Skinny on Ozempic and Wegovy

From eNewsletter 4/3/2023

DID YOU KNOW that early in the pandemic, we suggested supplementing with andrographis at the first sign of COVID-19 to greatly curtail symptom severity, as well as prevent secondary infection such as pneumonia? We've since heard myriad client accounts as to andrographis' effectiveness.

Suffice it to say we were elated to see the results of a Medrxiv study published in mid-March. Researchers reported that patients who supplemented with andrographis at the first sign of infection and continued for at least three days had a 0.3% risk of developing pneumonia versus 24.3% risk in patients not taking andrographis.

That is a tremendous difference, which is why we recommend having andrographis on hand to take at the first sign of any viral infection, not just COVID-19. Moreover, because it is a root, it is well tolerated in most individuals.

Announcements

Services Update

Steve Minsky MS, HWC

As a Health and Wellness Counselor, Steve analyzes and offer solutions to optimize not only the food you eat, but every aspect of your lifestyle, whether for prevention or healing. More info on Steve's services.

Text Us If It Is Convenient

We accept text messages (all except for Bonnie). Simply type (847) 498-3422!

Pet Wellness

Our dietary supplement line for dogs and cats, ThorneVet, has an impeccable reputation among veterinarians. To order from our wellness shop, please visit here (for prices, enter the Guest Area password: discount2018).

Carolyn Martinelli a.k.a. "Coach Care" will be available to answer your questions about ThorneVet pet supplements at nutroconpet@gmail.com. Please leave detailed contact information as well as the name, age, sex, breed, and/or health issue(s) and med(s) of your pet so Carolyn can respond accordingly.

Online Gift Cards

Giving the gift of wellness has never been easier. Order your gift cards here.

Upcoming Wellness Screenings

Food Intolerance Blood Draw

Options to set up a Biotrition food intolerance test blood draw. By appointment only:

1. One Saturday per month at Biotrition in Glenview - next date May 6th

2. Tu, Wed, TH 9AM-3PM at NICL Labs in Northbrook

Text, email, or call us to set up your appointment.

Thermography Screening Friday, April 14th

For those interested in an upper torso or whole body thermography scan, please book your session by emailing: illinoisthermography@gmail.com (tell Eniko you would like to schedule your thermography scan at Schuster Chiropractic on Friday, January 20th. She will get back to you with times available, type of scan; openings are limited and first come first serve). To find out more about thermography, please read the following.

Infection Section

Prevention

COVID-19 is endemic, meaning it is here to stay. Moreover, we are exposed to many other endemic viruses including influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), norovirus (stomach flu), adenovirus (common cold), monkeypox, and four other coronaviruses (common cold), among others. Support your immune system year-round with our Free Prevent and Fight Viruses 2.0 Protocol here.

Have a happy, healthy day! Steve and Bonnie Minsky

In Today's Issue

• Paid Member Content

• WC Feature: Improving Healthspan

• eInspire: Mark Twain

• Action Plan of the Month: Conquering Allergy & Intolerance

• Free Member Content

• Did You Know?

• Skinny on Ozempic and Wegovy

• April 20% OFF Sale Items

• Update From Pure Encaps

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*To get past the Guest Area paywall use password: discount2018

Skinny on Ozempic and Wegovy

Steve: We have entered the age of Ozempic and Wegovy for weight loss. Unless you've been living under a rock, you've seen the galling before and after photos, celebrity endorsements, commercials, and incessant media coverage.

Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are from a new class of injectable medicines called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists (incretin mimetics). They retail for between $1000-$1300 per month and off-label prescription is not covered by insurance.

Glucagon is released from the pancreas to make you feel full, which is supposed to happen naturally about 20 minutes after a beginning a meal (achieving satiety). These drugs are an agonists, which mean they promote higher production of glucagon, essentially amplifying a natural "fullness" signal between the stomach and the brain, encouraging people to stop eating sooner than they might otherwise. It also slows down the digestive process, called gastric emptying.

Wegovy is approved for weight loss, while Ozempic is used to treat people with diabetes. Both drugs are given by weekly self-injections. Another treatment sold as Mounjaro to treat diabetes will likely be approved for weight loss later this year. It includes a second medication that is supposed to increase the stop-eating signal even more.

Side Effects and More

You may have heard accounts about what happens after taking your first injection. Within 24 hours, side effects like stomach sensitivity with gas pains, cramping, constipation, and intense nausea are common, warranting taking other medications like anti-nausea drugs to mitigate the symptoms.

Side effects and contraindications written on the drug labels:

• Thyroid C-cell tumors (black box warning)

• Suicidal behavior and ideation

• Hypoglycemia

• Pancreatitis

• Diabetic Retinopathy

• Acute Kidney Injury

• Hypersensitivity Reactions (i.e., anaphylaxis and angioedema)

• Acute Gallbladder Disease

The drugs contraindicate with 223 medications, and strongly with levothyroxine (Synthroid) and alcohol.

One of the inactive ingredients in the injection is propylene glycol, a carcinogen and xenoestrogen.

While not listed on prescription labels, evidence suggests a large portion of patients lose significantly more muscle than they do other weight loss methods. Metabolism also slows down.

Some are facing a superficial side effect known as "Ozempic face," the phrase referencing a gaunt, hollow or "deflated" look around the cheeks.

What They Don't Tell You

• You still need to exercise and eat a healthy diet to see the best results.

• If you want to maintain any weight reduction you achieve, you have to continue taking the medication forever.

• The drugs impact fertility so you cannot take it if you want to have children.

• The most haunting accounts have come from those who stopped taking the drugs. The rebound effect can be beyond extreme, with some accounts of those gaining double the weight back.

• This USA Today investigative piece explains how weight loss drugmakers are using similar tactics from opioid drugmakers "education" campaigns to stimulate interest. We know how that story ended for Americans.

Conclusion

There's no denying that overweight or obesity may boost risk of death by anywhere from 22% to 91%, according to new research in the journal Population Studies. But obesity is a complex, multi-factorial condition that decades of clinical experience has shown requires a multi-factorial approach to resolve. The GLP-1 based drugs only target one part of our appetite control system, ignoring the role of hormones such as leptin, ghrelin, and neurotransmitters. They also do not address inflammatory-related weight gain.

This represents another example in the long line of "quick fixes" that work only as long as you depend on the drugs.

I predict that because we've only had 1-2 years post-market tracking, the number and severity of side effects will increase exponentially in the future.