Would Ozempic help you live longer and better?
During the last number of years working as a Nutritional Therapist, several times I said to my existing clients or other people struggling with their weight: “I wish I could just give you a magic pill and help you lose weight that way.” I have heard so many heartbreaking stories of people struggling and suffering with their excess weight, I really was hoping that someday there would be an easy solution. I wish Ozempic was that easy solution but it’s not!
Yes, weight loss can help many people live happier and more active lives. It can increase longevity and, more importantly, the quality of life in those extra years.
As is the case with many medications, a qualified health practitioner such as your GP needs to decide whether the benefits will outweigh the potential side effects. It is not my role to recommend whether Ozempic is for you or not. However, as a Nutritional Therapist, I can suggest you towards another possible – and definitely healthier – way to achieve longevity and a better quality of life in those years.
Ozempic will give you that feeling of being so full that you simply cannot eat anymore, but can you get that same feeling of satiety, and not wanting to eat more in a natural way?
People on Ozempic describe that they started eating their meal and after only a few spoons of food feel so full that they couldn’t eat even the tiniest bit more. And because they are losing their appetite quickly, they lose the weight quickly.
This feeling of “satiety” is actually a very normal feeling that we should get when we’ve eaten enough. Our bodies are designed to send out a hormone – Leptin – to signal to stop eating once there is enough food consumed. However, in today’s time, so many people don’t get that signal anymore. I have often had clients who tell me that they never really feel full. This is most likely because they are resistant to that hormone Leptin.
Why has your body sending stopped the “satiety” signals ?
1. In today’s world, we tend to snack as soon as we feel peckish, which means that many people don’t ever experience real hunger any more. But it also messes with that signalling hormone, your body becomes Leptin-resistant, i.e. this hormone is constantly released, until the body doesn’t recognise it anymore.
2. Another reason for over-eating is that the food industry knows what foods and what combinations over-ride that “satiety” signal system. No natural food has the amounts of sugars that are found in many products today. Sugar is addictive and the more you eat it, the more you want to eat it. How often have you had a big dinner and are really full afterwards, and yet when the dessert menu arrives, you find the space for it. Sugar is over-riding your Leptin signal that tells your body that you are full. There are also no natural foods (apart from milk) that contains sugars and fats and it’s that combination that we find so delicious – think of Cheesecake! We also find the combination of salt and sugar delicious – think of Salted Caramel. It is very difficult to stop eating salted peanuts or crips, another combination that doesn’t exist in nature and over-rides those signalling.
The food industry does this to sell their products. And we blame ourselves for being “undisciplined” because we can’t stop.
One of the biggest problems with Ozempic is that it doesn’t address the underlying cause of why people (over-)eat.
Food can be used for other reasons than just feeding hunger. Most likely, when you are eating when you are not really hungry, you might be emotionally eating.
– Are you eating because you don’t want to feel some negative emotions? We are often not even aware that we are doing this. It could be just from a stressful day at work, or something more serious, such as a bereavement. When you feel sad or stressed, chocolate gives just that little bit of comfort. Once you are aware of it, you might realise that food does not solve underlying issues. And you can look into identifying and trying out other coping mechanisms.
– Are you eating because you want to reward yourself for something? I often see this, people feel they deserve a reward after a long hike or the gym. But there could be other “rewards” that are not food related which might last much longer and are much better for your body.
– Are you eating because you feel you deserve it? This is something I hear quite often as well, when people had a very stressful day. What you deserve is a nice relaxing bath, or a day off in nature. Your body deserves the best and not some sugary, non-nutritious food that makes it feel worse and makes your body age quicker.
– Are you eating because you simply can’t resist temptation and don’t see anything wrong with it?
All of those reason are ok, and are normal, but it’s important to be aware of why you are eating. Especially, if weight is a concern for you.
If you have been using food use as self-therapy, and then use Ozempic, you will not have this “comfort” blanket and quick soothing mechanism anymore that food gives you. You will be left to deal with your emotions. This could be one of the reasons why people on Ozempic can often feel depressed. Therefore, if you decide to take this medication, you need to be aware of this, and you should be looking for support for your mental wellbeing as well.
Depending on what is going on emotionally, you might need help from a psychotherapist or other therapists in that area.
However, often Coaching can bring clarity and great results. In health coaching sessions, we often explore “Non-Hunger-Eating”. And by asking the right questions, my clients often come up with solutions I would never have thought of. These are solutions that work best for them and they will stick to them.
Health coaching is like business coaching, it is not a “prescription” but it’s exploring and trying out what works and what helps create lasting habits. And of course, there is the element of accountability and support as well from the coach. So, if you understand the emotional reason why you might be eating when not hungry, you could get to a place where you simply do not want to eat – unless you are actually hungry. And you can get there without Ozempic. And it won’t feel as if you are restricting yourself either.
Another aspect of how I work with my clients is the educational part where I can explain the importance of certain nutrients. For some clients, knowing and understanding the biochemistry of our bodies can be the reason they make their lasting changes.
One of the dangers of Ozempic is also that people eat so little that they simply do not get sufficient nutrients.
And that leads to all sorts of health issues. Lack of protein can lead to loss of muscle and bone mass, which in turn leads to falls and breaks and further debilitation. Lack of good fats can lead to mental health issues, heart disease, inflammation in the joints. Lack of vitamins can lead to issues with the immune system. And so on, basically, if you are not getting sufficient nutrients, you will sooner or later feel unwell, and you age quicker.
The main benefit of Ozempic is that you feel fuller much quicker, but there are things you can do naturally to feel fuller quicker and stay fuller for longer.
I would always recommend my clients:
Eat foods that naturally keep you fuller for longer
As protein and healthy fats are harder to digest, and the digestion process only starts in the stomach, they will stay longer in your stomach and will give you the sensation of feeling full. The same is the case for foods with fibre. You can eat far more slices of white toast than of whole-meal bread. You will never be able to overeat on broccoli or other vegetables. Eat more: Fish, meat, whole-meal oats, pulses such as beans and lentils, avocado, oily fish. Even if you eat those with some carbohydrates it keeps you fuller for longer. Don’t forget, drinks fall into this category as well. In liquid form, you won’t even notice the amount of sugar and calories you are consuming, even if that drink is supposedly healthy such as fruit or vegetable juices. And keep in mind, to stick with natural foods, foods that are growing and not made in a factory. Eating natural foods will help your body get your Leptin signalling back in order. And with that you will feel full and stop eating in a natural way.
The other thing I always recommend is:
Slow down when you are eating and eat mindfully
Sometimes, we simply eat too fast and finish a big plate before the satiety signalling hormone leptin can be released and is noticed. I.e. Had you eaten the same food slower and chewed properly (until it’s fully liquid), you would have noticed that you are full much earlier.
In summary, Ozempic might be the solution for some, however, if you worry about the side-effects (of which there are many), look into natural ways where you can get your body to recognise that sense of being full again. If you like to learn more about the pros and cons of Ozempic, have a listen to this: https://youtu.be/0YMnHNIuK3M?si=tXqo1pzhgQ1im_fo
Yes, I do agree many of the above suggestions are well known and that many people struggle with their weight. One of the main reasons, why people aren’t looking for help is that they feel they are to blame themselves and think it’s because they are not disciplined enough. But just like gym classes have become the norm where people look for support and accountability, classes in nutrition or one-to-one coaching can be the solution for many. Studies have shown that people who get the support have a far better chance of losing weight than those trying it on their own.
Contact me to book in a free call where you can ask me any questions, you might have regarding this article or how I help my clients age well and naturally.
