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Virginia Sole-Smith has been a health journalist for almost 20 years. She reports on diet culture and parenting and has been published in the New York Times and Scientific American. She also writes a newsletter called Burnt Toast and hosts the Burnt Toast Podcast.
Below, Virginia shares 5 key insights from her new book, Fat Talk: Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture. Listen to the audio versionread by Virginia herselfin the Next Big Idea App.
Research on weight and health shows no causal relationship between body size and worse health outcomes. Weight can be a correlating factor, but we dont really know how much it contributes. Lifestyle habitshow you eat, how often you move, how much you sleep, and how you manage stresstell us more about a persons future health risks. However, even they drive health outcomes far less than genetics, or what researchers call social determinants of health. These are things like poverty, access to healthcare, access to healthy food, a walkable neighborhood, and experiences of chronic oppressionnone of which we, as individuals, have much control over.
We now know that research shows that folks with higher body mass indexes (BMIs) actually tend to live longer than folks with normal or low BMIs. That may be because weight is sometimes protective (higher BMI patients do better with conditions like osteoporosis and cancers and also recover faster from heart surgery) and it may be because weight just doesnt impact health as much as we think. The real danger to a child, or anyone in a larger body, is how we treat them for having that body. Fat people are less likely to access healthcare, to be treated with dignity and respect by health providers, and to be referred for additional testing or other follow care. Plus, they are less likely to be believed about their own health issues. It sounds counterintuitive, but one of the most important things parents can do to benefit their childrens health is to take weight out of every health-related conversation.
Studies show that 80 to 95 percent of people who diet lose some small amount of weight in the first six to nine months. They then gain it all back over the next two to five years, and often with some extra. We dont fail at dieting because we lack discipline or willpower; our bodies are responding exactly the way our bodies are supposed to respond to restriction. Our metabolism slows down, our hunger hormones increase, and we become preoccupied with food. All of this is a feature, not a bug. Our bodies evolved these protective mechanisms to help us survive times of food scarcity, and your body cant tell if youre living through a famine or just doing Paleo.
Even if diets did work, we wouldnt want kids to diet, but unfortunately, they are. Thirty-eight percent of kids aged 13-16 have tried to lose weight in the past year and 28 percent of kids aged 8-15 have made persistent attempts to lose weight. This is concerning because we know that childhood dieting, along with weight-based shaming, is a top predictor of future eating disorder risk. In one important study, teenage girls who dieted at a severe level were 18 times more likely to develop eating disorders than those who didnt. Even moderate dieters, following the kind of lifestyle plan often prescribed by doctors or encouraged by parents, were five times more likely to progress to an eating disorder. Intentional weight loss doesnt work for most people. It doesnt improve health markers any more than simply making lifestyle changes or taking medication to treat specific health conditions, but it causes a ton of harm.
Researchers began to document this bias with studies in the 1960s, where they showed kids pictures of children with different body types and abilities. They found that children consistently rated the fat body as the one they liked the least. In 2012, researchers revisited the picture-ranking experiment from the 1960s with a group of 415 American fifth and sixth graders and found that anti-fat bias had only intensified. They noted, The difference in liking between the healthy and obese child was currently 40.8 percent greater than in 1961. The more we claim to understand and care about the health of fat children, it seems, the less we like them.
The existence of anti-fat bias also begets thin privilege. Thin privilege means never having to worry if youll fit in the seat at a restaurant, on an airplane, or in your friends dining room. Its knowing you can eat an ice cream cone in public, or skip a workout, and whatever internal struggle you might feel around these decisions, you will not be judged or ridiculed for the choice by others. Its the fact that you can shop in any clothing store and be confident that theyll have your size. You have thin privilege when you mostly see people with bodies roughly like yours (more tanned, and much better dressed, but not worlds apart in size or shape) in a magazine, in a movie, or on social media.
Thin privilege, like white privilege and male privilege, is a slippery and often-controversial concept. It can be invisible to anyone who has it, and glaringly obvious to everyone else. Thats because were conditioned not to notice any form of discrimination that doesnt apply directly to us, whether its happening around us or we are directly perpetrating it.
This is true even if you think they dont get enough protein or if you cant remember the last time they ate a green vegetable. This is also true even if they fill up on afternoon snacks and eat two bites of dinner or if they consistently measure at the very low or the very high end of your pediatricians growth chart. Vegetables are great and protein is great. However, if kids are able to eat enough food to have the energy they need to learn, play, and grow, and barring any serious nutrient deficiencies, allergies, or other medical conditions, parents can generally trust that the details of what they eat will work out.
We dont need to require broccoli in order to earn dessert and we dont need to force three kinds of produce into the lunchbox. We can do our job by offering a wide range of nourishing foods, including treats, and let kids be in charge of how much and even whether they eat the food were offering. Taking the focus off nutrition is not neglecting your responsibility to nourish your kids. It means youre honoring and prioritizing the nourishment of your kids as an important aspect of life and well-being, which goes far beyond the nutrient profile of whats on the plate.
We can teach them to ask questions and think critically about the messages they get about bodies from the media, school, and peers. We can make fat into just another body descriptor, and we can make fat good. Once we know that to be true, we have no reason to keep pursuing thinness at any cost. We can stop judging how our kids bodies grow. We can reject the premise that our worth, as parents or as people, should be measured by our weight. When we do that, diet culture has nothing to feast on; controlling your body size stops being the goal.
