Semaglutide for weight loss
What is semaglutide?
Semaglutide is a medication that belongs to the class of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1 RAs. It mimics the hormone GLP-1, which is released in response to eating and helps the body produce more insulin to lower blood sugar levels. For over 15 years, semaglutide has been used by healthcare providers to treat Type 2 diabetes. However, higher amounts of GLP-1 also interact with the brain's appetite-suppressing and satiety-signaling mechanisms. When combined with diet and exercise, it can lead to significant weight loss and reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease in individuals who are overweight or obese.
How effective is semaglutide for weight loss in non-diabetics?
There have been several anti-obesity medications that help suppress appetite and achieve weight loss. But semaglutide performs on a new level.
An early study of 2,000 obese adults compared people using semaglutide plus a diet and exercise program with people who made the same lifestyle changes without semaglutide. After 68 weeks, half of the participants using semaglutide lost 15% of their body weight, and nearly a third lost 20%. Participants who incorporated only lifestyle changes lost about 2.4% of their weight.
Who should (and should not) take semaglutide for weight loss?
The FDA recommends Wegovy for weight loss if you meet one of the following criteria:
Have a body mass index (BMI) of 27kg/m2 or greater and at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol
Have a BMI of 30kg/m2 or greater
Avoid semaglutide if you have:
History of medullary thyroid cancer
History of gallbladder disease
History of pancreatitis
Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2)
If you’re considering semaglutide for weight loss, your first step should be consulting your primary care physician (PCP). They know your personal and family medical history and can guide you in the best treatment for your condition. If you have diabetes and already take a different medication, talk to your physician about acceptable (and safe) combinations of diabetes medication.
