Semaglutide is a medication that acts as a glucagon-like-peptide (GLP-1), which is naturally produced in the body in the small intestines. GLP-1 works by stimulating your pancreas to increase insulin production, which slows emptying of the stomach. This keeps you full longer, and reduces the desire to eat.
Semaglutide helps with weight loss by reducing hunger and increasing feelings of fullness
Stimulates helps control appetite by affecting the hormones that regulate hunger
Semaglutide helps manage blood sugar levels, making it useful for people with type 2 diabetes
It only needs to be injected once a week, making it a convenient option for treatment
Semaglutide belongs to a class of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1 RAs. It mimics the GLP-1 hormone, released in the gut in response to eating.
One role of GLP-1 is to prompt the body to produce more insulin(Link is external) (Link opens in new window), which reduces blood sugar (glucose). For that reason, health care providers have used semaglutide for more than 15 years to treat Type 2 diabetes.
But GLP-1 in higher amounts also interacts with the parts of the brain that suppress your appetite and signal you to feel full. When used in conjunction with diet and exercise, it can cause significant weight loss — and a reduced risk of cancer, diabetes and heart disease(Link is external) (Link opens in new window) — in people who are obese or overweight.
By regulating the hormones that control hunger and fullness, Semaglutide effectively reduces the frequency and intensity of hunger pangs. This action facilitates adherence to calorie-restricted diets, making it easier to achieve and maintain weight loss.