We cant keep our kids in diet culture-free bubbles. The goal isnt to stop Grandma from ever saying a bad word about bread; its to help our kids know her bread comment doesnt apply to them. The goal isnt to make sure our kids never watch a cartoon with a stereotypical fat villain or a YouTuber on a detox; its to teach them to think critically about the media they consume and to call out those instances of harm for what they are. The goal isnt to raise kids who never experience a moment of body anxiety; its to teach kids who to blame when our culture makes them think their body size is their value.
All kids need to know that all bodies are good bodies. All kids need to know that they are more than their appearance, eating habits, or athletic abilities. They need to know that weight isnt synonymous with health and that neither weight nor health has a moral value. Kids of all sizes deserve to feel in control of their bodies.
They deserve to be able to say whether they are hungry or full or in the mood to try broccoli tonight. They deserve to say if they feel uncomfortable giving Grandma a hug, or with the way their track coach talks about their runners body. They deserve to opt out of school assignments that teach dieting and to have a doctor who looks at them as a whole person, not as a point on a growth chart. Every kid needs to understand that we live in a fatphobic culture and that we can all work to change that. We can make sure they know that we trust their bodies and that home is their safe space.
To listen to the audio version read by author Virginia Sole-Smith, download the Next Big Idea App today:
Originally posted here:
Fat Talk: Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture - Next Big Idea Club Magazine
CHICAGO Anti-obesity medications and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) are popular strategies for weight loss on their own. Now researchers are looking at what happens when you combine them.
In a study presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2023, they found ESG followed by an anti-obesity medication led to more total weight loss than ESG alone.
Starting medication within 6 months of ESG was more ideal than other timing intervals. Initiating medical therapy more than 6 months before ESG was associated with less weight loss.
In the single-center, retrospective study, 224 patients were enrolled, of whom 34% were on monotherapy (ESG alone), 31% had combination therapy (medication prescribed within 6 months prior to or after ESG), and 35% had sequential therapy (medication more than 6 months prior to or after ESG).
Most patients were female, ranging from 74% to 95% of each group, and baseline BMI ranged from a mean 37.5 kg/m2 to 40.1 kg/m2.
The medications involved in the study were phentermine, phentermine/topiramate ER (Qsymia), orlistat (Xenical, Alli), bupropion/naltrexone ER (Contrave), or the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza) or semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus). Of the patients who underwent combination therapy, 30% were prescribed a regimen that included a GLP-1RA. Of the patients who underwent sequential therapy, 81% were prescribed a medication first and 19% underwent ESG first.
At 1 year, the greatest total weight loss was a mean 23.7% with the combination of ESG and a GLP-1RA. Total weight loss was 18% with ESG plus a non-GLP-1RA medication. ESG alone led to 17.3%. Sequential therapy that began with ESG yielded 14.7% total weight loss, whereas sequential therapy that began with medication first resulted in 12% weight loss.
It's possible that gastroplasty performed second was less impressive because the medications were very effective, and there was not as much weight to lose, said Pichamol Jirapinyo, MD, MPH, a bariatric endoscopist at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, and lead author of the study.
Researchers stopped medication therapy if people did not experience at least 5% total weight loss after 3 months on a maintenance dose.
Waiting for weight loss to start to plateau after gastroplasty might be an ideal time to add weight loss medication, said Jirapinyo. "Usually when I see them at 3 months, I plot how fast their weight loss has been. If it's been going down [steadily], we do not offer an anti-obesity medication until I see them again at 6 months," she said.
The serious adverse event (SAE) rate associated with ESG was similar among the three cohorts: 2.6% with monotherapy group, 1.4% with combination therapy, and 1.3% with sequential therapy. SAEs associated with anti-obesity medication occurred in 1.3% of the sequential therapy group and was not reported in either of the other two groups.
"I certainly think combination therapy should be more effective than just gastroplasty alone and is probably better," said Gregory L. Austin, MD, session co-moderator and a gastroenterologist at the UCHealth Digestive Health Center, Anschutz Medical Campus in Denver, Colorado.
"Whether you start immediately or wait 3 months afterwards is a question that still needs to be answered," he added.
Austin agreed that taking an anti-obesity medicine more than 6 months before gastroplasty might be associated with enough weight loss to make the gastroplasty look less effective.
He also noted that the study "doesn't really address the question of whether you should offer gastroplasty to somebody who's been on [medication] for more than 6 months because you probably still should if they haven't achieved an appropriate weight loss that's associated with reduced comorbidity risk going forward."
In a second study, also presented at DDW 2023, investigators looked at timing of liraglutide for weight loss in a randomized controlled trial. They found that administration of GLP-1RA right after transoral outlet reduction endoscopy (TORe) in people with a history of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass extended weight loss longer than a placebo injection. This strategy was also favorable vs waiting to give liraglutide 1 year later.
Researchers randomly assigned 51 people to get weekly subcutaneous liraglutide injections following TORe for 12 months, then placebo injections for 12 months. They assigned 58 patients to receive weekly placebo injections following TORe for 12 months, then liraglutide injections for 12 months.
At 12 months following the procedure, total body weight loss (TBWL) among participants receiving liraglutide was about 22%, compared with about 14% among patients receiving placebo. At 24 months following the procedure (12 months after crossover), TBWL among patients in the liraglutide-first group was almost 35%, compared with about 24% in the placebo-first/liraglutide-second group.
