Trendy GLP-1 Supplements Claim to Offer Similar Benefits as Prescription Medications at a Fraction of the Cost
Trendy GLP-1 supplements are being touted as “nature’s Ozempic”, promising to deliver a similar outcome as the wildly popular injectable — all for a fraction of the price.
The Prescription Medication
Ozempic and sister drugs Wegovy and Mounjaro are semaglutides that mimic the GLP-1 hormone to slow digestion, help the pancreas produce insulin and regulate sugar production in the liver.
The Store-Bought Supplements
The pills feature ingredients that allegedly boost your body’s GLP-1 production naturally, with no nasty artificial additives.
Doctors’ Skepticism
Doctors are skeptical that GLP-1 supplements work like the prescription medication.
Kourtney Kardashian’s supplement brand Lemme this month launched a GLP-1 daily pill, being billed as “a breakthrough innovation in metabolic health, formulated to naturally boost your body’s GLP-1 production, reduce appetite, and promote healthy weight loss.”
Concerns Over Efficacy
Doctors, however, aren’t so sure about such supplements.
Dr. Roshini Raj, a gastroenterologist based in New York, told Today that, despite the labels on the bottles, “they do not contain GLP-1” nor “an agonist or mimicking hormone.”
“They contain extracts, maybe from fruits or vegetables, that purport to boost your body’s natural GLP-1. But to me, that’s a big difference,” Raj said, warning about the unknown ingredients in store-bought alternatives and calling it “a bit of a Wild West.”
Conclusion
While the store-bought supplements may be appealing due to their affordability, doctors are warning against relying on them for weight loss. The efficacy of these supplements is uncertain, and it is unlikely that they will result in real, sustained weight loss.
FAQs
Q: What are GLP-1 supplements?
A: GLP-1 supplements are pills that allegedly boost your body’s GLP-1 production naturally, with no nasty artificial additives.
Q: Are GLP-1 supplements effective for weight loss?
A: Doctors are skeptical about the effectiveness of GLP-1 supplements for weight loss, citing the unknown ingredients and lack of scientific evidence.
Q: Are GLP-1 supplements safe?
A: The safety of GLP-1 supplements is uncertain, as they are not regulated by the FDA and may contain unknown ingredients.
Q: Should I try GLP-1 supplements for weight loss?
A: Doctors recommend against relying on GLP-1 supplements for weight loss, citing the lack of scientific evidence and potential unknown risks.
