You’ve probably heard of drugs Ozempicused in the management of type 2 diabetes and as a weight loss drug.
Ozempic (and similar drugs) Wegoby) has had more than its fair share of headlines and controversy. short supply, Usage tweets Adolescent weight loss approval, from Elon Musk in the United States.
Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel joked about it On the night of last week’s movie night.
But how many drugs like Ozempic are really needed? Can food be used to replace them?
How does Ozempic work?
The active ingredient in Ozempic is semaglutidewhich works by satiety inductionThis fullness, fullness suppresses appetite. This is why it works for weight loss.
Semaglutide also helps the pancreas make insulin, Here’s How You Can Help Manage Type 2 Diabetes.our bodies need insulin Moves glucose (or blood sugar) from food into cells where it can be used for energy.
Semaglutide works by mimicking the role of the natural hormone. called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is normally produced in response to detecting nutrients when we eat. GLP-1 It is part of the signaling pathway that tells your body that you have eaten and prepares it to use the energy that comes from your food.
Can food do it?
that nutrients induce GLP-1 secretion Macronutrients – Simple sugars (monosaccharides), peptides and amino acids (from proteins), and short-chain fatty acids (from fats and also produced by good bacteria).
These macronutrients are abundant in energy-dense foods.These macronutrients tend to be foods high in fat and sugar and low in water. evidence Choosing foods high in these nutrients can increase GLP-1 levels.
This means that a healthy diet high in GLP-1 stimulating nutrients increases GLP-1 levels.this could be food With good fats, such as avocados and nuts, or lean protein sources, such as eggs.
In addition, foods high in fermentable fiber, such as vegetables and whole grains, nourish intestinal bacteria and produce short-chain fatty acids that trigger GLP-1 secretion.
this is the reason high fat, high fiberand high protein diet You can feel fuller for longer. It’s also why dietary changes are part of both weight management and type 2 diabetes management.
not so early…
However, it’s not always so simple for everyone. The system also works to limit energy intake by dieting, we are more hungryAnd for some people, “set point“Weight and hunger may be different.
Several studies have shown GLP-1 levels. especially after meals, is lower in obese people. This may be due to decreased production of GLP-1 or increased degradation.the receptors that detect it low sensitivity Or you may have fewer receptors.
This may be the cause difference Genes that code for parts of pathways that regulate GLP-1, receptors, or production.These genetic differences are something we cannot change
So is an injection the easier fix?
Both diet and drugs work, but both have their challenges.
Drugs like Ozempic can have side effects Including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other organ problems.
Furthermore, you stop taking The feeling of suppressed appetite begins to disappear and people begin to feel hungry at their previous levels.
Dietary changes carry far less risk of side effects, but take more time and effort to adapt.
In our busy modern world, cost, time, skills, accessibility, and other pressures also Barriers to healthy eatingsatiety, and insulin levels.
Diet and medication solutions often focus on individuals making changes to improve health outcomes, systemic changesreducing the pressures and barriers that make it difficult to eat healthy (such as working shorter hours or raising the minimum wage) are much more likely to make a difference.
It’s also important to remember weight is the only thing 1 copy of the health equation. Maintaining a diet high in ultra-processed foods that are low in micronutrients while curbing your appetite will help you lose weight, but will not actually increase your nutrition.
Therefore, true health improvement requires support to improve dietary choices, regardless of medication or weight loss.
Conclusion
Old quote: “turn food into medicineCatchy and often science-based, especially when drugs are deliberately chosen or designed to mimic hormones or compounds already occurring naturally in the body.
Changing our diet is a way to change our health and biological responses. However, these effects occur in the context of our personal biology and our unique living environment.
For some people, medication becomes a tool for improving weight and insulin-related outcomes. For others, food is the only reasonable path to success.
While science is for the population, health care is personal and decisions about food and/or medicines should be made with the advice of health care professionals in mind. General practitioners and nutritionists can accommodate individual situations and needs.
Emma BeckettFaculty of Environmental Life Science Lecturer (Food Science, Human Nutrition) University of Newcastle
This article is reprinted from conversation Under Creative Commons License.read Original work.
