Is Ozempic a Miracle Drug for Weight Loss? - Rhonda Patrick

In this video, Rhonda Patrick does a deep dive on GLP-1 receptor agonists, like Ozempic (AKA semaglutide). She covers:
• How Ozempic reduces appetite
• What happens when you stop taking Ozempic (does the weight stay off?)
• Why GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic might facilitate muscle loss
• The scientific evidence for the efficacy of GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss
• How Ozempic affects blood sugar levels
• Possible adverse side effects
This is a segment from one of our live Members-only Q&As, hosted every month. Wanna join in on the next one and ask Rhonda anything? Sign up here: www.foundmyfitness.com/ask-me...
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[@swn69]

I was 218 lbs when I retired from the Navy. I was strong as an ox, but also fat. I weigh 177 lbs right now. I stopped eating sugary foods and junk food, and limit my carbs. Not quite keto, I still eat bread and rice, just not tons of it. I allow myself ice cream on occasion. I walk my dog 3 miles every morning, so 1 hour. Then 3-4 times a week I lift weights. I do need to get some form of cardio back in there. I saw your podcast about getting 70-80% of v02 max exercise.

[@nikkiturnup1688]

Facts it’s always better to do it this way then with meds cause either meds it’s a temporary fix and people gain back triple the weight once insurance stops paying for it and u can’t afford it no longer !

[@TheDbaru]

Luckily big pharma products never have horrible, debilitating long-term side effects. And even if they did show signs of this in clinical trials, the drug's sponsors would surely alert the public to them. And even if the companies inexplicably didn't report those issues, regulatory bodies would definitely raise the alarm because they work on behalf of the public and have no demonstrated conflicts of interest.

[@DaveG-qd6ug]

I am glad people are not resorting to sarcasm to bypass censorship from the money lords. 😂

[@nathanielovaughn2145]

😂😂😂😂😂 Sharpest use of sarcasm I have enjoyed in a LOMG time!

[@tuulituulimahan4567]

because if they had demonstrated such conflicts, Santa wouldn`t bring them gifts, that`s actually a pretty obvious thing

[@VernCrisler]

These GLP-1 / GIP drugs have been tested for years involving tens of thousands of participants (unlike some vaccines, now being recalled). All contra-indications are listed for Ozempic and Mounjaro, most hardly above the placebo level.

[@wellthi]

you should at least put an emoji otherwise people will take you seriously, am sure you got plenty of naive likes

[@gdok6088]

A study of 17,000 subjects published in the New England Journal of Medicine in November 2023 showed additional benefits in cardiovascular disease:- "For people with overweight or obesity and pre-existing cardiovascular disease (CVD), taking semaglutide (Ozempic) for three years resulted in 20% fewer heart attacks, strokes, and deaths, compared to those taking a placebo."

[@thesongoflunch]

Did those people experience the same levels of weight loss? There's far too many variables to even begin to attribute that to ozempic

[@JohnMcAfee-se9ms]

​@@thesongoflunchThe semaglutide caused them to lose the weight.

[@morbidmike]

Reviews of epidemiological studies typically has no good information on the nuances of biological evolutionary nutrition

[@chuckleezodiac24]

cool. now i can become obese, start smoking and take Ozempic. i'll be fine.

[@gdok6088]

@@chuckleezodiac24 Not a good idea.

[@ericnelson8425]

YOU'RE THE BEST

[@frankquinn6872]

It would be interesting to see a study comparing Ozempic without concurrent behaviour change coaching compared with Ozempic plus concurrent behaviour change coaching (and looking at what effect this has on weight regain). Some people will see the initial weight loss as a window of opportunity to make lasting changes but many others will see it as a "get out of jail free card" (which I suppose it is to some extent - until you stop taking it!)

[@ChrisHargrave23]

I think we can guess what that kind of study would show. :\ I work as a health coach. My initial reaction to these drugs was to try to prevent people from taking them. Now I see their utility, but know it’s not a permanent solution. I’ve designed a coaching program specifically for GLP-1 clients to try to build sustainable habits and reduce side effects, namely the disproportionate loss in muscle mass and the possible micronutrient deficiencies that could develop from a low quality, low calorie, diet. Still need to put the program out, but I’m excited to help folks that use these medications.

