Is Tiktok's Viral 'Budget Ozempic' Legit? Here's What an Expert Says
Ozempic has become popular among Hollywood personalities, who use it for weight loss. Many want to shed the extra pounds and are going on the same route -- taking the medicine produced for type 2 diabetes. Ozempic's attention sparked the "budget Ozempic" trend on social media, but are they legit and safe?
Viral 'Budget Ozempic' Trend on TikTok Legit?
This "Budget Ozempic" diet craze that has been making the rounds on social media is one of these trends. Budget Ozempic has nothing to do with Ozempic and doesn't include semaglutide, the medication that serves as Ozempic's active ingredient. What most people refer to as "budget Ozempic" on the internet is, in fact, a term used to describe stool softeners and laxatives, according to Swrajit Sarkar, a registered public health nutritionist with the Association for Nutrition (UKVRN), a member of the Nutrition Society, a full member of the Royal Society of Biology and a chartered biologist (CBiol), and a fellow of the Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH). Thus, the Olympic funding under discussion is illegitimate.
The fact that "budget Ozempic" only has a minor, transient impact on weight loss is one of the several reasons you should avoid using them when attempting to lose weight. Stool softeners and laxatives are not meant to be used over an extended period or recommended for weight loss. When misused, they might be detrimental for a variety of reasons.
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Is Budget Ozempic Safe?
The "Budget Ozempic" trend may vary. As Sarkar explained, previous reports claim it refers to polymer polyethylene glycol (PEG 3350), which also relates to stool softeners and laxatives. According to him, misusing them could result in various health issues, including dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, poor nutrient intake, and gastrointestinal problems.
Dehydration and water loss can result from abusing stool softeners and laxatives. Short-term symptoms, including feeling more thirsty or exhausted than normal, as well as lightheadedness and dizziness, may result from this.
Dehydration can also set off the body's renin-angiotensin cycle. The main purpose of this reaction is to maintain blood pressure and fluid balance.
In time, fluid retention will result from excessive water loss in a brief time. Your body overcompensates for the transient fluid retention brought on by dehydration. Prolonged dehydration can cause hypertension and other heart-related issues.
Additionally, an electrolyte imbalance can result in headaches, nausea, exhaustion, muscular spasms, and even limb numbness. However, a long-term, persistent electrolyte imbalance might be more harmful since it raises the possibility of heart issues.
Sarkar shared unsolicited advice to those who want to lose weight; he recommends a disciplined weight loss program combining exercise with a nutritious, balanced diet. Also, one should only use laxatives for constipation after seeing a physician and when other methods are already exhausted.
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