I don’t know if any of you have heard of the most recent trend where people are using a certain Type-2 Diabetes medication for weight-loss. I had a colleague of mine bring it to my attention this morning and I couldn’t believe it, when I watched the news clip released by Global news on October 6 about the phenomenon. It’s one of those things that quote frankly rank right up there with eating Tide pods or snorting condoms. Although, I guess this one isn’t so much a dare as it is a quasi-medical attempt at cutting corners.
So, what am I talking about here? Well, specifically, I’m talking about a medication call “Ozempic,” or semaglutide, which is the generic name. like most Type-2 treatments, Ozempic is intended to be used in tandem with proper diet and exercise in order to help control and maintain blood sugar levels. Problematically, this drug apparently also promotes a certain level of weight loss, which people are jumping on, because no one seems to understand that healthy weight loss does need to involve proper diet and exercise. If anyone wants to see the news clip, it can be accessed here.
Like pretty much any medication or treatment ever created, any specific medication will usually carry more than one use. That’s why it isn’t overly surprising that even if this medication is intended to help control Type-2 Diabetes, someone was bound to jump on the weight-loss train. The caveat is that like every medication or treatment, there are also side effects; some of which can be pretty serious if the medication in question is not being taken for its intended purpose. Ozempic is no different.
According to an article posted by WebMD, mild side effects of this medication can include tiredness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation. On the more severe side, there can be a possibility of kidney issues as well as pancreas or gallbladder disease. Doesn’t exactly sound like a fuckin’ spa treatment, right? Seems like a bit of a risk to try and lose weight quickly. Seems easier to simply start working out and eating better but what do I know? Oh, wait! I’m a patient with Type-1 Diabetes who has managed to go over four decades without any serious complications. THAT’S what I know!
That last point and likely the biggest issue, is the availability of the drug. Because people are all jumping on the bandwagon to get their hands on it to build their bikini bod, people who actually need it to help treat Diabetes are left wanting. If you watch the news clip I linked above, supply chain issues are becoming a problem. Not so great. There are no free rides, folks! If you want to lose weight, get up and get moving. Control what you consume and in what amount. Seek the guidance of trained professionals in both nutrition and fitness. The concept of any magic drug that will help you lose wight is laughable. Even the ones that may have this effect, the risks far outweigh the reward. Food for thought…☯️
The Blogging Buddhist 