[@frankquinn6872]

@@ChrisHargrave23Sounds like a great idea - best of luck !👍

[@JohnMcAfee-se9ms]

We already have studies where people reduce their calories and don't weight train or eat a high protein diet. They lose more muscle. The end.

[@3booodychannel]

When engaged in structured resistance training, will it interfere with muscle building progress? And overall strength as well for powerlifters, for instance

[@VernCrisler]

Great discussion. Bodybuilders might understand it better if one notes that Ozempic (and Mounjaro) are sort of like MK- 677, just in the opposite direction. Note: there are a variety of pronunciations, but these are the way researchers usually pronounce the terms: Semaglutide -- sim-AG-loo-tide (Ozempic, Wegovy) Tirzepatide -- terr-ZEP-ah-tide (Mounjaro, Zepbound)

[@EODHammer]

Thx Hun!

[@testingtesting-yu5gd]

Best explanation I have heard.

[@Grandmas_Favorite]

I also thought there were a lot of recorded instances of suicidal thoughts? Also isnt a good portion of weight loss related to actual bone density/ bone mass? Would love to hear more on these points thanks!

[@jbjergh]

It would surprise me if we get a surge in neuroendocrine neoplasia (NET, G1) in GI after GLP1.

[@NormaLilia24]

This is the second Doc that has said very similar things about ozempic and it’s side effects.. i think is type of drug should be considered case by case and based on their personal overall pros n cons

[@NormaLilia24]

Second doc (that I’ve seen) there’s probably more and more docs coming out with the truth behind the drug, something Big Pharma will pay millions to not have it brought up

[@DaveG-qd6ug]

Her last statement is very scary.

[@robertusga]

Not if you only have 2 more decades to live 😂

[@robertusga]

Also, without these drugs, if you have obesity your lifespan is already severely limited. They don't call it "morbidly obese" for nothing.

[@kylekermgard]

For people that are truly overweight it's a great drug. Its much healthier than stapling someones stomach. The people with eating disorders using it to lose 5 lbs are giving it a bad name.

[@TheMMAKasual]

Damn why do people act like self control is so hard🙁

[@stevenjm12]

​@@TheMMAKasualbecause Americans are lazy and want to blame problems on others and not take accountability for actions

[@FamousWithoutBrad]

Hey Rhonda, do you ever run into @Voidzilla while filming?

[@Think_Up]

I did GLP-1 Semaglutide shots for 2 months, stopped, then tried it again for 4 months. Each time I was so nauseated, I felt like I needed to keep a small amount of food on my stomach at all times to tolerate it, so it translated into more snacking and I lost no weight at all. Apparently it doesn't work for everyone and something like 20-25% get nausea so bad they have to stop. The medications they give for nausea cause extreme constipation. I've lost weight with intermittent fasting, years ago lost 55lbs with Keto and have lost with exercise. GLP-1 was horrible for me, was expensive and made me feel sick constantly. I've noticed coworkers on these meds drop weight quickly, then seemed to plateau and start gaining again. Unless you combine with healthier lifestyle choices, results won't stick, which makes one wonder why not just make the healthy lifestyle choices instead of injecting big pharma into your body?

[@babyyoda3118]

Great advice to really obese people! Live a more healthy life!! In fact you solved all kind of drug abuse, smoking and alcoholism to!!! That noone ever thought of that???

[@Think_Up]

@@babyyoda3118 "Really" Obese people will notice an even bigger chance, almost overnight if they change their lifestyle. They can shed massive weight by just swapping soda for water, cutting sugar, carbs and walking (or waddling) 20-30 minutes per day. Fat will literally melt off of them so fast they won't recognize themselves. But no matter how you get there, the only way to make sustainable changes is to change your lifestyle.

[@17thwonder]

so not only does one have to possibly take this long term in order to reap benefits for continued weight loss, especially if the individual doesn't include resistance/aerobic training in their lifestyle. The point I always like to discuss to myself, because I know of at least two individuals who are currently taking this drug and they've lost significant weight but the long term side effects are simply unknown and with any drug, there will be side effects. I'd imagine after long term use, your intestines and other bodily functions will be completely out of sync.

