Semaglutide is an exciting new medication for weight loss and diabetes management. As a leading hormone clinic in Sheridan, Horizon Wellness Clinic provides cutting-edge semaglutide treatments to help patients control blood sugar, lose weight, and improve their overall health and wellbeing.
Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) is an injectable prescription medication approved for treating type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. It belongs to the GLP-1 receptor agonist class of drugs and helps regulate blood sugar levels, suppress appetite, and reduce food cravings.
Semaglutide works by mimicking the effects of GLP-1, a hormone produced in the body that stimulates the release of insulin when blood sugar levels rise after eating. It helps the body use insulin more efficiently so glucose can be moved from the blood into the cells for energy.
Benefits of semaglutide treatment include:
There are a few different branded versions of semaglutide currently available:
Compounded semaglutide offers more flexibility in dosing and can be prepared in different modes of delivery besides injection. Horizon Wellness Clinic provides individually tailored compounded semaglutide regimens to meet each patient's unique needs.
Semaglutide may be an appropriate medical weight loss aid for patients who meet the following criteria:
Ideally, semaglutide is used alongside nutritional counseling and increased physical activity for maximum weight loss effects. Medical supervision is required to screen for eligibility and monitor progress on the medication.
Successfully losing and maintaining weight loss through semaglutide treatment provides immense health benefits including:
Comprehensive lab testing and analysis is needed to accurately diagnose hormone imbalances or deficiencies. Before starting semaglutide, your Horizon Wellness Clinic practitioner will order the following tests:
These tests determine medical necessity for semaglutide treatment and create a baseline for continued monitoring while on the medication. We closely track your biomarkers to ensure safety and efficacy. Follow-up labs will be repeated at intervals as clinically indicated based on your custom protocol.
The standard delivery method for semaglutide is once-weekly subcutaneous injection using prefilled syringes or pens. However, exciting innovations now provide patients more options:
As pioneers in cutting-edge hormone treatments, Horizon Wellness Clinic will offer these novel semaglutide modalities to patients as soon as they become widely available.
Table 1. Innovative Semaglutide Delivery Methods
| Method | Administration | Frequency | FDA Approved? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compounded | Capsules, Creams | Customizable | No |
| Extended-Release Tablets | Oral | Once daily | No (China only) |
| Implanted Pumps | Subcutaneous | 6-12 months | No (trials pending) |
Currently, two branded semaglutide products have received FDA approval for weight loss - Wegovy and Ozempic. How do they compare?
* Both given as weekly subcutaneous injections * Come in prefilled pen devices with hidden needles
* Wegovy specifically approved for chronic weight management - Higher doses - can reach 2.4mg once weekly * Ozempic first approved for diabetes - Lower doses - maximum 1mg once weekly - Can still promote weight loss
* Wegovy more expensive since higher doses * May not be covered by all insurance plans
In short - Wegovy utilizes higher doses specifically optimized for weight loss, while Ozempic focuses primarily on blood sugar control. But both can effectively promote weight reduction and appetite suppression. Horizon Wellness Clinic providers help select the most appropriate option based on the patient's needs and insurance coverage.
While semaglutide treatment provides a major boost to weight loss efforts, implementing certain lifestyle adjustments maximizes results:
* Low glycemic diet - Focus on whole foods - proteins, vegetables, healthy fats - Minimize processed carbs, sugary foods * Portion control - Appetite reduction allows eating less without feeling hungry * Stay hydrated - drink plenty of water
* 150 minutes per week of moderate activity - Brisk walking, swimming, stationary biking * Strength training 2-3 times per week - Builds metabolism-boosting muscle mass
* Prioritize sleep consistency - Get 7-9 hours every night * Establish soothing nightly routine - Unwind screens, read book, meditate
Applying these simple healthy lifestyle principles magnifies semaglutide's effects for more weight loss, reduced blood sugar, and reversed insulin resistance.
One of semaglutide's most profound benefits is getting blood sugar under control for those with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. Let's explore how it achieves this:
* Powerfully reduces A1C average glucose levels * Brings readings closer to normal below 5.7% * Decreases diabetes complications - nerve, eye, kidney damage
* Allows insulin to work more effectively * Less insulin needed to handle meals * Reverses insulin resistance driving type 2 diabetes
* Delays carb absorption from gut * Prevents dangerous post-meal blood sugar spikes * Minimizes reactive insulin secretion
Semaglutide is considered one of the most effective medications for lowering A1C available. It offers hope for prediabetics to prevent progression to full-blown diabetes and avoids long-term consequences of excessive blood sugar.
Emerging research reveals semaglutide's benefits extend beyond diabetes and obesity - it holds promise as an anti-aging therapy. Key mechanisms promoting longevity:
* Excess weight triggers bodywide inflammation * Accelerates aging though cell damage * Losing fat alleviates chronic inflammation
* Obesity stresses cells via oxidative damage * Semaglutide activates protective pathways * Enhances antioxidant capacity
* Mitochondria produce energy for cells * Fatigue, muscle weakness with poor function * Semaglutide improves mitochondrial activity
* Enhances synaptic plasticity - vital for learning and memory * Safeguards neurons, increases growth of new brain cells * Slows age-related cognitive decline
While more research is still needed, semaglutide shows immense promise for increasing healthspan by protecting against obesity-driven inflammation, cellular aging, loss of energy, and cognitive problems. Its anti-aging benefits may rival those of metformin, NAD boosters, or certain longevity genes. Horizon Wellness Clinic helps patients take advantage of cutting-edge science to live longer, healthier lives.
Semaglutide is a revolutionary medication that offers numerous benefits for weight loss, diabetes management, and overall longevity. At Horizon Wellness Clinic, we are dedicated to providing our patients with the latest advancements in hormone therapy, including customized semaglutide treatment plans. Our experienced practitioners will work closely with you to monitor your progress and ensure the safe and effective use of semaglutide, while also guiding you toward implementing healthy lifestyle changes to maximize your results. If you're looking to improve your health, lose weight, and potentially even slow down the aging process, contact us today to learn more about how semaglutide could benefit you.
