The Rise of Ozempic for Weight Loss
Ozempic, often known as semaglutide, was initially designed as a therapy for sort 2 diabetes. However on June 4, 2021 the FDA accredited 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 solution 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 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 folks 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 surprising facet impact has left many questioning: What’s happening right here?
The Science Behind Speedy Weight Loss and Facial Adjustments
If you drop a few pounds shortly, your physique doesn’t simply burn fats—it may well additionally lose one thing known as fat-free mass, which incorporates muscle. It’s unimaginable to drop a few pounds shortly 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 might 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 known as fat-free mass. It principally is every part 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 changing into a smaller model of your self. Ideally, when you have a puffy face, you wish 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 unquestionably not going the suitable route.
However, whereas changing into smaller, you wish to turn out to be leaner as effectively, proper? You do not wish 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 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 accordance with the DEXA scans of 140 folks within the research. 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 sooner and eat much less. And your abdomen stays full longer, so that you really are fuller. So, you find yourself consuming rather a lot 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 may very well be out of your face, contributing to “Ozempic face.”
The Influence of Shedding Facial Muscle and Fats
For many individuals, shedding pounds 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, dropping muscle is a well being concern, too. Muscle is crucial for power, power, and even preserving your metabolism working easily. So, whereas Ozempic might show you how to shed kilos, the best way it impacts your face and muscle mass won’t align together with your objectives. And in the event you acquire again weight after getting off the drug, which is what normally occurs, you do not acquire muscle again until you’re employed at it. And most of the people do not work at it, so that they find yourself with a worse, fattier physique composition than earlier than they began shedding pounds.
The way 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 Carry, “Muscle and health is made within the gymnasium, however weight is misplaced within the kitchen.”
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Carry Weights. Add Power Coaching to Your Routine: Resistance workout routines, like lifting weights or doing body weight exercises, may help you keep muscle mass whereas dropping fats. That is the tried and true methodology for preserving muscle tissue whereas shedding pounds.
In response to a research printed in The New England Journal of Medication 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 preserving your muscle tissue. “Use or lose it” applies to muscle and bone power. By lifting weights it’s attainable that you’ll get smaller muscle tissue, however acquire in power on the similar time. Fatty muscle in overweight folks 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 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 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 keep up your lean physique mass.
Different Widespread Facet Results of Ozempic
“Ozempic face” isn’t the one facet 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 typical problem with fast weight reduction. All the time seek the advice of a healthcare supplier earlier than beginning any new remedy, particularly one with such highly effective results.
Is Ozempic the Proper Selection for You?
Ozempic may look like a miracle for weight reduction, however it’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 remedy, it’s vital to weigh the advantages and dangers together with your physician. Remember the fact that lasting weight reduction all the time requires greater than only a capsule—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 life-style.
Conclusion
“Ozempic face” is an actual and stunning facet impact of utilizing Ozempic for weight reduction. Whereas the drug may help you drop kilos, it’s good to use it alongside of at the least resistance train (lifting weights), and doubtless with cardio train as effectively to stop “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 drop a few pounds, a number of it, with out Ozempic as effectively.
Losing a few 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, yow will discover a plan that helps you obtain your objectives—with out sacrificing your smile within the mirror.