Today, weight loss is a huge problem. Finding the time and the ability to lose weight and then retain that weight loss is a massive undertaking.
The pace of modern life, and the ease of access to foods that do not help with weight loss, means that many of us rely on quick-fix meals. This can lead to weight gain, obesity, and other health-related issues such as diabetes. Among the treatments today, two popular choices include Ozempic and Metformin.
Both are highly regarded, but if you were to compare Ozempic vs Metformin, it can be tough to choose what would be the right pick for you. While this is always a topic to discuss with a licensed medical professional, this guide should hopefully break down some of the basic details, so you know roughly what to look out for.
When trying to determine what works best between Ozempic vs Metformin, here are the key details you need to know.
What is Ozempic?
Like most anti-weight-loss treatments on the market, Ozempic targets your body's relationship with food. The biggest problem many of us can find when losing weight is avoiding eating so much in the first place.
If you tend to gorge on food, it can be hard to stop eating in the same quantity. When that is the case, it might be wise to look into Ozempic.
By using a hormonal treatment known as semaglutide as its primary function, Ozempic provides a way to adjust how your body thinks about food. It is an FDA-approved weight loss treatment that is injected into the body once per day. It creates a synthetic creation of hormones that our bodies need to regulate our hunger, known as GLP-1.
When your body is used to taking in large quantities of calories per day, it can become confused and irritable when you do not bring in those calories per day.
By using Ozempic, though, you can basically ‘lie’ to your body that you are full. Interestingly, though, Ozempic is the term used for Semaglutide when it is sold for diabetes; when it is sold for weight loss, it goes under the name Wegovy. Wegovy is typically prescribed in a larger dosage, but for all intents and purposes, it does the same thing as Ozempic.
While it means taking regular injections, most find that Ozempic does the best job of helping them lose weight and keep it off. By giving your body a signal that makes it feel full, it is much easier to stop eating, snacking, and gorging. For many, Ozempic is the ideal anti-obesity treatment thanks to its simplicity.
What is Metformin?
Metformin has been around for decades, and it is seen as one of the most affordable treatments for weight loss. However, it is rare to have Metformin prescribed unless you are diabetic. It was originally formed as an anti-diabetes drug instead of a weight loss treatment.
The FDA does not even consider Metformin a weight loss drug. It is, though, commonly used for weight maintenance.
Given how cheap it is compared to alternative options, many people take to Metformin like a duck to water. It is simple to take, and its way of working is quite simple.
Metformin changes our body's relationship with blood sugar regulation. This makes us less hungry and thus makes it less likely that we will reach for that snack or that second helping of food.
By activating an enzyme within the body known as AMP kinase, helps us to regulate our metabolism properly. Many people find that Metformin can produce many of the same results that would be found if you were to go on a fasting program. However, it is common for people who take Metformin to feel nauseous and even deal with abdominal discomfort while they take the treatment.
It would be fair to note, too, that many studies find that Metformin’s impact on actual weight loss is milder. The extra side effects, when compared to other treatments – including Ozempic – mean it is far less common to be used for this reason today.
For most, the treatment is used primarily to manage and regulate blood sugar – the weight loss benefits that can come from this will vary from person to person. It should help to provide some weight loss, but it is nowhere near as effective as alternative weight loss treatments.
Ozempic vs Metformin: What Is Right for You?
As you can see, then, there is no cut-and-dried ‘better’ option – but this is because the process and the usage of both treatments are different. You can, though, take both Ozempic and Metformin together.
Many people do this because they have both obesity and diabetes, meaning that both treatments have their place. Many people who turn to taking Ozempic will find that they are already on Metformin in the first place.
Given the cheapness of Metformin, though, many will take the blood sugar regulation and the varied weight loss over more expensive treatments. Metformin definitely has its place within the weight loss industry, but it has never been a treatment used for weight loss. Instead, its uses and origins tend to be quite different – aimed at diabetics looking to help manage their blood sugar over other issues.
With that in mind, it is important to note that both Metformin and Ozempic have a place within this industry. For those looking for a primary weight loss treatment, though, treatments that are made using semaglutide – like Ozempic – are typically the more recommended choice by a weight loss expert.
As ever, you should speak with a health professional on the subject before you agree to anything. While it is possible to take both treatments, you will always benefit more by speaking with a medical professional before starting any meaningful treatment.
When comparing Ozempic vs Metformin, though, it is clear that while Ozempic is the winner on weight loss, it was never the primary goal of Metformin. Both treatments, then, can be a useful way to help improve your quality of life and reduce the risk of diabetes and other weight-related complications.
