Weight loss can be a difficult journey. While some people are able to reduce their weight through diet and exercise alone, most people have at least some difficulty finding the right balance of physical activity and nutrition. Fortunately, there is help.
Semaglutide is a diabetes and anti-obesity medication that has been approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Many people have begun taking it to enhance their weight loss progress. However, it’s still essential to get the vitamins and other nutrients provided by a healthy diet – both to stay healthy while using semaglutide and to further support the weight loss journey. That’s why we recommend carefully selected health and wellness supplements along with semaglutide.
Let’s dive deeper into what semaglutide does, why you might need supplementation, and which supplements are safe to use while taking this medication. Most are readily available in our health and wellness shop. While weight loss can be challenging no matter who you are or how much weight you intend to lose, we are proud to offer advancements in medicine that have made this journey easier to navigate.
What Is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide, also known by the brand name Ozempic, is an injectable medication that was originally meant to treat diabetes. It is classified as a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA). It behaves similarly to the GLP-1 hormone, which is released from your gut as you eat. GLP-1 hormones encourage the body to produce more insulin, which helps lower and control your glucose, or blood sugar, levels.
Researchers discovered that when coupled with diet and exercise, semaglutide can also result in drastic weight loss using the same mechanism. By acting in the place of a GLP-1 hormone in your body, you will not only produce more insulin, but your brain will receive signals that you feel full, leading you to eat less. This is beneficial for both aesthetic and health purposes since obesity has been linked to many issues, including increased odds of cancer.. By adding semaglutide to your routine, you can not only lose weight, but prevent dangerous illnesses or conditions from developing.
Semaglutide Side Effects
Semaglutide could result in various side effects, but most are mild and resolve themselves after a couple of days. It’s also important to note that the effects of obesity are much more difficult to live with, and those can eventually lead to death if unaddressed.
If you’re taking Semaglutide in order to lose weight, you may experience the following:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Stomach problems, such as nausea, bloating, or vomiting
- Gastrointestinal problems, such as gassiness, constipation, and diarrhea
Is It Safe to Take Supplements With Semaglutide?
Because semaglutide works in tandem with a controlled diet and exercise, you can combine the medication with other supplements and enhance your results. However, there are a few things you should avoid doing if you’re taking semaglutide, such as consuming alcohol or using other medications without doctor approval. In particular, if you are taking another medication that controls appetite, you’ll want to avoid using it alongside semaglutide, as this could lead to other eating problems.
The best answer to, “What can you not take with semaglutide?” is that any other medication shouldn’t be used unless you’ve discussed them with your doctor.
How To Lose the Most Weight on Semaglutide
If you’ve decided to take semaglutide in order to lose weight, you may want to consider the following supplements to go along with your weight loss routine. Please note that we don’t recommend using the medication and supplements only – a healthy diet and regular exercise are essential components of the process. Here are the top six supplements to try alongside taking semaglutide or Ozempic.
Vitamin D
What vitamins should I take with Semaglutide?
Vitamin D should be at the top of your list. Vitamin D can improve bone health and insulin sensitivity, making weight loss easier.
People who are overweight or obese tend to have a vitamin D deficiency, and it can be difficult to obtain through natural sources unless you’re naturally fond of vitamin D-rich foods. Foods such as salmon, swordfish, tuna, beef liver, fortified cereals, and include vitamin D, which could be incorporated into your diet for improved health. Some people who exercise outdoors may get enough vitamin D from the sun alone, which is the most accessible source of this vitamin.
If you are unable to eat fish, dislike the above foods, or don’t have access to certain types of foods, you can try vitamin D supplements as an alternative.
Vitamin B12
Another vitamin to consider incorporating into your supplementation is vitamin B12, which can improve metabolism and contribute to your weight loss.
Semaglutide lowers your appetite and promotes weight loss, making you less hungry. If you’d like to boost this process, vitamin B12 can be key. Vitamin B12 is typically found in animal products such as fish, beans, liver, and more. However, if you eat a vegan diet, or don’t eat any fortified foods containing B12, supplementation is a simple, effective way to get vitamin B12 and help you reach your weight loss goals.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Fish oil supplements contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to improve inflammation and reduce the risk of heart problems. These are also known to lower your triglycerides and improve cholesterol, which keeps your heart in good shape. Additionally, as you exercise, you may start to feel sore. While you should never overdo it when it comes to exercise, if the pain persists, you can take fish oil supplements to reduce the inflammation.
Natural sources of omega-3 fatty acids include walnuts, certain types of fish, flaxseed, and more. However, if you don’t use any of these in your diet, you can supplement with an OMEGA EPA/DHA Fish Oil Supplement package. High-quality fish oil from trustworthy suppliers means an omega-3 supplement that keeps your health in check and helps prevent chronic health conditions. This supplement also includes docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which can improve brain function along with treating your heart.
When you find it hard to focus on your weight loss journey, omega-3s and DHA could be what you need to feel both physically and mentally healthy.
Chromium
Chromium, which can be found in the ULTRABRN Weight Loss Supplement, helps regulate glucose levels, reduce cravings, and aids in weight loss. Some individuals aiming to lose weight may find it hard to keep their blood sugar levels in check, but chromium supplementation can make this easier.
- People who consume a lot of sugary foods
- People who over-exercise
- Pregnant women
- Elderly individuals
If you’re unable to take in chromium through natural resources such as grape juice, beef, green beans, and poultry, you can take supplements instead. If you’re taking semaglutide to improve your overall weight loss, we suggest chromium as an additional tool to keep your glucose levels in check.