[@ondrej1893]

Exenatide (GLP1 for diabetics) has been widely used since 2005! So we in fact know what happens decades later! Nothing bad!😂

[@VernCrisler]

Thank the Gila Monster for that.😃

[@buckbenelli8]

Pancreatitis was a common adverse effect. No thank you. I’ll just put down the fork.

[@ondrej1893]

Pancreatitis: 0.23 patients per 100 years of exposure for Tirzepatide versus 0.11 patients per 100 years of exposure for placebo. So compared to current situation of you taking nothing, you have very low risk of pancreatitis and you'd double it - from this very low baseline.

[@VernCrisler]

@@buckbenelli8 It was barely above the placebo level. Still, if someone feels pain in their stomach and back area, they should stop taking the medication and consult with their doctor.

[@Drvirga]

They have a different mechanism of action so this is not entirely correct. There have been negative side effects related to this as well. Either way, each should be taken with caution

[@morbidmike]

Thank you so much my life is learning and helping people and Dr Rhonda you always help I swear you have increased my iq tremendously 😂

[@filipcza]

I don't like the medical approach to health. It feels like the body is a big clock with a lot of cogs working in harmony when all is well. When you take a drug, it's like throwing a wrench in the machinery. That's why there always are "side-effects". It's the wrench messing up other cogs. Sure you can have all kinds of effects but at what price in the long run. Not for me, lifestyle changes won't mess up the system, on the contrary it's like lubricating the machine and everything starts to work better.

[@veilmontTV]

Most people just want a magic pill or shot. They don't listen to doctors when they tell them to eat better and move more

[@thatisabsolutelykooooge2211]

Precisely. Limiting the intake of crap helps better than throwing a wrench in the middle of the natural (based on your lifestyle) direction of the machine; it’ll discombobulate everything. This is why Ozemp. Causes thyroid cancer. In fact, they even admit that “if you feel any lumps in your throat or have difficulty swallowing, see a doctor immediately)

[@scotlandtheinsane3359]

Olive oil.. Lots of it! With eggs and avocados will spike GLP-1...

[@darleneromero-bryant9758]

Thanks for the food choices!

[@user-qv6xv2lx1z]

ף0

[@NormaLilia24]

Also nuts, whole grains and vegetables

[@scotlandtheinsane3359]

@NormaLilia24 I now know to stay away from almonds, though. Oxalate central!

[@TheMelo1993]

Haven’t these been used long enough for people with diabetes to know their safety profile?

[@Kynurse76]

I’m pretty sure this class of drug has been on the market for around 20 years? Just not the newer generation ones like Mounjaro and Ozempic.

[@HH-gv8mx]

Does Berberine work like Ozempic?

[@ondrej1893]

Does Mario Kart car for kids work like actual Formula 1 car?

[@MountainVisions]

Some people see rapid weight loss. Some people don't. Some people see weight loss and then it peters out. Basically give it a try.

[@RickLindstrom]

No. But berberine does work similarly to metformin.

[@HH-gv8mx]

@@RickLindstrom in what way?

[@RickLindstrom]

Berberine and Metformin both activate an enzyme called AMPK which promotes glucose uptake by cells and decreases glucose production in the liver. They are very good at what they do, but not especially good for weight loss.

[@michtig]

People that lose a lot of weight without semiglutide also tend to gain it all back plus some. Even people who had bypass surgery gain it all back. It’s not the absence of ozempic that makes ozempic users gain it all back; it’s returning to all the same bad habits and stopping the good habits.

[@robertusga]

Yep, just like any chronic disease, the symptoms come back when you stop treatment. Shocking.

[@elijahconnorcole5497]

....what about the people getting stomache paralysis.....I'm waiting for that...

[@HH-gv8mx]

Gastroparesis sucks! I can’t stand the feeling of being constipated. I can’t run 🏃‍♀ I think id rather have diarrhea

[@elijahconnorcole5497]

@@HH-gv8mx she didn't mention it. It's happened to lots of people. Hmm, I see her pivoting to the pharma people lol.

[@ondrej1893]

Well those overdosed going way over prescribed dose, sometimes sneakily doing two meds at the same time etc.

