You’ve probably heard about weight-loss drugs like Wegovy. Maybe you’ve seen the ads for these drugs on TV or YouTube or know someone taking medication to lose weight.
But you might not know that these medications (called semaglutides) were originally designed to treat type 2 diabetes.
If weight loss is on your mind, you already know this…
- Healthy lifestyle habits provide the best path to sustainable weight loss and healthy blood sugar levels.
But if you’re overweight or obese, you’re 53% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than someone who isn’t.2 And that’s a problem. Wondering if weight-loss drugs can help you lose weight and manage blood sugar levels? Here’s what you need to know…
The Link Between Type 2 Diabetes & Weight Gain
Type 2 diabetes and weight gain are closely connected. Being overweight or obese is one of the biggest risk factors for developing diabetes in the first place.
Here’s the thing…type 2 diabetes doesn’t develop overnight. It’s a gradual process that looks something like this:
- Eat for energy. When you eat, your body breaks down food into glucose (sugar), which fuels your cells.
- The job of insulin. The hormone insulin helps move that sugar from your bloodstream into your cells.
- Insulin resistance. But if your body becomes resistant to insulin, sugar stays in your blood instead of being used for energy.
- The trouble with high blood sugar levels. This leads to high blood sugar levels, weight gain and other serious health problems.
Excess weight, especially around the belly, makes insulin resistance worse.4 That’s why doctors often recommend weight loss as a first step to managing type 2 diabetes.
But for many people, losing weight isn’t easy. And it’s one reason about 2.6 million prescriptions a month are being filled for weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy and others.
How Diabetes Drugs Help with Weight Loss
So what happens when you take medication created to help treat type 2 diabetes? And how do these drugs help you lose weight?
Semaglutide drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes belong to a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs work by simulating the hormone (GLP-1) that helps:
- Control blood sugar levels: They boost insulin when your blood sugar is high and reduce sugar spikes after meals.
- Curb appetite: They send signals to your brain that you’re full, so you eat less without feeling like you’re starving.
- Slow digestion: They keep food in your stomach longer, so you don’t get hungry as quickly.
In 2020, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration approved the semaglutide drug Wegovy (previously used to treat diabetes), for weight loss.7 It’s the only semaglutide currently approved for weight loss.
While Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, some doctors prescribe it off-label for weight loss. Wegovy, however, is specifically approved for obesity management. Since 2020, prescriptions for semaglutide have increased by 700 percent.
Semaglutide: How Much Weight Can You Lose?
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that people taking Wegovy lost an average of 15% of their bodyweight over 68 weeks..
That’s about 30 pounds for someone who weighs 200 pounds!
But combined with healthy food choices, regular exercise, and other healthy lifestyle choices, some people lost up to 20% of their body weight.
Weight-Loss or Worry: The Side-Effects of Semaglutides
While many people see big weight loss results using Wegovy and Ozempic, these drugs aren’t without downsides.
Some of the most common side effects include:
- Nausea and upset stomach
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Changes in skin & appearance from rapid fat loss
Most side effects go away after a few weeks, but some people stop the medication because of how it makes them feel.
There are also potential long-term risks, like:
- Gallbladder issues (including gallstones)
- Muscle loss (if weight loss happens too fast)
- Gaining more weight back after stopping the medication
Are Semaglutides a Cure for Obesity & Type 2 Diabetes?
Some people who lose weight on semaglutides see their diabetes improve so much that they no longer need medication. Losing even 5-10% of your body weight can help:
- Lower blood sugar levels
- Improve insulin sensitivity
- Reduce the need for diabetes medications
That’s why weight loss is such an important part of managing type 2 diabetes, and why drugs like Wegovy are getting so much attention.
But are they a cure to obesity and type 2 diabetes?
Not exactly. If you stop the medication and regain the weight, blood sugar problems can come back. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
If you’re taking Wegovy to lose weight and control blood sugar, adopting healthy lifestyle habits can make a big difference. This can include:
- Healthy eating: Focusing on more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes.
- Regular exercise: Including strength training at least two days a week and 20-30 minutes of moderate exercise (like walking) on most days of the week.
- Better sleep & stress management habits, like creating a bedtime routine, aiming for 7-9 hours of sleep per night, and managing stress in healthy ways.
Can Weight Loss Drugs Help You Manage Diabetes?
Yes. There’s clear evidence semaglutides can help you lose weight and control diabetes. But there’s more to sustainable weight loss and diabetes management than taking medication.
If you’re considering semaglutides for weight loss or diabetes prevention, talk to your doctor about the benefits, risks, and lifestyle changes that can help you achieve long-term success.
