This is what you need to know about “nature’s Ozempic”
You’ve probably seen the posts and ads touting certain supplements and foods as “nature’s Ozempic”. And I am here to tell you there is no such thing.
Here’s what you need to know.
The class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists mimic a hormone produced by the body - GLP-1 (Glucagon Like Peptide One). The intrinsically made hormone GLP-1 helps lower blood glucose levels by delaying gastric emptying and suppressing appetite.
Here’s the thing: the GLP-1 made by our body has a half-life of about TWO minutes. In other words, it does not linger in our bodies for very long at all.
The synthetic GLP-1 receptor agonists that we get in medications mimics the effects of the natural hormone, but instead of a half-life of a few minutes, it lasts in the body for A WEEK OR MORE. That’s a whole lot longer than the 2 minutes.
As a Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist, it is out of my scope of practice to advise you about medications, and whether or not you should take them. But I do want to call out every single person who claims to be touting a “nature’s Ozempic" panacea, because there is nothing naturally-made that can raise GLP-1 levels to come even close to the dose one gets from weight loss medications.
If you are considering taking weight loss medications, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking these drugs.
If you are already on weight loss medications such as Ozempic or Wegovy, it is important to be mindful of your nutrition and nourishment, in order to decrease the potential risks and side effects.
Mindful nourishment can:
help reduce or mitigate unpleasant digestive discomfort
protect against muscle loss (which comes with a long list of risks, including impaired metabolism, increased fall risk, poor bone health, and more…)
ensure that your body receives the nutrients it needs to thrive
decrease food anxiety and "food noise", as you learn how to build nutritious meals with confidence
Set you up with nourishing, sustainable routines that support your health in this season and beyond
If you are interested in learning more about how to support your body with mindful nutrition while on weight loss medications, I am here to support you. Click here to learn more, or schedule an exploratory call to address any questions you might have.
Sources:
Ibnat N, Zaman R, Uddin MB, Chowdhury E, Lee CY. Improved systemic half-life of glucagon-like peptide-1-loaded carbonate apatite nanoparticles in rats. World J Diabetes. 2022 Aug 15;13(8):613-621. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v13.i8.613. PMID: 36159222; PMCID: PMC9412859.
Lee S, Lee DY. Glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2017 Mar;22(1):15-26. doi: 10.6065/apem.2017.22.1.15. Epub 2017 Mar 31. PMID: 28443255; PMCID: PMC5401818.
Zheng, Z., Zong, Y., Ma, Y. et al. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor: mechanisms and advances in therapy. Sig Transduct Target Ther 9, 234 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-024-01931-z