Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are FDA-approved drugs initially designed to treat type II diabetes. Of the three, Wegovy is specifically approved by the FDA for chronic weight-loss management. These drugs, as well as their less pricey, non-brand-name equivalent– compounded semaglutide, which may be manufactured through state-licensed compounding pharmacies across the US – belong to a class of pharmaceuticals called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. These drugs, as you’ve surely heard if you’ve opened any social media app in the last year, have been shown to lead to weight-loss as a side effect, by acting to suppress appetite, slow the rate at which the stomach empties, and to control blood sugar.

Unfortunately, studies have shown that most individuals gain a significant portion of this weight back a year after discontinuing use of these drugs [1].  Therefore, prior to initiating use with weight-loss as the goal, it is essential that you work with a dietitian or other qualified healthcare professional to plan out your “exit strategy.” In other words, how will you maintain your weight once you reach your goal and eventually discontinue use of these drugs?

Some of the lifestyle changes we will discuss and begin to integrate into your daily life as you consider use of a GLP-1 receptor agonist for weight loss include:

1. The importance of building muscle mass through strength training and meeting individual protein needs.
2. Moderating carbohydrate intake. As your dietitian, we will work together to make tweaks and changes to your diet including healthful swaps to decrease refined carbohydrate intake and increase protein, healthy fats, and whole grains in the diet.
3. Pinpointing palatable foods within your dietary and cultural preferences that satiate and fill you up….for the long haul. These are the foods that will aid you in eating less overall.
4. Methods to increase sleep quality and manage stress.

Book an appointment with our dietitian, Holly Murphy, MS, RD, IBCLC today to discuss your personalized path towards better health and well-being through medical nutrition therapy, including supervised medical weight-loss.

Reference:

1. https://dom-pubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dom.14725