Is There a Magic Solution for Weight Loss?

Remember the black comedy Death Becomes Her? Imagine if a magic potion could grant you eternal youth and the ideal body society expects women to aspire to. Would you grab the chance?

> "Why do men think they have authority over women's bodies?"

For the affluent, you don't need to wait for a fantasy potion; you can access as much Ozempic as you desire—even though it wasn't initially intended for weight loss.

> “We cannot and will not endorse, promote, or suggest off-label use of our medications,” states Natalia Salomao, a senior director at Novo Nordisk in the U.S.

In Hollywood, however, such rules often bend, as a character in Pretty Woman once said,

> "This is Hollywood; keep dreaming."

What is Ozempic?

Diabetes runs in my family. Both of my parents had it, and my mother required dialysis for seven years before her passing, a complication from her diabetes.

Unlike other severe diseases, diabetes often lacks obvious symptoms until it’s too late.

Is it about diet, weight, or sugar? I'm not a doctor. My mother was neither overweight nor particularly fond of sweets.

Her lifestyle mirrored mine at this age. She spent years managing her blood sugar with oral medications and eventually insulin until her condition required life-saving dialysis thrice weekly.

She died peacefully during the pandemic, unrelated to her diabetes, which I consider a blessing, as she did not succumb to Covid-19.

> Ozempic — A weekly medication for adults with type 2 diabetes that aids in improving blood sugar levels alongside diet and exercise, while reducing risks of major cardiovascular incidents, including heart attack and stroke. — Ozempic website

A weekly injection sounds appealing for those on insulin, offering a less intrusive way to regulate blood sugar.

> Ozempic is not a weight-loss drug. In clinical studies examining A1C levels, adults lost:

• Ozempic: 8 lb (0.5 mg) and 10 lb (1 mg) vs. placebo: 3 lb
• Ozempic: 12 lb (1 mg) and 14 lb (2 mg)

From average starting weights of 202 lb and 219 lb, respectively. — Ozempic website

Interestingly, it's not marketed as a weight-loss solution, but it does provide an off-label benefit.

The website claims you can lose up to 14 pounds, potentially the perfect amount to fit into a Marilyn Monroe dress.

Questions arise:

• Is Ozempic intended for weight loss? Ozempic is not a weight-loss drug. It’s for adults with type 2 diabetes, and may enhance blood sugar control when paired with diet and exercise.
• What does Ozempic do? Non-insulin Ozempic enhances your body’s ability to lower blood sugar and A1C levels, responding to increases in blood sugar by aiding insulin release.
• How long should you stay on Ozempic for weight loss? In a phase 3 trial, many participants reached the full dose and continued to lose weight over 48 weeks.

However, not everyone can benefit from Ozempic. According to their website:

> Ozempic may cause serious side effects, including:

> Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer. Consult your healthcare provider if you notice any lumps or swelling in your neck, or experience hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or shortness of breath, as these may be signs of thyroid cancer. In animal studies, Ozempic and similar medications prompted thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It remains uncertain if it poses similar risks in humans. — Ozempic website

A necessary disclaimer:

> Any information provided here is solely for informational purposes. Consult a medical professional for more details on diabetes, weight loss, and Ozempic. My narrative is not medical advice; I'm sharing my experiences and knowledge, which should not be seen as an endorsement of any drug or product. Thank you.

Celebrity Weight Loss

I often discuss celebrity weight loss stories. Each tale inspires me, and each celebrity has their unique journey, often not so different from our motivations to lose weight.

Adele shed 100 pounds. Rebel Wilson lost 77 pounds. Kim Kardashian dropped 21 pounds. Drew Barrymore managed to lose 20 pounds.

The secret is out. The wealthy and famous have turned to Ozempic, akin to their early adoption of Botox for youthfulness.

Interestingly, Botox was never created for wrinkle reduction; its current purpose was discovered by chance.

This revelation has not remained hidden; as reported by Variety, many stars at recent awards ceremonies owe their slimmer appearances to Ozempic.

If not for this medication, numerous celebrities might have appeared heavier on screen.

Yet the controversy lies in the fact that many using Ozempic aren’t pre-diabetic or diabetic; they’re merely seeking to lose weight.

Every time someone without diabetes takes Ozempic, it denies access to those who genuinely need it to regulate their blood sugar.

Like the characters in Death Becomes Her, numerous celebrities will go to great lengths to maintain their youthful allure, disregarding the steep price of the drug—sometimes reaching $1,500 monthly.

Insurance companies often refuse to cover Ozempic unless the patient is pre-diabetic.

> The drug gained international media attention after becoming a TikTok sensation, with the #MyOzempicJourney trend showcasing stunning transformations (The Guardian reported that the #Ozempic hashtag garnered 74 million views). Recently, Town and Country noted it was a hot topic at upscale dinner gatherings. Glamour magazine echoed this sentiment. — Excerpt, Hollywood’s Secret New Weight Loss Drug, Revealed: The Hype and Hazards of Ozempic

Final Thoughts

Is weight a concern? For me, it isn't about vanity or trying to appear younger. I simply feel the difference when I'm heavier, and losing weight aids not only my physical health but also my mental well-being.

Would I consider using Ozempic if I could afford it? No, because we still know so little about its long-term effects.

> “The longest study on these injections lasted less than two years. Many questions remain unanswered.” - Dr. Zhaoping Li, chief of clinical nutrition at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

Additionally, the weight I believe I need to shed can be managed through dietary changes and my proven low-carb diet. This may not be effective for everyone.

> Like any miracle weight-loss medication, skepticism surrounds its long-term use. Alongside a slimmer figure, common side effects include gastrointestinal issues—bloating, constipation, diarrhea. — Town and Country

When queried about these potential risks, a talent publicist candidly stated:

> “Who cares? Everyone in this industry has IBS anyway.”

While some individuals vouch for its effectiveness, others have encountered severe heart palpitations that forced them to cease usage.

The weight loss industry is a multi-billion dollar arena, and the pursuit of a miracle pill continues. For now, the wealthy enjoy their new "Botox," oblivious to the ethical implications of using a drug outside its intended purpose, potentially denying access to those who genuinely need it.

Diabetes may not seem as dire as cancer, but its complications can be life-threatening.

As the affluent treat their new pharmaceutical toy as a norm in their quest for eternal youth and beauty, they remain unaware of the ultimate lesson from Death Becomes Her: mortality is inevitable, and one cannot escape the reality of death.

Thank you for reading.

Sources: Hollywood’s Secret New Weight Loss Drug, Revealed: The Hype and Hazards of Ozempic How a Diabetes Drug Became the New Weight Loss Trend for the Rich

Here are some of my complimentary stories: [Can You Lose Weight Without Exercise Like Tim Ferriss?](#) [What Does Losing 100 Pounds Do for Your Body, Ask Adele?](#)

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