Mr. Skeptical sees the title of my post and laughs loudly. “Ozempic is going to put you out of business.”
I shake my head. “We’ve seen this before; when you mess with Mother Nature, there’s always a price to pay. Always. There’s no long-term free pharmacological lunch.”
“But I hear so many great things about Ozempic.”
“I feel like Ozempic stole some of the things that happen when on a carnivore diet.”
“Stole? What do you mean?”
Subconscious Fat at 30,000 Feet
“It feels like theft because both a carnivore diet and Ozempic influence the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) pathway, albeit through different mechanisms.”
Mr. Skeptical adjusts his glasses, ready to present his case. "Ozempic is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, mimicking the hormone GLP-1. It enhances insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, and reduces appetite, leading to improved blood sugar control and weight loss." (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
"On the other hand," I interject, "a carnivore diet can naturally stimulate GLP-1 secretion. Studies have shown that meat is a potent activator of GLP-1 secretion in human cells." (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) And let's look at your slow gastric emptying effect.”
Mr. Skeptical’s eyebrows furrow. “What’s wrong with slowing gastric emptying?”
“On carnivore, gastric emptying naturally slows down because you’re eating nutrient-dense food, which the body wants. A large percentage of the meat gets absorbed, so things slow down. But when done chemically through a drug, it can cause paralysis. You might lose weight, but you feel like shit. The YouTube short below explains this.”
https://youtube.com/shorts/9duMyFFxcbc?si=ycUlmx-hiQxRON_v
Subconscious Fat at 10,000 Feet
Mr. Skeptical leans forward, emphasizing his point. "Clinical trials have demonstrated that Ozempic significantly reduces HbA1c levels and body weight in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Its efficacy in weight loss has also been observed in non-diabetic populations." (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
"True," I acknowledge, "but a carnivore diet offers similar benefits without pharmaceutical intervention. High-protein diets have been associated with increased satiety and reduced caloric intake, leading to weight loss. Additionally, the natural stimulation of GLP-1 through protein consumption supports insulin secretion and blood sugar regulation." (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) The reality is that a lot of diabetics have been able to get off insulin via a carnivore diet.”
Subconscious Fat at Eye-Level
Mr. Skeptical raises a finger. "However, Ozempic's effects are well-documented in controlled studies, providing predictable outcomes. The carnivore diet lacks extensive research, and its long-term health impacts remain uncertain."
"Yeah, but there's a catch," I grin, pulling out a recent study. "A study found that mice given Ozempic reduced their voluntary physical activity—running less on their exercise wheels compared to those not on the drug. That means while Ozempic helps with weight loss, it might also zap motivation to exercise!" (Science News) Often, people will lose muscle. Not good, especially for men who, as they get older, tend to lose muscle mass.
Mr. Skeptical frowns. "So you’re saying Ozempic makes people lazier?"
"Not people—mice," I clarify, "but it raises concerns about how it might impact humans, too. The reality is that those who are taking the drug now are test subjects for the long-term side effects because there are no long-term studies with Ozempic."
Practical Suggestions and Conclusions
Mr. Skeptic folds his arms and looks straight at me. “Not everyone wants to be a caveman again.”
“I don’t want to be a caveman, but we should eat like them. And we shouldn’t mess with Mother Nature when we have a diet that helps with so many health problems and builds muscle. With the carnivore diet around, taking Ozempic is like giving a 20-year-old Viagra. It’s unnecessary.”
Be aware.
Other links related to this post:
Does What We Eat Affect Mental Health?
Mind Over Food
Obesity Spells
PS Links on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Chat GPT was used to research and enhance this post.
PSS Full Disclosure: Chat GPT was used to research and enhance this post, generating the cartoon picture up top.