There was a durable effect associated with liraglutide even after switching to placebo, said Ali Lahooti, lead study author and second year medical student at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City.
"There did seem to be a better benefit of starting on it for the first year and then stopping it," Austin noted.
These two studies come at a time when the debate over the timing of different obesity interventions continues. Some experts believe weight loss medications can help with the rebound in weight that some people experience months after bariatric surgery, for example.
The study by Jirapinyo and colleagues is "really exciting and interesting," said Linda S. Lee, MD, medical director of endoscopy, Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, when asked to comment.
Medication begun within 6 months of the endoscopic procedure "led to superior outcomes compared to just endoscopy alone," Lee said. "I think that's really the wave of the future as far as treating patients with obesity issues. We clearly know that diet and exercise alone for most people is not good enough. Of course, we have surgery, but we also realize that with surgery sometimes the weight starts to creep back up over time."
Lee noted that the study was limited because it was retrospective. Ideally, it would be good if future, prospective research randomly assigns people to endoscopy alone or endoscopy plus medication, she said.
Lee also noted there is a limited number of bariatric endoscopists. By the time people with obesity get to a specialist, they've likely tried diet and exercise and "probably have seen all the commercials for these different medications." I think the reality is that most people will ask their primary care physicians about anti-obesity medication, she said.
"From my point of view, as long as the medicine is safe and not harming them, then let's do both of them together," Lee added.
Lee also mentioned another study [Abstract Mo1898] presented at DDW 2023 that showed total weight loss with endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty was durable over 10 years. Follow-up was with only seven patients, however.
Larger numbers are needed to confirm the finding, but it's "exciting," she said.
Jirapinyo receives grant/research support from Apollo Endosurgery, Fractyl, and USGI Medical, and is a consultant for ERBE, GI Dynamics, and Spatz Medical. Lahooti, Austin, and Lee report no relevant financial relationships.
Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2023. Abstracts 701 and 703.Presented May 8, 2023.
Damian McNamarais astaffjournalist based in Miami. He covers a wide range of medical specialties, including infectious diseases, gastroenterology and critical care.Follow Damian on Twitter: @MedReporter.
For more news, follow Medscape on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, andLinkedIn
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ESG Plus Obesity Drugs Add Up to More Weight Loss - Medscape
Are you tired of restrictive diets that eliminate all your favorite foods and leave you feeling hungry and unsatisfied? Look no further than the Met Flex Diet, created by celebrity physician Dr. Ian Smith.
This diet promises to help you lose up to 20 pounds in just six weeks while still allowing you to indulge in pizza, steak, pasta, and even alcohol.
So how does it work? The Met Flex Diet focuses on improving metabolic flexibility, which means your body can efficiently switch between burning carbohydrates and burning fat for energy. This is achieved through a combination of intermittent fasting and cyclical ketosis, two popular strategies in the world of weight loss.
Dont worry, you wont be starving yourself on this diet. The Met Flex Diet includes a daily meal and exercise plan, with over 40 recipes in the accompanying book. To prove that you can still enjoy delicious food while losing weight, Dr. Ian Smith brought samples of breakfast, lunch, and dinner items to try in our studio.
Before you dive into this diet, its important to understand the basics of nutrition. Dr. Ian Smith challenged our hosts to test their knowledge by asking a few easy questions about healthy versus unhealthy food choices.
The Met Flex Diet may sound too good to be true, but with Dr. Ian Smiths expertise and guidance, its definitely worth a try. Who knows, maybe youll be able to enjoy that bottle of wine guilt-free after all!
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Dr. Ian Smith and the Met Flex Diet: Lose weight while eating your ... - WISH TV Indianapolis, IN
Losing weight can be a challenge for anyone, but for those with food allergies, it can be even harder. Food allergies can limit the types of foods that can be safely consumed, making it difficult to follow a weight loss plan.
However, with careful planning, it is still possible to lose weight even if you have food allergies. So, for the question, "Is It Possible To Lose Weight If I Have Food Allergies," the answer is, YES! Now, let's take a look on how to do that here, in this article.
Note: The first thing to do is consult a doctor or a certified nutritionist who can help you figure out your allergies and map out a sustainable plan. Below, we have mentioned the steps you need to consider when planning to lose weight if you have food allergies.
The first step is to identify which foods you are allergic to and which foods you can safely eat. Once you've figured this out, it's important to create a meal plan that includes all of the safe foods.
Eating a balanced diet is key to weight loss, so make sure to include a variety of proteins, grains, fruits, and vegetables in your meals.
It's also important to watch your portion sizes. Eating smaller meals throughout the day can help you avoid overeating. Snacking can also be helpful, but choose healthy snacks like fruits and vegetables rather than processed snacks like chips or cookies.
Exercise is also an important component of weight loss. There are plenty of exercises that can be done at home or outdoors that don't require any special equipment. Even simple activities like walking, jogging, or yoga can help you burn calories and increase your metabolism.
While this is not directly related to food allergies, getting enough sleep is essential for weight loss. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night to give your body time to rest and repair itself.
Allergies to certain foods can make weight loss more challenging and it may require you to make some changes to your diet, but it is possible to achieve your weight loss goals.
Losing weight while managing food allergies can be a challenge, but with the right diet and exercise plan, it is possible to reach your goal weight.
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Weight Loss: Is It Possible To Lose Weight If I Have Food Allergies - Boldsky
Jenny Craig will close its doors after four decades in the weight loss and nutrition business, according to internal communications to employees reviewed by NBC News.
