An Inspirational Weight Loss Journey
- Singer-songwriter Carnie Wilson has reached a major weight loss goal without the blockbuster weight-loss drug Ozempic, something many celebs and people across the U.S. have taken to shed pounds. She credits her new healthy way of living through changing her diet and self-control.
- Ozempic, the brand name of Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide, the highly popular new drug also known under the brand names Rybelsu and Wegovy, is an FDA-approved prescription medication for adults with type 2 diabetes. The drug, which is administered as a weekly injection, assists the body by helping the pancreas make more insulin, ultimately lowering blood sugar levels. Although it has not been FDA-approved for weight loss, the drug has been prescribed by some doctors.
- If you’re considering taking a weight loss drug, talk with your care team about whether that’s a good option for you. And make sure you consider good diet and exercise practices as a part of your treatment plan.
- We’re delighted Wilson’s hard work has helped her lose weight and feel confident in her body— especially because obesity increases an individual’s risk of developing a range of dangerous health conditions, including several types of cancer. In addition to increasing the likelihood of developing certain cancers, obesity is associated with worse treatment outcomes.
- Dr. Andrea Tufano-Sugarman of NYU Langone Health explains to SurvivorNet the benefits of losing weight: “While all cancers cannot be prevented, losing weight is a great way to reduce one’s risk.”
- When faced with a new challenge, like losing weight, it’s important to make sure that these coping mechanisms you have to care for your mental health continue to work throughout the process.
The 55-year-old mom of two, who co-founded the iconic music trio Wilson Phillips with her younger sister back in 1989 and is currently set to host her new cooking show, “Sounds Delicious with Carnie Wilson,” spoke with Fox News Digital in a recent interview about how she accomplished, and is continuing to work on, her weight loss goals, without Ozempic.
Read MoreWilson told Fox News Digital, “I personally was too scared for any side effects, gastrointestinal side effects. My doctor warned me. He said, ‘This is an option if you want to do it, but I am warning you that it has not been around enough for the way many people are using this, and that is for weight loss.”View this post on Instagram
Noting how her doctor has seen patients go to the hospital with side effects from Ozempic, she explained, “I didn’t want to take a chance with my anatomy that I have had gastric bypass surgery and a lap-band over that gastric bypass.
“I was not prepared to have … I was too scared for the side effects. So, it wasn’t right for me.”
She insisted, “And I do not put anyone down who has done it or wants to do it. To each his own. I believe that we are OK with having some kind of intervention in our lives. I’m a proponent of that.”
Wilson, who also noted how the gastric bypass and lap-band she previously underwent assisted in going from 310 pounds to 200 pounds.
“I am so thrilled about that, you know what I mean? I’m not skinny, I’m not perfect, but I’m so much healthier than I was. And I just want people to be healthy. So, if you take Ozempic or Mounjaro or whatever you do, and it works for you, great. Get healthier. There shouldn’t be a stigma around any of this. It’s to improve our health,” Wilson, who admitted to “fluctuating” in weight after the surgeries due to gaining weight during her pregnancies, said.
Wilson, who has been sober for two decades, said her doctor mentioned Ozempic last year when she was “half a point away from being diabetic,” something which certainly “scared” her and prompted her to stop eating gluten all-together and cutting out “95% of sugar.”
She says she ultimately lost 40 pounds simply eliminated food.
“I do walk, but not enough, and I don’t go to the gym and, like, work out.,” she told Fox News Digital. “It’s been really hard to do. No pills, no shots, no drugs. It has been purely willpower. I really keep fried food and sugar and gluten out of my diet. But there’s so many things to eat. I’m not deprived.”
Wilson shared “before and ‘during'” photos this week on Instagram, to further express how proud she is of the care and hard work she’s put in becoming healthier.
Writing alongside a photo of her looking fabulous in a black leather dress, and another of her still looking lovely, but noticeably heavier, she said, “Another before and ‘during’ … my health journey! This is 40 pounds down. I feel really different.”
View this post on Instagram
She continued, “I need to start exercising more to make the scale start to move again, but I’m so proud and pumped. Knowing that I did this PURELY through diet – no gluten or sugar, no butter and keeping fats down too.
“Lately I have indulged in cheese and nuts which have more fat. If I chose not to eat corn tortillas, nuts and cheese – there’s no way I could keep this up. I have totally adjusted my eating habits to satisfy my cravings but in a realistic way. And it’s a miracle. Hope this inspires someone”
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Back in February, Wilson took to Instagram to reveal her dramatic weight-loss transformation, saying she had lost nearly 40 pounds since last year.
Wilson wrote, “I did this through diet and what I have chosen to put in my mouth. My body started rejecting gluten and sugar … and with my blood sugars at a 6… cholesterol at 225 I was not heading in a good direction. I had a pain in my tummy and had an ultrasound to be sure I had no gallstones. Luckily, I did not.
