Weight Loss Medications: Saxenda, Ozempic and the Functional Medicine Perspective

The Desire to Lose Weight and New-Generation Weight Loss Medications

The desire to lose weight has become not only an aesthetic concern but a universal need directly related to health. However, expectations around this need are accelerating each year. Many people are now seeking “faster and less effortful” methods.

Right at the center of these expectations, new-generation weight loss medications have gained strong attention. While traditional diet and exercise require patience and consistency, these medications seem to offer more noticeable results in a shorter time.

Especially GLP-1 receptor agonists like Saxenda and Ozempic are frequently discussed on social media and sought after in pharmacies, both with and without prescriptions. However, this visibility also brings a significant danger: uncontrolled use without medical supervision.

New Medications: Saxenda, Ozempic, and Other GLP-1 Agonists

Most of the new-generation weight loss medications actually belong to the group of GLP-1 receptor agonists, which were originally developed for the treatment of diabetes. These medications mimic the effect of the GLP-1 hormone secreted by the intestines, increasing insulin secretion, slowing gastric emptying, and stimulating the satiety center in the brain. This results in both blood sugar regulation and appetite suppression.

Saxenda (liraglutide) and Ozempic (semaglutide) are the two most well-known drugs in this group.

• Saxenda is an FDA-approved product for both obesity and diabetes treatment.
• Ozempic was originally developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but it has gained attention due to its effects on weight loss.

FDA-Approved Indications:

These medications are approved for use in individuals with a body mass index (BMI) over 30, or in those with a BMI over 27 who also have additional risk factors such as hypertension or dyslipidemia. However, their use must be strictly under medical supervision.

Legal Status in Turkey:

Saxenda is a licensed product in Turkey and is available with a prescription. Ozempic, on the other hand, is officially approved only for the treatment of diabetes, though its use for weight loss has become widespread. This raises an important issue: some individuals hear about Ozempic on social media and obtain it without a prescription, using it without consulting a doctor. This poses serious health risks.

The Rise in Popularity and the Reality of Unregulated Use

In recent years, GLP-1 agonists have become a frequent topic not only in clinics but also on social media, forums, and casual conversations among friends. Their impact on weight loss has become so prominent that these drugs are increasingly viewed not just as medical treatment options, but almost as "miracle slimming injections."

As Dr. Pınar Sarıyıldız has pointed out, especially Ozempic-like products of Russian origin are being widely circulated on the market through non-prescription channels and without medical supervision. These products are often obtained from unregulated sources, with questionable contents and no legal oversight.

However, this situation brings serious health risks:

• Unsupervised use can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), nausea, fatigue, and other side effects.
• The risk of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) increases, particularly with high doses or uncontrolled usage.
• Rapid weight loss may result in muscle loss and nutrient deficiencies — both undesirable side effects.
• Additionally, these medications can cause neuropsychological effects in some users, such as depressive mood or lack of motivation.

In short: The desire to lose weight may make these drugs appealing, but experimenting with unregulated products without medical oversight can seriously endanger both your physical and mental health.

Weight Management from a Functional Medicine Perspective

Functional Medicine does not view weight loss as merely reducing a number on the scale. The real goal is to balance metabolism, reduce inflammation, and support healthy hormonal function. True, lasting, and healthy weight loss is only possible when these core systems are regulated.

Why should we focus not just on weight, but also on metabolism, inflammation, and hormone balance?

• Weight gain is often rooted in complex causes such as insulin resistance, thyroid imbalances, chronic stress, or gut health disorders.
  
• Functional Medicine uncovers these underlying causes, targeting not only the symptoms but the root of the problem.
  
• An inflamed body tends to store fat. If the metabolic fire isn’t extinguished, lost weight usually returns.

The goal is not rapid, but sustainable weight loss

New-generation weight-loss drugs may lead to significant weight reduction in just a few weeks. However, this process often leads to loss of muscle mass and water, rather than fat. In contrast:

• Functional Medicine aims for fat loss while preserving muscle mass.
  
• The goal is not merely to be thinner, but to feel energetic, balanced, and healthy.
  
• Nutrition, sleep, stress management, and physical activity are all considered as interconnected parts of the journey.

→ Everyone who says “I want to lose weight” is, in truth, saying “I want to return to balance.” Functional Medicine supports exactly this transformation.

Who Is It Suitable For? Who Should Absolutely Avoid It?

Although new-generation weight-loss medications offer effective results, they are not suitable for everyone. These drugs should only be recommended under medical supervision and for individuals with specific health conditions.

Medical supervision is essential

• Medications like GLP-1 agonists affect many bodily processes, including blood sugar regulation, the sensation of fullness, and gastric emptying.
  
• Therefore, during their use, parameters such as blood glucose levels, liver and kidney function, and electrolyte balance must be regularly monitored.
  
• Using these drugs casually or based on anecdotes like “it worked for a friend of mine” can lead to serious side effects.

Who should strictly avoid these medications?

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women: The safety of these drugs in this group has not been definitively proven.
  
• Individuals with type 1 diabetes: GLP-1 agonists are not suitable for this population.
  
• Those with a history of pancreatic or gallbladder disease: There is an increased risk of pancreatitis and must be approached with caution.
  
• People under 18 years of age: Growth and developmental processes may be negatively affected by these medications.
  
• Individuals with a history of eating disorders: These drugs may increase psychological risks.

→ Every medication has a context. Sometimes it can be life-saving, other times dangerous. Making this distinction is the responsibility of the physician.

Focus on the Root Cause, Not Just the Medication

A common misconception when trying to lose weight is believing the solution lies solely in a drug, a single formula, or sheer willpower. Yet excess weight is a result — and any intervention that ignores its underlying causes will only offer temporary outcomes.

Not willpower, but systemic healing

• Weight problems are often not just about eating habits, but are connected to systemic factors like hormonal imbalances, insulin resistance, chronic stress, sleep disorders, gut microbiome imbalances, and chronic inflammation.
  
• Therefore, the solution must be a healing process that considers the individual’s entire biological system.

Smart plans that support the body, not miracle fixes

• No medication will offer lasting results unless a person sustainably changes their lifestyle.
  
• The functional medicine approach does not only aim for weight loss but seeks to understand why the body is holding on to weight in the first place.
  
• This involves integrating personalized nutrition, sleep routines, movement plans, stress management, and gut microbiota support.

→ True transformation doesn’t start with an external “fix,” but with the balance rebuilt from within.

Social Responsibility

New-generation weight loss medications — especially GLP-1 agonists — can be powerful tools of modern medicine. However, using this power without supervision or guidance poses serious risks to both individual and public health.

• The rapidly growing off-label use in society, driven by false expectations and lack of adequate information, can disrupt metabolic balance and even lead to irreversible health issues.
  
• Healthcare professionals are not only treatment providers in this context but also key influencers of public health. The meaningful impact of these medications depends on conscious prescribing, medical supervision, and recommendations for a sustainable lifestyle.
  
• Functional medicine offers a guiding compass throughout this process: an approach that seeks root causes rather than quick fixes, and evaluates the individual as a whole.

→ Weight loss should not merely be about shedding pounds — it must be a process of transformation and awareness.