[@VernCrisler]

Chronic stomach paralysis is caused by nerve damage. These drugs slow down digestive motility; they don't stop it entirely.

[@VernCrisler]

Chronic stomach paralysis is caused by nerve damage, not by medications such as Ozempic or Mounjaro.

[@badsass]

No way this does not have long term effects on vital organs.

[@tylerasmith52]

VITAL ORGANS!

[@terrywbreedlove]

My mom is a diabetic and was given an Ozempic prescription. She has lost a lot of weight. She says she just doesn't eat as much anymore. But she may be having some side effects so they are looking into that.

[@nikkiturnup1688]

So the food rots in the stomach then ?

[@robertusga]

No

[@lzeng78]

A

[@pamelatify]

I got pancreatitis after taking four doses of semaglutide. Don’t take it if you have very high TRIGLYCERIDES. Mine are very high - over 600. So I wanted to lose 25 lbs. I felt ill and weak the whole time, and by the fourth week I was very dangerously ill. Apparently if you have very high Triglycerides, you shouldn’t take this drug.

[@kirkpage1307]

My question would be how many people gained the weight back that actually made diet and exercise lifestyle changes

[@carissa4939]

What I'm hearing is most KEEP the weight off with proper diet and exercise

[@HawaiiLimey]

I think that it's a great drug to prevent having to address diet and lifestyle just as narcotics are very effective at preventing addressing psychological trauma.

[@robertusga]

Yeah, except they used diet and exercise in all studies on GLP-1 meds. They go hand in hand. Sorry, doesn't jive with the fear mongering, but there you have it.

[@bob88pct]

You better start taking Ozempic before all the side effects start coming out & they have to take it off the market.

[@RickLindstrom]

When there are trillions of dollars at stake there is no way they will let it be taken off the market.

[@VernCrisler]

It's been tested for years, unlike certain vaccines we won't name.

[@peterbeyer5755]

😮😮😮Just lift heavy, stay in ketosis, walk every day, chill out often and get good sleep.😮😮😮

[@robertusga]

What happens when you stop doing those things?

[@vagabondcaleb8915]

Someone please explain the cAMP GLP-1 relationship? Artichoke extract + Forskolin combination triggers both?

[@mikem118]

MONORAIL! 💯💓💓💓💓💓💓💓

[@dfinma]

15:34 Just keep in mind how deadly pancreas problems are.

[@dwdwone]

If you are insulin insensitive, then wouldnt these drugs have limited effectiveness in T2D?

[@user-dp8lr9sb8g]

As long as they stay on it…

[@ondrej1893]

Obesity is chronic disease. Diet continuation is not a drawback. Exercise continuation is not a drawback. Sleep continuation is not a drawback. Stress management continuation is not a drawback. Medication continuation is not a drawback.

[@lovesgibson]

What are you trying to say?

[@ondrej1893]

@@lovesgibson it is to be expected for any treatment for chronic disease to be taken chronically. Diet, exercise, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, obesity...

[@lovesgibson]

@@ondrej1893 I’m not sure if your for or against Ozempic. Calling obesity a “disease” didn’t really seem to be a thing until Ozempic for obesity became popular, now I’ve seen several social media doctors start calling obesity a “disease”. I think this is actually more of a medical/insurance loophole to justify the “medical necessity” for these drugs for weight loss. Obese starts at BMI of 30… that’s not as heavy as people think. Many people would be surprised to know that they’re classified as obese, and I’d bet most people with a bmi of 30 may not even have negative health effects at that size. Can it really be considered a “disease” then? I feel like this new standard of calling obesity a “disease” does nothing more than make obese people feel like they have no control over things and that they NEED Ozempic or weight loss surgery. It is promoting diet/weight mysticism and doesn’t get to the base issue that any being that is overweight is simply because they eat too much. If your cat or dog is overweight, you go from feeding them a cup of food to half a cup of food, or whatever, until they are an appropriate weight. But when it comes to ourselves, we don’t want to believe that we’re simply eating too much, but that there’s a complicated reason for our overweight state and we require some complex complicated radical diet or drugs or surgery.

[@chuckleezodiac24]

@@lovesgibson "it's good for fat people to take weight loss drugs forever."