In an email sent to employees late Tuesday, the company said it will close due to its inability to secure additional financing. Jenny Craig corporate and salaried field employees' last day will be Friday, and hourly center employees last day working was Tuesday. The company operated about 500 company-owned and franchised stores in the United States and Canada, according to H.I.G. Capital when it acquired Jenny Craig for an undisclosed amount in April 2019. It now employs more than 1,000 people.
Last week, corporate employees at the companys Carlsbad, California, office received a WARN Act notice that the company would be closing the office June 24, but may close as soon as Friday. A FAQ was also sent by Jenny Craig to employees, explaining that it would wind down physical operations to transition to an e-commerce model.
For the past two weeks, Jenny Craig had been running out of money as it searched for a buyer. Bloomberg Law reported last month that the company waspursuing a sale. Two current Jenny Craig corporate employees say they fear the company will file for bankruptcy by the end of the week.
Neither Jenny Craig nor H.I.G. Capital, a $55 billion private equity firm, have responded to requests for comment.
Jenny Craig was founded in 1983 to help people lose weight, and the brand became a household name for its weight loss program. The program provided special menus designed by chefs and nutritionists to help consumers lose weight. The company recruited celebrities to front the brand, including actors Kirstie Alley, Valerie Bertinelli and Jason Alexander, and singer-songwriter Mariah Carey.
The company has faced increased competition recently after a handful of drugs that can help people lose weight, such as Wegovy, Rybelsus and Ozempic, hit the market promising to help consumers shed pounds. The core of Jenny Craig's client-facing operations happened mostly at its physical centers, according to employees, but consumers generally have been pivoting more toward online services in recent years.
Last week after reports about the potential layoffs, a Jenny Craig spokesperson told NBC News that the company is embarking on the next phase of our business to evolve with the changing landscape of todays consumers. Like many other companies, were currently transitioning from a brick-and-mortar retail business to a customer-friendly, e-commerce driven model. We will have more details to share in the coming weeks as our plans are solidified.
There is no indication in the most recent communication to employees that the transition to an e-commerce model will still happen.
Jenny Craig employees say there was no indication preceding the past two weeks that the company was spiraling. One month ago, the company was posting job openings on LinkedIn, and one employee says she was given a raise and new training just a few weeks prior.
Jenny Craigs policy is to provide severance pay to laid-off employees based on job level and tenure with the company, according to the FAQ document it sent out last week.
However, at this time, it is highly unlikely that these will be paid, it said.
The company told employees in the termination letter that they will receive a "final paycheck, including your full compensation earned through your last day of work and all accrued, unused paid time off."
Sara Ruberg
Sara Ruberg is an associate producer with NBC News.
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Jenny Craig tells employees it will shut its doors - NBC News
A certain class of drugs has become a popular drug to lose weight but researchers have found it might have potential heart benefits as well.
Known by their brand names like Ozempic and Wegovy, these approved treatments for type 2 diabetes patients have made headlines recently for their effectiveness at treating obesity and helping people with or without diabetes lose weight.
Dr. Darren McGuire, a professor in UT Southwesterns Department of Internal Medicine and member of the Division of Cardiology has been a part of ongoing research that shows the drugs reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack and stroke.
"It's really flipped the world of type two diabetes upside down. We're using these drugs as one of the very first-line therapies and then for patients with diabetes who actually have cardiovascular disease," said Dr. McGuire.
While in clinical trials, the drug reduced a type two diabetic's heart attack and stroke risk on average by 14 percent, according to McGuire, by stabilizing plaque in the arteries.
The class of drugs, called GLP-1 RAs, contain a key ingredient called semaglutide, which is commonly being used off-label by non-diabetics looking to lose weight.
While expensive, McGuire said for the right patient, it should be the first line of defense when it comes to heart health.
"Especially when these drugs become generic, it is a real possibility that we will expand their use into patients at high risk, both for cardiovascular disease and for the development of diabetes," he said.
You can read more about the research here.
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Diabetes Drug Patients Use For Weight Loss May Have Heart Benefits - NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth
Semaglutide is arguably the most talked about injectable drug in 2023. It is better known by two brand names, Ozempic and Wegovy. We will compare the differences between Ozempic and Wegovy for weight loss, cost and safety.
Although both injectable weight loss medications are effective they do have some rather prohibitive negatives.
The weight loss drugs are expensive and have a high price tag costing around $1000 a month, both can cause some nasty side effects and they are not available or accessible to all.
Another negative that is often leveled at Wegovy and Ozempic is that once you stop taking all the lost weight is regained?
For these reasons there are some natural weight loss supplements that have found their place in the market. They offer a safer, cheaper and more permanent weight loss solution.
These are the two over the counter diet supplements that are often positioned as alternatives to weight loss injections.
CLICK to view PhenQ price and availability
PhenQ is a natural weight loss supplement designed to assist men and women in their weight loss journey by combining multiple benefits in one product. It claims to act as a fat burner, appetite suppressant, and fat blocker, helping individuals lose weight safely and effectively.
PhenQ's formula contains natural ingredients such as -Lacys Reset, which is believed to boost metabolism and increase the body's fat-burning capabilities.
Capsimax powder, a blend of capsicum, piperine, caffeine, and niacin, may further enhance thermogenesis, promoting calorie burning. Chromium picolinate, a trace mineral, is included to help regulate blood sugar levels and reduce cravings.
