{"id":56628,"date":"2024-04-18T04:18:01","date_gmt":"2024-04-18T11:18:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/?p=56628"},"modified":"2024-04-18T04:18:02","modified_gmt":"2024-04-18T11:18:02","slug":"the-top-five-myths-about-ozempic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/blog\/the-top-five-myths-about-ozempic\/","title":{"rendered":"The Top Five Myths About Ozempic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ignoring Ozempic isn\u2019t easy \u2013\u2013 especially with so many doctors aggressively advocating its benefits. If losing weight has been a struggle, you might be wondering, is Ozempic safe for weight loss<\/strong>? You might be concerned about Ozempic side effects and duration<\/strong>. No matter what you\u2019re considering, you should know that there are many reasons for weight gain and some of them can be discovered with a simple, inexpensive at-home test from Kyla<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, some doctors have advocated for Ozempic. Hoping to overcome skepticism, Dr. Yoni Freedhoff, MD. wrote about the drug in Time magazine, describing it as delivering \u201c\u2026meaningful improvement for the debilitating chronic condition\u201d for which it\u2019s prescribed \u2013\u2013 in other words, obesity. He also says it, \u201c\u2026helps to treat and prevent a myriad of other serious diseases\u2026\u201d He claimed the drug \u201c\u2026markedly improved a person\u2019s quality of life with noted reductions in pain and improvements in mobility along with increases in confidence and mood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the many glowing reviews, it\u2019s normal to be skeptical. Here are five myths about Ozempic and why you may want to consider other options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. It\u2019s The First Miracle Weight Loss Drug<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Even if you haven\u2019t seen news stories about Ozempic weight loss<\/strong>, you\u2019ve likely seen comedians joking about it on awards shows and various comedy programs. Ozempic and similar drugs like Wegovy contain semaglutide \u2013\u2013 which was initially a treatment for diabetes. Although Wegovy is no longer off-label, many wonder, is Ozempic safe for weight loss<\/strong>?\u00a0 Some believe it\u2019s the U.S.\u2019s best hope to slow or even reduce the ever growing numbers of obese adults in this country (which the CDC pegs at over 42%.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    If you\u2019re skeptical, you have good reason. It seems like every generation a new weight loss drug promises risk-free results. Beginning in the late 1940s and throughout the 1960s, amphetamines like Benzedrine and Dexedrine Sulfate were marketed as safe and effective weight loss drugs. This initially off-label use exploded until side effects including psychosis and severe addiction led doctors to stop prescribing it as a weight loss option. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In the 1990s, the combo drug \u201cfen-phen\u201d (for fenfluramine and phentermine) was sometimes called miracle medicine for weight loss. Then in 1997, the FDA demanded that the drugs\u2019 manufacturer remove it from store shelves because it could damage heart valves. There\u2019s no evidence that Ozempic side effects and duration<\/strong> are remotely as bad as the ones faced by amphetamine or fen-phen users. Still, it\u2019s important to be cautious and do your own research before putting anything into your body \u2013\u2013 especially if you hope for a quick fix. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. The Side Effects Are Worth It<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Off-label use of a drug isn\u2019t necessarily dangerous. However, the incredible amount of testing and research required to bring a drug to market designed for its intended use isn\u2019t always the same for off-label uses. Although the FDA approved Ozempic for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in 2017, it wasn\u2019t approved as a weight loss drug (Wegovy was). By lowering the hormone glucagon it can lower blood sugar levels \u2013\u2013 which may also reduce appetite and cravings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      Unfortunately for non-diabetic users taking Ozempic weight loss<\/strong> drugs, lowered blood sugar can have some very negative consequences including dizziness, irritability, and, in extreme cases, loss of consciousness. Ironically, the fastest way to treat hypoglycemia is with sugar-laden soda, candy, and other things dieters often avoid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      That\u2019s not all. Because these drugs work in part by slowing the speed with which food passes through the digestive system (which causes users to feel full longer,) stomach issues are common. Ozempic side effects and duration<\/strong> include stomach pain and nausea that lasts for days along with more serious gastrointestinal issues like swelling of the pancreas and gallstones, along with an increased risk of kidney failure. There have also been some reports of allergic reactions and an increased risk for thyroid cancer along with rare instances of stomach paralysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Maybe the side effects aren\u2019t worth it.\u00a0 That\u2019s why you might want to consider a program that can get you on track without having to depend on medications. Before you spend thousands on drugs that may not work and could be dangerous, consider working with medical professionals to develop a holistic approach to weight loss. At Kyla<\/a>, you\u2019ll have access to a data-driven risk engine that leverages both AI and the talents of highly skilled medical professionals to deliver a lifespan estimator and guidance toward a healthier lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      1. Insurance Will Cover The Cost<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        If you have type 2 diabetes, then there\u2019s a good chance your insurance provider will cover the Ozempic cost<\/strong>. Hoping for Ozempic weight loss<\/strong>, means paying a good bit out of pocket. That\u2019s because using the drug to lose weight is an off-label use, and a fairly recent one at that. Insurance providers generally aren\u2019t covering it and the drug isn\u2019t cheap. Expect to pay around $1,000 per month, every month.  