By Dr Ghalib Wahidi
Introduction
Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (DMT2) or rather adult onset diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that affects millions of individuals worldwide. It is characterized by high blood sugar levels as a result of the body’s inability to utilize insulin appropriately. Often, diabetes is strongly associated with being overweight and obese. I call it the mother of all diseases because DMT2 very often leads to a number of other diseases, such as heart attacks, strokes, loss of limbs, loss of vision, various infections and various types of cancers. Since two out of three Americans are either overweight or obese, over 100 million of us are at risk of such complications.
Since obesity and weight gain are the highest risk factors for DMT2, the usual standard of care, in addition to various medications, include regular exercise and weight loss. Since losing weight and keeping it off is extremly difficult with over 90% failure rate, some patients have have go so far as to undergo the complicated procedures involving banding or resection of part of their stomach in order to force themselves to not consume excessive calories, lose weight, keep it off and avoid diabetes. While the surgical approach have produced great results, it is a risky procedure and not everyone has lost weight or kept it off. In order to come up with a sustainable, safer and less aggressive way of losing and keeping the weight off, researchers and pharmaceutical companies have been working tirelessly to develop treatments to not only reduce blood sugar in diabetics, but to also address its main cause, the weight gain.
One such breakthrough in the field of diabetes management is the discovery of a molecule called Semaglutide that is also known by its various name bands such as Ozempic, Wegovy etc, a medication that has gained significant attention and praise since being approved by the FDA. Semaglutide, in its most effective form, is a once-weekly injectable drug that has shown to be highly effective both in reducing a patient’s sugar levels, thereby reducing risks of heart attack, strokes etc, but has led to significant weight loss patients that take this medications. In fact, it led to more weight loss in non diabetic, but obese patients than it did in diabetc patients.
I wouldn’t be surprised a few years down the line, Semaglutide is credit not only with the treatment, but the cure of diabetes and its associated conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol etc via its effects on weight loss.
How does Semaglutide work (Mechanism of Action)?
Semaglutide belongs to a class of medications known as glucagonlike peptide-1(GLP-1) receptor agonist. It mimics the action of a naturally occurring hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in the body. GLP-1 is released by the intestines in response to food intake and stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas while suppressing the production of glucagon—a hormone that raises blood sugar levels. By mimicking GLP-1, Semaglutide enhances insulin secretion, reduces glucagon production, and slows down the rate at which food is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.
What are some of the benefits of Semaglutide?
Semaglutide offers several benefits that make it an attractive option for individuals with DMT2. First, , it effectively lowers blood sugar levels by reducing insulin resistance and stimulating insulin production, thereby improving glycemic control. Clinical trials have shown that Semaglutide can significantly reduce HbA1c levels, a long-term indicator of blood sugar control, thereby reducing the long term deleterious effects of DMT2.
In addition to its glucose-lowering effects, Semaglutide has been associated with weight loss. Many of use know really well how difficult it is to lose weight and even more difficult to keep it off. The same is true, pherhaps even more so of the diabetics. Fortunately, Semaglutide addresses this concern by acting on the brain’s appetite control centers, leading to early satiety and reduced hunger, thereby preventing overeating. Clinical studies have demonstrated that patients treated with Semaglutide experience greater weight loss compared to those on placebo. Studies suggest some people have lost over 40 pounds, even those patients that do not have DMT2. I wouldn’t be surprised if in a few years down the line, Semaglutide is credit not only with the treatment, but the cure of diabetes and its associated conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol etc via its effects on weight loss.
What are some of its side effects?
As with any medication, Semaglutide has potential side effects that need to be considered and monitored by an experienced physician. Side effects include, but not limited to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, dehydration and feeling of fullness and in rare cases hypoglycemia or low blood sugar, injection side irritation/infection. At the Golden Coast Clinic (GCC), we have processes and procedures in places to closely monitor your symptoms, electrolytes and intervene right away should the need arise. At GCC we provide you with concierge level care without the concierge prices. Give us a call for an initial 10-15 minute complementary consultation with one of our caring healthcare providers to see if you are a good candidate to start this amazing journey toward health, wellbeing and living a happier and more fulfilled life.
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