Nopal, a fiber-rich cactus extract, aids in suppressing appetite by promoting a feeling of fullness, while L-carnitine fumarate, an amino acid, supports energy production by converting stored fat into usable energy. This helps counteract the fatigue often experienced during weight loss efforts.
CLICK to view PhenQ price and availability
Zotrim is a natural dietary supplement designed to aid weight loss by acting as an appetite suppressant and promoting feelings of fullness. Its formula consists of a blend of herbal extracts and natural ingredients, including Yerba Mate, Guarana, and Damiana, which work synergistically to help control hunger and reduce food intake.
Yerba Mate is rich in antioxidants and nutrients that boost energy levels and metabolism, helping the body burn calories more efficiently.
Guarana, a natural source of caffeine, further enhances metabolism and provides a gentle energy boost. Damiana is believed to have mood-enhancing properties, which can help curb emotional eating.
By suppressing appetite and reducing the urge to snack or overeat, Zotrim aims to make it easier for individuals to stick to a calorie-controlled diet.
To achieve optimal weight loss results, it is essential to combine Zotrim with a balanced diet, healthy food choices and regular physical activity. It is crucial to consult a healthcare professional before starting any weight loss supplement to ensure it is suitable for individual needs and health conditions.
Must Read: Which is the best diabetes drug for weight loss?
Type 2 diabetes and obesity or being overweight have a complex, interrelated relationship. Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels due to the body's inability to use insulin effectively, also known as insulin resistance.
Obesity is defined as having an excessive amount of body fat and a high Body Mass Index (BMI), while being overweight refers to having more body weight than what is considered healthy for a given height.
There is a strong correlation between obesity and the development of type 2 diabetes. This is mainly due to the fact that excess body fat, particularly visceral fat (fat stored around the organs), has been shown to increase insulin resistance.
When a person is obese or overweight, their body requires more insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Over time, the increased demand for insulin can lead to the pancreas becoming overworked and losing its ability to produce sufficient amounts of insulin. This can result in the development of type 2 diabetes.
This is where Ozempic and Wegovy are often positioned - to reduce body weight, support metabolic health, and aid glycemic control.
Obesity can also cause inflammation, which is believed to contribute to insulin resistance. The accumulation of fat in the body releases pro-inflammatory molecules called cytokines. These cytokines can impair the normal function of insulin receptors on the surface of cells, further exacerbating insulin resistance and increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Therefore, someone who is obese is more likely to suffer from or develop type 2 diabetes due to the increased insulin resistance and inflammation associated with excess body fat.
However, it is important to note that not all obese or overweight individuals will develop cardiovascular complications from type 2 diabetes, as genetic predisposition, lifestyle factors, and other health conditions also play a role in determining an individual's risk for cardiovascular disease.
Weight loss and adopting a healthier lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular physical activity, can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes for those who are overweight or obese. For individuals already diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, losing weight and improving overall health can help manage the condition and prevent or delay diabetes-related complications.
Ozempic is a brand name for the injectable medication semaglutide, developed by Novo Nordisk. It is used to treat type 2 diabetes in adults, alongside diet and exercise, as a part of a comprehensive diabetes management plan. Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, which means it mimics the functions of the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1 in the body.
GLP-1 is an incretin hormone that plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels. It stimulates the secretion of insulin by pancreatic beta cells when blood sugar levels are elevated, slows down gastric emptying, and reduces the production of glucose by the liver. Additionally, GLP-1 promotes satiety, which helps control appetite and reduces food intake.
Ozempic works by mimicking the effects of GLP-1, thereby enhancing its positive impact on blood sugar regulation. It helps increase insulin secretion in response to elevated blood sugar levels, slows down the digestion process to reduce glucose absorption, and decreases the liver's glucose production to lower blood sugar levels.
Ozempic can improve blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Moreover, its appetite-suppressing effect can aid in weight loss, which is beneficial for those who are overweight or obese and managing type 2 diabetes.
It is important to note that Ozempic is not a substitute for insulin and should not be used to treat type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.
Wegovy is another brand name for semaglutide, also a medication developed by Novo Nordisk, specifically designed to promote weight loss and approved for weight management in adults who are overweight or obese and have weight-related health issues.
While semaglutide is also used to treat type 2 diabetes under the brand name Ozempic, Wegovy has been formulated with a focus on weight loss. There are many Wegovy reviews that give a balanced opinion of its pros and cons.
Wegovy is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, which means it mimics the actions of the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1 in the body. GLP-1 is an incretin hormone that plays a significant role in blood sugar regulation and appetite control.
The primary mechanism of action for Wegovy is its ability to activate GLP-1 receptors, leading to increased feelings of fullness and satiety. This, in turn, helps reduce food intake and promotes weight loss.
Wegovy also slows down gastric emptying, which means the rate at which food leaves the stomach is reduced, resulting in a more gradual release of nutrients into the bloodstream. This can contribute to improved blood sugar control and potentially aid in managing type 2 diabetes for those who are overweight or obese.
Wegovy is administered as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection and should be used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for optimal weight management results. It is important to note that Wegovy is not indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes or as a substitute for insulin in patients with diabetes.
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Wegovy and Ozempic are essentially the same drug both contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide, but they are FDA approved for different indications. Ozempic is primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is used for chronic weight management in adults who are overweight or obese with weight-related health issues.
