Ozempic: Miracle or Hidden Danger?

Ozempic and its side effects on weight loss. Let’s decipher the scientific mechanisms, real risks, and strategies to preserve your muscle mass, not forgetting the ethical issues surrounding its use in sports.

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Ozempic: from diabetes treatment to weight loss phenomenon

Ozempic is initially designed as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, using semaglutide to mimic the action of the GLP-1 hormone. Its unexpected side effect on weight loss has sparked massive enthusiasm, far beyond its initial medical target.

In 2024, the use of Ozempic far exceeds its original indication for diabetes. In France, 15% of the population is obese, compared to 42% in the United States, partly explaining its exponential popularity. The manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, is valued more than Coca-Cola and McDonald’s combined, demonstrating the scale of the phenomenon. Celebrities endorse it, while clinical studies confirm its effectiveness on weight loss, even though 14% of patients remain non-responders. This drug revolutionizes weight management, becoming a major public health issue.

How semaglutide works

Semaglutide and the GLP-1 hormone

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, mimics the action of the GLP-1 hormone naturally present in the body. This hormone plays a key role in regulating blood sugar and appetite management, and you can immediately see how this can have “magical” effects on weight.

The half-life of natural GLP-1 does not exceed 2 minutes, requiring permanent secretion during meals. Semaglutide, thanks to its resistance to the DPP-4 enzyme, persists in the body for 7 days after injection, thus ensuring its continuous action on blood sugar and satiety, 2 minutes of effects VS 7 days, “the question is quickly answered” as they say.

Impact on blood sugar and the digestive system

By stimulating the beta cells of the pancreas, semaglutide promotes the release of insulin proportionally to the blood glucose level. Simultaneously, it inhibits the production of glucagon by alpha cells, optimizing glycemic control without the risk of excessive hypoglycemia.

The action of semaglutide on the digestive system manifests as a slowing of gastric emptying. This mechanism delays the progression of food to the intestine, prolonging the feeling of satiety and attenuating postprandial glycemic spikes.

Action on the brain and appetite control

• Acts on the hypothalamus to reduce appetite thanks to semaglutide, mimicking the action of natural GLP-1
• Slows gastric emptying, prolonging the feeling of satiety and reducing the impact on insulin
• Reduces food cravings and decreases addictive behaviors like alcohol or tobacco consumption

Recent research highlights the effect of semaglutide on brain centers governing appetite. By binding to GLP-1 receptors on CRABP1 neurons in the hypothalamus, the drug induces increased satiety. This mechanism could also explain the observed reduction in certain addictive behaviors, such as alcohol dependence, with a 50% reduction in consumption in some patients.

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The effectiveness of Ozempic for weight loss: scientific reality

Results of clinical studies on semaglutide

Clinical trials show the effectiveness of semaglutide for weight loss. The STEP 1 study demonstrated an average weight loss of 15% of body weight after 68 weeks.

Research shows that semaglutide 2.4 mg allows substantial weight loss. In the STEP 1 trial, participants lost 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks. Another study found an average weight loss of 10.5 kg in 26 weeks. However, 14% of users did not respond to the treatment, highlighting the individual variability of its effectiveness.

Who responds best to the treatment?

Ideal responders are patients with severe obesity or type 2 diabetes resistant to insulin, accompanied by increased sensitivity to GLP-1 treatments.

The best results are obtained with patients suffering from insulin resistance and severe obesity. These metabolic profiles respond more favorably to appetite reduction and glycemic regulation. Maximum effectiveness is achieved by combining the treatment with nutritional monitoring and a weight training program.

Ozempic and sports?

For those who would be interested in combining the two, be aware that rapid weight loss with Ozempic can lead to muscle mass loss, especially without sufficient protein intake and appropriate training.

A rapid loss of 15% of body weight can induce muscle wasting of 30 to 40%. This muscle loss reduces the basal metabolism and can impair sports performance. For bodybuilding practitioners, this results in a decrease in strength and hypertrophy. Maintaining a protein intake of 2 to 2.2 g/kg/day and two weekly weight training sessions limits these metabolic side effects. We could only advise you not to use this product if you are an athlete and eat well, the long-term effects will already be very good, moreover…

Stopping the treatment and its consequences

….As soon as you stop, you risk regaining 67% of the lost weight. This is the weight that returns on average after stopping Ozempic, with appetite variations ranging from decrease to uncontrollable cravings, tempting, isn’t it?

Patients who have adopted weight training routines and sufficient protein intake retain their gains better. Maintaining these good practices limits weight regain after stopping the treatment.

Side effects and risks to know

Frequent side effects

Digestive effects dominate with Ozempic: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation occur in 40 to 50% of users, usually at the start of treatment or after a dose adjustment.

