Chrissy Teigen has opened up about her experience with Ozempic for the first time, revealing the heartbreaking reason why she started taking it.
The American model and TV personality covers a lot of personal and lifestyle-related topics on her podcast show, Self-Conscious, and in the latest episode, she touched on the topic of the GLP-1 medication.
She's not the first celebrity to venture into using Ozempic, with the likes of Jeremy Clarkson, Amy Schumer and James Corden previously sharing what happened when they tried it.
However, it's been highlighted by Novo Nordisk, the drug's manufacturer, that Ozempic is not made for weight-loss purposes, and it is designed to treat those with type 2 diabetes.
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It works by mimicking the action of a hormone called GLP-1, suppressing appetite and regulating blood sugar levels, though many have seen this as a method to lose weight.
The use of not just Ozempic, but other GLP-1 drugs, has skyrocketed in recent years, and it has resulted in some people reporting a number of side effects, such as 'Ozempic penis' or 'Ozempic vulva'.
At the end of the day, different people have their own experiences and react differently to the drugs compared to others, and Teigen is no different.
Taking to her podcast, the model spoke about the time she took doses of Ozempic while welcoming guest Johann Hari onto the show.
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Speaking to the journalist, who described the drug as a 'really psychologically odd sensation', Teigen admitted: "I did (find it odd), and it was frustrating.
"For me, it's almost torturous not being hungry at all... I love being hungry. I love craving food. I love desiring food."
Hari, a British journalist, then told the host not to be surprised at failing to understand how our brain works, as it is 'the most complex object in the whole universe'.
She then added more in the caption of the Instagram post, saying: "It’s time to talk about that dirty little buzzword word. The one that gossip writers adore for the sheer fact it is such a polarizing, clickbaity topic that really gets people talking (and judging). Ozempic."
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Teigen added: "I first started taking Ozempic after the loss of our (son) Jack - there I was, existing in a body that didn’t feel like mine, with absolutely nothing to celebrate - just the constant reminder that this body that once carried life for 20 weeks, was now just a…sad reminder."
She called food her 'joy', 'comfort', and even her 'struggle', at times.
The model said that these 'magic pill' weight-loss drugs got real, going on: "The shame, the relief, the weirdness of losing hunger. It’s complicated, it’s emotional, and yeah… a little funny too."
A Novo Nordisk spokesperson said to LADbible: "Patient safety is of the utmost importance to Novo Nordisk. We recommend patients take these prescription medications only for their approved indications and under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
"We continuously collect safety data on our marketed GLP-1 medicines and work closely with the authorities to ensure patient safety. We recommend that any patient experiencing side effects while taking GLP-1 RA medicines, including Wegovy and Ozempic (semaglutide injection), report them to their healthcare provider and via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme."
Topics: Chrissy Teigen, Ozempic, Celebrity, Podcast, Health
Joshua Nair