Could these New Medications Help You?

[View this email in your browser]( Are Semaglutide drugs like Ozempic or Wegovy Right for You? Prescribing the “spit of a lizard” seems like a witch’s brew from a fairy tale. But in 1990, a researcher at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in the Bronx, NYC named John Eng discovered that the poisonous venom of a Gila monster lizard had the potential to treat diabetes. His interest in the Gila monster peaked when he heard that it [kept its blood sugar levels stable]( even when it did not have much to eat. So, Eng searched through the lizards’ saliva for helpful chemicals and found a GLP-1 stimulant called semaglutide, like in Ozempic and Wegovy, that lasted long enough in human's blood to suppress our appetite. This crucial insight allowed for the development of a diabetes medication and the most popular weight loss drug ever with some studies showing reduction in the 20% range. Research now shows it does more than that: semaglutide seems to be beneficial for a slew of conditions ranging from heart disease to alcoholism. We don’t fully understand the various mechanisms of action, which makes doctors nervous, but for most people the side-effects of nausea and fatigue have been manageable. The drug has made it clear that obesity and other addictions are not just issues of will-power, but medical conditions that can and deserve to be treated. - You are a candidate for the medication if you are obese or overweight, especially if you have poorly controlled diabetes and cardiovascular disease. - You are not a candidate for this medication if you have had pancreatitis, active gallbladder or kidney disease, or some uncommon cancers. Pro-Tip to Combat “Ozempic Face” – Collagen-Up! Some people taking GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have noticed face sagging and older looking skin, most likely due to significant weight loss and associated muscle wasting. Tabloids covering celebrities created the now-colloquial phrase “Ozempic Face.” Patients have to keep their protein intake up, and supporting loose skin with collagen could help. Collagen is the most abundant structural protein in animals and creates a scaffolding for your tissues. As we age, our collagen becomes fragmented and collagen production slows so supplementation could be beneficial. Chicken and fish skin have lots of collagen, but it is probably easier to buy collagen in powder, capsule, and liquid form. Hydrolyzed collagen is broken down into smaller pieces, making it easier for the body to absorb, and is the type often found in supplements. [A popular affordable source is iHerb’s Collagen-Up.]( Consider making this part of your daily routine. And don’t forget your beauty sleep! [Try Collagen-Up]( Recipe: Blueberry Almond Protein Muffins A great way to maintain your overall health while working to lose weight is to eat protein packed options like these Blueberry Almond Protein Muffins. These wonderfully satisfying and naturally sweet (thanks to dates and apple sauce) muffins are amazing make-ahead breakfasts or snacks and come out of the oven bursting with molten blueberries. They're also gluten-free, an added bonus! [Get the Recipe]( Know someone who might be interested in this newsletter? Please share it with them! [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Website]( Copyright © 2023 ZoCo Productions LLC, All rights reserved. You're receiving this email because you signed up for The Good Dish newsletter. Our mailing address is: ZoCo Productions LLC 555 W 57th St.New York, NY 10019 [Add us to your address book]( Want to change how you receive these emails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](.