The Rise of Ozempic for Weight Loss
Ozempic, often known 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 title of semaglutide, has been making waves since then. Many individuals are turning to this drug as a strategy 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 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 superb, this sudden facet impact has left many questioning: What’s happening right here?
The Science Behind Fast Weight Loss and Facial Adjustments
If you drop some weight shortly, your physique doesn’t simply burn fats—it might probably additionally lose one thing known as fat-free mass, which incorporates muscle. It’s not possible to drop some weight shortly and solely lose fats. Some muscle loss is inevitable. So, this loss isn’t restricted to your arms, legs, or core; it might 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 Getting old Pores and skin than Different Weight Loss Strategies?
All speedy 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 the whole lot 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 any case, you might be turning into a smaller model of your self. Ideally, you probably 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 correct path.
However, whereas turning into smaller, you wish to turn out to be leaner as nicely, 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 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 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. Primarily, 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 so much 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 may very well be out of your face, contributing to “Ozempic face.”
The Impression of Shedding Facial Muscle and Fats
For many individuals, reducing weight 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, dropping muscle is a well being concern, too. Muscle is crucial for energy, vitality, and even holding your metabolism operating easily. So, whereas Ozempic could enable you shed kilos, the way in which it impacts your face and muscle mass won’t align together with your objectives. And if you happen to 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 reducing weight.
The best 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 Elevate, “Muscle and health is made within the gymnasium, however weight is misplaced within the kitchen.”
-
Elevate Weights. Add Energy Coaching to Your Routine: Resistance workouts, like lifting weights or doing body weight exercises, will help you keep muscle mass whereas dropping fats. That is the tried and true methodology for preserving muscle tissue whereas reducing weight.
In keeping with a examine revealed 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 energy higher than cardio train alone. So, lifting weights is significant to holding your muscle tissue. “Use or lose it” applies to muscle and bone energy. By lifting weights it’s potential that you’ll get smaller muscle tissue, however acquire in energy on the similar time. Fatty muscle in overweight individuals is not as sturdy as lean, educated muscle, so it’s OK to slim down some.
-
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. 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 troublesome, 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 shall 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 Frequent Aspect Results of Ozempic
“Ozempic face” isn’t the one facet 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 typical situation with speedy weight reduction. At all times 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 appear to be 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 might not be pleased with the place the drug leaves you. Earlier than beginning this or any remedy, it’s essential to weigh the advantages and dangers together with your physician. Take into account that lasting weight reduction at all times requires greater than only a capsule—it takes a wholesome, decrease calorie food regimen 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 stunning facet impact of utilizing Ozempic for weight reduction. Whereas the drug will help you drop kilos, you might want to use it alongside of not less than resistance train (lifting weights), and doubtless with cardio train as nicely 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 a complete. And you may drop some weight, a number of it, with out Ozempic as nicely.
Reducing weight ought to make you are feeling higher and look higher, not older. By taking a considerate method and dealing together with your physician and well being coach, you’ll find a plan that helps you obtain your objectives—with out sacrificing your smile within the mirror.
