What’s YOUR best “shot” to weight & fat loss?
Losing weight can be an incredibly difficult endeavor which can impact your lifestyle. We all know there are no magic pills & nothing works better than time & effort. Focal Point Vitality offers medications that are available that can assist with weight loss, fat loss, & even helps control insulin levels. The best part, these medications only have to be administered once a week.
Semaglutide, sold under the brand names Ozempic (FDA Approved 2017), Wegovy (FDA Approved 2021), & Rybelsus (FDA Approved 2019)
Tirzepatide, sold under the brand name Mounjaro (FDA Approved 2022)
Approved by the FDA, both are anti-diabetic medications used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes & as anti-obesity medications for long-term weight management & with all weight-loss strategies, it does require sustained lifestyle changes in order to continue your success. These are perfect weight loss medications for people who are overweight and obese, with or without diabetes. These medications will simply help you lose weight on the scale along with significant fat loss reduction.
Semaglutide
Semaglutide is a medication that has been used to treat diabetes since 2019. It works by mimicking the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1), which helps the body regulate blood sugar levels. It also reduces hunger, regulates appetite, & increases feelings of satiety, making it easier to reduce calorie intake. In addition, Semaglutide has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels, triglycerides, as well as overall mortality rates in people with type 2 diabetes. This medication will simply help you lose weight on the scale & is indicated for the treatment of overweight & obesity.
What else does it do:
Brain
- Increases synaptic transmission, nerve protection, memory, neuronal stem cell proliferation, motor function, & satiety
- Decreases neuroinflammation
CVD (cardiovascular disease)
- Increases CVD protection, heart rate, anti-inflammatory actions
- Improves endothelial function, myocardial ischemia, lipids
Liver
- Decreased glucose production, liver fat content, liver enzymes, & hepatic steatosis
Pancreas
- Increases insulin secretion
- Increases & protects pancreatic β cells
Gut
- Decreased gastric emptying & peristalsis, thus increasing nutrient absorption & normalizes PPG (postprandial glucose) elevations
Note: It is important to have a healthy gut for optimal nutrient absorption & hormone balance
Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide is a medication that was recently approved for use in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist (RA). This means it works by imitating not one, but two unique incretin hormones produced by the human body. It works by stimulating GLP-1 production in the body, which helps the body produce more insulin when needed. GIP has been shown to decrease food intake & increase energy expenditure therefore resulting in weight reductions & when combined with GLP-1 receptor agonism, may result in greater effects on markers of metabolic dysregulation such as body weight, glucose, & lipides. Additionally, Tirzepatide has been found to lower fasting blood glucose levels & increase weight loss in participants who were overweight or obese at the start of clinical trials. This suggests that it may be beneficial for those looking to shed excess pounds quickly & safely. This medication has all the benefits of Semaglutide for weight loss with appetite suppression but it also adds the component of fat loss with it, in other words, you’ll lose weight & keep it off for the long haul.
What else does it do:
- Stimulate pancreatic β cells insulin release
- Note: in DM (diabetes mellitus) patients GIP secretion is reduced, however, can be restored by improving glycemic control
- GIP: Protects against hypoglycemia; improves TG (triglyceride) clearance; improves adipose insulin sensitivity, which may prevent ectopic fat deposition
Who should not or those to be cautious taking these medications:
- Shouldn’t: Those with personal or family history of thyroid cancer; multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2; other DM medications, especially insulin & sulfonylureas; history of pancreatitis, history of gall bladder disease; kidney disease; tachycardia; retinopathy; pregnant, breast-feeding, or trying to get pregnant
- Caution: Metformin; those with an elevated HR, as there are GLP-1 receptors in the SA Node (sinoatrial node); GI disorders; those with HTN (high blood pressure-hypertension) on BP (blood pressure) medications
- Decreased glucose production, liver fat content, liver enzymes, & hepatic steatosis
Additional Benefits:
- Reduced inflammation: Both medications are proven to reduce inflammation markers which leads to decreased inflammation response & oxidative stress.
- Regulates digestions: This regulation is directly tied to how quickly food moves from the stomach to the intestines. Overall, this will leave you feeling fuller longer & help control the sugar absorption in the intestines.
- Improved metabolic function: These medications regulate blood sugar levels by increasing insulin & decreasing glucagon-only when the blood sugar levels are high. It also improves the whole-body energy metabolism by increasing insulin sensitivity of muscle cells & regulating fat cell development. Even if you are not severely overweight, you can’t go wrong with improving your metabolic profile!
- BPC-157: This peptide is added to both medications & acts systematically in the digestive tract to combat leaky gut, IBS, gastro intestinal cramps, helps maintain integrity of mucosal lining GI tract, helps improve digestive function, as well as improves gut related issues, & helps reduce side effects of the medications.
- Other: May reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes and known heart disease. Helps release insulin and lowers the amount of glucose produced by the liver when glucose rises at mealtime. Also slows the absorption of mealtime glucose.