Digestive disorders account for 80% of reported side effects, affecting 40 to 50% of patients. Nausea appears in 25 to 30% of users, followed by vomiting (10%) and intestinal disorders (15%). These effects generally subside in 4 to 8 weeks as the body adapts to the molecule.

Long-term risks

Concerning signals are emerging regarding the risk of acute pancreatitis (less than 1% of cases) and concerns about medullary thyroid cancer, observed in rodents but not confirmed in humans.

Post-marketing data have not yet confirmed the risk of medullary thyroid cancer, although rodent studies remain concerning. The risk of acute pancreatitis remains low (0.3 to 0.5%) but real. In at-risk patients, these effects require regular monitoring with quarterly blood tests.

Benefit/risk balance: a personal decision

The benefit-risk balance depends on individual history. For an obese diabetic patient, the metabolic benefits outweigh the risks, but for a non-diabetic person, the evaluation must integrate genetic factors.

The theoretical risk of medullary thyroid cancer must be weighed against the real benefits on insulin resistance and weight loss. For obese diabetic patients, the benefits clearly outweigh the risks. In non-diabetics, the evaluation requires an analysis of genetic factors and family history before any treatment discontinuation.

Why a comprehensive approach remains essential

Ozempic does not replace a healthy lifestyle. It optimizes results when combined with a protein-rich diet, weight training, and personalized monitoring to manage side effects.

The effect of Ozempic is optimized with a protein-rich diet (2 g/kg/day), a biweekly weight training program, and quarterly medical monitoring. This nutritional and sports framework reduces digestive effects by 40% and limits muscle wasting to a maximum of 10% of lost tissue. Without these foundations, the risk of metabolic complications doubles.

Ozempic and sports: a problematic duo?

Semaglutide could alter your muscle strength and recovery. The loss of muscle mass associated with decreased appetite reduces the energy reserves needed for your weight training sessions.

Ozempic: doping or legitimate advantage?

Using Ozempic to optimize body composition is an ethical debate in sports. Unlike steroids, this treatment regulates a dysfunctional metabolism without directly altering performance.

Ozempic is not on the WADA list of doping substances, as its mechanism does not target direct performance but metabolism. However, by reducing body fat by 20%, it could offer an indirect advantage. Thai boxing and bodybuilding federations are already debating its regulation, fearing an imbalance between athletes using the product or not.

Natural alternatives to Ozempic

Berberine: a proven natural alternative

Berberine improves insulin sensitivity and modulates fat metabolism. At 500 mg three times a day, it promotes a weight loss of 3 to 5 kg over 12 weeks without artificially altering appetite.

Intermittent fasting and ketogenic diets

Intermittent fasting and ketogenic diets optimize fat loss while preserving muscle mass. These strategies act on AMPK and metabolic pathways, without the digestive side effects of Ozempic.

Exercise and muscle preservation without medication

Biweekly weight training prevents muscle wasting. These natural practices stimulate hypertrophy and strengthen metabolism, unlike the cerebral mechanisms of Ozempic. These natural practices stimulate hypertrophy and strengthen metabolism, unlike the cerebral mechanisms of Ozempic.

The role of dietary supplements in weight management

Supplements like creatine or FAT BURNER support fat loss without compromising performance. Combined with intermittent fasting and weight training, they offer a sustainable alternative to Ozempic, with a progressive metabolic impact.

Ozempic, although innovative for weight loss and diabetes management, requires a balanced approach. Combined with a protein-rich diet and weight training, it preserves muscle mass and maximizes benefits. By integrating these practices, you transform a drug into a sustainable lever – not a shortcut, but a step towards controlled health. The important thing? Act now, with the rigor that a performing body deserves.

Scientific publications

• “Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity” (Average weight loss of 15% of body weight in 68 weeks in non-diabetic obese patients) DOI: DOI
• “Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide” (67% of lost weight is regained one year after stopping treatment) DOI: DOI
• “Hypothalamic GABAergic Neurons…” (Semaglutide acts on the hypothalamus to reduce appetite) DOI: DOI
• “Associations of semaglutide with alcohol use disorder” (Reduced risk of alcohol relapse under semaglutide) DOI: DOI
• “Transforming body composition with semaglutide…” (Mainly fat loss, but possible decrease in muscle mass without exercise) DOI: DOI
• “Safety of Semaglutide” (Frequent digestive effects, low but real risk of pancreatitis) DOI: DOI
• “Berberine activates AMPK…” (Improves metabolism and insulin sensitivity) DOI: DOI
• “Intermittent fasting and resistance training…” (Allows fat loss while preserving muscles) DOI: DOI
• “Ketogenic diet in athletes” (Decreases body fat without loss of performance) DOI: DOI