GLP-1 Dupes: Is There Really a Magic Pill?

Earlier this year I wrote about our society’s fixation on being thin and the subsequent rise in popularity of GLP-1 drugs. While these drugs are still the focal point of the current weight loss market

Glucagon-like-peptide-1, or GLP-1 is a hormone naturally produced by our bodies that helps control blood sugar and lose weight. It slows down how fast your stomach empties, so that you feel fuller while also increasing how much insulin your pancreas produces which lowers blood sugar. GLP-1s send signals to the brain that reduce hunger and appetite. GLP-1 drugs such as semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) mimic the actions of the GLP-1 hormone.

From berberine to konjac fiber supplements to B12 shots, an entire industry has emerged aiming to profit off the sudden rise in popularity of GLP-1s. Beyond the injectables, many versions of oral semaglutide, such as Rybelsus, have also come to market and experienced a rapid increase in demand. With the side effects of long term GLP-1 use being unknown, these alternatives could offer a safer way to lose weight. On the other hand, we have seen the supplementation industry use trends like these to take advantage of consumers and make a quick buck, see my article about weight loss for more information.

A number of companies that started out as holistic health centers have leaned fully into natural weight loss supplements. Tally Health, which rose to prominence for their epigenetic age test as one of the first longevity platforms, has released a supplement called Amplify, “designed to boost mitochondrial health, mimic caloric restriction, and improve glucose metabolism”. The pill contains a combination of berberine, glycine, and coenzyme. Veracity, another wellness platform, has almost completely rebranded to push their most popular product, Metabolism Ignite, which promotes energy and weight loss. Whether or not these supplements are worth their hefty price tag is still up for debate, but after raking in millions on these products, I don’t seem demand slowing down anytime soon.

Individuals have also turned to a number of easily accessible natural supplements that supposedly help control blood sugar as a cheaper and healthier alternative to GLP-1s. Berberine is probably the most well known as is went viral for being dubbed “nature’s Ozempic”. The chemical is currently being studied for its effects on diabetes and heart disease but has been flying off the shelves as a weight loss supplement ever since the GLP-1 craze swept the country. Historically berberine, which is found in a variety of plants, was used to treat infections, skin diseases, digestive disorders, and other conditions. Post on social media cite it helps lower blood sugar, control cravings, decreases belly fat, lowers cholesterol, and more. The chemical’s virality has led to surging sales across the U.S. One company selling the supplement, Thorne, reported in the second quarter of 2023, sales for berberine rose 165%.

Along with berberine, there’s been a new wave of high fiber diet promotion given fiber-rich foods can naturally increase GLP-1 levels and promote satiety. Supplements such as psyllium, a soluble fiber known for its digestive benefits has also increased in popularity in recent years. Dubbed “poor man’s Ozempic” is has been touted as another way to achieve similar results to that of the prescription GLP-1 drugs without a prescription at a much lower price point. The decades old product Metamucil has reemerged as a popular natural weight loss supplement due to its high content of fiber in the form of psyllium seed husk.   

Companies are capitalizing on the desire for natural alternatives that have similar GLP-1 effects or actually help increase GLP-1 hormones in our bodies naturally. The company Evolv is working on providing an orally bioavailable version of GLP-1 drugs in a more natural state without the need for prescription. Many direct-to-consumer supplement companies, such as HUM and Thorne have come out with entirely new weight loss lines of product including ingredients like berberine, fiber, ginseng, magnesium, curcumin, and more substances that potentially have similar GLP-1 like effects on the body. Even Kourtney Kardashian’s supplement company, Lemme, came out with a product called GLP-1 daily, advertised as a GLP-1 support, appetite and weight management supplement. While most of what is on the market is not clinically validated, many consumers looking for a less invasive, more affordable way to supplement their weight loss journey have created massive demand for these products. The jury is still out on whether or not any of them actually work, but hey placebo effect is a real thing, so maybe some could benefit from adding these into their daily routine.

While many of the supply chain issues with accessing GLP-1s have been eased, there are still large barriers for most consumers interested in taking these drugs. There are also many concerns about the long-term effects of GLP-1s, especially for non-diabetic users. For this population, some of the “GLP-1 dupes” could be a viable option. It’s important to note that most of these supplements and natural substances have not been clinically tested and the results are almost exclusively hearsay. I am not a doctor, nor have I tried many of these products, so I encourage you to consult with a physician before adding anything into your daily routine. Regardless of if you’re someone looking to try these alternatives or just curious about the developing GLP-1 market in general, I hope this article gave you a little insight into the future of weight loss drugs and supplements.