Recently, there's been a lot of discussion globally on the use of Ozempic for fighting obesity. Ever since one of the world's richest businessmen, Elon Musk, claimed to use Ozempic, it’s been seen as a life-saving aid against obesity. At the 'India Today Conclave 2025', Vikrant Shrotriya, Corporate Vice President and Managing Director of Novo Nordisk India, a major pharmaceutical company working on diabetes medications, openly discussed the benefits and drawbacks of Ozempic.
During the session, when Kalli Puri, Vice Chairperson and Executive Editor in Chief of the India Today Group, asked Vikrant Shrotriya how Ozempic helps in tackling this issue.
Ozempic Is No Magic Pill
Vikrant explains, 'I believe that lifestyle, diet, and exercise are essential. I refer to it as Attitudes, Behaviors, and Choices (ABC). This is not a magic pill you can rely on after a night out partying by simply taking an injection. It’s more like a lifeguard for when diet and exercise aren't enough to reduce weight, but it is still a medicine.'
Source: aajtak
He further adds, 'This medicine teaches the brain to stop eating and promotes a sense of fullness, helping with weight reduction. However, it should not be misused.'
When asked if the drug is an insulin sensitizer and if it leads to muscle loss or gain when stopped, leading to weight gain:
He responded, 'Just like aerobic exercise causes muscle loss, use this medication as directed by a doctor because nutrition is crucial. One cannot simply buy it from a pharmacy and blame the medication afterward. Nutrition is vital alongside injections.'
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Controlling Obesity is Not Easy
He explains further, 'Everyone seeks health and peace. People around the world, including in India, are struggling with obesity in various ways. The straightforward formula is to eat more and exercise more, or exercise less and eat less. People know what’s right but lack self-control. It’s a battle of the mind.'
He states, 'Food is becoming cheaper. Even though prices are rising, it's still cheaper compared to other things. The habit of overeating is like smoking, which is hard to quit. The desire to eat is stronger than people's willpower.'
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Willpower is Key in Weight Loss
Our lifestyle works against us. What do you say? In response, he says, 'The entire universe seems to be working against us. We leave our air-conditioned homes, travel in cars, and reach air-conditioned offices with a lavish lunch ready. I live in Bangalore, where people sit coding all day and have fatty liver. Fighting obesity isn’t easy.'
Do you need other supplements with this medication?
He stated, every patient is different. Obesity doesn’t come alone; it represents various disorders like BP, heart disease, cholesterol, diabetes, and infertility. Therefore, under proper medical supervision, nutrition and supplements are necessary with this medication. Obesity is the root of over 200 diseases from head to toe. If you are trying to lose weight, even a 5% reduction decreases blood pressure, and reduces fatty liver. A 10 to 15% reduction lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes.
