Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, are type 2 Diabetes GLP-1’s. Many of you are probably unaware that these medications started out for Type-2 diabetics, but when they saw a side effect of weight loss, they were given the green light to be used as an “off-label” drug (meaning it wasn’t its intended use) for the purpose of losing weight.
The purported benefits of GLP-1’s.
We are told that on average, patients using semaglutide for weight loss can expect to lose about 15-16% of their body weight over the course of a year. Initial weight loss may be around 2% per month for the first six months, followed by a slower rate thereafter.
The average weight loss (say for a 200-lb person for easy math) is 3.8% in the 1st month. That would be 7.5 lbs. At 3 months, 10% of their weight or 20 lbs. altogether. Then weight loss slows significantly. At 68 weeks, (1 yr 4 months) almost 15%, which would be about 30 lbs. altogether. So, you can look at those numbers and say, yes, they lost weight.
The synthetic drug, GLP-1, works by:
- Sending a signal that helps us recognize that we are full and satisfied.
- Also signals to the body that there is a lot of food in our stomachs and prompts us to release insulin, so we can bring the blood sugar down, process it, and get it into the cells to get our metabolic processes going.
- Slows down gastric emptying so food sits in your stomach for a long time, causing you to feel full longer.
- It slows down your natural gut rhythm.
- You can increase your insulin production, decrease blood sugar, and decrease your appetite so that you can lose weight with little to no responsibility on your part.
Problems that occur taking the synthetic drug, GLP-1, if eating too few calories and non- nutritive foods:
- Weight loss will slow down because of under eating.
- Insufficient fuel needed to accomplish the bodies processes, so your metabolism will slow drastically to conserve energy.
- You will, in turn, lose muscle mass and bone density.
- Studies indicate that 15-40% of total weight loss may come from lean body mass.
Results from a landmark 2025 population study involving over two million patients also found that GLP-1 drug users had:
More than double the risk of acute pancreatitis, alongside higher rates of gallbladder and biliary disease, kidney stones, arthritis, sleep disturbances, and gastroparesis.
The body’s plan for your natural GLP-1 hormone.
- Every hormone in your body has something called a half-life.
- The half-life of your natural GLP-1 is two minutes, which means after two minutes only half of that hormone remains.
- After four minutes only a quarter of it is there. After 10 minutes it is mostly gone.
- Your body plans for this to work in a short period of time.
- The only way to deal with a lifestyle problem is to make a lifestyle change.
Consequences to using to the synthetic drug, GLP-1:
- The man-made version has a half-life of about one week.
- So, something the body naturally intended to last a very short time is now being altered to have a virtually permanent effect – since the shot is once a week.
- The acid suppression and slowing of the stomach and digestive system is continually taking place.
- This is vastly different than the God-given wisdom the body has in mind for us to function correctly, create nutrient absorption and promote optimal health.
Rebound from semaglutide.
Basically, a rebound is a decreasing effect from semaglutide overtime. The body tries to defend itself against this chemical because it is not natural, so appetite suppression might not be the same all the time. More importantly, if you now stop this medication, then you will start gaining weight again. The body will bounce right back unless you have placed strong changes in your lifestyle eating plan to control it.
Research by Northwestern University shows:
- A significant percentage of patients stop taking these medications shortly after starting.
- About 50-75% of people who start taking GLP-1 drugs stop using them within a year, and only 15% continue after two years.
- The high discontinuation rates are often attributed to factors like cost and side effects.
- Many people believe they can stop taking the drugs once they achieve weight loss, not realizing the need for ongoing treatment.
In February 2023, the National Library of Medicine, a division of the National Institute of Health published an article entitled, “A potentially serious adverse effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists.” In it we read:
- Long-term adverse events like intestinal obstruction had been reported in diabetic patients for whom the medicines were originally designed.
- Intestinal obstruction was 4.5 times higher than for diabetics receiving other glucose control medications.
- A one-month regimen of another GLP-1 called exenatide in rats, they found an increased length and weight of the small intestine with an average increase of 43% after just three months.
- Since intestinal obstruction is a fatal condition that requires surgery, clinicians should be aware that the emergence of chronic adverse events of GLP-1’s may involve the small intestine.
What happens when you go off the GLP-1 medication?
Studies show a rapid weight regain happened in 60% within a few months to a year. The average regain was approximately 2/3 of the weight loss within 12 months. There is no information on ongoing weight gain after one year.
Any benefits you acquired health-wise can also reverse. Blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels go back up. Hunger and cravings return too.
The recommendation for stopping GLP-1’s is to gradually reduce the dose and to change your diet as a lifestyle.
We want to help you understand potential risks of taking GLP-1’s.
Because the vast majority of people we have talked to have no idea of any of the things we have mentioned. We are just bringing the other side of the story so that you can make an informed decision.
Follow the GHS anti-inflammatory, low glycemic food plan.
If you stop eating inflammatory, high-glycemic foods, you will stop the out-of-control blood sugar and insulin fluctuations that are driving your cravings, along with several other natural hormones important for a healthy appetite.
Reduce cravings with Crave Control.
We created Crave Control to help reduce cravings, while working together with a proper eating program that will also further reduce cravings. It will help you to get over that cravings hump that can be so strong while you move forward in your new healthy dietary lifestyle.