What is Semaglutide?

In recent years, semaglutide (Ozempic, Weygovy) has gained attention as a treatment for weight loss and type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide is a medication that mimics the action of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), a natural hormone in your body. It’s often used to treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity, helping regulate blood sugar levels and promote weight loss. Semaglutide works by enhancing insulin secretion, reducing appetite, and slowing down the digestion process, which can help with hunger and food intake. We need the GLP-1 hormone in our bodies for good optimal metabolic health.

What are the reasons for sub-optimal GLP-1 in the body?

Several factors can reduce GLP-1 levels, including:

• Poor diet (high in sugar, processed foods, and refined carbs)
• Abdominal adiposity (abdominal fat)
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Chronic stress
• Aging
• Sarcopenia (decrease in muscle mass)
• Poor sleep

While there are many nutrition and lifestyle practices that can improve levels of GLP-1, there are certain scenarios where prescribing a GLP-1 can be beneficial to jump-start metabolism.

At Lakeside, our treatment plan looks a little different than the standard prescription such as Ozempic or Weygovy. We microdose the semaglutide. Microdosing means using a smaller, lower dose than the typical doses found in commercial medication on the market such as Ozempic. Our goal is to mimic physiologic levels, or levels closer to what the body produces. This approach offers a range of benefits, particularly for people seeking a gentler transition and a long-term solution to weight management, without the risks of rapid weight loss, muscle wasting, or other common side effects associated with higher doses.

Why Microdosing is Safer and More Sustainable

1. Minimized Side Effects

At higher doses, semaglutide can cause side effects like nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort, and low blood sugar.

2. Preserving Muscle Mass

Rapid weight loss in the setting of higher doses of semaglutide can often lead to muscle breakdown as the body burns both fat and muscle for energy. By supporting muscle retention, microdosing helps prevent the metabolic slowdown often seen with weight loss, ensuring that you maintain a higher resting metabolic rate even as you lose weight.

3. More Gradual, Sustainable Results

Microdosing promotes slow and steady weight loss, which is easier to maintain in the long term.

In functional medicine, the goal is to support whole-body health by addressing the root causes of metabolic issues like obesity, insulin resistance, and imbalanced hormones. Microdosing semaglutide aligns with this philosophy by offering a holistic, individualized approach to weight loss and metabolic health. Microdosing semaglutide works best when combined with the following:

– Personalized Nutrition:

• Optimizing protein to preserve muscle mass
•  Replenishing vitamins and minerals that may support weight loss, like vitamin D, magnesium, and B vitamins.

–Physical Activity:

• Strength training
• Low impact cardio such as walking

– Gut Health:

• Improving gut function through probiotics, fiber, and a balanced, anti-inflammatory diet.
• Optimizing digestion and nutrient absorption

– Stress and Sleep Management:

• 8 to 9 hours of deep sleep

If you’re considering semaglutide, talk to your Lakeside provider about whether microdosing with semaglutide is right for you.

Editor’s Note: The information in this article is intended for your educational use only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health practitioners with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health program.