According to Drugs.com, 4.5% of people taking Wegovy and Ozempic discontinued use due to severe nausea and diarrhea. Moreover, about 57.6% of users report abdominal pain, 32.7% experience diarrhea, 30.4% deal with constipation, and 23.4% suffer from nausea and vomiting. And bigger problems in the long run are still to explore.
The Quick Fix That's Not So Quick
Wegovy and Ozempic belong to a new class of drugs mimicking GLP-1, a hormone involved in insulin production. They promise quick weight loss by suppressing appetite and quieting the brain's constant “food noise.” But this artificial suppression of food cravings doesn't address the underlying issues that cause overeating. Instead, it masks the problem, offering a temporary fix at best.
The mechanism behind these drugs involves tricking the brain into feeling full, thus reducing food intake. The artificial hormones in Wegovy and Ozempic easily penetrate the blood-brain barrier and alter brain functions that have evolved over millennia. Our bodies have intricate systems to regulate hunger and satiety, and tampering with these leads to unforeseen short- and long-term consequences.
Long-Term Risks and Unanswered Questions
The long-term effects of these drugs are still largely unknown, and the short-term effects are often ignored in favor of a passion for a quick fix. What we know for today, according to Scientific American (the oldest continuously published magazine in the United States that has published articles by more than 200 Nobel Prize winners):
1.Gastrointestinal Issues:
·Nausea: Frequently reported, especially when starting the therapy.
·Vomiting: Can occur as a result of nausea.
·Diarrhea: Another common gastrointestinal side effect.
·Constipation: Although less common, it can also occur.
2.Pancreatitis:
·There have been reports linking GLP-1 receptor agonists to an increased risk of acute pancreatitis.
3.Gallbladder Disease:
·GLP-1 receptor agonists have been associated with an increased risk of gallbladder-related issues, including cholecystitis and gallstones.
4.Hypoglycemia:
·When used in combination with other glucose-lowering agents, particularly insulin or sulfonylureas, there is an increased risk of hypoglycemia.
5.Thyroid Tumors:
·Preclinical studies in rodents have shown an increased risk of thyroid C-cell tumors with some GLP-1 receptor agonists. The relevance of these findings to humans is uncertain, but this has led to caution and monitoring recommendations.
6.Kidney Injury:
·There have been some reports of acute kidney injury, particularly in the context of dehydration from severe gastrointestinal side effects.
7.Injection Site Reactions:
·Localized reactions such as redness, pain, or swelling at the injection site can occur.
8.Allergic Reactions:
·Although rare, some patients may experience allergic reactions ranging from mild skin reactions to more severe anaphylaxis.
Also, a new study published in JAMA Ophthalmology shows that patients taking semaglutide may be at an increased risk for an eye condition that can cause vision loss. Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy is a condition that affects the optic nerve, reducing blood flow to the nerve so it becomes reduced or blocked, leading to sudden vision loss.
On the other hand, while Wegovy and Ozempic might help with weight loss initially, what happens when you stop taking them?
According to a study published by Novo Nordisk, the company that manufactures Ozempic and Wegovy, people who stopped taking semaglutide (the active ingredient) regained an average of two-thirds of the weight they had lost within a year after discontinuation.
And there's growing evidence that GLP-1 drugs are only a superficial, well-marketed band-aid solution, failing to address the root causes of weight gain.
A Band-Aid for a Bigger Problem
Using drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic to suppress appetite is like putting a band-aid on a wound without treating the infection underneath. It looks okay as a temporary solution, but the underlying issue remains, and if you do nothing about it, it will keep coming back with bitter consequences. Relying on artificial hormones is never a good idea. Just think about it for a momentᅳyou artificially substitute where your body is out of balance instead of embracing natural medicine and holistic health approaches, which offer much more sustainable solutions.
Think Twice
In conclusion, while the media, celebrities, big pharma, and doctors are convincing you that Wegovy and Ozempic are adverse-free miraculous solutions to lose weight, the hidden side and long-term negative effects are there and come with a greatly undervalued risk. By ignoring the root causes and instead opting for a quick fix, you may be setting yourself up for a lifetime of dependency and health issues. Plus, the side effects like severe gastrointestinal distress are a hefty price to pay for a temporary solution. Think twice: do you want to mask the symptom or solve the problem? Maybe changing your lifestyle and diet doesn't provide a quick solution, but it definitely does so in a natural and healthy way, allowing you to live longer and happier.
