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There are endless ways to lose weight. From going to the gym to weight loss pills and injection, you choose the specific method you want to use to shed off some pounds. However, not every method will give you the desired results.
Weight loss injections such as Ozempic and Saxenda have been known to give successful results in the weight loss journey. However, if you’re looking for more options, these weight loss options on Times of Israel are great substitutes to Ozempic.
But what are weight loss injections, and what do they do? This article will teach you all you need to know about these injections and their doses.
How Do Weight Loss Injections Work?
A weight loss injection changes your body’s metabolism or appetite. The medications assist you in curbing hunger and minimizing your calorie intake.
These injections also affect your blood sugar regulation and insulin production. That’s why doctors recommend them to people who have type 2 diabetes.
Semaglutides such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Liraglutides, including Saxenda, replicate the effects of a body hormone known as GLP-1. These doses connect GLP-1 receptors on brain and pancreas cells and other body parts. The binding results in a chain of messaging networks in the pancreas and causes insulin release and glucagon inhibition.
Insulin and glucagon lower and increase blood sugar levels, respectively. By suppressing glucagon and increasing insulin, these injection doses aid in lowering blood sugar levels, ultimately leading to weight loss.
Additionally, these medications cause several effects that help you lose weight. They function in your brain to suppress appetite and boost the feeling of fullness after a meal. Nonetheless, the doses reduce the food digestion rate, which means you feel hungry less often.
How Do You Apply the Medication?
The injection is a self-administered dose you must take once a week until the treatment ends. Each pre-filled pen contains your medication and one-time-use needles that you must dispose of after use.
You must place the injection under the skin, not the vein or muscle. Most doctors recommend injecting the dose into your waist, upper arm, or front of your thigh.
Who Can and Can’t Have Weight Loss Injections?
The doses are recommended for those with a BMI over 27, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol.
However, the following individuals can’t take these medications to lose weight:
- Pregnant women.
- People with a history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) or medullary thyroid carcinoma. This is because studies show that the injection can increase the risk of thyroid cancer.
- People with a history of pancreatitis.
Side Effects of the Injections
Common side effects of the injections are:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Constipation
These side effects are typically moderate and usually diminish as you continue taking the injection.
Are Weight Loss Injections Worth It?
Studies claim these injections help individuals lose weight. However, their effectiveness is still questionable. Experts advise that you adopt more than injections to lose weight successfully. Consider eating and living a healthy lifestyle. Moreover, talking to your healthcare provider before taking the injections is best in order to make an informed decision.
