If you’re thinking about trying semaglutide for weight loss, you’re in good company. Many people find that the drug helps to reduce appetite, making it easier to stay away from stress eating and stick to a nutrition plan that makes sense for your needs.
Here, we’ll take a look at exactly how semaglutide works, and what you need to know if you’re thinking about giving it a try.
What is Semaglutide?
According to recent research, about 70% of Americans are obese or overweight, often despite making efforts to get to a healthy weight. For many people, a busy schedule, life stress, and a dependence on unhealthy foods can make it tough to lose the pounds for good.
How Semaglutide Works
Many people find that semaglutide (brand names include Rybelsus, Ozempic and Wegovy) are effective to manage their appetites and help them lose weight. Semaglutide is a peptide that mimics glucagon-like peptide 1, also known as GLP-1, in the gut. In some people who are overweight or obese, this naturally occuring peptide may not work as effectively. Semaglutide targets the areas of the brain that receive GLP-1. The medication also chemically similar to incretin, a naturally occurring hormone in the digestive tract. Normally, the body releases incretin quickly after eating. Along with GLP-1, incretin both inhibits the release of glucagon and promotes the release of insulin, which can result in lower blood glucose levels.
GLP-1 works to regulate our desire to eat, and lets us know when it’s time to stop eating. In addition to signaling to the brain that it’s time to stop eating, semaglutide also works to slow the movement of food through the digestive system. This means that people who take the drug may be able to go longer periods of time without feeling hungry between meals.
Semaglutide and Blood Sugar
Semaglutide works by controlling blood sugar spikes and keeping overall blood sugar low, while also reducing the mind’s cravings for food and reducing overall appetite. Semaglutide is available as a weekly injectable medication, but Rybelsus allows for you to remove the needles and take it is an ingestible tablet! Some people find that their initial dose of semaglutide works to help them lose weight, while others find that their dosage needs to increase over time to achieve the level of effectiveness they need to get to a healthy weight.
If you’re ready to get the support that you need to lose weight, we’re here to help. Reach out today to get more information to help you decide if Rybelsus semaglutide tablets may be the right fit for your health needs.