“I was too scared to give up the food that I thought was bringing me comfort. The truth is… I decided that sitting in my fear, facing the vulnerability I have felt without white flour or sugar is worth it to become healthier. I ignored a voice that was literally screaming in my heart and mind for a good 3 years. I couldn’t get out of bed in the morning without hurting head to toe. I felt so inflamed that it frightened me. I felt so nervous to let go… but I finally did.”
View this post on Instagram
Wilson acknowledge there are many ways to “lose weight quicker” but she knows it “comes down to calories in versus calories expended.”
She explained, “For me, this was an act of self love… knowing which food made me feel like shit and also knowing I can’t eat it. The result has been weight loss, more energy, feeling more positive, hopeful, in control and confident. I’m not counting calories or going too cray cray with the scale. I’m trying to exercise more which I f***ing hate. I’m Walking a bit here and there. So, eventually I will reach a physical goal of 155 pounds… and feel grateful, free, healthier and motivated.
“I thought I’d fill you all in. I continue to cook and bake – for my family, friends… professionally, too… that won’t ever change! It’s hard sometimes because Lord knows I wanna cram it in my mouth!!! I know how I will feel if I do though – and that’s what stops me. Thank you for such loving and encouraging words the last 5 months! It means so much to me!!!!”
Health Risks Associated With Ozempic
Although people have had success with weight loss thanks to Ozempic, which is the brand name of the drug Semaglutide, it’s important to understand there are dangers associated with the drug. Healthcare company Lexicomp recently revealed there are negative side effects of the medication, including an increased risk of cancer.
Lexicomp explains Ozempic as “an injectable prescription medicine for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus that: along with diet and exercise may improve blood sugar (glucose),” noting it’s not the first choice of medicine for treating diabetes.
As for the most important information people should know before taking the drug, Lexicomp says Ozempic may cause serious side effects. Some of the possible side effects include:
- inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis)
- changes in vision
- low blood sugar, kidney problems
- kidney failure
- serious allergic reactions.
“The most common side effects of OZEMPIC may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach (abdominal) pain and constipation. Talk to your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away,” Lexicomp states. “These are not all the possible side effects of OZEMPIC. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.”
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center also says, regarding Lexicomp’s warning, “This drug has been shown to cause thyroid cancer in some animals. It is not known if this happens in humans.
“If thyroid cancer happens, it may be deadly if not found and treated early. Call your doctor right away if you have a neck mass, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or have hoarseness that will not go away. Do not use this drug if you have a health problem called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), or if you or a family member have had thyroid cancer.”
The side effects that call for immediate medical attention, in regard to all uses of the drug, the MSKCC lists as:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
- Signs of gallbladder problems like pain in the upper right belly area, right shoulder area, or between the shoulder blades; change in stools; dark urine or yellow skin or eyes; or fever with chills.
- Severe dizziness or passing out.
- A fast heartbeat.
- Change in eyesight.
- Low blood sugar can happen. The chance may be raised when this drug is used with other drugs for diabetes. Signs may be dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy or weak, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, or sweating. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs. Follow what you have been told to do for low blood sugar. This may include taking glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or some fruit juices.
Severe and sometimes deadly pancreas problems (pancreatitis) have happened with this drug. Call your doctor right away if you have severe stomach pain, severe back pain, or severe upset stomach or throwing up.
For anyone using the drug for weight loss, they should speak with their doctor if they notice “new or worse behavior or mood changes like depression or thoughts of suicide.”
How Does Semaglutide Work?
Integral to blood sugar control, GLP-1 is a hormone released by the gut in response to food. It causes the pancreas to release insulin. A rising blood insulin level causes all the body tissues to start absorbing glucose (blood sugar) from the bloodstream, thereby lowering blood glucose levels. GLP-1 also prevents the release of glucagon, which is a hormone that raises blood sugar levels by stimulating liver cells to release glucose and helps people feel full for longer. These effects can also cause people to lose weight.
Modern studies on GLP-1 have shown that it has a role beyond glucose control. It modulates the immune system cells, including NK cells, in a way necessary for weight loss.
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, meaning that it mimics the effects of GLP-1 in the body. Given as weekly subcutaneous injections It is normally prescribed to manage blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. It also leads to a significant amount of weight loss in these patients.
Although semaglutide has been approved for blood sugar control in people with type II diabetes, under the brand name Ozempic, and for weight loss under the brand name Wegovy, it has not been approved for use as an immune booster and cancer preventative. Thus, it should not be prescribed for that purpose. Those taking it to control their diabetes or weight, however, can expect the additional benefit of improving their immunity. as per a recent study, and lowering their cancer risk, as a link between weight and cancer does exist.
Obesity & Cancer Risk
We’re delighted Carnie Wilson is continuing to stay in better shape, especially because obesity increases an individual’s risk of developing a range of dangerous health conditions, including several types of cancer. In addition to increasing the likelihood of developing certain cancers, obesity is associated with worse treatment outcomes.
