You’ve tried everything else… Eating kale and broccoli until you turn green, doing push-ups until your shoulders hurt, running up and down hills until you’re nauseous. Yes… Weight loss isn’t easy. To make matters worse, once you’ve passed a certain body mass index, the work it takes to lose a pound of fat becomes incrementally more difficult.
You’re in luck though. Nowadays, there are many medically aided weight loss methods that, in combination with a healthy lifestyle, can help you rapidly shed pounds. In this article, we will be talking about the best weight loss injections on the market, what they are, how they work, their pros and cons, and who they are for.
When you think of injections, the first thing that comes to mind is big and scary needles poking you in the butt cheek. Unfortunately, when it comes to weight loss jabs, most of them are big and scary. That means most of these injections are not for you if you have trypanophobia (fear of needles). Don’t click away just yet though. One of the options we list only has a tiny subcutaneous needle that you might tolerate, even if you’re scared of needles.
Semaglutide, what is it?
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist traditionally used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes patients. The drug is mainly sold under 2 brand names. Ozempic, which is prescribed to diabetic patients, and Wegovy, which is approved by the FDA as a weight management injection.
How does Semaglutide work?
Semaglutide increases the production of insulin, the hormone that helps lower blood sugar levels by mimicking the action of the incretin GLP-1. These GLP-1 receptors also play a strong role in your regulation of appetite and the rate of digestion.
Semaglutide makes you feel full for longer and helps reduce constant cravings for food. Less food means less calories you need to burn on your daily push-up routine. The Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with Obesity trials showed that patients taking the drug lost up to 12% of their body weight within 28 weeks.
In conjunction with a healthy diet and consistent exercise, Semaglutide shots are an effective way to lose and keep your weight down. The drug is especially effective if the cause of your obesity is not lack of exercise but a lack of self-control in your food cravings.
Who is semaglutide for?
Both Ozempic and Wegovy are not recommended for patients who have had or are at risk of developing MTC (Medullary Thyroid Cancer) or MEN 2 (Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2).
Ozempic®
You may be eligible for Ozempic if you are a type 2 diabetes patient and have irregular AC1 levels. You might also be prescribed if have cardiovascular disease or are at risk of developing it.
Wegovy®
You might get Wegovy prescribed if you suffer from obesity (BMI ≥30) or are overweight (BMI ≥27) and are at risk of developing weight-related medical problems
Pros
+ Small, painless needle
+ Taken only once per week
+ Significantly help reduce weight
+ Helps regulate blood sugar levels
+ Help lower the risk of a heart attack
+ You can inject yourself
Cons
– May cause nausea and vomiting
– Thyroid cancer is a possible side effect
– Risk of hypoglycaemia
– High Cost
– Must be stored in the fridge
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is an essential component of the human nervous and circulatory systems. It plays an important role in the production of red blood cells and cellular metabolism. The vitamin is usually found in animal food sources but can be supplemented through a hydroxocobalamin or cyanocobalamin injection.
How Vitamin B12 Can Help With Weight Loss
There is no real scientific evidence that links Vitamin B12 shots with weight loss. However, the injections are often marketed as a weight loss solution since they have been proven to increase energy levels.
A deficiency in Vitamin B12 can lead to constant weakness and tiredness, nerve numbness, and mental conditions like depression and behavioural changes. An argument can be made that the injections can help with weight loss since these factors may drastically decrease your motivation to eat healthy and exercise.
Pros
+ Helps increase energy levels
+ Increases blood circulation
+ May help improve mood and motivation
+ No major side effects if taken moderately
Cons
– No scientific evidence as a weight loss solution
– It may affect the efficacy of other drugs
– May cause headaches and nausea
– Long, intramuscular injection
Ozone Inections
Just like B12 injections, Oxygen or Ozone shots don’t directly remove or burn the fat in your body but help other systems that may aid your weight loss goals. Ozone therapy by itself will not help you lose weight; however, it can improve the results of a healthy diet and a consistent exercise program.
How does an ozone or oxygen injection help you burn fat?
Ozone injections are marketed as a means to activate your fat-burning metabolism and break down fat deposits. The research on this therapy is scarce and even though it has been proven to help treat conditions like arthritis, its efficacy for fat loss is highly debatable.
Who it’s for?
It’s hard to recommend ozone injections for any particular case of obesity due to how little research has been done on this therapy. The injections seem to have other positive effects on the body but are hard to recommend as a fat-loss method.
Pros
+ May help as an antiseptic against skin infections
+ May help increase energy levels through the production of ATP
Cons
– May not help with weight loss
– Can lead to serious adverse conditions if administered incorrectly
– Can’t be self-administered
– There’s little research around these injections
Conclusion
The weight loss injections mentioned here are the most common ones that you will find if you’re researching potential fat loss methods. If you do further research, you may find other injectable treatments like HGC. We strongly advise you to consult your physician before trying any of these since many have shown to be unhealthy alternatives with strong side effects.
All the research on weight loss point back to diet and exercise to be the best and healthiest ways to get in shape. We found Semaglutide to be the most effective, science-backed addition to a healthy lifestyle if your goal is to lose weight as fast as possible.
Both Ozempic and Saxenda will help reduce your caloric intake and curb your appetite for unhealthy food. This means the exercise you do will burn through the calories you consume faster. Tin Rx offers a free weight loss consult to find out if you are eligible for weight loss injectables. Find out if it’s right for you here.