Even similar drugs that have been approved for weight loss aren\u2019t generally covered by insurance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Ozempic cost <\/strong>is a big reason people are considering alternatives. A simple at-home test from Kyla<\/a> delivers information on your hormonal levels, cardiovascular health, and cancer risk for just $99 \u2013\u2013 and that is often covered by insurance. You may discover you have treatable conditions that are covered by insurance and that once treated can result in significant weight loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        1. If I\u2019m Overweight, then I Should Take It<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          For one thing, even as an off-label use it\u2019s generally used by people who are considered obese. This means having a Body Mass Index over 30. Body Mass calculators are easily accessible online and they will help you see if you\u2019re overweight or obese. You could even fall into the healthy range but feel you need to \u201close a few.\u201d This drug is not ideal for shedding a couple of pounds \u2013\u2013 users often drop significant weight percentages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Besides, the problem with the Ozempic weight loss<\/strong> drug, or similar medications is that they only work when you take them. Many users report gaining back some or all of the weight after discontinuing use. While drugs designed to lower blood pressure similarly require lifetime use, you may want to take a moment before you embark on a multi-decade journey with a drug that\u2019s been around a relatively short time. Are you prepared to spend over $12,000 a year for the rest of your life?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          If you discontinue, the biological signals that motivated you to eat will return in full force. You\u2019ll likely feel them even more than before. Consider your options. For a fraction of the cost, medical professionals at Kyla<\/a> will help you with a program that will treat the whole you \u2013\u2013 not just your weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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          1. \u00a0No More Exercise!\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            Without lifestyle changes, Ozempic weight loss<\/strong> won\u2019t really matter. That\u2019s because if you lose weight without cardiovascular exercise and resistance training, you could still face a host of life-threatening physical conditions. If you aren\u2019t exercising, you can have cardiovascular concerns, insulin resistance or pre-diabetes, and many other health issues. Being skinny isn\u2019t a guarantee of good health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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            Besides, weight gain can be caused by a variety of factors, many of which are<\/em> correctable. It\u2019s common for people suffering from a thyroid or hormonal imbalance to gain weight. Kyla\u2019s at-home test<\/a> can help you discover underlying, treatable causes of your weight gain. By accessing their risk engine, you can learn about making lifestyle changes to extend your healthy life through anti-aging therapies that can include nutritional supplements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Because you will have access to licensed doctors, you may also be able to get medications prescribed that can treat the underlying cause of your weight gain. Before you consider injecting yourself with a medication that hasn\u2019t been around for very long, examine your options and consider taking control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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            Sources: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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            1. Freedhoff, MD. Yoni. \u201cWhat We Get Wrong About Drugs Like Ozempic,\u201d Time. June 28, 2023. https:\/\/time.com\/6290294\/weight-loss-drugs-ozempic-demonization-essay\/<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            2. \u201cAdult Obesity Facts,\u201d CDC. May 17, 2022. https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/obesity\/data\/adult.html<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            3. \u201cRasmussen, Nicolas. \u201cAmerica’s first amphetamine epidemic 1929-1971: a quantitative and qualitative retrospective with implications for the present.\u201d American Journal of Public Health Vol. 98,6 (2008): 974-85. https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2377281\/<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            4. Fauber,John. \u201cSlippery Slope: Fen-Phen Users Recall a ‘Miracle’ Turned Nightmare,\u201d Milwaukee Journal Sentinel\/MedPage Today. April 19, 2016.  https:\/\/www.medpagetoday.com\/special-reports\/slipperyslope\/51044<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            5.  \u201cRisks of Taking Ozempic for Weight Loss,\u201d Baptist Health. February 7, 2024. https:\/\/www.baptisthealth.com\/blog\/health-and-wellness\/risks-of-taking-ozempic-for-weight-loss#:~:text=Serious side effects, including allergic,changes haven’t been made <\/li>\n\n\n\n
            6. Lovelace, Berkeley. Jr. \u201cPopular weight loss drugs linked to rare but severe stomach problems, study finds,\u201d NBC News. October 5, 2023. https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/health\/health-news\/ozempic-wegovy-linked-severe-medical-conditions-stomach-problems-study-rcna118823<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            7. Wilson, Amelia. \u201cHow much does Ozempic cost without insurance?\u201d RoCo. march 12, 2024. https:\/\/ro.co\/weight-loss\/ozempic-cost-without-insurance\/#:~:text=Is Ozempic usually covered by,typically not covered by insurance.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              Ignoring Ozempic isn\u2019t easy \u2013\u2013 especially with so many doctors aggressively advocating its benefits. If losing weight has been a struggle, you might be wondering, is Ozempic safe for weight loss? You might be concerned about Ozempic side effects and duration. No matter what you\u2019re considering, you should know that there are many reasons for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":56629,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[{"id":40,"name":"Anti-Aging","slug":"longevity","link":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/blog\/category\/longevity\/"}],"tags":[],"featured_image_url":"https:\/\/s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/kyla.com-wordpress\/p\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/18033241\/gettyimages-1482904507-a02f3a4d58d383c74878826d8620e8ef15373816-scaled.jpeg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56628"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56628"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56628\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":56630,"href":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56628\/revisions\/56630"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/56629"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56628"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56628"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56628"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}