As a nutritionist, I read story after story about weight loss jabs with growing concern. It’s not just media hype – I see it in real life too. Friends and clients are using them as an easy fix to push their weight down. At a recent school reunion, I could spot who was on them from the hollow cheeks and grey pallor.
What are the risks?
So what are the risks? While jabs like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro do suppress appetite and cause rapid weight loss, the downsides are mounting. Mental health effects are emerging – users are almost twice as likely to experience depression and more likely to report suicidal thoughts on Wegovy or Ozempic compared to other weight loss jabs – yet there is not a single mention of this warning from the manufacturers.
Gastrointestinal side effects are very common: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, and severe abdominal pain affect many. Beyond this, studies show significant muscle loss (up to 40% of weight lost may come from muscle) and concerns for bone health, especially in women. With appetite suppressed, nutrient deficiencies are also a real risk. Long-term safety data simply doesn’t exist, and once the drugs are stopped, most people regain much of the weight.
A tale of two weight loss journeys…
So, what’s the alternative? A holistic, sustainable approach – addressing both mind and body.
Let me tell you a tale of two weight loss journeys… Sarah* came to me back in January. She didn’t tell me until much later on in our journey that she was deciding between signing up for a programme with me, and taking Ozempic. Fast forward 4 months, and Sarah had lost 10kg in a steady and measured way. We worked proper nutrition into her diet, focused on meals and she never went hungry. We also worked on the negative beliefs that Sarah had, such as “I’ll never lose weight unless I go to the gym 5 times a week and train really hard”. Sarah says she feels 10 years younger. Her skin is glowing, her smile is radiant, and she feels at peace with herself and in love with her body.
Sarah’s friend, Jeanette* meanwhile started taking the jab in January. She didn’t go hungry either, because the jab suppresses appetite. She has lost weight, not that she was much overweight to begin with. Her face is pallid, her cheeks have sunk in, and she looks and feels older and slower. She has now come to me having seen the improvements in her friend, and we are working to restore nutrients as well as her connection to self, and develop healthy new eating patterns.
In summary
The jabs might seem a quick fix but what about the long term? Not enough is known and we need to be really considerate about what we are putting in our bodies, whether that is food, medicine or weight loss drugs, especially where healthy ageing is the goal.
Disclaimer: if you have been prescribed any medicines by your doctor, do not alter usage without first speaking with your doctor. None of the information in this article is a substitute for medical advice.
Helena is a Nutritional Therapist and Functional Medicine Practitioner who runs her own practice, Nourish&Be. With a background in biochemistry, nutrition, catering, and yoga, she is passionate about creating holistic programmes for her clients that focus on physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. She works with extensive cutting edge blood testing technology to create highly personalised interventions in clients.
Read the full article, including references and more statistics on the potential downsides on taking semaglutides on the Nourish&Be blog: https://www.nourishandbe.co.uk/blog/healthy-weight-loss