Is Ozempic Safe To Use For Weight Loss?
Dr Ashwin Sharma
|
Jul 17, 2024
Our Levity experts, made up of qualified healthcare professionals, explore how Ozempic works for weight loss and how to avoid accidental purchases of ‘fake Ozempic’.
You’ve probably heard of electrolyte supplements before because of their essential role in hydration. But what exactly are they, and can they help you lose weight? Read on to hear from our experts.
Electrolytes are minerals found in our food and fluids that are electrically charged when mixed with water, or bodily fluids like blood or urine. They help carry signals throughout the body, aiding muscle movement and nerve function. They also control how much water is in the body and help the heart beat regularly. [1]
Some of the main electrolytes in the human body include:
Staying hydrated is important for weight loss because water helps control hunger, slightly boosts metabolism and improves digestion. [2]
Drinking enough water can also help the body burn calories more efficiently and reduce water retention, making you feel less bloated. Plus, proper hydration supports muscle function and energy levels, making workouts more effective.
Current daily fluid intake recommendations are 3.7 liters a day for men and 2.7 liters for women. [3]
The idea that consuming more electrolytes leads to more weight loss is a common misconception. Electrolytes play an important role in hydration and muscle function, but they don’t directly cause fat loss.
Weight loss occurs when you burn more calories than you consume, creating a calorie deficit. Excess electrolytes won’t speed up metabolism or fat burning. In fact, consuming too much sodium can lead to water retention, which could temporarily make the scale go up. [4]
While staying properly hydrated with balanced electrolytes can support overall health and exercise performance, relying on electrolyte drinks or supplements alone won’t result in significant weight loss. Instead, a well-rounded approach that includes a healthy diet and regular physical activity is the most effective way to lose weight.
While athletes lose more electrolytes through sweat and need to replenish them to maintain performance, [5] electrolytes are essential for everyone, regardless of activity level.
These minerals help maintain essential functions in the body, including muscle movement and nerve function. Everyday activities like walking or even sitting in a hot environment can lead to electrolyte imbalances, especially if you’re not drinking enough fluids. [1]
People with certain health conditions such as kidney disease or heart failure, those on restrictive diets, or individuals who experience frequent sweating (due to heat or illness) may need to pay extra attention to their electrolyte intake. Athletes may have greater electrolyte demands, but these vital nutrients play a key role in overall health for everyone.
Your electrolyte balance could influence your metabolism.
For example, too much and too little sodium intake can negatively affect insulin sensitivity, which impacts how efficiently your body uses sugar (glucose) for energy. [6,7] Dehydration - which is often accompanied with low sodium levels - is often mistaken for hunger and can lead to increased appetite.
Magnesium is involved in over 300 chemical reactions within the body, including those involved in blood sugar regulation, [8] while calcium helps with fat metabolism. [9]
When electrolyte levels are imbalanced, it can lead to increased feelings of hunger, slower metabolism, and even cravings for salty or sugary foods. [10] Staying properly hydrated with the right balance of electrolytes helps to support steady energy levels, reduce unnecessary snacking and keep your metabolism functioning properly.
Electrolyte balance is closely linked to fluid retention in the body. In particular, sodium plays a major role in regulating how much water your body holds onto. When sodium levels are too high, it can cause the body to retain excess water to try and balance levels out. [4] This can lead to bloating and puffiness, especially in the extremities.
On the other hand, potassium and magnesium help to counteract sodium's effects by promoting water output, reducing fluid retention. [11] An imbalance in these electrolytes, whether due to the likes of dehydration or excessive salt intake, can disrupt the body’s ability to regulate fluid levels.
Maintaining a proper balance of electrolytes is essential for keeping your fluid levels stable and preventing uncomfortable swelling or bloating.
While sodium itself doesn’t directly contribute to weight gain, high-sodium foods often are also high in calories. Chips, sandwiches and pizza are typically high in sodium and calories.
Some foods high in sodium can still be part of a balanced diet that supports weight management. For example, cottage cheese, canned fish including tuna and salmon and fermented foods like pickles and sauerkraut.
Examples include: [12]
Examples include: [13]
Examples include: [14]
Consuming too many electrolytes can disrupt the body's delicate balance, leading to a range of symptoms from mild discomfort to serious health issues. [4]
High sodium intake can lead to increases in blood pressure, through causing fluid retention and straining the heart.
Elevated potassium levels can cause dangerous variations in heart rate and even heart attacks. This condition is called hyperkalemia and requires immediate medical attention.
High magnesium levels can cause muscle weakness, nausea, diarrhea and breathing problems; while increased calcium levels can lead to symptoms such as confusion, nausea and muscle weakness.
The good news is that for the average person, the risks of excessive electrolytes remain low as long as you follow a healthy, balanced diet alongside regular fluid intake.
Electrolyte drinks that are high in sugar are typically also high in calories. These unnecessary calories that you may be adding to your diet can hinder weight loss efforts, taking you out of your calorie deficit. High sugar intake from these drinks can also contribute to insulin resistance, which may slow weight loss efforts by promoting fat storage. [15]
Weight loss medications such as Wegovy and Compounded Semaglutide* are known as GLP-1 agonists and can influence electrolyte and fluid balance in several ways. Other medications in this drug class have been shown to increase the amount of electrolytes that exit your body through urine, which may affect the balance of electrolytes in the body. [17] This could result in a need to check or adjust electrolyte levels while on weight loss medications, especially for people who already have imbalances.
Additionally, GLP-1s can result in dehydration due to their side effects such as diarrhea and vomiting. Maintaining adequate hydration and electrolyte balance is important to alleviate these side effects.
Electrolytes can also work alongside other dietary supplements, like psyllium husk and glucomannan fiber, which support fullness and gut health.
Levity can help boost your results alongside a healthy diet and regular exercise. Weight loss injections need to be prescribed by a healthcare professional, who assesses whether these medications are suitable for you. Find out if you’re eligible here.
*Compounded drugs are permitted to be prescribed under federal law but are not FDA-approved and do not undergo FDA review for safety, effectiveness, or quality.
Our Levity experts, made up of qualified healthcare professionals, explore how Ozempic works for weight loss and how to avoid accidental purchases of ‘fake Ozempic’.
How much does Ozempic cost to buy online? You can get the same ingredient as Ozempic and Wegovy for up to 85% less. Here is your guide to buying weight loss treatments.
.png)
Our Levity experts unpack what protein is, why it's important and how to calculate how much protein you should be eating during your weight loss journey.