GLP-1 Treatments: Health Benefits of Semaglutide in Besides Weight Loss
Weight loss can be a challenge for many, even with a physician’s help. Unfortunately, even with increased civilization in the present day, there is a lot of misinformation and judgment around obesity, and the drugs used to manage it are no exception. While there has been a drastic increase in the use of injectable weight-loss medicine, including semaglutide like Wegovy and Ozempic, some patients are still refraining from using the drugs to help them achieve weight loss goals. However, if you are struggling to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, consider GLP-1 treatments, such as semaglutide. While semaglutide and other GLP -1 treatments are popular for weight loss and management, there’s more to it. Besides treating obesity conditions, these drugs can also help treat or prevent weight-linked conditions before they get out of hand.
Semaglutide: What Is It and How Does It Work?
Semaglutide is a medication belonging to a class of medicines referred to as GLP-1 receptor agonists. Semaglutide drugs, such as Wegovy and Ozempic, imitate the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a natural hormone produced in the body. The drugs stimulate the pancreas to produce insulin in the body. Additionally, they can lower the hunger hormone ghrelin, thus reducing a patient’s appetite while slowing down the stomach emptying process.
Therefore, semaglutide boosts weight loss and reduces blood sugar levels.
Health Benefits of Semaglutide Besides Weight Loss
While weight loss is likely the most prevalent reason for the increased popularity of semaglutide use, there is more to it. Here are the health benefits you can reap from semaglutide use.
Heart Failure
According to research, semaglutide is significant to patients with specific types of obesity-associated heart failure. This drug is efficient in individuals with or without diabetes. Experts suggest that this GLP-1 treatment can help better symptoms related to heart failure, like swelling, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Consequently, semaglutide improves exercise tolerance and physical limitations, together with weight loss.
Cardiovascular disease
Experts explain that taking semaglutide can help lower the risk of cardiovascular conditions such as stroke and heart attack, especially in people who are obese or overweight. Also, this drug works for patients living with diabetes and those free from the disease. Therefore, you can prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular events with semaglutide.
Diabetes Management
Originally, semaglutide was developed to treat and manage type 2 diabetes. According to research, semaglutide reduces the hemoglobin A1C, which is the diabetes management marker. Additionally, clinical trials have depicted results of cardiovascular risk reduction and weight shed. The GLP-1 drug can help protect your kidneys from damage caused by high sugar levels. While patients with type 2 diabetes are at a high risk of chronic kidney disease, semaglutide helps curb this.
Dementia
GPL-1 treatments can also help reduce the rate of dementia compared to a placebo. One of the ways semaglutide helps curb Alzheimer’s disease is by managing diabetes, which is a risk factor for dementia. Patients who have diabetes have an increased risk of heart disease, which may destroy blood vessels such as those in the brain, thus causing Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, increased blood sugar may result in inflammation, which can lead to a damaged brain.