Semaglutide: The Newest Gangbuster Weight Loss Solution
What is Semaglutide?
What is Semaglutide? Semaglutide, the generic form of Wegovy® and Ozempic®, is a medicine you inject under the skin once a week. It belongs to the glucagon-like-peptide-receptor-agonist, GLPRA, class of medications initially approved for treating type II diabetics.[1] The dose starts low and increases over 16 weeks to reach the maximum amount used for weight loss. It helps reverse many problems that cause your body to gain weight by:
Making you feel full sooner, so you eat less. Helping your body use insulin better to turn sugar into energy instead of storing it as fat. Reducing your appetite by mimicking a hormone that targets areas of your brain.
As you lose weight, many other health issues can get better too. There’s some preliminary research, and my experience backs this up, that semaglutide may also help with alcohol cessation in those who are alcohol dependent.
Am I a Candidate for Semaglutide, Liraglutide or Tirzepatide?
You might be a candidate for these if you:
· Have an initial BMI of 30 or higher.
(See prior information on BMI, and notes below.)
· Have an initial BMI of 27 or higher and at least one weight-related condition like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type II diabetes.
· Men with 25% body fat or women with 30% body fat.
· Possess a waist-to-hip ratio over 1.2.
· There are also ethnic considerations allowed.
Discuss these with your doctor.
NOTE: These medications are especially helpful for those who have tried other weight loss methods without success, and these can be added to other programs, as clinically indicated.
Is Semaglutide Approved by the FDA?
Yes, the FDA approved Semaglutide for the chronic treatment of obesity in June 2021. It was already approved for treating type II diabetes. Some possible side effects include nausea, diarrhea or constipation, cramps, and bloating. These side effects are limited by gradually increasing the dose over 16 weeks. The others approved as of this writing for weight loss in this GLPRA drug class including Zepbound® (the same as Monjuaro®) and Saxenda®.
How Much Weight Can I Expect to Lose with Semaglutide, Liraglutide or Tirzepatide?
Saxenda (liraglutide):
7-8% potential weight lossWegovy (semaglutide):
15-16% potential weight loss
Zepbound (tirzepatide):
22-23% potential weight loss
At Unison Pro-Youth Institute, our Weight Loss Program includes:
➡️ Initial evaluation
➡️ Consultation on lifestyle changes
➡️ Basic lab work
➡️ Supplements
Office phone number: 561-779-4558
Office email: [email protected]
Does Insurance Cover These Drugs?
If you are a type II diabetic, your insurance may cover semaglutide or the similar GLPRA class drugs listed above, although these are usually a high-tier drug retailing well over $1000 a month. Even then, you may have a deductible or a “doughnut hole” to pay. As I’m aware, insurances stopped covering these drugs for obesity alone quite a while ago, but please ask them or your PCP. But why wait until one becomes seriously ill with the “D” word, diabetes, when you should act now if obese? Most find the generics works fine when it’s from a reliable compounding pharmacy. For more information, refer to the medication inserts, and visit the official manufacturers’ websites.
Does Semaglutide Help Testosterone Levels and Sexual Function?
The Latest Research suggests YES and YES! Obesity contributes significantly to male hypogonadism and infertility. The underlying mechanisms include obesity-related abnormalities in hormones, inflammation, sleep apnea, obesity-related psycho-social challenges, and increased scrotal temperatures causing damage to sperm. Research on the potential benefit of weight loss induced by GLPRA class drugs on male sexual function and fertility is rare, having only been evaluated only in one study. This study demonstrated that treatment with liraglutide had a modest effect on testosterone levels and a significant potential to improve sexual symptoms irrespective of modest increase in total testosterone. It was hypothesized that “… mechanisms other than increased levels of testosterone, including psychosocial factors related to improved body image due to significant weight reduction, might also play a role in clinically improved sexual symptoms.” [6]
Dr. Rao’s Take: This study shows the power of our comprehensive approach to men’s health that we’ve been promoting since the year 2000. Our personalized recommendations and paradigm shift for best results have remained the same, and it’s great to see research backing our approach. It’s like 1 plus 1 equal 3!
Two crucial points to consider:
- Most men will spend most of their lives in middle age, which is often when they become overweight or obese, a.k.a. dadbod.
- While GLPRA drugs may help lose fat mass, there are other just as important concerns of age-related lost muscle and bone mass. Hormonal optimization is well proven to help improve these.
Since day one, I’ve promoted a comprehensive, personalized approach using the right exercise and diet, hormonal optimization starting in midlife, and, if needed, anti-obesity meds (AOMs). Not just AOMs alone. This approach improves not just weight loss but also body composition. You want to lose fat but also improve muscle and bone mass. If not, you’re losing two-thirds of the battle. That’s why combining proper exercise and diet, hormonal replacement, and weight loss medications if need be–all customized for your needs, lead to your optimized health in the safest way!
With our programs, weight control becomes easier because you’re no longer fighting an uphill battle. The earlier you start, the better! Don’t wait until the dadbod becomes the grandad bod. With our personalized, comprehensive programs, you’ll see improvements not just in weight loss and control but also in your sexual issues, mood, energy, sense of well-being, and much more! (It’s all in my books). It’s good to know that no matter what stage in life you’re in, we can help you as we have helped many others. We have the experience and track record to prove it! You can go to unisonproyouth.com to find out more information and sign up for our latest blogs.
[1]Researchers looked at the Gila monster’s venom which contains a hormone that is similar to human GLPA-1, which slows down the lizard’s metabolism allowing it to survive for long periods of time without food.
[2]Chuong V, Farokhnia M, Khom S, Pince CL, Elvig SK, Vlkolinsky R, Marchette RC, Koob GF, Roberto M, Vendruscolo LF, Leggio L. The glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue semaglutide reduces alcohol drinking and modulates central GABA neurotransmission. JCI Insight. 2023 Jun 22;8(12):e170671. doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.170671. PMID: 37192005; PMCID: PMC10371247.
[3]Note: BMI stands for Body Mass Index, calculated as weight (kg) / height (m²). Doctors may use other criteria like ethnicity-based values and waist circumference. Clients with type 1 diabetes, those who are pregnant or nursing, or those with a personal or family history of thyroid cancer are NOT candidates for Semaglutide. Per Florida statutes, please check with your state’s latest laws, please.
[4] Multiple references, see Keating, Michelle K., et al. Management of obesity: office-based strategies, American Family Physician, August 2024: 110(2), 145-156.
[5]Generic, compounded semaglutide costs about $500 per vial, enough for 4-6 weeks of treatment. You must come in every 3 months for monitoring, repeat lab work, and refills. Please see our FAQs on our website unisonproyouth.com for further information.
[6] Jensterle M, Podbregar A, Goricar K, Gregoric N, Janez A. Effects of liraglutide on obesity-associated functional hypogonadism in men. Endocr Connect. 2019;8:195–202. doi: 10.1530/EC-18-0514.