What Is Semaglutide Used For?
Semaglutide is a medication that was originally formulated to help people with type 2 diabetes by regulating their blood sugar levels and prescribed under the brand name Ozempic. After clinical trials revealed its weight loss benefits, it has now been approved by the FDA for weight management and is prescribed under the brand name Wegovy.
The most popular form of semaglutide is administered through weekly injections, and the dose is increased gradually over several months to mitigate common side effects. There is also Rybelsus, which is an oral form of semaglutide that is available for those who would rather avoid weekly injections.
Semaglutide mimics a naturally occurring hormone in your body called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). This hormone has many job functions, including:
- It helps to control your appetite;
- It slows down digestion, so your stomach remains full for a longer time, which helps you eat less;
- It helps balance your blood sugar levels and reduces insulin resistance;
- It helps your body convert calories to energy efficiently and reduces fat storage.
What Is Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin that your body cannot make on its own but is mainly found in foods like meat, eggs, and dairy products. Vitamin B12 is needed to perform numerous functions in your body, such as:
- It is essential for manufacturing and maintaining your DNA;
- Converting the calories you consume into energy;
- Helping to form red blood cells and prevent anemia;
- Helps with cognitive function and nerve stability;
- Helps your body break down fats and carbohydrates more efficiently.
Vitamin B12 is very important for your body to function properly, and individuals who are following a vegan or vegetarian diet are likely to have deficient B12 levels because it is obtained from animal products. Using a high-quality B12 supplement or working with your doctor on obtaining B12 injections will help ensure your body has what it needs to function at its best.
Why Take B12 With Semaglutide?
When starting semaglutide for weight loss, most people experience significant appetite suppression, which helps them eat fewer calories and make healthier food choices. This is great for weight loss, but initially it can cause fatigue and low energy levels. Cutting back on the sugar, caffeine, and processed foods that is necessary to promote weight loss can make this even more noticeable since they often provide an artificial boost of energy after they are consumed.
Vitamin B12 is essential for energy production, red blood cell formation, and how efficiently your metabolism runs, which all work together to keep you feeling refreshed and energized. Semaglutide slows down your digestion and helps you reduce your calorie intake, so using semaglutide and B12 together allows you the benefits of the medication for weight loss while keeping your energy level stable as your body adjusts to your new diet.
In addition to mitigating fatigue, some individuals find that semaglutide and vitamin B12 used together reduce the common side effect of nausea. There has been limited research on this topic, but one study found that B12 may influence how the medication is absorbed and how it affects the brain. The study reported that the part of the brain responsible for nausea was less impacted, which helped reduce this side effect for some people.
Benefits Of Using Semaglutide + B12
Some of the benefits of using semaglutide with B12 include:
- B12 helps keep your energy levels high and ward off fatigue while consuming fewer calories.
- Semaglutide helps you eat less, so you will lose weight, and combining it with B12 boosts your metabolism so it works more efficiently.
- The combination of semaglutide and B12 together improves the way your body processes fats and carbs and improves how fast and how much weight you can lose.
- It can improve or lessen the symptoms of common digestive side effects.
Should I Use Semaglutide And B12 Together?
When using semaglutide, you should be working with a doctor who is an expert in medical weight loss. They can help determine if combining semaglutide and B12 would be beneficial for you. If you do not have a deficiency in vitamin B12, there is a good chance that it will not make a significant difference to your health or weight loss journey.
This being said, however, GLP-1 medications like semaglutide slow down how quickly food leaves the stomach and decrease the production of stomach acid. Vitamin B12 needs stomach acid and a special protein called intrinsic factor in order for your body to absorb and use it properly. It is possible to start semaglutide with adequate levels of vitamin B12 and gradually develop a deficiency while using semaglutide, so you should work with your doctor to stay on top of your B12 levels.
Where Can I Find Out More About Getting Semaglutide And Vitamin B12?
You can learn more about semaglutide and vitamin B12 injections at MySlimMed. Dr. Angelina Postoev, a triple-board certified cosmetic surgeon and expert in medical weight loss can help create an individualized program to help you reach sustainable weight loss using prescription semaglutide, lifestyle changes, and vitamin B12.
Combining semaglutide with vitamin B12 can be a simple but effective way to enhance your weight loss journey and make it easier for you to stick to a low-calorie diet and daily exercise routine needed to reach your goals. If you are already on semaglutide and feeling sluggish, a B12 boost could help you stay energized while you navigate through challenges. Contact MySlimMed today and set up a consultation to learn more!