Tirzepatide has been called Semaglutide 2.0 because patients have lost more weight in the same period of time, felt a heavier suppression of appetite, and showed fewer side effects. This is undoubtedly Semaglutide 2.0 with enhanced upgrades and bug fixes. Tirzepatide demonstrated a greater decrease in HbA1c and weight loss than Semaglutide.
Main physiological actions of the dual GIP and GLP-1 agonist Tirzepatide. GIP—glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide; GLP-1—glucagon-like peptide-1. Despite the similarities between the two incretins, it should be pinpointed that while GIP activity is mainly pancreatic, GLP-1 activity is systemic.
Pleiotropic actions of glucagon-like polypeptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) in type 2 diabetes.
Foods to Avoid:
Fried, greasy, fatty foods, & foods high in sugar. These tend to be the toughest for your body to digest and the most likely to cause nausea. Eat slowly & eat smaller meals with foods that are light and bland. Drink clear or ice-cold drinks (like water or unsweetened tea) & limit alcohol intake.
Side Effects:
The most common side effects reported are mild nausea, diarrhea, constipation, & feeling full quickly. Focal Point Vitality has developed a protocol that works to reduce some of these side effects. With Tirzepatide you may feel chilly or cooler than usual as the fat loss starts to shed from the body.
Troubleshooting other common side-effects:
Be sure to increase the dosing slowly, don’t be in a rush if you are experience GI side effects.
If you have less than expected weight loss, ensure you are eating the right foods in the right portions. Be sure you are incorporating exercise into your daily routine. Be cautious eating sugary or unhealthy foods & over using alcohol.
How the process works at Focal Point Vitality:
1. Start your weight loss journey today by calling Focal Point Vitality and scheduling your consultation with one of the medical providers. Since these are prescription drugs, you will be unable to purchase them on-line, they must be in a script form written from a medical provider.
2. Appointments can be conducted in person at the clinic or virtual via phone call.
3. No blood testing is needed for peptide prescriptions.
4. Medications are discreetly shipped directly to you from the pharmacy.
5. Watch yourself lose an insane amount of weight AND fat loss in a short time period — the inches lost & the mirror selfies will not lie!
6. Call or text when refills are needed.
7. Focal Point Vitality does NOT take insurance or coupons but you may use your HSA or FSA cards.
Common Questions:
Are there check-ins?
- No check-ins are necessary
- If you are local to AZ, we offer complimentary InBody scans to check on your weight/fat-loss progress
- Most scales don’t differentiate between weight/fat loss and muscle loss, for that reason, tracking only your weight isn’t a reliable way to determine whether you’re losing weight, fat, or muscle and in what amounts
- Conversely, a body fat scale can provide a more accurate picture of your body composition by measuring the percentage of all components
Do I need to come to the clinic to receive medications?
- All medications are made to order from our compound pharmacy & shipped directly to your home
Does the medication need to be refrigerated after it is received?
- Yes
- If the cold pack is not cold upon receiving the medication it is still good to use as it shipped this way to maintain an even temperature during shipping
Do I take the medication on an empty stomach?
- They may be taken 30 minutes before the first food, drink, or other oral medications
How often do I take the medication?
- Once weekly injection
Where are the injections done?
- Administered SubQ (subcutaneously)
How long will it take to lose weight?
- The full effect can take up to 8 weeks or longer, but with proper diet & exercise you may start to see changes within 2-3 weeks; every body is going to lose differently so be patient & make necessary lifestyle changes if needed
- Weight loss refers to a decrease in your overall body weight from muscle to water, whereas fat loss refers to weight loss from fat, and it’s a more specific and healthful goal than weight loss
Can I combine both Semaglutide & Tirzepatide?
- There is no reason to combine these 2 medications as they target the same receptor so you would just be engaging in overkill with no additional benefits
- However, there are times when you can add additional or stack peptides such as CJC 1295/Ipamorelin, AOD 9604, or MOTS-C, although these would need pre-approval from one of our medical providers
How do I avoid GI (gastrointestinal) upset?
- Increase medications gradually over time to minimize any GI side effects
- GI upset usually occurs days 3-5 after dosing & is common with overeating
What if I miss a dose?
- If the next dose is greater than 48 hours, then you may take the dose or change your dose cycle
Will I gain weight back if I stop taking the medication?
- Yes, if there have been no modifications to your diet, exercise, & lifestyle
What are the costs associated with these medications?
- Consultations range from $69-$99
- Semaglutide is $550 & Tirzepatide is $700 (depending on dosing, may last 6-8 weeks)
If Semaglutide was the weight loss breakthrough, then Tirzepatide is the breakthrough OF the original breakthrough!
The Information presented here is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between a patient and their own physician and is for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you saw or read on our website.
For more information or to schedule your consultation, call/text Focal Point Vitality at 480.563.9966.