Health experts have weighed in on the ongoing debate about 'Ozempic feet' following claims the side effect can be spotted on various celebrities.
By now you're probably fully aware, or at the very least vaguely familiar, that GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy are being used for weight loss reasons.
Originally created as a medication to treat type 2 diabetes, the drugs contain semaglutide which regulates the body's blood sugar as well as minimising appetite.
However the boom in people taking the medication for weight-loss reasons, not all of which are currently available on the NHS, has also raised awareness about potential side effects.
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Most people are aware of symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, 'Ozempic mouth', 'Ozempic face' and even osteoporosis – but have you heard about the much talked about 'Ozempic feet’?
Eagle-eyed fan have been zooming in on pictures of the feet of celebrities who've admitted to taking GLP-1 drugs and speculating whether or not Ozempic has had an impact on their dainty digits.
But is 'Ozempic feet’ actually a real thing or are we all just wasting our time over-analysing the feet of people we don't know?
Well, according to various health experts, it could actually be a side effect of the drug.
According to Dr. Scott Isaacs, president of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology, the appearance of sagging skin is due to the speed at which weight is lost.
"The underlying mechanism is that when fat is lost quickly, the skin’s natural elasticity may not be able to keep up," he told Health.
"The feet’s fat pads act as natural shock absorbers, and the rapid loss of tissue can leave the skin in the foot lax and unsupported."
US-based cosmetic surgeon Dr Barry Weintraub also weighed in on the subject, revealing the jabs may impact how our body retains water.
"As the heart becomes less taxed with extra weight, the water retention decreases, and the substructures of the foot (veins, tendons, bones) often become more visible," Dr Weintraub explained to MailOnline.
However clinical endocrinologist Karl Nadolsky noted that sagging sign on areas of the body, including the feet, isn't exclusive to taking medications such as Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy but applicable to rapid weight-loss techniques more broadly.
"There is no reason to think this effect is unique to GLP-1 drugs as it seems reasonable to possibly occur with any rapid and significant weight loss," Nadolsky said, adding that anyone looking to lose large amounts of weight should consult healthcare professionals.
LADbible has approached Novo Nordisk for comment.
Brenna Cooper