Welcome to Ozempic Weightloss Unlocked, the podcast where the science and the stories around Ozempic are put into focus for anyone curious about medical breakthroughs, health, and real-world results.

Today we dive into the latest findings shaking up the world of weight management with Ozempic, a brand name for semaglutide. New research published mid-September in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology shows that a triple-sized weekly dose of Ozempic—specifically 7.2 milligrams—helped people with obesity lose even more weight than the currently approved lower dose. Adults who took this higher dose lost on average nearly 19 percent of their body weight. Nearly half of participants on this regimen lost at least 20 percent, and a third lost a quarter or more. Similar benefits were seen for those with type 2 diabetes, with the higher dose leading to a 13 percent weight loss, compared to 10 percent for the lower dose.

But there is more than just the numbers on the scale. Participants on the higher dose saw improvements in waist circumference, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol numbers. Importantly, the higher dose was found to be both safe and generally well tolerated. The most frequent issues were digestive, like nausea and diarrhea, but these tended to resolve over time with no increased risk of severe low blood sugar or other serious events. Researchers from the Wharton Medical Clinic in Canada concluded that even greater health improvements could be reached in the future, but they called for more research into the long-term effects and safety as use expands.

Adding to the buzz, a recent study out of Denmark raises important questions about how long people actually stick with Ozempic for weight management. According to research presented at the Annual Meeting of The European Association for the Study of Diabetes, more than half of adults who began using the drug for weight loss ended up quitting within one year. Factors behind this drop-off included cost, side effects, and potential health complications. When treatment is stopped, most people regain weight, highlighting that Ozempic is not a short-term fix and needs to be taken long term for sustainable results. The findings raise red flags since discontinuing the medication can undermine hard-won health improvements, and the high price also risks making access unequal.

Ozempic is not just for the scale—it has heart-protective effects too. Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company behind the drug, released results from the REACH trial showing that once-weekly Ozempic reduced the risk of heart attack, stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure by a significant 25 percent compared to an older medication called dulaglutide. That is a substantial bonus, especially for those with both obesity and cardiovascular risk factors.

Researchers are also learning that how you eat can affect how well Ozempic works. A team from Kyoto University found that people who eat in response to sights and smells of food are more likely to see weight loss benefits from Ozempic, compared to those who eat mainly for emotional reasons. Those with emotional eating patterns might require additional behavioral or psychological support for the medication to be most effective.

The science is clear—GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic can be life-changing, delivering substantial and safe weight loss, along with significant improvements for blood sugar, heart health, and metabolic risk factors. But to sustain progress, long-term commitment is key, and the therapy works best alongside changes in eating habits and ongoing support.

Thank you for tuning in to Ozempic Weightloss Unlocked. If you found today’s update helpful, be sure to subscribe for more news and expert insights on this quickly evolving topic. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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