The Rise of Ozempic for Weight Loss
Ozempic, also called semaglutide, was initially designed as a therapy 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 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 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 folks expertise after dropping 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 sudden aspect impact has left many questioning: What’s happening right here?
The Science Behind Speedy Weight Loss and Facial Adjustments
Whenever you drop some pounds shortly, your physique doesn’t simply burn fats—it could additionally lose one thing referred to as fat-free mass, which incorporates muscle. It’s unattainable to drop some pounds shortly and solely lose fats. Some muscle loss is inevitable. So, this loss isn’t restricted to your arms, legs, or core; it could occur in your face too. With out the pure padding of fats and muscle, your facial options might 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 whole weight reduction is lean tissue, additionally referred to as fat-free mass. It principally is every little 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 properly. In any case, you might be changing into a smaller model of your self. Ideally, in case you have a puffy face, you need to lose the fats in your face and be extra enticing. One of many targets for weight reduction is to look youthful, and “Ozempic face” is certainly not going the best route.
However, whereas changing into smaller, you want to turn 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 keeping with the DEXA scans of 140 folks 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 so much much less energy whereas on the drug. This after all results in weight reduction, however your physique might not all the time distinguish between fats and muscle when it’s burning energy. Sadly, this implies among the muscle mass you lose could possibly be out of your face, contributing to “Ozempic face.”
The Affect of Dropping Facial Muscle and Fats
For many individuals, dropping pounds is about feeling and looking out 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, dropping muscle is a well being concern, too. Muscle is important for power, vitality, and even retaining your metabolism working easily. So, whereas Ozempic might allow you to shed kilos, the way in which it impacts your face and muscle mass may not align along with your targets. And for those who 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 dropping pounds.
How one can Forestall “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 Power Coaching to Your Routine: Resistance workout routines, like lifting weights or doing body weight exercises, may help you preserve muscle mass whereas dropping fats. That is the tried and true technique for preserving muscle groups whereas dropping 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 mix of each confirmed that resistance train or a mix of cardio and resistance train prevented lack of lean mass and power higher than cardio train alone. So, lifting weights is important to retaining your muscle groups. “Use or lose it” applies to muscle and bone power. By lifting weights it’s attainable that you’re going to get smaller muscle groups, however achieve in power on the identical time. Fatty muscle in overweight folks 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. 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 whole lot of the time.
How a lot protein do you want? About 0.5 grams per pound of physique weight will probably 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 keep up your lean physique mass.
Different Frequent Facet Results of Ozempic
“Ozempic face” isn’t the one aspect impact to concentrate on. Some customers additionally report nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea. Not often, severe problems 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 treatment, particularly one with such highly effective results.
Is Ozempic the Proper Alternative for You?
Ozempic would possibly seem to be a miracle for weight reduction, however it’s not for everybody. In one other weblog I talk about the burden 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 treatment, it’s essential to weigh the advantages and dangers along with your physician. Remember the fact that lasting weight reduction all the time requires greater than only a tablet—it takes a wholesome, decrease calorie weight loss 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 aspect impact of utilizing Ozempic for weight reduction. Whereas the drug may help you drop kilos, you must use it alongside of no less than resistance train (lifting weights), and doubtless with cardio train as properly to stop “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 caring for your physique as a complete. And you may drop some pounds, a lot of it, with out Ozempic as properly.
Losing a few pounds ought to make you are feeling higher and look higher, not older. By taking a considerate strategy 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.