Tirzepatide and Semaglutide: Learn About These New Weapons in the Weight Loss Battle

The United States is a weighty country. Over 42% of American adults are obese (a body mass index at or above 30), while about 30.7% are overweight (BMI 25-29.9). Overall, more than two-thirds of US adults fall into these categories.

At Primecare Family Practice in Arlington, Texas, board-certified family practitioners Maryline Ongangi, APRN, FNP-C and Lewis Nyantika, APRN, FNP-C offer a medical weight loss program to help our patients struggling to lose weight have an easier journey. Sometimes dietary and lifestyle changes aren’t enough to shed the pounds, so we also offer some medications that can decrease your appetite or satiate you more quickly. Keep reading to learn about the options.

Calories and weight

Calorie consumption in the United States and Europe has been on the rise since 2000, equaling about 3,540 per day in 2021, according to the United Nations. That’s far above the “average” 2,000-calorie diet that’s recommended to keep a healthy weight.

When your calorie consumption exceeds the number of calories your body burns for its current energy needs, your body stores the extra amount as triglycerides, a type of fat. This can lead to weight gain over time.

The quality of the food you eat matters just as much, if not more, than calories alone. Many modern foods are processed, containing excess sodium, fat, and sugar — and calories. That makes them more likely than healthier food options to trigger fat storage and weight gain.

In addition, foods high in refined starch and sugar can raise the amount of insulin your body produces, making you hungrier and causing you to eat more. 

However, diet and exercise aren’t the only factors that affect weight gain and obesity. How well you sleep, what medications you take, underlying medical conditions you have, and your genetics all play a role.

For example, certain gene variations can influence hunger and appetite, leading to increased food intake. And Cushing syndrome, where the body secretes too much of the stress hormone cortisol, can also lead to weight gain.

Medical weight loss

It’s hard to lose weight on your own; any number of things can sabotage your efforts when you’re not accountable to anyone but yourself. The medical weight loss program at Primecare Family Practice provides all the resources and accountability you need to succeed.

When we take your medical history, we look for hidden variables that can prevent your at-home dieting success. You might have a hormonal imbalance that affects how you process food; you might be deficient in an essential micronutrient; or you might have an underlying medical condition that makes losing weight more difficult for you than for others.

After identifying the variables, we address them before they can undermine your efforts. Our experienced staff can help you with nutrition, supplements, and prescription medications that aid you on your weight loss journey. And, of course, we include your input about your body image and weight loss goals in our treatment plan.

Tirzepatide and semaglutide

On November 8, 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration approved Zepbound (tirzepatide) to be given as an injection to help with chronic weight management in adults who are overweight or obese and who have at least one weight-related condition (e.g. high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol). The medication is to be used as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Tirzepatide is a repurposed drug, already approved under the trade name Mounjaro by Eli Lilly and Co. for use alongside diet and exercise to improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. For weight loss, the drug activates receptors of hormones secreted from the intestine to reduce both appetite and food consumption.

Semaglutide is another repurposed diabetes drug that was approved by the FDA for weight loss on December 5, 2017. It mimics the GLP-1 hormone released in the GI tract in response to eating. Semaglutide has two functions: to prompt the body to produce more insulin, which reduces blood sugar levels, and, in higher amounts, to interact with the areas of the brain that reduce appetite and make you feel full.

Currently, there are three FDA-approved semaglutide products, two of which started as diabetes drugs: Ozempic injections and Rybelsus tablets. The Wegovy injection is approved to help those 12 years and older who are obese and also have weight-related medical problems.

Are you ready to finally shed the excess weight for good? Primecare Family Practice’s medical weight loss program, which includes tirzepatide and semaglutide, can help. To learn more, or to get started, call the office at 817-873-3710, or book online with us today.