On the surface, appetite may seem straightforward; you’re either hungry or full, depending on your last meal. However, it’s a much more complex interplay of hormones and neurotransmitters that influences your food intake.
This system works together to keep you from starving and maintain body weight.
However, new drug innovations can affect appetite, making them blockbusters for shedding pounds. Weight loss medications like semgalutide have emerged as an effective weight loss solution and are in high demand.
In the US alone, these drugs fuelled prescription drug spending to grow by 13.6% from 2022 to 2023, with a projected increase in 2024. These drugs target your appetite system, affecting how much you consume and how much weight you lose.
Here’s a closer look at the science behind appetite and how weight loss drugs affect it:
How appetite works
A variety of hormones influences your hunger and satiety. Ghrelin and leptin are the main players in this system. Ghrelin, often dubbed the “hunger hormone,” is produced in the stomach and signals to the brain that it’s time to eat.
Leptin suppresses appetite and tells the brain that you have enough stored fat, boosting satiety. Hormones like cortisol, released when you’re stressed, also increase appetite for sugary or fatty foods in particular.
A study from the NeuroImage: Clinical journal found that higher cortisol boosts hunger and decreases blood flow to the brain’s regions that regulate food intake. The glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) hormone plays a role in satiety.
It’s released after eating and slows the movement of food through the digestive tract to keep you feeling full for longer. GLP-1 has become a key hormone for weight loss drugs in managing appetite.
How weight loss drugs affect appetite
Weight loss drugs work in different ways, but many target appetite to help regulate food intake.
Semaglutide, also known as Ozempic or Wegovy, mimics GLP-1 to induce feelings of satiety for longer than the naturally occurring hormone. When you remain full for long periods, your food intake decreases, helping facilitate weight loss.
Other popular drugs like tirzepatide, which was recently approved for weight loss with Zepbound, also mimic the GLP-1 hormone as well as the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) hormone that prompts insulin production.
When using these weight loss drugs, you can lose an average of 15% body weight or even higher. These drugs can change your weight and body rapidly, leading to effects like skin sagging from fat loss, also known as Ozempic butt.
When taking a weight loss drug, your skin in the upper arms, belly, and even your butt can become lax. Your body also changes internally, and side effects can emerge as you adjust to changes in appetite from the medication.
Nausea and stomach pain are common side effects but can abate the longer you take the drug.
Managing appetite with weight loss drugs
While weight loss medications can dramatically change your appetite, there are ways to maximize them to ensure effective weight loss and health. Your food and calorie intake may depend on your initial weight and specific needs.
However, nutrient-rich foods should be the basis of your diet. Food like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains can provide a wide range of nutrients.
Eating healthy foods ensures you can get the nourishment you need to avoid malnutrition or dehydration even when consuming less.
These are also great mood boosters; our “3 Ways Food Messes With Your Brain and Emotions” post highlights how eating a balanced diet can ensure your body and brain function at their best to keep you happy and healthy. Exercise is also vital when using weight loss drugs, allowing you to maintain muscle mass as you shed pounds.
It also keeps the skin firm to avoid issues like Ozempic butt. By following healthy habits while taking weight loss drugs, you can lose weight and manage your appetite effectively.
