Legendary tennis participant Serena Williams, 43, made headlines Thursday after an look on The At present Present, the place she revealed that she is at the moment taking a GLP-1 medicine by way of the well being firm Ro, during which her husband, Alexis Ohanian, is an investor. Williams obtained combined responses from the general public. One Reddit consumer wrote that they had a problem “that a world class athlete is essentially touting weight loss meds.” In the meantime, others supported Williams’ transparency about what’s working for her well being. “A happy surprise today. Glad she is speaking up about the challenges she has faced and continuing to change the world for people,” a TikTok consumer wrote of their video caption.
In an interview with Individuals, Williams shared that she misplaced greater than 31 kilos with the assistance of a GLP-1. Whatever the public’s private views on Williams’ selection, her expertise raises an necessary query. Though many individuals affiliate GLP-1s with main weight-loss transformations, can meds like Ozempic be used for small quantities of weight reduction? We spoke to specialists to seek out out.
Serena Williams’ expertise with a GLP-1 for smaller weight reduction
Within the Individuals interview, Williams shared that earlier than taking a GLP-1, nothing was working for her weight reduction. “I never was able to get to the weight I needed to be no matter what I did, no matter how much I trained,” she stated. “It was crazy because I’d never been in a place like that in my life where I worked so hard, ate so healthy and could never get down to where I needed to be at.”
In an interview with Elle, Williams specified she’s on Zepbound. Different weight-loss medication like Wegovy and Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are additionally common choices. With the intention to maximize the advantages and scale back the danger of widespread unwanted side effects, Williams shared that she made positive to totally perceive Zepbound earlier than utilizing it.
“I did a lot of research on it. I was like, ‘is this a shortcut? What are the benefits? What are not the benefits?’ I really wanted to dive into it before I just did it,” Williams told People. Through her research, Williams decided a GLP-1 would be a good fit for her. “I lost over 31 pounds using my GLP-1 and I was really excited about that weight loss.”
Since her weight reduction, Williams say, “I just can do more. I’m more active. My joints don’t hurt as much. I just feel like something as simple as just getting down is a lot easier for me. And I do it a lot faster. I feel like I have a lot of energy and it’s great. I just feel pretty good about it.”
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Specialists say Williams’ expertise utilizing a GLP-1 paints an necessary image about reframing our considering of who’s a superb candidate for utilizing them.
“This is a perfect example on how obesity and weight gain are not lifestyle issues nor lack of willpower,” says Rocio Salas-Whalen, MD, is a board-certified endocrinologist specializing in weight problems medication and creator of Weightless: A Physician’s Information to GLP-1 Medicines, Sustainable Weight Loss, and the Well being You Deserve. “We have Serena Williams, an internationally renowned athlete, who couldn’t have any more perfect training and access to healthy tailored food and was still struggling to lose weight. She’s a beautiful example of doing everything by the book, and yet she still gained weight and had difficult[y] losing it.”
Whereas we will get caught up in the concept that weight achieve is because of a singular issue, the truth is completely different. “Obesity and weight gain is multifactorial: We have genetics, hereditability, environmental causes, hormonal disorders and aging that can all contribute to weight gain,” provides Dr. Salas-Whalen.
“As a husband, father and doctor myself, I’m incredibly proud of Serena for her transparency, honesty and the courage to share her personal medical journey with the public,” says Eric W. Anderson, MD, a plastic surgeon primarily based in Chicago specializing in physique procedures for sufferers experiencing fast weight reduction whereas on GLP-1 medicines. “Men and women struggle with weight loss for different reasons during different times of their lives and need help. Serena has been open about her post-pregnancy body, she is not alone.”
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Can you utilize Ozempic for a small quantity of weight reduction?
Should you’re solely seeking to lose a small quantity of weight, say 10 to 30 kilos, you could be questioning if GLP-1 medication like Ozempic are nonetheless an possibility.
“Ozempic is indicated for people with a BMI over 27 if they have weight-related complications like high blood pressure, or a BMI over 30 if they are otherwise healthy,” says Jennifer Brown, MD, a twin board-certified doctor in household medication and weight problems medication. “Although Ozempic isn’t indicated for small amounts of weight loss, there are certainly plenty of people who take it for this reason.”
So whereas it’s not designed for less-drastic weight reduction, it may well nonetheless be useful for sure people.“Under correct supervision, with appropriate lifestyle changes [such as diet and exercise], it is absolutely safe and effective to use GLP-1 medications to lose 10 to 30 pounds,” says Dr. Anderson. “Starting at the lowest possible dose can be really transformative for someone looking to lose a smaller amount of weight.”
Is Ozempic best for you?
Dr. Salas-Whalen emphasizes the significance of an individual’s previous expertise with weight reduction earlier than deciding if a GLP-1 is an effective match.
“What I want to know in these scenarios is how much of their day to day is consumed by losing this weight or maintaining a healthy weight? If the answer is ‘it feels like a full-time job,’ then yes, this person can benefit from a GLP-1,” says Dr. Salas-Whalen. “GLP-1s should not be the last resource for someone struggling with their weight. You don’t have to earn the right to use a GLP1.”
Whereas most of these meds can be utilized for smaller quantities of weight reduction, Dr. Brown cautions in opposition to unwanted side effects of Ozempic and different GLP-1s. “In my experience, people who use GLP-1s for only a small amount of weight loss generally have worse side effects, especially vomiting and dehydration,” says Dr. Brown.
Finally, one of the simplest ways to seek out out if a GLP-1 like Ozempic is best for you is to speak to your physician. “GLP1 medications are powerful and must not be taken lightly,” says Dr. Anderson. “Please consult a board-certified doctor for questions, guidance and medication. Anyone trying to sell you a medication with no education, coaching or lifestyle modification is doing you a disservice.”
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This content material will not be an alternative to skilled medical recommendation or analysis. All the time seek the advice of your doctor earlier than pursuing any remedy plan.
