Oatzempic: Can You Increase GLP-1 Naturally?
Dr Ashwin Sharma
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Jul 10, 2024
Science-backed weight loss technique or unfounded fad? We unpack the trend for naturally increasing GLP-1 concentrations in your blood.
Ozempic is one of the most popular weight loss prescription drugs available globally — despite the fact that it isn’t actually approved by the FDA for weight loss yet. It’s a once-weekly injection that has shown to significantly reduce weight loss over a year. Here, we’ll give you a background on how Ozempic works, how much weight you can expect to lose during your treatment and how much you can expect to pay for it online.
Semaglutide – the active ingredient in Ozempic – is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. This means it’s a synthetic drug that mimics the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1. Once administered through a subcutaneous injection, it activates the GLP-1 receptors in various parts of the body, including the pancreas, brain, and stomach. This activation triggers several effects. In the pancreas, it stimulates insulin production, which helps manage blood sugar levels, especially after meals. In the brain, it helps to regulate appetite, leading to a feeling of fullness (satiety) and reduced food intake, and in the stomach, GLP-1 slows gastric emptying, which also contributes to the feeling of fullness and helps control blood sugar levels by moderating the rate at which glucose enters the bloodstream. [1]
Despite becoming a well-known brand name within the weight loss space, Ozempic is actually used to treat people with type 2 diabetes. However, one of the major effects of this GLP-1 medication is that it slows down gastric (stomach) emptying and makes you feel fuller for longer. This makes it an effective weight management treatment. Although Ozempic is currently only FDA-approved as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, here at Levity, we are licensed to prescribe it off-label for weight loss too. There are also other weight loss injections available which have already been approved for weight loss by the FDA, including Mounjaro, Wegovy and Saxenda.
The proven results for semaglutide are impressive – and have been revolutionary for people that have struggled with chronic weight management. Clinical trials have shown some participants losing up to 15% of their body weight over the course of a year. [2]
In comparison to other GLP-1 weight loss injections that use the active ingredient semaglutide, Ozempic is as effective as Wegovy, but is available at a slightly lower maximum dose – also referred to as your maintenance dose.
Here at Levity, we take a holistic approach to losing weight long-term and know that medication is just one piece of the puzzle. That’s why your monthly medication costs include access to our health coaching service – to help you maintain a healthy diet and active lifestyle too.
Because Ozempic hasn't yet been approved by the FDA as a weight loss treatment, it will only be covered by your insurance provider as a diabetes medication. To get it off-label for weight loss, you'll have to pay in full yourself.
Once you complete your online questionnaire, our clinical team will recommend the right treatment options for you. These could include Ozempic which costs $1,199 each month, as well as the other GLP-1 treatments we provide. Compounded semaglutide – an unbranded generic version is significantly lower (up to 85% less) than the Ozempic price at $225 p/m. We also provide Mounjaro ($1,299 p/m), Wegovy ($1,599 p/m) and Saxenda ($1,599 p/m). You can compare their prices and benefits on the Levity website here.
The process is fast and straightforward here at Levity. We’ll ask you to complete an online questionnaire to understand your medical history and weight loss goals. If you are eligible for GLP-1 weight loss injections, our clinical team will prescribe the right treatment for you. Your medication is then sent to you along with instructions for administering your Ozempic at home.
The entire process is done online, so there’s no need to visit your doctor or pharmacy in person. You’ll have check-ins with our healthcare professionals throughout your weight loss treatment plan to monitor your progress, address any potential side effects you might experience and increase your monthly dose of semaglutide.
Start your free consultation here now.
1. Introduction [Internet]. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health; 2019. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544009/
2. Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine [Internet]. 2021 Feb 10;384(11):989–1002. Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
Science-backed weight loss technique or unfounded fad? We unpack the trend for naturally increasing GLP-1 concentrations in your blood.
In this article we’ll guide you through the weight loss injection process for your injectable weight loss treatment whether it’s Compounded Semaglutide, Ozempic, Mounjaro or Wegovy.
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Learn how semaglutide works and how much weight it can help you lose. Our experts review the research so you can know exactly what you can expect from your treatment.