Semaglutide is an injectable prescription medication used for treating type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. It helps improve blood sugar levels and promote weight loss by acting like a naturally occurring hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).
Semaglutide works by slowing digestion and reducing appetite. This allows the body to burn more calories from fat instead of rapidly absorbing calories from food. It also decreases the amount of sugar released into the bloodstream after meals.
Benefits of semaglutide treatment include:
Side effects are generally mild but may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, headache, fatigue, dizziness, and gallbladder problems. These often improve with continued use.
Vitality Renewal Clinic is a full-service hormone therapy clinic catering to Gulf Breeze residents. Our experienced medical providers offer customized treatment plans to help patients achieve wellness goals related to weight management, sexual health, aging, and more.
We provide cutting-edge therapies including semaglutide injections to assist with healthy, sustainable weight loss. Patients meet regularly with our clinicians to ensure optimal responses and safety during treatment.
Our clinic emphasizes:
Vitality Renewal Clinic also offers related services like nutritional counseling, bioidentical hormone replacement, sexual medicine, regenerative treatments and more.
Semaglutide was originally FDA approved as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, but has since been authorized for chronic weight management at a higher dose under the brand name Wegovy.
It belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists which imitate the effects of GLP-1 - an appetite-reducing hormone produced in the gut. Semaglutide binds to and activates GLP-1 receptors in the brain that control hunger and fullness signals.
Specifically, semaglutide:
This caloric deficit typically yields weight loss of around 15% in a year - much more than is achievable through diet and exercise alone. Significant fat mass is lost while preserving lean body mass.
Large clinical studies have proven the safety and efficacy of semaglutide for weight reduction in obese or overweight adults.
In the 68-week STEP 1 trial, 1968 participants received either semaglutide or placebo along with counseling on diet and physical activity. Those taking semaglutide had average weight reductions of 14.9% vs 2.4% on placebo.
The subsequent STEP 4 trial compared different maintenance doses to preserve weight loss over 52 weeks. The greatest weight loss persistence was seen with 1.7mg and 2.4mg semaglutide doses.
Across trials, the most common side effects were temporary GI issues like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation. These were relatively mild and improved over the first 16 weeks. No severe adverse events occurred.
Based on this data, the FDA approved Wegovy (semaglutide) for chronic weight management in 2021 at doses up to 2.4mg per week.
Semaglutide is given as a subcutaneous injection with small 30 or 32 gauge needles into the abdomen, thigh or upper arm. Injections are taught and administered by a healthcare provider initially until the patient is comfortable self-injecting.
The recommended dosing protocol starts low and gradually ramps up over 16-20 weeks based on patient tolerability:
This slow titration reduces side effects like nausea and allows the body to adjust to the medication. Maintenance doses from 1.7 to 2.4mg are continued for up to 2 years depending on clinical response and weight goals.
Bloodwork will be checked periodically to ensure counseling and moderate physical activity (150 minutes per week) are recommended to augment weight loss efforts while taking semaglutide.
Treatment may be discontinued if inadequate results are seen after 12-16 weeks on the 2.4mg dose or if adverse effects are intolerable.
Many adults struggle with being overweight or obese, often suffering from poor body image, low energy, joint problems, cardiovascular issues and diabetes. Excess fat storage wreaks havoc on the body’s delicate hormonal balance.
Appetite-regulating hormones like leptin, ghrelin, insulin and GLP-1 work in concert to control hunger/fullness cues and metabolism. But obesity disrupts these signals. The body may also become insensitive or resistant to hormones like leptin.
Left unchecked, hormone dysfunction promotes further fat accumulation - triggering inflammation, insulin resistance, fatty liver disease and more dire health consequences. Breaking this vicious metabolic cycle becomes extremely difficult through diet and exercise alone once the body has reset itself.
That's why early intervention with targeted hormone therapy like semaglutide is imperative to reestablish balance. Vitality Renewal Clinicians identify subtle hormone disruptions early on and initiate treatment promptly when lifestyle measures falter. We partner with patients for the intensive lifestyle overhaul needed to optimize and sustain results long-term.
Losing a large amount of weight with semaglutide is a major accomplishment, but keeping it off over months and years requires continued effort and discipline.
