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Have you observed your colleague’s eating habits changing? Weight loss medications like Ozempic are increasingly common, with over 15 million Americans using them as of 2024. This article explores how to recognize potential signs of Ozempic use in your coworkers, from subtle physical changes to altered eating behaviors.
Spotting Potential Ozempic Use in Coworkers
It’s important to note that these are simply potential indicators, and direct communication is always the best approach. However, understanding these signs can help you be more observant and supportive.
Ozempic Face: The Hollowed Look
Have you noticed sudden wrinkles or a “hollowed out” appearance on your colleague’s face? This could be what’s known as “Ozempic face.”
- Lines and Wrinkles: A rapid emergence of lines and wrinkles.
- Sagging Skin: Noticeable sagging, especially around the cheeks.
- Sunken Eyes: A more sunken or tired look around the eyes.
The active ingredient, semaglutide, leads to reduced calorie intake. This forces the body to burn fat reserves, including essential facial fat, affecting aesthetics and skin elasticity.
Psychiatrist Dr. Carole Lieberman emphasizes that while Ozempic is desired for fat loss in areas like the abdomen, facial fat loss is less appealing. This can cause a gaunt appearance due to decreased collagen production, which is important for skin structure.
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Gastrointestinal Issues: More Than Just a Bug
Frequent trips to the restroom or complaints of stomach discomfort could be another clue.
- Nausea and Vomiting: Frequent bouts of nausea or vomiting.
- Diarrhea or Constipation: Noticeable changes in bowel habits.
- Flatulence: Increased flatulence may be an indicator.
Ozempic can slow the movement of food through the stomach, lengthening digestion and increasing pressure. This can lead to delayed gastric emptying, causing discomfort, nausea, and potentially more severe conditions like gastroparesis, gastroenteritis, or intestinal blockage.
Dr. Ehsan Ali advises smaller, less greasy meals, adequate hydration, and slow eating. Digestive enzymes may also help break down food more efficiently.
Hair Thinning: A Sign of Metabolic Shift?
A sudden and significant hair loss might signal metabolic stress from rapid weight loss.
Dr. Steven H. Dayan explains that while Ozempic doesn’t directly cause hair loss, the rapid weight loss and metabolic changes can stress the body. This stress can manifest as thinner hair or visible scalp, particularly in postmenopausal women or individuals with underlying deficiencies.
Dr. Dayan recommends consulting with metabolic, aesthetic, and dermatologic specialists to support the body and appearance during these changes.
Ozempic Burps: When Breath Turns Bad
Keep an eye (or nose) out for bad breath or unusual burps.
- Rotten Egg Smell: Burps that smell or taste like rotten eggs.
Slower digestion can lead to sulfur compounds building up in the gut, causing these unpleasant odors. Dr. Ali notes that the gut needs time to adjust to the slower pace of digestion, which can lead to fermentation, gas buildup, and the production of sulfur compounds.
Limiting cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower), allium vegetables (garlic, onions), dried fruits, red meat, fish, and eggs can mitigate this issue.
Subtle Bruising: The Injection Site Clue
Small bruises around the abdomen could indicate Ozempic injections.
While less likely to be observed directly in the office, vacation photos on social media might reveal these subtle marks.
Changes in Cravings: A Shift in Appetite
A sudden disinterest in sweets or alcohol, especially in someone who previously enjoyed them, can be a telling sign.
Dr. William Haas explains that GLP-1 medications slow gastric emptying and affect appetite-regulating centers in the brain, leading to decreased cravings. Changes in how the brain perceives pleasure and satiety can also reduce the desire for alcohol.