The doses are one point of differentiation. Self-injection under the skin with 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, or 2.0 mg of Ozempic is how the medication is administered.
The same administration method is used for Wegovy, and a full dose is 2.4 milligrams. Because both come in prefilled pens or syringes, there is no chance of accidentally taking too much or too little of the medication.
Since both medications contain semaglutide, their safety profiles are similar. The most common side effects associated with semaglutide include gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, high blood pressure and abdominal pain. These side effects are generally mild to moderate in severity and tend to decrease over time as the body adjusts to the medication.
It is important to note that the safety of Ozempic and Wegovy should be considered in the context of their intended use. For patients with type 2 diabetes, Ozempic is the appropriate choice, as it has been specifically developed and approved for managing their high cholesterol, blood pressure and sugar levels. On the other hand, for individuals who need assistance to lose weight, Wegovy would be the suitable option.
In both cases, the safety and effectiveness of the medication should be evaluated and monitored by a healthcare professional. They will consider the patient's medical history, current health status, and other medications they are taking to determine the most appropriate treatment option.
There have also been links to thyroid cancer with Semaglutide use.
It is not a matter of which medication is "safer" in general, but rather which one is the most appropriate for a specific patient's needs and health conditions. It is essential to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of action for each individual case.
Ozempic (semaglutide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) are essentially the same active ingredient, but they have been approved for different indications. Ozempic is used for treating type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is used for weight management in adults who are overweight or obese with weight-related health issues.
Both Ozempic and Wegovy may have drug interactions, which can affect their efficacy and safety. Some potential drug interactions with Wegovy and Ozempic include:
It is crucial to inform your healthcare provider about all the medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting treatment with Ozempic or Wegovy. The healthcare provider can then assess potential drug interactions and make appropriate recommendations to ensure the safe and effective use of these medications.
Ozempic and Wegovy both contain the active ingredient semaglutide, but they are approved for different indications. Ozempic is primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is specifically approved for weight management in adults who are overweight or obese with weight-related health issues.
When considering weight loss as the primary goal, Wegovy would be the more appropriate choice. Wegovy has been developed and tested specifically for weight management, with clinical trials showing significant weight loss results in comparison to placebo.
The weight loss effects of Wegovy are more pronounced than those observed with Ozempic, as Wegovy is formulated at a higher dose to maximize its impact on weight loss.
However, it is crucial for overweight patients to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any weight loss medication, including injectable drugs like Wegovy. The healthcare provider will assess the patient's medical history, current health status, and other medications they are taking to determine the most appropriate treatment option.
In summary, for individuals whose primary goal is weight loss, Wegovy is likely the better option compared to Ozempic. Nonetheless, it is essential to discuss the choice with a healthcare professional to ensure the medication is suitable for the patient's specific needs and health conditions.
In most cases, Medicare and commercial insurance companies will not pay for weight loss medications that require a prescription from a doctor. On the other hand, there are several plans that might help cover the expense of these medications. The cost of having insurance coverage depends on the plan that you choose.
With proper prior authorization, certain insurance policies might help cover the cost of Wegovy in certain instances. It is more likely that Medicare and commercial insurance plans will cover Ozempic for the treatment of type 2 diabetes than they would cover Wegovy for weight loss.
If you do not have health insurance, the typical retail price of these medications might be quite costly.
When compared, the price of a one-month supply of Wegovy is approximately $1,500, but the price of a one-month supply of Ozempic can reach up to almost $1,000. It's possible that a coupon for SingleCare, Wegovy, or Ozempic might cut your retail expenditures by several hundred dollars.
Both Ozempic (semaglutide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) have the same active component, Semaglutide; however, regulatory approval has been granted for each drug to treat a different condition.
Wegovy is used for chronic weight management in adults who are overweight or obese with weight-related conditions, whereas Ozempic is utilized for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
The cost of Wegovy and Ozempic is comparable - and so are the side effects.
If your main concern is weight loss choose Wegovy, if you need to control blood sugar or have diabetes then Ozempic is the drug to use.
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Ozempic Vs Wegovy Differences for Weight Loss, Cost and Safety ... - The Daily Collegian Online
Fitness tips: Repeated performance for 21 days is enough to create new neural networks, which can help build habits. Health experts suggest creating simple, achievable fitness targets to kick-start the transformation process.
Little efforts go a long way. Human behaviour is a function of learned habits, and as per neurological studies, it has been identified that it takes 21 days of repeated performance to make or break a habit. This theory has been tossed around, more so lately, for years, but the idea was likely brought up first in the late 1950s by a plastic surgeon named Dr Maxwell Maltz in his book, Psycho-Cybernetics. Maltz discovered that his patients needed three weeks of time to get used to the changes he would make to their bodies.
The rules are simple
These 21-day challenges are usually a mix of a balanced diet, physical activities, and behavioural changes, because good health is always holistic. It means being both physically and mentally fit, says INFS-certified nutrition and fitness coach, Shriyam Srivastava.
Scientific studies show that 21 days is a sufficient time period for new neural networks to take shape, hence, helping us build habits in various aspects. Srivastava believes that to turn it into a success, the challenges need to be uncomplicated and achievable in the first place. Health experts need to keep in mind not to give challenges which are too difficult to achieve in the first go, because that would only demotivate a person even further. Give simple, achievable targets to kickstart the transformation process.