In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, Dr. Stephen Freedland of Cedars Sinai Medical Center said, “Some of the best data we have is that obesity increases the risk of not just getting prostate cancer, but actually dying from prostate cancer. Obese men are 35 percent more likely to die from prostate cancer.”
RELATED: The Link Between Obesity and Prostate Cancer
While obesity or a person’s high weight will not always cause them to develop cancer, other conditions associated obesity, like diabetes and heart disease, can lead to complications from cancer treatment if a person already has cancer. In addition, these conditions can sometimes prevent patients from receiving the recommended first-line therapies, as well as increase a patient’s risk of undergoing surgery.
Dr. Andrea Tufano-Sugarman of NYU Langone Health explained to SurvivorNet the benefits of losing weight.
“While all cancers cannot be prevented,” she said, “losing weight is a great way to reduce one’s risk.”
Dr. Tufano-Sugarman said that this is especially true for women; they lower their risk of developing breast cancer and endometrial cancer when they lose weight and keep it of.
How Can Diet Affect My Cancer Risk?
Even without losing weight, adopting a more nutritious diet can help.
“Food choices, independent of weight loss, may also help to reduce risk,” Dr. Tufano-Sugarman said.
“Research has shown that the Mediterranean diet (rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes, fish and olive oil) is associated with a decreased risk of cancer. Whereas diets rich in red meat may be associated with an increased risk of colorectal and prostate cancer.”
Diet and Exercise Considerations for Cancer Survivors
Although Wilson has never battled cancer, it’s important to point out that it’s never a bad idea to try to lead a healthy lifestyle. But what should you know about maintaining good health and cancer risk? We’ve got you covered below.
Thinking about Diet
Healthy diet recommendations for cancer-related concerns can differ depending upon who you ask.
Studies have shown that diet can influence cancer prevention. Heavy alcohol consumption and obesity have been linked to a number of cancers, so it’s a good idea to exercise and maintain a diet that incorporates more fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins while decreasing sodium and added sugar intake.
Sugar, specifically, has attracted a lot of attention for a possible role in cancer, but overwhelming medical evidence finds that sugar does not cause cancer. SurvivorNet has previously found that credible sources such as Memorial Sloan-Kettering and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center all came to that same conclusion as well.
But there is still some debate on the subject. Dr. Brian Berman, director of the center for integrative medicine at the University of Maryland, believes sugar does, in fact, fuel cancer.
Below we have shared his views not because it is of equal scientific weight to the sources cited above, but rather because it is a view that does get a lot of attention and press.
Sugar, The Western Diet And Cancer Prevention
There’s also articles that often get published saying “this fruit” or “that vegetable” is the magical cure to cancer. Unfortunately, that’s not necessarily the case.
Leading oncologists say it is always hard to use studies of a single food to make sweeping generalizations about their impact on health.
There is a variety of factors that can determine health risk and it is difficult, and perhaps impossible, to say that a single food such as mushrooms can have a direct impact on cancer risk. Many other factors such as overall diet, environmental risk, genetics and exercise play a role.
Dr. Ken Miller says a healthy diet and regular workout routine are important
Coping With Body Changes
People, including those diagnosed with cancer, should strive for a healthy lifestyle. Maintaining a proper diet filled with fruits and vegetables and exercising – even minimally – can benefit overall health.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says, “Being overweight or having obesity are linked with a higher risk of getting 13 types of cancer.”
Body weight that exceeds what the body mass index (BMI) deems appropriate for your weight and height can help determine body fat content. Although your BMI can help you learn if you are at a healthy weight, underweight, overweight, or obese, other factors may contribute to your overall health.
WATCH: Coping with body image.
Being Optimistic & Coping With Mental Health
It’s also important to take cate of your mental health while you are going through a health challenge, like a cancer diagnosis, or even just trying to lose weight, is certainly a process.
People may turn to many different avenues to help them cope, such as traditional therapy, support groups, meditation, and sometimes medical intervention such as antidepressants.
When faced with a new challenge, it’s important to make sure that these coping mechanisms you have to care for your mental health continue to work throughout the process.
“I think flexibility is really a core of how to manage it,” Dr. Samantha Boardman, a New York-based psychiatrist and author, previously told SurvivorNet. “Are your coping strategies that you’re using now, are they helpful in the way that they were in the past?”
Dr. Boardman encourages people who may be struggling with their mental well-being to take stock of their belief system and ask themselves the following questions:
- Could these beliefs be harming me (like feelings of self-doubt or negativity)?
- Is my mindset holding me back from positive steps forward?
Dr. Boardman suggests working to recognize any negative thoughts that may be making the process of cancer treatment more difficult, and trying to dismantle those to be more “realistically optimistic.”
SurvivorNetTV Presents: Breaking the Cycle The Power of Mindset
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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