Have you heard about the Ozempic “weight loss” drug craze? Have you been considering it? Have you stopped to think a little deeper to wonder if it is even worth it at all? In this podcast episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini speaks about the Ozempic craze and why you should NOT do it.

IN THIS PODCAST

  • Are “weight loss” drugs real?
  • What is Ozempic?
  • There are side effects
  • Do not believe the quick-fix promises

Are “weight loss” drugs real?

Ozempic is a prescription medication that is being used by people caught up in the current weight loss craze who do not need this medication.
Ozempic is prescribed to people who have Type 2 Diabetes. Yet, people who do not have Type 2 Diabetes are flocking to doctor’s offices seeking prescriptions with the one goal of weight loss. (Dr. Castagnini)
Through social media and people sharing their weight loss “process” using these medications, this information has spread like wildfire. However, these medications are not meant to be used for weight loss. They are not weight loss drugs.

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic helps the pancreas to produce more insulin which lowers the blood sugar levels that are present in the bloodstream, which induces the brain to experience the sensation of “fullness”. Therefore, Ozempic is a genuine prescription medicine that is a medical necessity for people who are struggling with Type 2 Diabetes.
In this case, because of the rapid influx of people who do not have Type 2 Diabetes seeking these medications and being prescribed them for weight loss, those people who actually do need the medication have been struggling to get it. (Dr. Castagnini)
It is outright unfair and dangerous for the people who need this medication to be facing a shortage because the average Joe is buying out the stocks, believing that it will help their weight loss fantasies.

There are side effects

If you are taking prescription medication as a “quick fix” for weight loss, you can experience side effects such as:
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Pancreatitis
  • Gastric reflux
These drugs have been searched many times recently, so do some reading, because it won’t be difficult to find people’s accounts of the difficult side effects that they have experienced on these medications.

Do not believe the quick-fix promises

I was thinking back again to when I had my eating disorder [that] if someone told me, “Oh gosh, there are all these horrible side effects if you [use] this”, I would’ve been deaf to hearing about any of those side effects and only would’ve heard what I wanted to hear. (Dr. Castagnini)
If you are currently struggling with an eating disorder, it can be incredibly tempting to jump onto the next bandwagon that promises weight loss without looking at the facts. When you are in recovery, listen to these fads and new promises with wiser and more knowledgeable ears, and know that these are false promises.
Why would you start taking something that you know, once you stop, will land you just right back where you started? Why even start at all? (Dr. Castagnini)
You cannot achieve health, physical, mental, and emotional well-being while sacrificing your well-being in the process: it never works! Be careful of and avoid quick fixes, because they are not sustainable and therefore don’t work.

USEFUL LINKS

MEET DR. CRISTINA CASTAGNINI

  I am a licensed Psychologist and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist. While I may have over 20 years of clinical experience, what I also have is the experience of having been a patient who had an eating disorder as well. One thing that I never had during all of my treatment was someone who could look me in the eye and honestly say to me "hey, I've been there. I understand". Going through treatment for an eating disorder is one of the hardest and scariest things to do. I remember being asked to do things that scared me. Things I now know ultimately helped me to get better. But, at the time, I had serious doubts and fears about it. If even one of my providers had been able to tell me "I know it's scary, but I had to go through that part too. Here's what will probably happen...." then perhaps I would not have gone in and out of treatment so many times. My own experience ultimately led me to specialize in treating eating disorders. I wanted to be the therapist I never had; the one who "got it". I will be giving you my perspective and information as an expert and clinician who has been treating patients for over 2 decades. But don't just take my word for it...keep listening to hear the truly informative insights and knowledge guest experts have to share. I am so happy you are here!

THANKS FOR LISTENING

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