Potential benefits
Inculcating good habits, breaking the pattern of an unhealthy lifestyle, and giving you a push to continue with a healthy, holistic living are the key benefits of the 21-day routines. Gurugram-based clinical nutritionist Parul Malhotra breaks the chart of benefits into three different tiers.Firstly, a 21-day challenge gives you a charged-up boost to stay motivated in achieving short-term fitness goals. Secondly, continuous action-driven targets ensure the body starts to show results. And lastly, these challenges ensure one starts developing new habits, necessary to maintain short-term goals and further achieve long-term ones in future, confirms Malhotra, who is also the founder of Diet Expression, a health and fitness services platform, and has been in the health industry for 14 years.
Delhi-based dietitian and founder of Nutr, Lakshita Jain agrees, You would feel lighter within two days of starting a 21-day challenge. People experiencing gastric issues would see immediate results. Your routine will begin to improve within a weeks time; the skin will start to glow. You will be more active at work and sleep better at night. You will be an entirely different person in a week. Just imagine what a 21-day challenge would do!
Are 21 days all it takes?
These challenges certainly show results but theres more to it. They are effective only when they actually turn into habits. For instance, if you manage to avoid junk, oily, processed food for 21 days but start binging on them on the 22nd day, your body will gradually go back to being your older self. Or if you stop meditating or doing yoga after the challenge is over, your stress will find its way back.
The key is to continue doing whatever you started doing. It is human behaviour to like challenges. It is an exciting way to start following a habit, and gives you the initial push that you need. The 21-day challenges can definitely be successful given that you dont take them as punishments. A positive mindset does matter, Srivastava explains.
Jain believes that the process is gradual with persistent efforts. Yes, you would notice immediate benefits. But long-term results are only noticeable if you adhere to at least 50 per cent of the routine from a 21-day challenge.
Sushmita Srivastav An independent journalist and editor, Sushmita writes on diverse topics, ranging from travel, food, fitness and health, to luxury, culture, and everything in between.
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21-day fitness challenge: How to lose weight or break a habit in three weeks - Moneycontrol
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When it comes to weight loss, some people feel the pressure to not eat enough or to avoid snacking in between meals. And yes, snacking on sugary, ultra-processed snacks during meals can pack on extra calories and leave you feeling hungrier, but chowing down on healthy weight loss-friendly snacks during a mid-afternoon slump can give you the boost your body needs and help you reach your goals. When it comes to choosing the healthiest snacks, where should you start?
"The right snack can help support a person's weight loss goal by filling nutrition gaps, promoting satiety, and potentially supporting one's metabolism, depending on what is being consumed," says Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, registered dietitian and author of The First Time Mom's Pregnancy Cookbook and Fueling Male Fertility."Instead of leaning on ultra-processed snacks that have a low nutritional value, opting for whole-food snacks like fruits, veggies, nuts, and whole grain options should be your focus."
To learn more about the best snacks you can enjoy to help you achieve your personal goals, we had a handful of experts choose their favorites that you can easily stock up on. Read on, and for more healthy eating advice, check out the 7 Eating Habits That Are Destroying Your Body.
According to Manaker, a healthy (and delicious) snack is a simple handful of pistachios.
"Theycontain healthy fat and are a good source of fiber, andresearch suggests that people on a weight loss plan can eat pistachios as a calorie-controlled snack and still lose weight," says Manaker. "Additionally, a cross-sectional study on over 7,000 people found that those who ate more than three servings of nuts per week, including pistachios, had a lower incidence of obesity."
Some people may worry about the higher fat and calorie content of nuts like pistachios. Still, Manaker says that "recent studies have also shown that snacking on pistachios does not lead to weight gain and instead results in an increase in some key nutrient intakes."
RELATED: Nuts May Reduce Heart Disease Risk & Increase Serotonin, New Study Says
Another snack that can provide your body with a dose of healthy fat is sliced avocado. This fruit is high in fat, but almost all of it is monounsaturated and polyunsaturated, which are fatty acids proven to be helpful for your heart. Along with healthy fat, avocados are also high in fiber, aiding in weight loss.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e
"Fiber slows the speed of digestion, which makes you feel full and can help you eat less and stay satisfied longer," says Manaker. "And, in a study of over 55,000 adult men and women who follow the Seventh Day Adventist lifestyle, researchers found that regularly eating fresh avocados is linked to a lower risk of becoming overweight or obese."
RELATED: Are Avocados Good for You? 10 Science-Backed Effects of Eating Them
If you're wanting something on the sweeter side for your mid-afternoon snack, Manaker suggests reaching for some watermelon.
"Watermelon is 90% water, making it a sweet snack that can majorly support hydration, and since hydration may be linked to weight loss, snacking on this water-packed food can be a great choice," says Manaker.
The only downside of this snack is that it doesn't have protein or much fiber to help keep you full, so you can always pair it with some nuts or Greek yogurt.
For those needing a snack that will keep them satiated until their next meal, Jamie Nadeau, RD, recommends trying a certain combination of foods to get the best bang for your buck.
"A combination of protein and fiber or fat is what works best and keeps you most satisfied, so I recommend pairing foods together to get the most satisfying combination possible versus relying on individual foods all the time," says Nadeau. "For example, Greek yogurt paired with berries will keep you way more satisfied than Greek yogurt or berries alone."
