Ozempic is a brand name for the medication semaglutide which is used to treat type-2 diabetes patients. Ozempic manufactured by Nove Nordisk and is characterized as a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist .It is used once a week as a diabetes treatment plan through an injection under the skin to help control and lower your blood sugar level in type-2 diabetes.
It can also be used to reduce the risk of kidney failure and heart disorder. It is important to note that ozempic should not be used to treat type-1 diabetes or diabetes ketoacidosis. For a diabetes as this, you will need to visit your Doctor for a proper medicine prescription. As ozempic is used to control your blood sugar level, there are some foods that are to be avoided to prevent a negative effect of your blood pressure.
WHAT IS OZEMPIC USED FOR
Ozempic is used to control blood sugar level by increasing the amount of GLP-1 that is naturally produced in the body which leads to the release of more insulin and the lowering of blood sugar level. Ozempic is usually injected once a week with a dose of 0.25 milligrams for four weeks anytime of the day. If your blood sugar level target is not met with this dose then the does can be increased to a maximum of 1 milligrams weekly. If you miss a dose, it is necessary for you to take it as soon as you remember.
Note: Do not take more than one dose of ozempic in one day.
To ensure the proper utilization of ozempic, you must consider these;
- Food
- Exercise
- Emotional health
- Sleep
Ozempic is also used for people with the following history;
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Kidney diseases
- Heart diseases
- Thyroid cancer or tumor
- Heavy alcohol consumption etc.
SIDE EFFECTS OF OZEMPIC
The side effects of ozempic rangers from common to mild and to serious side effects depending on how it is used.
1. The common side effects of taking ozempic includes;
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Stomach/abdominal pains
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Injection side pains
- Weight loss
- Headaches
- Low blood sugar level
2. The mild side effects of taking ozempic includes;
- Indigestion
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Change of taste
- Abdominal pains
- Constipation
- Minor increase in heart rate.
3. The serious side effects of taking ozempic includes;
- Kidney disease
- Heart diseases
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Thyroid cancer
- Allergy
- Low blood sugar
- Swelling in the pancreas
It is important to visit your doctor if the side effects persist for a longer time or becomes worst.
MUST YOU TAKE OZEMPIC WITH FOOD
Ozempic can be taken with or without food. All you need to do is;
- Eat food that are light
- Eat smaller quantity of meals
- Eat slowly
- Drink enough water etc.
OZEMPIC FOODS TO AVOID
You do not necessarily need to avoid eating some specific food while taking ozempic. Nevertheless, you need to reduce your intake or avoid some food to maintain a healthy blood sugar level while you are talking ozempic treatment.
A list of these foods includes;
- Junk food
- Fast foods
- Processed food
- Fried food
- Refined grains (E.g; White bread, white rice, white bagel etc.)
- Pastries
- Cakes
- Cookies
- Yoghurts
- Ice creams
- Chips
- Granola
- Sweetened tea
- Soda
- Sugary coffee
- Energy drink
- Dried fruit
- Alcohol
THERE OTHER THING TO AVOID WHILE TAKING OZEMPIC
When taking ozempic, you must avoid taking injectable insulation or sulfonylureas as it could results in a severe low blood sugar level.
WHAT YOU CAN EAT WHEN TAKING OZEMPIC
1. Whole Grains
Whole grains are food that are known to be rich in fiber and carbohydrates. This does not raise your blood sugar level but controls it. Some examples of the whole grains foods you can eat when taking ozempic includes;
- Barley
- Oat meal
- Brown rice
- Whole wheat pasta
- Whole wheat bread, etc.
2. Vegetables
Eat more of non starchy vegetables to avoid a raising of your blood sugar level. Some examples of the vegetables you can eat when taking ozempic includes;
- Carrot
- Cabbage
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Pepper
- Salad green
- Green leafy vegetable
- Tomatoes
- Radishes
- Okra
- Egg plants
- Peapods, etc.
3.Fruits
Fruits are rich in a lot of vitamins including protein and can help stabilize your blood sugar level. Some of the fruits you can eat when taking ozempic includes;
- Paw paw
- Oranges
- Mango
- Apple
- Bananas
- Grapes, etc.
4. Nuts
Nuts contains fiber and protein as well as healthy unsaturated fats. The fiber and protein helps to control and stabilize blood sugar level. The healthy unsaturated fats can help improve your heart health thereby preventing heart diseases. Some examples of these nuts you can eat when taking ozempic includes;
- Cashew nuts
- Kola nuts
- Almond
- Tiger nuts
- Pea nuts
- Ground nut, etc.
5. Legumes
Legumes contains a lot of fiber and protein which helps to prevent excessive raise in blood sugar level. Some of the legumes you can eat when taking ozempic includes;
- Lentils
- Beans, etc.
6. Other Foods To Take
- Fish
- Chicken
- Chickpeas
- Avocados, etc.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TAKE OZEMPIC
It is preferable you take ozempic before you start your daily routine as you tend to move a lot thereby exercising your body. Exercise is as earlier stated is one of the factors to ensure the proper utilization of ozempic. It should also be taken the same time and day every week. If you change the day, it should not be longer than five days.
DOES OZEMPIC CAUSE WEIGHT LOSS
Although ozempic is not approved as a medicine for weight loss, it caused weight loss. Ozempic causes weight loss because it helps reduce hunger ad increased fullness by slowing the emptiness of the stomach. The type-2 diabetes medicine that has been approved for weight loss is Saxenda (liraglutide). It is in the sane category as ozempic but can not be used together with ozempic.
DOES OZEMPIC CAUSE HAIR LOSS
If you have excessive hair loss, it is important to visit your doctor for a proper treatment and control of your blood sugar level. Hair loss is not seen in any way or study of ozempic and it does not in anyway cause hair loss. Hair loss of a diabetes patient can be related to the following and not taking ozempic;
- A low thyroid hormone level
- A damaged hair follicle resulting from a high blood sugar level.
- The stress from managing a severe health condition.
CONCLUSION
If you are taking ozempic, avoid taking foods with additional sugar, refined grains, fried grain and alcohol. This is very important because this type of food make your blood sugar level to rise drastically. Take more of whole grains, fruits and vegetables to help prevent high blood sugar level. Also drink enough water.