Ozempic makes me think of birth control pills. Perhaps it is simply the perspective of living in a modern culture, or it represents a deeper knowledge that science's attempts to alter the human body might be uncomfortable. Birth control pills and Ozempic injections are both scientifically developed products intended to significantly alter the body's normal functions. They need to be continuously injected or consumed to keep their effects...which I find completely mind-blowing.
The main distinction between the two is that birth control is meant to prevent pregnancy, while Ozempic is intended to help people lose weight and or prevent diabetes. Both, however, illustrate how dependent we have grown on scientific interventions to control or alter biological elements, often with complicated repercussions. The reason I came up with this comparison is that on the main page of the Ozempic website, it states "Take Ozempic® once a week, on the same day every week, exactly as prescribed by your health care professional" which is nearly identical to how women are taught to take a birth control pill, shot, patch, or ring.
I found the New York Times article interesting because it highlights how people are being manipulated by doctors and large corporations into believing that a weight-loss drug can prevent diabetes. While it’s true that diabetes is more common among obese individuals and maintaining a healthier lifestyle can temporarily improve diabetes, this doesn’t necessarily address the root problem. The article even mentions, "Some doctors say that these drugs should not be first-line treatments for every patient with pre-diabetes, given that changes in diet and exercise are often effective for addressing the condition." This manipulation overlooks the long-term benefits of lifestyle changes, like diet and exercise, which address the root cause of diabetes and promote overall health. It’s concerning that a quick-fix drug is being prioritized over proven lifestyle modifications, highlighting the need to question the motivations behind these treatments and focus on holistic health solutions.
Resources
Blum, D. (2024, November 13). Ozempic could prevent diabetes. Should it be used for that?. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com
Dosing schedule: Ozempic® (SEMAGLUTIDE) injection. Dosing Schedule | Ozempic® (semaglutide) injection. (n.d.). https://www.ozempic.com
I have never heard of the comparison between Ozempic and birth control, but it is rather eye-opening. I can't help but think about how issues regarding using Ozempic for weight loss in media are usually centered around women. Although Ozempic is used for all genders for either diabetes treatment or weight loss, a lot of attention is credited to celebrity women for losing weight with the drug. It's almost as if the fascination with an ideal physical appearance is maintained through the depiction of women in media just living their normal lives
ReplyDeleteYour comparison between Ozempic and birth control is fascinating and raises some important points about how reliant society has become on scientific interventions. I agree that while medications can be helpful, it’s important not to overlook the long-term benefits of lifestyle changes. Your blog does a great job of questioning the motivations behind these treatments while emphasizing the importance of holistic health solutions.
ReplyDeleteIn my honest opinion I believe that many health issues have to do with the way food is made in the US. This is why about 40% of americans are obese and about 38.4 million people suffer from diabetes. All the foods are processed here and when you try to buy organic options they are very expensive. So yes, many people could be being manipulated by doctors and large corporations but I feel that the quality of the food we eat has a big influence as well.
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