[@lovesgibson]

@@chuckleezodiac24 I guess we will see longterm. Do they bring about health problems over time? Do the benefits only outweigh the risks for people with severe morbid obesity? I guess we will see

[@blinkspacestudio8892]

Losing weight the correct way is HARD and it takes a lot of time and discipline. There is no quick fix if you want to do it properly. Sure Ozempic is a miracle drug and you will lose weight with zero effort but there will be side effects to this that you might regret later. I would highly recommend at least doing strength training while on it and stay on a low dosage. Personally you couldnt pay me to take something that paralyses the stomach that is very dangerous and not natural.

[@morbidmike]

I mean fasting and carnivore is a pretty quick natural way and easy once you detox from all the chemicals in the standard American diet.

[@NormaLilia24]

I agree, I don’t know why ppl don’t put in the work, get on keto, the key ingredients are low carb, low sugar, fast and work out and see the results. It sounds hard but that’s just discipline and hard work which pays off.

[@ReginaFalange.1]

Oh look at you on your high horse! The fact you took time to let everyone know how much better you are than them I find quite unbecoming 😂

[@valerie4912]

My friend and her daughter have been on Ozempic for about a year now. My friend has chronic constipation and her daughter continues to vomit everyday. Sounds miserable

[@saltybaelv]

What a weird thing to lie about

[@gabriellagrace4734]

How ridiculous! I know so many that are having these side effects too. The things people will do to lose weight, except the most important things. Always wanting a easy fix at a cost

[@g.s.5868]

1000$ a month for life... goldmine for big pharma after cvvvvviiidd sh.ts

[@gabriellagrace4734]

Bingo

[@wellthi]

its working compared to placebo, so no intervention and keeping eating the standard american diet but not compared to a healthy diet intervention. Dr Mcdougall have a chart to compare it to WFPB, the difference is striking just learn about nutrition don't become their cash cow for the rest of your life

[@ondrej1893]

You just made that up. Both branches of studies have healthy diet and exercise. But placebo loses 3% weight and Mounjaro loses 22% weight.

[@wellthi]

@@ondrej1893 healthy with meat and oils ?

[@wellthi]

@@ondrej1893 most studies are just semaglutide vs placebo so they keep eating ever they want

[@wellthi]

@@ondrej1893 for your study does the healthy diet include meat and oils cause both are calorically dense and not ideal for a weigh loss diet

[@wellthi]

@@ondrej1893 semaglutide vs placebo they keep eating normally

[@JADELAC]

This all seems to go done as targeting cico. Which again is just a short term solution. A fat person gets fat due to two reasons primarily, high fat cell count and slow metabolism. By decreasing hunger you will only decrease calories and your body will start termogenic adaptation and you will plateau. The goal is not only to get rid of the fat. It is to maintain a >3000 calorie diet and not get fat. You will be only able to achieve that by getting rid of fat cells and increasing or maintaining a high neat. When they invent a drug that does this THEN it will be a miracle drug. Because right now there is no known way to increase neat substantially and only liposuction can get rid of subcutaneous fat cells, but no surgeon will lipo the visceral fat cells which are what seems to fuck everything for fat people.

[@Saucebawss]

Ozem…bic?

[@centerfear-mysterycrimerec3627]

Yes, it is a miracle drug. But it's not relatively new. The industry has known about these medications for almost 20 years. But they probably did the math on it and figured out it's much more profitable to have obese people who go on to incur all kinds of medicals costs as they become a patient for life consuming multiple medications to treat obesity related conditions that progressively get worse and require higher doses that in turn require additional drugs to manage the side effects. If you go on any of the massively populated groups on fb for these meds, you'll quickly find a common theme among the vast majority of people that lost all the weight; they no longer have to take insulin, statins, blood pressure meds, use their cpap, thyroid meds, and others. They always knew this was a miracle drug but it canabalizes other highly profitable drugs.

[@starwarstheme1]

All this to say “we don’t know” stay away from this drug

[@robertusga]

We don't know what?

[@starwarstheme1]

@@robertusga she summed it up in the end saying “they don’t really know side effects of this drug”

[@robertusga]

@starwarstheme1 well she is wrong if that's what she said. Side effects are well documented. She is not a glp-1 expert like Dr. Drucker. She can't even pronounce tirzepatide. These are not new drugs. We have safety data on glp-1 drugs going back almost 20 years. We also know the side effects of not treating obesity: death.

