plateau that’s seen in each examine of the drug. You will not be proud of the place the drug leaves you. Earlier than beginning this or any medicine, it’s necessary to weigh the advantages and dangers along with your physician. Needless to say lasting weight reduction at all times requires greater than only a tablet—it takes a wholesome, decrease calorie weight loss program 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 stunning aspect impact of utilizing Ozempic for weight reduction. Whereas the drug might help you drop kilos, you want to use it alongside of a minimum of 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 taking good care of your physique as a complete. And you’ll shed pounds, a lot of it, with out Ozempic as effectively.
Shedding 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, yow will discover a plan that helps you obtain your targets—with out sacrificing your smile within the mirror.
