The Rise of Ozempic for Weight Loss
Ozempic, also referred to as semaglutide, was initially designed as a remedy for kind 2 diabetes. However on June 4, 2021 the FDA authorized the primary weight-loss drug since 2014. Ozempic, or Wegovy, one other model identify of semaglutide, has been making waves since then. Many individuals are turning to this drug as a option 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 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 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 additional kilos can really feel superb, this surprising aspect impact has left many questioning: What’s happening right here?
The Science Behind Speedy Weight Loss and Facial Modifications
While you shed some pounds shortly, your physique doesn’t simply burn fats—it may possibly additionally lose one thing known as fat-free mass, which incorporates muscle. It’s not possible to shed 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 may possibly 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 speedy weight reduction strategies trigger the lack of some muscle, normally round 25-30% of whole weight reduction is lean tissue, additionally known as fat-free mass. It mainly is all the things 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 nicely. In spite of everything, 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 engaging. One of many targets for weight reduction is to look youthful, and “Ozempic face” is certainly not going the suitable course.
However, whereas changing into smaller, you wish to change into leaner as nicely, 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 almost 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 accordance with the DEXA scans of 140 folks 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 sooner 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 number of the muscle mass you lose could possibly be out of your face, contributing to “Ozempic face.”
The Influence of Shedding Facial Muscle and Fats
For many individuals, dropping 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, shedding muscle is a well being concern, too. Muscle is crucial for power, vitality, and even protecting your metabolism working easily. So, whereas Ozempic could aid you shed kilos, the best way it impacts your face and muscle mass may not align together with your targets. And should you 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.
Learn how to Stop “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 Carry, “Muscle and health is made within the health club, however weight is misplaced within the kitchen.”
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Carry Weights. Add Power Coaching to Your Routine: Resistance workouts, like lifting weights or doing body weight exercises, may help you preserve muscle mass whereas shedding fats. That is the tried and true technique for preserving muscular tissues whereas dropping pounds.
In line with a examine printed in The New England Journal of Medication 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 protecting your muscular tissues. “Use or lose it” applies to muscle and bone power. By lifting weights it’s potential that you’ll get smaller muscular tissues, however achieve in power on the identical time. Fatty muscle in overweight folks is not as sturdy as lean, skilled muscle, so it’s OK to slim down some.
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Eat Sufficient Protein: You do not have to change 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 tough, seeing that Ozempic makes lots of people really feel nauseated quite a 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 keep up your lean physique mass.
Different Widespread Aspect Results of Ozempic
“Ozempic face” isn’t the one aspect impact to pay attention to. Some customers additionally report nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea. Not often, severe problems like pancreatitis or gallbladder points can happen. Gallstones are a typical challenge with speedy weight reduction. At all times seek the advice of a healthcare supplier earlier than beginning any new medicine, particularly one with such highly effective results.
Is Ozempic the Proper Alternative for You?
Ozempic would possibly look like a miracle for weight reduction, nevertheless 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 pleased with the place the drug leaves you. Earlier than beginning this or any medicine, it’s essential 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 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 aspect impact of utilizing Ozempic for weight reduction. Whereas the drug may help you drop kilos, it is advisable to use it alongside of at the least resistance train (lifting weights), and possibly with cardio train as nicely 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 shed some pounds, numerous it, with out Ozempic as nicely.
Dropping 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.