By Dr. Jennifer Ridley, DC

Everywhere you look, someone’s talking about weight loss shots. Maybe a friend is using one. Maybe you’ve seen the before-and-after photos online. These GLP-1 injections (like Ozempic and Wegovy) are becoming popular for helping people lose weight and manage blood sugar—but here’s the big question:

Do you really want to rely on a shot for the rest of your life?I understand the appeal. These medications work by helping you feel full faster and slowing how quickly food leaves your stomach. This can lead to fewer cravings and, yes, weight loss. But before we lean too heavily on injections, let’s look at the full picture—side effects, long-term risks, and most importantly, your underlying health.

The Not-So-Talked-About Side Effects

GLP-1 injections can help, but they don’t come without downsides. Some common side effects include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation or diarrhea
  • Bloating or gas
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Even hair thinning in some cases

And while rare, more serious risks include macular degeneration, pancreatitis and gallbladder problems. Long-term effects? We’re still learning. That’s the thing: these drugs weren’t originally designed for everyday people just trying to drop some pounds—they were made for diabetes. Using them off-label for weight loss is still relatively new.

The bigger issue is: what happens when you stop the shots? Often, the weight comes right back plus some extra. Why? Because the root problem—your body’s metabolism, habits, and relationship with food—was never truly addressed.

Food: Your Most Powerful Medicine

Here’s the good news: you don’t need to inject yourself forever to feel better, lose weight, or manage your blood sugar. In many cases, nutrition (diet and supplements) can do what the shots are trying to mimic—and do it better, because it heals from the inside out.

By focusing on real, whole foods and whole food supplements, your body can start balancing hormones like insulin and leptin naturally. This helps control hunger, boost energy, and even improve mood.

Start here:

  • Cut ultra-processed foods: Packaged snacks and sugary drinks confuse your hunger signals and spike your blood sugar.
  • Protein with every meal: Helps keep you full and supports muscle.
  • Fiber-rich veggies: Broccoli, spinach, and cauliflower support digestion and stabilize blood sugar.
  • Healthy fats: Avocados, nuts, and olive oil help you feel satisfied.

Next steps:

  • See us for Food Allergy/Sensitivity testing. If you are creating inflammation and triggering a stress response every time you eat it is very hard to get control of your blood sugar and weight. Sugar is the fuel for the stress response! Stress causes the release of cortisol. Cortisol then causes changes which include increasing glucose (sugar) levels in your blood so your brain can use it as fuel, speeding your heart rate and sending more blood to your limbs so you can stay alert in a stressful or dangerous situation. Short version – under stress you stop burning fat and start burning sugar, leading to elevated sugar levels and cravings and decrease your ability to burn fat and lose weight. Getting this testing allows us to cut out the foods from your diet that are eliciting a stress response every time you eat!
  • Bring in labs if you have them, otherwise we will draw labs to look at hormones that affect weight loss and weight gain – such as testosterone, thyroid, insulin and leptin.

Also: don’t underestimate sleep and movement. These are all part of the metabolic puzzle we can help with.

You Deserve Long-Term Health, Not Lifetime Injections

GLP-1 drugs may have a place, especially for people with certain medical needs. But for most of us looking to feel better and lose weight naturally, nutrition is still the most powerful tool we have that leads to lasting weight loss.

If you’re tired of quick fixes and want a plan that truly heals your body—without depending on a needle—I’d love to help guide you.

Your body was designed to heal. Let’s give it the chance.

Want a personalized nutrition plan that works for you?

Schedule a consultation today and let’s start building a healthier future—no injections required.