You’ve probably heard of Ozempic and how it became famous on social media for quick weight loss. Surely, who can blame people for flocking to their doctor’s office for a prescription? You lose weight by injecting yourself once a week, not having to worry about dieting, counting calories, or exercising. And it manages blood sugar levels. What’s not to love? Even famous people like Elon Musk and Chelsea Handler have used it to lose weight. However, because there are issues with Ozempic, you might want to consider natural alternatives.
How Ozempic Works
Ozempic is a diabetic drug that works by mimicking the hormone called glucagon-like peptide, or GLP-1. According to their website, it helps your pancreas produce more insulin when your sugar is high. It also prevents your liver from making and releasing too much sugar. Ozempic can also slow down digestion and help you feel fuller.
Problems with Ozempic
While all of this sounds wonderful, there are issues with using Ozempic, such as:
- Being prescribed to non-diabetics causes a shortage for those who need the drug
- It can cause “Ozempic face” which is sagging and aging of the face
- It can cause “Ozempic butt” which is sagging skin on the butt
- Your insurance may not cover it and it’s expensive out of pocket
- It may cause side effects such as diarrhea and nausea
- There’s an increased risk of gallstones
- In rare cases, Ozempic may cause pancreatitis or swelling of the pancreas
With that said, I am not against Ozempic. If your doctor thinks it’s right for you and it manages your blood sugar levels and helps you lose weight, then I’m all for it. However, if it’s hard for you to get, is pricey, or causes side effects, you can try natural alternatives instead.
How to Boost GLP-1 Naturally
There are many ways to boost GLP-1 naturally. For example, there are foods, antioxidants, and spices that influence or increase GLP-1 levels. They include:
- Good fats such as avocado, nuts, olive oil, and eggs
- High-fiber foods such as vegetables and whole grains
- Tea
- Curcumin
- Cinnamon
- Soybean
- Resveratrol
(https://www.sciencealert.com/ozempic-is-a-weight-loss-sensation-but-these-foods-give-the-same-effect).
Quercetin
Quercetin is a plant pigment found in plants and foods. Human and animal studies show quercetin can directly stimulate GLP-1 secretion (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8235588/#:~:text=As%20dietary%20proteins%20are%20digested,in%20humans%20and%20animal%20models).
Additionally, many of the foods containing quercetin are also mentioned in this post for other benefits. They include onions, apples, and green tea.
Exercise
Exercising is one of the most natural and best things you can do for diabetes. It not only lowers high blood sugar, but it also aids in weight loss. Now research shows that exercise may improve GLP-1 resistance. In fact, endurance training improved cell sensitivity to GLP-1 in overweight women (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35935071/#:~:text=Conclusion%3A%20Along%20with%20improved%20glycemic,was%20not%20registered%20as%20such).
Oral Glutamine
Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid, and a study shows it stimulates GLP-1 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15365617/). According to WebMD, it is likely safe in doses up to 40 grams, but can cause bloating, nausea, dizziness, and stomach upset. You should not take it if you have liver disease and it may interact with anti-seizure medications. Also, there isn’t enough information about whether it is safe for pregnant women. Therefore, you need to be cautious if you want to try it.
A Good Night’s Rest
A study showed that severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with lower GLP-1 (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jsr.12552).
Read my post on OSA and how to get a good night’s sleep at https://backtonaturediabetic.com/the-connection-between-diabetes-and-sleep-disorders/.
Berberine
Berberine is a chemical found in plants.
A Time article states, “Berberine cannot replicate the key mechanism of semaglutide and bond to GLP-1 receptors, making it a poor stand-in for drugs like Ozempic” and “Berberine can result in some modest weight loss.”
Yes, it’s true that berberine is not a substitute for Ozempic, but it can be a substitute for metformin. Both can reduce blood sugar and lead to modest weight loss. Read my post on how berberine is nature’s metformin here: https://backtonaturediabetic.com/why-berberine-is-natures-metformin
Keto and Intermittent Fasting
According to Dr. Frank Pescatore, it’s easy to mimic the benefits of Ozempic naturally. “By eating in ways that naturally boost the production of GLP-1—the same hormone in semaglutide shots. Delaying breakfast with intermittent fasting is a proven approach. Eating a keto diet is another. British research finds the calcium in cheese paired with the amino acids in meat stimulate GLP-1 release, making you less hungry” (https://www.firstforwomen.com/posts/diet/ozempic-for-women-over-50-miracle-or-miss).
Reducing Uric Acid
Dr. David Perlmutter claims Ozempic works in part by lowering levels of uric acid, which is a waste product found in the blood. He states to limit foods that elevate uric acid, such as sweeteners, alcohol, gluten, beef, and organ meats.
Food and spices the doctor recommends are:
- leafy greens
- apples
- cruciferous vegetables
- celery
- onion
- squash
- bing cherries
- tart cherry juice
- green tea with lemon
- garlic
- ginger
- turmeric
- allulose sweetener
Most of these natural alternatives have already been shown to help diabetics lose weight and control blood sugar. For example, exercising, eating vegetables, and drinking tea are excellent for blood sugar control and weight loss. That they may also boost GLP-1 makes them even better.
Conclusion
Ozempic is all we seem to hear about nowadays. While it’s appealing to take a weekly shot to manage blood sugar levels and lose weight, there are many reasons you might not want to, or cannot, take it. As a result, you may want a more natural approach to boosting GLP-1.
Quote
“You know, if you are on Ozempic and eat junk, processed foods, too much sugar, you are not going to really change your eating habits. And we know that what leads to disease are ultra-processed foods and sugar. So, learning to also change your food habits is key.” – Arianna Huffington
Disclaimer
Please remember this is not medical advice or intended to replace your doctor’s advice. This is my experience with the natural supplements that have helped me manage my diabetes. They are not intended to cure any disease. Please do not self-diagnose. Always check with your healthcare provider before trying new treatments.
Also, natural does not mean safe. Many natural remedies have side effects and can interact with medication and supplements. It should be noted that the FDA does not regulate dietary supplements but treats them like foods and not medication. Unlike drug manufacturers, supplement makers do not have to show their products are safe or effective.
I ask you to please keep an open mind; be a diabetic detective and do your own research; work with your healthcare team; see what works best for you, and monitor your blood sugars.