RELATED: #1 Best Yogurt for Strong Bones, Says Dietitian
For a healthy weight loss snack that is quick, cheap, and easy to take on the go, Dr. Joan Salge Blake, EdD, RDN, LDN, FAND, a nutrition professor at Boston University and the host of the nutrition & health podcast SpotOn!, suggests snacking on frozen fruit.
"The temperature of this snack will also force you to slow down your eating due their chilly nature, and snacking on fruit can be helpful because most adults aren't getting enough servings of fruit on a daily basis," explains Dr. Blake.
All fruit can provide you with helpful nutrients, but berries have specifically been found to aid in weight maintenance, as well as helping to improve the health of your gut microbiomeso don't hesitate to pick up a bag of frozen berries next time you're at the store.
Salsa often gets overlooked as a healthy snack option, but what could be better than a bowl of chopped-up veggies and herbs?
"Salsa is spicy way to get low-calorie vegetables in your diet, but rather than eating the salsa with higher-calorie chips, quarter a red pepper and use these as a 'salsa scoops' for a healthy, filling snack," says Dr. Blake.
If you're really craving some tortilla chips with your salsa, opt for something that has fiber and is lower in sodium.
Eggs can be make for a delicious breakfast in the morning, but a hard-boiled egg or two can also be a great snack to have in the afternoon when you need a lean protein boost.
"This snack can supply the body with high-biological value proteins, which are those that contain the essential amino acids needed for different body functions, especially in the growth and repair of muscles," says Catherine Gervacio, RD, and nutrition writer for Living.Fit. "Therefore, supplying the body with amino acids (and if combined with a good workout) can potentially lead to a leaner muscle mass. The more muscle your body has, the higher your metabolic rate would be, which can help contribute to weight loss."
RELATED: Are Eggs Good for You? 10 Science-Backed Effects of Eating Them Every Day
You may mostly associate chickpeas with hummus, but this legume can be roasted and enjoyed on its own as is. "Roasted chickpeas are a great snack because they have a trifecta of nutrients for satisfaction: fiber, protein, and slow-digesting carbs," saysKelsey Sackmann, RD and owner ofKelsey P. RD. "They pack the perfect crunch, curb cravings, and are super customizable. Make it sweet with cinnamon and maple syrup or savory with herbs or spices."
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The Best Healthy Snacks for Weight Loss Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That
Full-body weight loss starts with establishing just the right game plan for you. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, your goal for safe and healthy weight loss should be to drop around one to two pounds each week, and steer clear of any "fad diets." A combination of fitness and nutrition will help you melt excess pounds all over. WebMD points out that you can also cut back on your usual daily calorie intake, be mindful of food labels, increase your water intake so you don't feel as hungry, and decrease portions. We have you covered with the exercise part of the game plan with five expert-approved floor exercises for full-body weight loss.
Eat This, Not That! spoke with Tyler Read, the founder of PTPioneer.com and a personal trainer who's been involved in health and fitness for the past 15 years, who shares, "I recommend focusing on a high protein diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits, and other nutrient-dense foods. Include some cardio of HIIT for extra calorie burn. The caloric deficit is the main factor that causes weight loss, not the specific exercises you choose, although those do influence where your body builds muscle."
So without further delay, keep reading to find out Read's five recommended floor exercises for full-body weight loss. And when you're done, don't miss 9 Simple Strength Exercises To Keep Your Weight Down for Good.
To begin burpees, you'll assume a tall stance, and place your feet shoulder-width distance apart. Activate your core as you descend into a high plank, PureGym instructs. Plant both hands on the ground the distance of your shoulder span, and push your feet behind you. Maintain a straight back from your head to your feet. Drop down into a pushup, making sure your elbows don't stray too far from the sides of your body. Push your body back up, jump your feet forward to meet your hands, and explosively jump upward, extending your arms toward the sky. That completes one full rep. Perform 10 reps in total.
The knee-to-chest exercise starts off with you sitting on your butt. Lean back while simultaneously lengthening your legs. Reverse the motion in order to bring your legs up toward your chest. Repeat this motion for 10 reps in total.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e
RELATED: Lose 10 Pounds in a Month With This Workout Trainers Love
This bodyweight compound exercise has many variations, including modified pushups (from your knees), incline press-ups, tricep press-ups, and wide grip pushups, PureGym explains. To begin classic pushups, you'll begin in a high plank position with your hands planted shoulder-width distance apart and your body forming a straight line from your head to your feet. Then, descend toward the ground while maintaining a tight core and a neutral spine. Make sure your hips don't sag. Use control to press through your hands to return to a high plank. Complete 10 reps in total.
RELATED: The 5 Exercises You Should Be Doing at the Gym for Weight Loss
The leg raise will put your core and legs to work. This exercise starts with you lying flat on your back on a workout mat. Place your hands under your pelvis. Then, lift both legs about two feet off the ground before lowering them so they're six inches above the floor. Repeat this motion for 10 reps in total.
Last but not least, our floor exercises for full-body weight loss wrap up with bicycle crunches. According to MasterClass, you'll start by lying flat on the floor with your legs extended and your shoulders and head lifted a bit off the ground. Put your hands behind your head, and don't interlace your fingers. Activate your core, and keep your chin tucked. Next, bring both knees up toward your chest. Crunch the right side of your body up so that your right elbow moves to your left knee. Hold this position for a moment, and squeeze your abdominals. Then, perform the same motion on your left side. Continue to alternate for 20 reps.
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Alexa Mellardo
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5 Floor Exercises for Full-Body Weight Loss - Eat This, Not That
