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A recent news piece suggested that people taking popular weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy might find fasting for Yom Kippur easier. The report is basically an observation that these medications, which change how your body handles hunger and digestion, could change how you experience a 25-hour fast. It’s not a dramatic medical breakthrough announcement — more a practical note about a possible side effect of already-widespread medications. Ozempic and Wegovy both contain a drug called semaglutide. In simple terms, semaglutide acts like a naturally occurring gut hormone that signals to your brain that you’re full and also slows how quickly food leaves your stomach. That combination reduces appetite and leads to lower calorie intake over time, which is why the drug helps with weight loss. People take it by injection on a regular schedule under a doctor’s guidance; it’s not a short-term fasting aid. What the article is reporting is largely experiential: people on these drugs report having less hunger during long fasts, and some practitioners noted patients seemed to tolerate fasting better. The story doesn’t present a controlled study proving the effect in a large group, so we don’t know how consistently this happens, how big the difference is, or whether it applies to everyone on the medication. In other words, it’s based on reports and observations rather than randomized clinical trial evidence about fasting specifically. Why this might matter is practical. For people who take semaglutide for weight management and observe religious fasts like Yom Kippur, the medication could make the fasting day less physically uncomfortable. That might help people who worry about intense hunger or lightheadedness during a fast. It could also raise questions for religious communities and doctors about managing dosing schedules around fasts and whether people should adjust medication timing. There are important caveats. Semaglutide has side effects — common ones include nausea, stomach discomfort, and sometimes constipation or diarrhea — and it’s not safe or appropriate for everyone. It’s a prescription drug; people shouldn’t start or stop it without talking to their doctor. Also, the observation about fasting doesn’t mean the drug is a fasting aid or that it’s without risks during long periods without food. Religious or medical decisions should consider individual health conditions, guidance from clinicians, and, where relevant, counsel from religious authorities. Bottom line: People on Ozempic or Wegovy may notice less hunger during a 25-hour fast, but the claim is based on anecdote and observation rather than large-scale studies, and anyone concerned should consult their doctor before making medication changes around fasting.
Source: The Jerusalem Post