Coenzyme Q10
An antioxidant that can support your heart health, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is produced naturally in your body. This substance helps your body convert food into energy, and it also contains antioxidant properties. While research is ongoing, CoQ10 can potentially help address diabetes and prevent overworking the heart, preventing many different health problems.
Those who are overweight and have poor heart health are at risk of low CoQ10 production. While you can find CoQ10 in meat and fish, you can also use supplements as a way to improve your CoQ10 levels if they’re low. Supplements such as our CoQ10 120 mg Capsules can give you an energy boost so you can feel more active and more likely to complete your workouts.
Probiotics
If you’re wondering what supplements to take on Ozempic, probiotics, in general, are a good option.
Probiotic supplements contain specific microbes meant to be ingested into your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Probiotic yeasts and live bacteria, known as microbes, can already be found in your body. Supplementation can help restore balance in your gut and address harmful bacteria in your body, preventing various illnesses. This allows for better digestion, immune function, and weight management. In order to keep your gut healthy, it is advised to take probiotics, even if you’re already taking semaglutide.
You’ll find probiotic packages in our health and wellness shop, including Probiotic G.I., which helps your body compose lymphoid tissue and keeps your GI tract in good shape.
How Should I Take These Supplements?
There’s no one way to take your preferred supplements alongside semaglutide. However, we urge you to consider the dosage and timing of your supplements based on your needs. It’s also crucial to read the label of each supplement you plan to take so you know how much and when to take your supplement. The package will also provide information regarding anything you should avoid doing while taking the supplement.
If you plan to take more than one supplement at a time, we suggest introducing them individually with a few days in between your first dose. That way, if you do experience a side effect, you can isolate it to a particular supplement. In addition, while some supplements work better if taken at the same time (for example, a vitamin C supplement can help you absorb an iron supplement), others can compete for absorption in the body and must be taken a few hours apart. Check with your pharmacist to devise an ideal supplementation schedule.
Side Effects of Using Supplements
As with any medication or supplement, you could experience mild side effects. While they are rare, you should seek medical help if a side effect is becoming overwhelming. Certain individuals may notice GI tract issues or discomfort while taking probiotics, but this tends to be mild and goes away on its own. Others may experience allergic reactions to supplements. Don’t hesitate to seek medical care if you’re experiencing any adverse effects that don’t go away.
Optimize Your Weight Loss Journey with our Semaglutide Optimization Package
We know it can be frustrating not seeing results while trying to lose weight, but you may just need extra support. While we encourage you to follow a healthy diet and get exercise as often as possible, the additional support offered by supplements can be effective in making this process easier.
At Compounding Pharmacy of America, we are proud to provide several vitamin and weight loss supplement packages, all of which use high-quality ingredients that are meant to make weight loss more achievable for you. For those on Semaglutide we created this Semaglutide Optimization Package, which saves you $90 versus buying these supplements individually.
Anyone can take back their health and work toward a healthier and more fulfilling future, and supplements can help you begin to see results in your weight loss efforts and feel healthier along the way. Contact us today if you have any questions or concerns regarding semaglutide or any supplement package.
References :
- UCLA Health. (n.d.). Semaglutide Weight Loss: What You Need to Know. Retrieved January 23, 2024, from https://www.uclahealth.org/news/semaglutide-weight-loss-what-you-need-know
- Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Semaglutide (Subcutaneous Route) Precautions. Retrieved January 23, 2024, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/semaglutide-subcutaneous-route/precautions/drg-20406730
- Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Probiotics. Retrieved January 23, 2024, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/14598-probiotics
- Noorani Medical Center. (n.d.). Semaglutide with B12 for Weight Loss: Does it Work? Retrieved January 23, 2024, from https://nooranimedicalcenter.com/semaglutide-with-b12-for-weight-loss-does-it-work/
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. (n.d.). Effect of once-weekly semaglutide on appetite, energy intake, control of eating, food preference and body weight in subjects with obesity. Retrieved January 23, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9486455/
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Obesity and Cancer. Retrieved January 23, 2024, from https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/obesity/index.htm
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. (n.d.). Vitamin D and the omega-3 fatty acids control serotonin synthesis and action, part 2: relevance for ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and impulsive behavior. Retrieved January 23, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6071442/
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (n.d.). Vitamin D. Retrieved January 23, 2024, from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-d/
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. (n.d.). Chromium picolinate for insulin resistance in subjects with type 2 diabetes: a placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Retrieved January 23, 2024, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12480795/
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. (n.d.). Chromium supplementation in overweight and obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Retrieved January 23, 2024, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10479465/
- Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Retrieved January 23, 2024, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/17290-omega-3-fatty-acids
- Diabetes Journal. (n.d.). Effect of Chromium Supplementation on Glucose Metabolism and Lipids. Retrieved January 23, 2024, from https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/30/8/2154/28549/Effect-of-Chromium-Supplementation-on-Glucose
Chief Operating Officer, The Compounding Pharmacy of America
Matthew Poteet, Pharm.D. graduated with Honors from Lee University with a Bachelors of Science in Biological Science. After his undergraduate training, he completed the Doctor of Pharmacy program at Mercer University Southern School of Pharmacy, graduating in 2004. Dr. Poteet has spent much of his pharmacy career on staff at two of the most prestigious academic teaching hospitals in the Southeast; Emory University in Atlanta and Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. At these institutions he received extensive experience and training in sterile products compounding.
He returned home to East Tennessee in 2010, where he has held the position of Pharmacy Director at two sterile products pharmacies in Knoxville. Matthew lives in Knoxville with his wife, Chris. Dr. Poteet is Tennessee’s first Board Certified Anti-Aging Pharmacist by the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.
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