Once injections stop, weight usually creeps back on gradually due to restored appetite and lower caloric needs from having less body mass. However, research shows weight regain may be preventable.
After an initial 16-20 month course of semaglutide, Vitality Renewal Clinic providers work closely with patients to develop customized weight maintenance strategies:
Small weight gains are addressed swiftly before they snowball out of control again. We help patients view weight management as an ongoing process requiring diligence and self-care rather than a single fixed goal.
Semaglutide is a new type of injectable diabetes medication that not only helps control blood sugar levels, but also promotes moderate weight loss. In clinical trials, people using semaglutide lost on average between 5-15 pounds over 6-12 months without intentionally changing their diet or exercise habits.
Aging, stress and medical conditions commonly disrupt hormones like estrogen, testosterone, thyroid, cortisol and growth hormone that regulate vital bodily processes. Imbalances manifest in symptoms like low libido, hot flashes, fatigue, mental fog, irritability, anxiety, poor sleep and accelerated aging.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can effectively treat hormone deficiencies and optimize patients’ wellbeing. Vitality Renewal Clinicians use lab testing to pinpoint where patients’ hormone levels deviate from ideal ranges. We then create customized treatment plans using FDA-approved bioidentical hormones - synthetic compounds with a molecular structure identical to natural hormones produced in the body.
BHRT is administered via creams, gels, pellets or injections depending on the hormone type and desired release rate. This allows us to closely replicate healthy physiologic levels for more consistent effects. Follow-up testing ensures hormones normalize in a safe range without overshooting.
Diet and nutrition counseling helps patients modify eating patterns to manage weight, control blood sugar, improve energy, regulate hormones and meet health goals. Our registered dietitians offer personalized meal planning, cooking classes, grocery store tours and pantry cleanouts.
We also guide patients on implementing regular exercise, stress reduction, and sleep hygiene techniques shown to augment hormone health. These positive lifestyle changes amplify the benefits of hormone therapy.
Small consistent steps towards better habits add up to big rewards over time. We provide the structure, resources and accountability needed to make lasting improvements.
With an average year-round temperature around 73°F, Gulf Breeze's mild subtropical climate creates optimal conditions for enjoying outdoor activities that complement hormone-focused therapies for rejuvenation and weight loss.
The area averages only 65 rainy days annually, allowing residents to regularly walk, cycle, swim and participate in water sports nearly year-round. Abundant sunshine also helps maintain healthy vitamin D levels which facilitate hormonal balance.
Gulf Breeze’s warmer climate enables residents to be active outdoors during therapy without the restrictions colder weather places on exercise routines crucial for supporting weight management and muscle development goals.
The Gulf Breeze area offers many peaceful spots to promote relaxation and decrease stress that can disrupt endocrine function if left unchecked over long periods.
Destinations like the Gulf Islands National Seashore - with its pristine white sand beaches, scenic bike trails, camping, water sports and more - provide the perfect backdrop for quiet contemplation and enjoying nature’s restorative effects.
The quaint downtown district also features cozy cafes, antique shops, boutiques and walking paths for leisurely afternoon strolls far removed from daily demands. Dedicating time to mentally unwind bolsters the mind-body healing process.
Gulf Breeze hosts an array of gyms, yoga studios, crossfit boxes, tennis clubs and cycle centers to accommodate most styles of physical activity. The area’s many parks and trails offer another outlet for walking, running and recreational sports.
Having diverse workout options and accountability partners helps patients stick to individualized fitness regimens developed in conjunction with hormone therapies. Routine movement tailored to current health metrics fuels better outcomes.
Reputable labs like Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp conduct blood testing locally to establish hormone baselines and monitor patient progress through treatment. Convenient access to both fitness and laboratory resources proves indispensable for hormone therapy success.
We hope this overview has shed light on how strategically balancing hormones can target root causes perpetuating weight gain and declining wellness. Taking control over your health starts with one call to Vitality Renewal Clinic.
Our Gulf Breeze office provides comprehensive hormone solutions personalized to your distinct needs. Whether seeking expert guidance about weight loss resistance or advancing age-related hormone decline, our clinicians listen carefully and craft tailored treatment plans for you to look and feel your best again.
We also accept most major insurance plans to ease any financial burden. Reclaim the vitality you deserve and contact us today to schedule a consultation! Call (XXX) XXX-XXXX.
