‘Ozempic liya hai toh kya hua, ek zindagi jeeni hai…': Ram Kapoor shares his controversial stance on weight loss medications

Indian Express

2 days ago

Ram Kapoor's drastic weight loss has left the internet both baffled and curious. While the actor has come forth and detailed a strict diet and rigorous physical workout plan behind his change in appearance, speculations run amok about the hidden use of weight loss medications like Ozempic.
In a recent interview with Humans of Bombay, Ram Kapoor shared his thoughts on weight loss, expressing his controversial stance on the popular medication Ozempic, which has been making headlines across the internet and the healthcare industry.
'It's madness, 'Ozempic liya hai' Toh kya hua? Ek zindagi jeeni hai, jo bhi shortcut doctor bol raha hai, lo! (You have taken Ozempic, so? What happened? You have one life, whatever shortcut the doctor gives, take it!' said the Bade Achhe Lagte Hai actor.
Further talking about the media trolling and judgements he and fellow industry professionals had to face regarding their weight loss, Kapoor said: 'Karan Johar, me, all of us who go through this Ozempic nonsense, you know why we don't react? It's because we know all these people know it; they are mad.'
'Ozempic is an injection that you have to take once a week. Without a doctor, you cannot take it. 'It's a shortcut, it's not natural, live your life as healthy as you can,' they say. 'Why the hell would you not take a shortcut if the doctor is telling you to?' added Kapoor.
But what exactly is it?
Initially developed for the management of diabetes, medications like Ozempic have gained significant traction due to their weight loss benefits.
Dr Jagadish Hiremath, a public health intellectual, told indianexpress.com that semaglutide's (Ozempic's primary component) approval for chronic weight management broadened its use, reflecting a growing recognition of obesity as a chronic disease requiring medical treatment. 'Public awareness, driven by celebrity endorsements and social media, further boosted the visibility of these medications, with terms like 'Ozempic face' becoming part of the cultural lexicon,' he said.
Dr Neeraj Rayate, consultant, bariatric surgery and general surgery, Jupiter Hospital, Baner, Pune, added that Ozempic, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, works by reducing appetite, slowing gastric emptying, and promoting insulin sensitivity. Ozempic (GLP-1 drugs) promotes fat loss by reducing appetite and food intake, which leads to gradual weight loss, primarily from fat.
Semaglutide also helps the pancreas produce insulin, which is how it aids in managing type 2 diabetes. Our body needs insulin to transport glucose (or blood sugar) from the food we eat into our cells, allowing us to use it as energy.
It works by mimicking the role of a natural hormone, called GLP-1 (glucagon like peptide-1) usually produced in response to detecting nutrients when we eat. GLP-1 is part of the signalling pathway that tells your body you have eaten, and prepares it to use the energy that comes from your food.
'Medications like Ozempic can have side effects including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and issues in other organs. Plus, when you stop taking it, the feelings of suppressed appetite will start to go away, and people will start to feel hungry at their old levels,' said Dr Ravate, while adding that for some people, medication will be a tool to improve weight and insulin-related outcomes. For others, food alone is a reasonable pathway to success.
Having said all that, keep in mind that healthcare is individual and decisions around food and/or medicine should be made with the considered advice of healthcare professionals. GPs and dietitians can work with you to address your specific situation and needs, providing the best possible results.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.