{"id":38143,"date":"2023-11-06T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-06T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=38143"},"modified":"2025-02-26T21:54:46","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T21:54:46","slug":"life-after-ozempic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/life-after-ozempic\/","title":{"rendered":"Life After Ozempic: Steps You Can Take To Maintain Your Weight Loss, Ozempic Alternatives, and The Supplements to Help You"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ozempic is part of a class of drugs called GLP-1 agonists that treat diabetes. Ozempic\u2014and drugs like it\u2014have been remarkably popular in recent years thanks to one of its side effects: dramatic weight loss<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

It\u2019s not uncommon for patients to lose up to <\/strong>five pounds in a month<\/strong><\/a>! But, spoiler: If you stop taking Ozempic, it can be incredibly hard to maintain the weight loss. Here is everything you need to know about life after Ozempic, Ozempic alternatives, and the supplements<\/a> and lifestyle habits that may help you keep off the pounds.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

A little over a year ago, semaglutide drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy<\/a> were virtually unknown outside of the medical and diabetes communities. But thanks to celebrities like Elon Musk<\/a> and Dolores Catania<\/a> endorsing the drug as a quick slim-down tool, now you\u2019d be hard-pressed to find someone who hadn\u2019t heard of semaglutide. In fact, Ozempic and Wegovy grew so much in popularity in early 2023 that it became difficult for patients to access the drug. And almost a year later, it\u2019s still on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug shortage list<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Originally developed to treat type two diabetes, semaglutide can help people eat less without feeling hungry, resulting in some pretty considerable weight loss, says nurse practitioner and dietician Brittany Brothers, APN-BC, RDN, CDCES, founder of Ocean Medical Nutrition<\/a>. More than two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese, and 67% of those with obesity are trying to lose weight<\/a>\u2014something that\u2019s notoriously hard to do. So, it\u2019s really no surprise so many are intrigued by a drug that can make dropping pounds easier.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Healthy<\/figure>\n\n\n

But have you ever thought about what happens to patients long after their flashy Ozempic before and after pictures are posted online? Or what happens if they stop taking Ozempic because they can no longer access it or just don\u2019t want to take it anymore? Do they quickly gain all the weight back? Are there steps they can take to maintain their weight loss? Can supplements like berberine (which has been touted on social media<\/a> as \u201cnature\u2019s Ozempic\u201d) help maintain weight loss\u2014or lead to more weight loss? The Wellnest<\/em> answers these questions and more below.<\/p>\n\n\n

How Ozempic Works for Weight Loss<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

Ozempic is part of a class of drugs called GLP-1 agonists, which are used in the treatment<\/a> of type 2 diabetes to help lower blood sugar levels. Obese and overweight adults who also have a weight-related condition (such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol) can also be prescribed the drug<\/a> for weight management. However, in recent years, many people who do not meet this criteria started taking the drug \u201coff label\u201d for weight loss, per a Trilliant Health report.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

Administered via an injection under the skin, Ozempic mimics a naturally occurring hormone called GLP-1 that\u2019s released after you eat. This causes your pancreas to release insulin, which lowers the amount of circulating blood sugar in the body, explains Amy Shapiro, MS, RD, the founder of Manhattan-based dietetics practice Real Nutrition<\/a>. \u201cAs a result, blood sugar levels are stabilized, and food moves from the stomach to the small intestine more slowly. Both these things help increase feelings of fullness, and you lose weight as a side effect.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Studies that have specifically looked at Ozempic\u2019s impact on weight loss in people without diabetes show promising results. One New England Journal of Medicine<\/em><\/a> study found that weekly semaglutide injections can help people lose nearly 15% of their body weight (an average of about 34 pounds) over a 16-month period<\/a> when combined with diet and exercise. Other research<\/a> has similar findings, with participants losing about 16% of their body weight, while those in a placebo group not taking Ozempic only lost 5.7%.<\/p>\n\n\n

What Happens When You Stop Taking Ozempic?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

According to Shapiro, here are some things patients may experience after they stop taking Ozempic or other GLP-1 agonists:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

A Super-Charged Appetite\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

Ozempic causes food to move through the body slowly, which decreases appetite. But once the medication is stopped, the rate of digestion<\/a> speeds back up, causing hunger to come back with a vengeance.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Weight Gain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

According to research<\/a>, within a year of going off semaglutide, most patients regain almost all of the weight they lost. \u201cYou’ll likely gain the weight back since your brain will no longer be tricked into thinking you are full,\u201d Shapiro explains. \u201cAlso, it can be harder to make healthy food choices when faced with hunger\u2014especially if dietary habits weren\u2019t improved while taking Ozempic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

An Increase In Blood Sugar<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

If you have type 2 diabetes, your blood sugar will likely go back up after you stop taking Ozempic. Certain lifestyle changes can help to manage this, including regular exercise and following a low-carb diet, Shapiro notes.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"ozempic<\/figure>\n\n\n

No More Negative Side Effects\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

There is some positive news! Nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea\u2014some of Ozempic’s most unsavory side effects\u2014should dissipate after you go off the weight loss drug.<\/p>\n\n\n

Ozempic Alternatives: Supplements & Lifestyle Changes For Weight Loss Maintenance\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

While it\u2019s unlikely you\u2019ll be able to keep off all of the weight after stopping Ozempic, certain lifestyle habits and supplements may contribute to weight loss maintenance. Here is a closer look at a few things you may want to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n

Flatter Me Fiber GLP-1 Booster<\/h3>\n\n\n

The FLATTER ME Fiber<\/a> GLP-1 Booster is a clinically backed prebiotic fiber formulated to double GLP-1 levels naturally, curb cravings, and promote regularity. It contains 18 Digestive enzymes that work fast to break down food and reduce bloat in 30 minutes. While this helps curb cravings, If you are taking a\u00a0weight loss<\/a>\u00a0drug and want to incorporate this fiber powder into your routine, please consult your physician.<\/p>\n\n\n\n