Over the past few years, semaglutide medications have taken headlines by storm. Not only do these injections help people with Type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar, but it’s also gaining increasing popularity as a potential solution for weight management.
If you’re curious about the skyrocketing popularity of semaglutide injections like Ozempic and Wegovy, you’re in the right place. In this blog, we’ll go over what semaglutide medication is, how it’s used, and how it can impact your body composition.
What is Semaglutide Medication?
Semaglutide is a type of medication known as a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor antagonist. These medications were initially developed to help people with Type 2 diabetes regulate their blood sugar. However, some forms of this semaglutide are also being used to help people who are overweight or obese lose weight.
Some of the most well-known semaglutide medications include:
- Ozempic: an injection that is primarily prescribed for Type 2 diabetes but is also gaining attention because of its potential weight loss effects.
- Wegovy: Another semaglutide injection that is often prescribed at higher doses. Wegovy has been specifically approved by the FDA for weight loss in overweight or obese adults.
- Rybelsus: Semaglutide in tablet form, used to manage blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetics.
How They Work
Semaglutide medications work by mimicking glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone that your body naturally produces in the gut. When semaglutide binds to GLP-1 receptors in your body, it triggers several physiological responses that can help with blood sugar management and weight loss:
- Stimulates the release of insulin, a hormone in your body that shuttles blood sugar into your cells.
- Suppresses the secretion of glucagon, a hormone that increases blood sugar levels by stimulating the release of stored glycogen into sugar.
- Slows gastric emptying, which helps people feel full for longer and aids in reducing overall calorie intake.
Semaglutide Uses
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic condition that results in uncontrolled blood sugar levels. Normally, insulin regulates blood sugar by encouraging the sugar in your bloodstream to enter your cells where it can be used for energy. However, people with type 2 diabetes either do not produce enough insulin or become resistant to the effects of insulin. This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels which, if left unchecked, can be linked to a variety of health issues like heart disease, vision problems, and nerve damage.
This is where semaglutide medication can help. Semaglutide drugs mimic the hormone GLP-1, which increases insulin secretion and therefore helps manage blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.
Weight Loss
In addition to managing blood sugar levels, semaglutide medications can also help people manage their weight due to their appetite-suppressing effects. Body weight largely depends on one’s energy balance—in other words, the amount of calories that they take in through their diet versus the calories that they burn through exercise and regular body functions. Because semaglutide encourages slower gastric emptying, it can help reduce one’s overall calorie intake, leading to a calorie deficit and subsequent weight loss.
Clinical studies have found that this is an effective weight loss solution for overweight and obese patients. For example, one study found that obese adult participants taking semaglutide medication reported reduced appetite and lower calorie intake, leading to a 9.9% reduction in body weight. In comparison, other participants who were given a placebo lost an average of only 0.4% of their initial body weight.
How Does Semaglutide Medication Affect Your Body Composition?
Body Fat Reduction
Semaglutide medications primarily affect body composition by reducing fat. Its effects on slowing gastric emptying can directly impact your calorie intake, often leading to fat loss.
Interestingly, though semaglutide medication was primarily intended for diabetic patients, the fat reduction effects can also be seen in people without diabetes. For example, a study published in May 2024 found that administration of semaglutide medication led to significant weight loss and reduction in visceral fat in non-diabetic subjects. A meta-analysis of six trials on non-diabetic overweight and obese individuals also saw sizable weight loss in patients, as well as significant improvements in other health measures like blood pressure, blood sugar, and lipid levels.
This being said, it’s also important to note the possibility of weight regain for those who stop using the medication. Without the use of semaglutide medications and in the absence of long-term diet and exercise habits, some people may find that their calorie intake increases and reverses the loss they experienced while on the medication. For example, a study found that participants lost weight during their semaglutide medications and structured lifestyle interventions; however, participants also regained an average of two-thirds of their lost weight in the year after stopping their treatments.
Possibly Preserves Muscle
When it comes to rapid weight loss, the loss of lean muscle mass in addition to fat tissue is a common concern. The good news is that there’s some evidence that semaglutide does not affect lean muscle mass. For example, one study found that whole-body lean mass and skeletal muscle mass were not significantly changed for Type 2 diabetic patients after 24 weeks of semaglutide treatment.
However, more research needs to be done here. Another systematic review evaluated the effects of semaglutide medication on overweight or obese patients from six different studies. The results were mixed: in some studies, lean mass was largely stable, while others saw more notable reductions.
Interestingly, some other studies have found that lean body mass might decrease overall, but the proportion of lean mass to total body mass increased, which might be considered a positive change in body composition.
Side Effects and Precautions Associated With Semaglutide Use
While the use of semaglutide has been proven highly effective in both diabetes and weight loss management, it’s important to note that its use has also been associated with some serious side effects.
The most common side issues associated with semaglutide use include gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation. In addition, more serious but rare complications include gallbladder and pancreatic issues.
Because of these potential risks, it’s crucial to speak with your healthcare provider before starting treatment. It’s also important to note that not all semaglutide medications have been approved for weight loss. For example, Wegovy is the only semaglutide medication that has been approved for weight loss in non-diabetic patients, but patients need to be classified as either overweight or obese for the prescription to be approved.
Always Talk With Your Doctor Before Using Semaglutide Drugs
Semaglutide is a highly effective medication for helping people manage their Type 2 diabetes. It is also effective at helping many people lose weight and may even help some maintain their lean muscle mass. However, due to its risks and potential side effects, these medications should only be prescribed by a doctor and used under medical supervision. Whether you’re looking to manage your blood sugar, lose weight, or even improve your body composition, understanding the science behind semaglutides and speaking with a medical professional can help you make informed decisions about your health.
