The Curated Beauty Podcast
Beyond Weight Loss: Updated Thoughts on Benefits of Semaglutide
Today we’re diving into a topic that’s making waves in the industry: the use of semaglutide. Semaglutide is a peptide that can be taken orally or through injection. You may have heard of it in terms of weight loss and diabetes, but today we’re going beyond glucose metabolism to break down the true benefits of this substance in transforming our health.
537,000,000 people worldwide were diagnosed with diabetes by 2021, and these numbers continue to rise. A condition like diabetes can influence or coincide with other conditions too. It’s connected to insulin resistance, hypertension, and systemic inflammation.
So how does semaglutide work, and how can it help? Semaglutide mimics the naturally occurring GLP-1 hormone, which is important for regulating glucose levels. GLP-1 receptors are found throughout the body, and when activated by semaglutide, there can be a cascade of effects. For one, it can slow gastric emptying and reduce appetite.
Semaglutide has also been shown to have an interesting influence on adipose tissue. It may reduce epicardial adipose tissue and lower the risk of cardiovascular complications. Not only can it reduce fat cells, but it can also alter the function of fat cells too—making your body more efficient and reducing inflammation.
When losing weight, it’s difficult to maintain muscle. However, some studies have shown that semaglutide can help with the preservation of muscle mass. This is incredibly beneficial for overall health and mobility. Semaglutide can be helpful for multiple interconnected systems and therefore can be a powerful tool against the issues that plague our modern society.