Ozempic, a medication originally designed to treat type two diabetes, remains at the center of public fascination and debate due to its widespread use for weight loss. In just the last week, new research and celebrity commentary have deepened the conversation about both the benefits and potential drawbacks of this so-called game-changing drug. A study published by University of Utah Health early this week explored how Ozempic-induced weight loss affects a person’s body composition. According to the study, while individuals can lose a significant portion of their overall weight on Ozempic, the reduction in muscle mass may not be as severe as previously thought. Most of the decrease in lean mass in test subjects was traced to non-muscle tissues, particularly the liver, which actually shrank by about half its original size in the animal model. The loss of liver mass may be a healthy component of weight loss, potentially reducing the risk of conditions like fatty liver disease. However, the researchers also observed that some skeletal muscles experienced as much as a six percent decrease in size and, most notably, these muscles could become weaker even if their actual volume did not change much. This raises pressing questions about how using Ozempic for significant weight loss could impact strength and mobility. The senior author of the study, Katsu Funai, highlighted the urgent need for robust human-based research to clarify the actual risk and benefit profile of Ozempic among real-world users, especially as its popularity continues to spread.

Media coverage over the past few days has turned a spotlight on “Ozempic feet,” a term being used to describe visible changes to the feet resulting from rapid weight loss on the medication. According to experts quoted in a recent AOL report, several celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey and Sharon Osbourne, have reportedly experienced such side effects. As fat and even some muscle mass are shed, the skin on the feet can become saggy and wrinkled and the fit of shoes is often altered, sometimes leading to pain or discomfort. Though some of these changes are a natural consequence of losing substantial weight, experts caution that adjustments, including choosing new footwear or orthotic inserts, may be necessary for comfort and stability.

The conversation took a more personal and reflective turn this week as Oprah Winfrey publicly discussed her own history with weight loss and the use of Ozempic. During a live WeightWatchers event, Oprah issued a heartfelt apology for having sparked unhealthy diet culture over the years through her previous messaging on her talk show and in her magazines. This apology comes after she acknowledged earlier this year that she herself lost forty pounds using a weight-loss medication understood to be Ozempic, despite having previously referred to the use of such drugs as “the easy way out.” Her frank disclosure adds a human dimension to the ongoing debate, underscoring the complexity of weight, self-image, and the tools available for managing health.

Despite the buzz, it is important for listeners to know that not all effects of Ozempic are positive or enduring. Semaglutide, the main ingredient in Ozempic, has been linked in recent studies to significant muscle loss, particularly in women and older adults. Research published this week warns that when people stop taking Ozempic or similar GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs, they frequently experience a rebound effect, regaining a substantial portion of the weight lost during treatment. The extent of this weight regain varies but tends to occur consistently within weeks of discontinuation. Experts say that the magnitude of this rebound likely depends on the drug and the user’s commitment to lifestyle changes during and after medication.

As pharmaceutical companies race to develop new and potentially better alternatives, Eli Lilly recently unveiled that its oral weight-loss...