[@thatisabsolutelykooooge2211]

@@starwarstheme1they actually do. It causes thyroid cancer

[@x.y.7385]

🎉but why are people unable to stop eating to obesity without this drug?

[@JackMyersPhotography]

Easy, they got fat by eating hyper processed foods. You never get full or satiated on high processed foods. It’s junk they never stop eating.

[@robertusga]

Appetite dysregulation triggered by an obesogenic environment.

[@lannbak3618]

its pronounced increetin

[@giordanobruno7943]

😴😴😴😴😴

[@ivalani]

If you’re going to read all the info from a screen (and not very well, at that), you can just post a link to the article. Also, it would help to pronounce Tirzepatide correctly, to convey some sense of authority on the subject.

[@KJSvitko]

People need to learn about good eating habits and the importance of regular exercise before resorting to Ozempic. These medications can be helpful but learning about proper nutrition and exercise will lead to a healthier life style and help keep the weight off long term. You are what you eat. Your diet impacts your health. Lower stress, reduce obesity, get enough sleep and more exercise are key to a healthy life. Obesity in children and adults is rising across the world. Fast food and sugary drinks including fruit juices are contributing to the problem of poor health and obesity. Eat a healthy plant based diet and exercise regularly. Reduce or ELIMINATE cows milk, eggs, cheese and meat. Eat more salad greens, beans, fruit and vegetables. Eliminate fast food, snacks like cookies, cakes, chips, and sugary drinks and juices. Every adult and child should own a bicycle and ride it regularly. Regular exercise will help you sleep better. Yoga is a great stress reducer. Obesity is all too common today. Get off the couch. Get off the phone, ipad or video game. A variety of stretching and other exercises help with increased mobility. Ride to work, ride to school, ride for fun. Every city should be a bicycle city. Speak up for bicycles in your community. Ozempic can help but it is not a substitute for a healthy life style.

[@VernCrisler]

Patent that advice. Obese people haven't heard it a million times already.

[@efx245precor3]

No, why not just lose weight via fasting, calorie restriction and exercise, it’s way healthier.

[@PtolemyPetrie]

Hi, noticed your comment and I would just say respectfully that the methods you outline are essentially catabolic methods meaning the body eats itself. To answer your question the reason why you wouldn't follow your outline is that you would instead be following anabolic methods which lead to muscle mass increases which inturn increase metabolism. In other words the more muscle you can put on your body the more that muscle will in turn burn fat 24hrs a day, not just when you exercise. Albeit resistance training does burn a lot of calories. A double win! Cheers!

[@ondrej1893]

It’s SemAglutide and GIP, not GIP1. It’s important to use proper termites…and oh boy, did you butcher Tirzepatide😅 Btw there are not “two main hormones”, more like 37. Lot of potential for combining several into single medication.

[@nomad9584]

If you're overweight or obese and needing a side-effect riddled drug like Ozempic isn't a huge slap in the face and wake-up call that your diet, exercise and lifestyle regimen needs a complete and 100% overhaul, you're blindly ignorant....and you're better off getting a therapist and/or bodybuilding or diet coach to help you with your issues. I know a few overweight people on this drug and they remain fat and lazy, refusing to exercise or modify their diet. This is natural selection and social Darwinism at its finest. These drugs are a last resort for the most extreme cases where it might otherwise be life or death, but people convince themselves they need this poison just so they can continue living their unhealthy lifestyles.

[@NicksHEAT1995]

There ain't no such thing as a miracle drug.

[@robertusga]

Sure

[@ClassicJukeboxBand]

All people considering taking Ozempic should be required to eat a carnivore diet for 90 days before they are allowed to receive their prescription by law...

[@JackMyersPhotography]

Why, a Mediterranean or Vegetarian approach is much healthier and definitely leads to weight loss if done properly.

[@robertusga]

Why would I want to limit myself to a restrictive diet like that? Especially a crazy clown diet that spikes ApoB. No thanks.

[@babyyoda3118]

Lots of antivaxxers in the comments that are so concerned with long time effects and big pharma fear! I like it… or do I?