What is Ozempic? What does it do in the body?
Ozempic is a relatively new prescription medication containing the generic pharmacological substance semaglutide. It is prescribed to manage type 2 diabetes in adults and may also be used off-label to reduce weight. Ozempic can also reduce risk of cardiovascular events. Critically, it must be administered alongside lifestyle changes to observe any benefits. Ozempic is a form of semaglutide that is marketed by the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, which is meant to be injected under the skin once a week.
How does Ozempic work?
Ozempic mimics the role of Glucagon-like Peptide 1 (GLP-1), a hormone naturally produced by our intestine. It can then bind to cells in the pancreas, stimulating insulin release. Increases in insulin reduce the rate at which your stomach empties, increase glucose uptake into the cells, and thereby can help tackle symptoms of type 2 diabetes [1, 2].
It's critical to note that alongside a once-weekly injection of Ozempic, one should implement a healthy diet plan and regular exercise as part of a comprehensive treatment plan [1, 3].
What is Oatly?
Oatly is a brand of oat milk - a plant-based milk alternative produced from oats. In recent years, Oatly has gained popularity due from several reasons:
- increased acceptance of lactose-intolerance in adults and dairy allergies
- increased awareness of the environmental impact of cattle farming [4]
- rise of veganism and plant-based diets
- enhanced fortification of oat milk with additional minerals and vitamins [5]
Health Benefits of Oat Milk
Oat milk is rich in various nutrients and phytochemicals, most prominently beta-glucans and .avenanthramides. Beta-glucans are a kind of soluble dietary fiber associated with several health benefits. They can prevent cardiovascular illness, lipid disbalances in the body, high blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and manage blood glucose in type 2 diabetes [6, 7, 8].
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In addition to these health benefits, oat milk is also recognized for its smooth texture and flavor, making it a popular choice among plant-based milk alternatives. The environmental impact of oat milk is also much lower than dairy milk, making it popular among environmentally-conscious individuals and vegans [5].
However, oat milk should be consumed in moderation, as it is not very filling and may lead to the consumption of excess calories.
Drinking Oatly On Ozempic
The research on drug interactions of Ozempic is still fairly sparse, but there are no reports of adverse events when people have drunk Oatly milk while taking Ozempic. This information is highly likely to be reliable, as oat milk is a staple food in many people's diets, including those that have taken Ozempic. Therefore if there were any significant drug interactions, they would have been reported at this point.
Despite no interactions between Ozempic and Oatly, it is not advised to drink Oatly when prescribed Ozempic. This is simply because Oatly is higher in sugars and carbohydrates, which counteract the effects of Ozempic and can reduce its effectivity at managing blood glucose.
Moreover, Oatly is calorie-rich without providing essential macronutrients like proteins and fats, making you more likely to eat more total calories. The relatively low content of proteins and fats in Oatly can also exacerbate the blood glucose spike after consuming a carbohydrate and sugar-loaded beverage [11].
Based on the current evidence, drinking oat milk or other oat milk while taking Ozempic is safe. However, the effects of oat milk on blood glucose and physiology may be counterproductive to your goals of managing blood glucose and weight loss.
As with any dietary changes or questions you may have while taking medication, it's always a good idea to discuss this with your healthcare provider to ensure it's suitable for your specific circumstances.
What is Oatzempic?
Oatzempic, somewhat surprisingly, has little to do with Oatly or Ozempic. It is a concoction of oats, lime juice, and water that is claimed to produce rapid weight loss, similar to that observed after taking Ozempic. Therefore, oatzempic requires you to drink this low-calorie oat drink instead of your meals, leading to weight loss without using Ozempic [12].
Although whole oats are a fantastic source of fiber and complex carbohydrates, they are poor in protein and fats [5]. Therefore, drinking oatzempic for multiple meals a day will result in malnutrition and make you more likely to overeat later on. Furthermore, there is nothing special about the combination of oats and lime juice. The reason oatzempic leads to weight loss is because of the basic principle of calorie deficit, which can also be achieved by eating chocolate or crisps, as long as you eat fewer calories than you expend [13].
To summarise, oatzempic is a "DIY" fad diet that has emerged in online communities but is highly unlikely to lead to effective results. Ozempic is only prescribed to individuals who are overweight or have type-2 diabetes, necessitating a more structured approach than a nutrient-poor diet of whole oats. If you are considering trying out the Oatzempic diet, you may want to try incorporating whole oats into complex meals within your diet plan rather than drinking the oatzempic drink by itself.