Forget Ozempic – 3 diets that work better

Want to lose weight without any side effects? Here are three diets that have the same effect as Ozempic.

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The trend for weight loss drugs is sweeping across the world.

More and more of us are now using drugs such as Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic to quickly shed the pounds around our waists.

Social media is important

Social media has, of course, played a major role in the trend, with users posting pictures and videos of their transformations from overweight to slim.

Just like everything else these days, losing weight should be quick, and that is exactly what happens for many who use the hugely popular Ozempic, for example.

Weight loss has side effects

Medical certificates are being issued at a rapid pace, sometimes faster than the speed of light, before patients even realize that there are actually serious side effects for some.

“We don’t talk enough about the risks,” David Unwin, an award-winning general practitioner, told The Telegraph.

“People are getting access to drugs online, without proper medical supervision. It’s like the Wild West.”

Three diets in focus

However, there are more sustainable ways to lose weight, with doctors like David Unwin highlighting three diets.

The first diet is a low-carbohydrate diet, where you reduce your intake of carbohydrates and instead increase your intake of fat and protein.

Blood sugar levels stabilize, appetite is regulated, and insulin levels drop, leading to better metabolism and a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Cut out sugar and carbohydrates

Cut out sugar and carbohydrates such as pasta, bread, and potatoes, and make sure to eat more protein and vegetables.

“When you eat in a way that doesn’t raise your blood sugar and contains enough protein, you continue to feel full, partly thanks to natural GLP-1,” says David Unwin.

The second diet that doctors suggest is the keto diet.

Even fewer carbohydrates

This involves removing even more carbohydrates from your diet and aiming for 20–50 grams of carbohydrates per day, which is significantly less than the 130 grams offered by low-carbohydrate diets.

The keto diet leads to immediate weight loss and appetite suppression, according to Eric Westman, associate professor of medicine at Duke University in North Carolina.

“In my experience, the keto diet provides the same benefits as GLP-1, such as reduced appetite, without the side effects,” he says, adding:

“Patients typically lose one to two pounds per week,” he says.

“I can safely discontinue medications for diabetes, high blood pressure, heartburn, and arthritis.”

The pounds melt away through fasting

Doctors also agree that intermittent fasting or periodic fasting has the same effects as taking weight loss medication.

The focus is on when you eat rather than what you eat.

One method is the 16:8 method, where you can eat for 8 hours and then fast for 16 hours, a method that has proven to be good for people with type 2 diabetes, significantly improving blood sugar levels.

“When we don’t eat, the body goes into fat-burning mode,” says British general practitioner Campbell Murdoch, explaining:

“Fasting gives the body more time to use stored sugar and burn body fat. That’s why it also improves blood sugar control.”

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is a prescription medicine containing the active ingredient semaglutide. It is primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes, but has also been shown to be effective for weight loss, which has contributed to its popularity. The medicine is administered as a weekly injection and helps to lower blood sugar levels and reduce appetite.

How Ozempic works

Ozempic belongs to a group of medicines called GLP-1 analogues. It mimics a natural hormone in the body that is released after meals and which:

• Stimulates insulin secretion
• Inhibits the release of glucagon
• Slows down the emptying of the stomach
• Reduces hunger and food intake

The effects lead to both better blood sugar control and, in many cases, weight loss.

Who can get Ozempic?

Ozempic is approved for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes when diet and exercise are not enough. In some cases, it may also be prescribed to people who are obese or overweight, especially if there are other risk factors such as high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease.

Treatment should always be initiated and monitored by a licensed healthcare professional.

Important to know: Ozempic is not a weight loss drug and should not be used without medical advice.

Side effects and risks

Like all medicines, Ozempic can cause side effects. The most common are:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Stomach pain
• Decreased appetite

In rare cases, more serious side effects may occur, which is why it is important to be monitored during treatment.