Semaglutide is an injectable prescription medication used for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight. It is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that mimics a hormone called incretin. Incretins help regulate blood sugar levels and digestion.
Semaglutide works by slowing digestion, suppressing appetite, and reducing food cravings which allows people to eat less and lose weight. It also decreases the amount of sugar released into the blood after a meal.
Taking semaglutide as a weekly injection can provide the following scientifically-proven benefits:
Thus semaglutide empowers overweight or obese individuals to lose substantial weight safely and sustainably. When combined with lifestyle counseling on diet and activity at our Optimal Hormone Wellness Center weight loss clinic, patients achieved even greater health improvements.
Imbalances in hormones like insulin, leptin and ghrelin can negatively impact appetite control, fat storage and weight management. Key signs and symptoms of such underlying hormone deficiencies include:
If multiple hormone deficiency signs are present, an integrative weight loss program with semaglutide can help rebalance these systems underlying obesity. Our practitioners first order lab tests to accurately identify any hormone deficits or excesses. We then create tailored treatment plans to restore balance, optimize wellness and enable sustainable fat loss.
Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers that coordinate complex processes like metabolism, growth, reproduction and appetite. They are produced by glands and released into the blood to act on organs and tissues via receptors.
Insulin is made in the pancreas and allows cells to utilize blood sugar from carbs for energy. It promotes fat storage when overproduced.
Leptin is released by fat cells and suppresses appetite by signaling the brain that adequate fat reserves are present. Low leptin incorrectly indicates starvation.
Ghrelin originates in the stomach and increases hunger by stimulating areas of the brain controlling food intake. Excess ghrelin overrides fullness signals.
An intricate balance between these hormones regulates our weight by controlling hunger, satiety and fat burning vs. storage. When one or more hormones fall out of optimal ranges, weight loss becomes quite difficult. Even significant diet and exercise efforts get undermined by biological signals to overeat and accrue fat.
Therefore checking fasting insulin, leptin and active ghrelin levels is crucial for overweight and obese individuals struggling to shed pounds through conventional means. Identifying deficiencies empowers our practitioners to select targeted therapies like semaglutide to recalibrate hormone balance. This facilitates weight loss through enhanced appetite control and utilization of stored fat for energy expenditure.
Semaglutide was originally developed as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, but researchers unexpectedly found it also causes significant weight loss. Further studies showed that non-diabetic obese people taking semaglutide lost on average 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks compared to placebo, leading to its recent approval specifically for chronic weight management.
Being overweight and especially obese puts individuals at greatly heightened risks for many serious health conditions like:
Yet most doctors take a “wait and see” approach about excess weight - advising patients to simply diet and exercise more. This neglects the strong biological drivers of obesity mediated by hormone imbalances. And it allows complications like diabetes to silently develop until irreparable organ damage occurs.
At Optimal Hormone Wellness Center we take obesity far more seriously right from the initial visit. We screen for hormone deficits and utilize advanced treatments like semaglutide to counteract their obesogenic effects. This prevents "diabesity" and other diseases by holistically addressing root causes of unhealthful weight gain.
Through individuated testing, cutting-edge therapies and compassionate care, our practitioners empower patients to achieve:
Don’t wait any longer to take control of your weight and health! Contact Optimal Hormone Wellness Center today to schedule advanced hormone testing and find out if treatment with semaglutide is appropriate for your needs. Our expansive experience with obesity management helps craft results-oriented plans suited to your unique situation.
Founded in 2019, Optimal Hormone Wellness Center specializes in integrative health with an emphasis on hormone balance customized to the individual. We concentrate on preventive, regenerative approaches that resolve root causes of disease - not just transient symptom relief.
Our diverse medical team offers rich expertise across fields like:
We also continually monitor the latest research and clinical applications in obesity medicine and micronutrient supplementation.
This breadth of knowledge allows our practitioners to uncover the specific hormonal, nutritional and lifestyle factors driving weight gain for each patient. We then craft highly personalized treatment plans utilizing therapies like:
This “precision weight loss medicine” approach produces far better and longer-lasting results than outdated calorie-cutting schemes. Treatment typically begins with blood, saliva, urine or stool tests to pinpoint biological drivers of obesity. This is followed by an initial consultation to collaboratively develop a treatment plan catered to the patient’s needs, preferences and health goals.
Customized plans integrate appropriate medications, lifestyle modifications and nutraceuticals for 3-6 months of intensive optimization. Patients then transition to a maintenance phase with continued practitioner guidance and access to Optimal Hormone Wellness Center resources.
Throughout the process we emphasize sustainable lifestyle habits - not extreme diets - for keeping weight off without hunger or deprivation. With long-lasting hormone rebalancing tailored to genetic makeup, most patients readily adopt positive diet and exercise behaviors conducive to permanent fat loss.
The Gulf Coast climate of Largo, Florida provides idyllic weather for outdoor activity year-round. We counsel local patients at Optimal Hormone Wellness Center to fully utilize the area’s scenic parks, beaches and trails to amplify their weight loss success.
Specifically we recommend incorporating: - Low-intensity steady state (LISS) cardio - This burns fat while minimizing muscle loss. Excellent choices include walking, easy cycling and water workouts. We advise starting slow and gradually increasing duration to 60-90 minutes most days per week.
We also provide referrals to select spas, salons and psychiatry providers offering stress relief and mental health services. Holistic wellness maximizes weight loss success.
Additionally, Largo offers rich dining options for healthy eating like:
Lab testing at any Quest Diagnostics location provides patients convenient access to needed blood work before, during and after treatment.
While climate therapy in scenic Largo, patients can also explore attractions like:
Thus Largo residents benefit from exceptional weather, amenities and entertainment - ideal for supporting consistent wellness habits and sustaining long-term weight reduction. Optimal Hormone Wellness Center customizes cutting-edge medical therapies to leverage these local assets for transformational health improvements.
In summary, obesity and overweight stem largely from treatable hormone imbalances disrupting appetite and weight regulation. Left unchecked, these facilitate serious diseases like diabetes and fatty liver. Fortunately, newer prescription medications like the GLP-1 drug semaglutide counteract hormone deficit effects through fat burning, reduced hunger and improved satiety.
When combined with lifestyle changes for activity, nutrition and stress management, medical weight loss regimens enable substantial and sustainable fat loss for most patients. Thepicturesque climate, amenities and attractions of Largo further assist patients in adopting and maintaining positive health behaviors.
Optimal Hormone Wellness Center offers full testing, care and guidance to identify and rectify biological drivers of excess weight utilizing advanced treatments like semaglutide. Our integrative practitioners spend extensive time understanding patients’ unique health challenges and preferences. We then craft holistic, customized plans leveraging diet, activity, targeted supplements and appropriate medications for lasting wellness benefits.
If you struggle with weight despite your best efforts, contact Optimal Hormone Wellness Center today. Allow our compassionate, experienced team to uncover and resolve the hormonal roots of obesity while supporting your journey to wellness. We help clients end frustration, optimize health and rediscover confidence through personalized metabolic therapies in Largo’s idyllic setting.
