Ozempic has become the “it” topic in the health community, with thousands of people swearing by the weight loss drug. And over the past few months, a raft of Ozempic alternatives — whether it’s another GLP-1 like Wegovi or a fad diet like Otzempic — have been emerging.
One of the latest copycat treatments throughout TikTok is known as “nature’s ozampic, which includes supplements and other natural substances that claim to be as effective as the popular drug. But despite all the claims, are they healthy – or even safe? We asked a cardiologist and MyFitnessPal Scientific Advisor Danielle Belardo, MD, for her take on this trend.
What is “Nature’s Ozempic”?
berberine The primary supplement is being called “Nature’s Ozempic” or a natural alternative to Ozempic. this is a plant compound Commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. Some? studies There are suggestions that it may lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels and improve insulin resistance.
Do natural alternatives to Ozempic work?
Despite what you may see on social media, Dr. Belardo says there is little evidence of berberine’s effectiveness in weight loss. In contrast to semaglutide – such as Ozempic and similar GLP-1 drugs – which have been good study and thoroughly tested in many large scale controlled trials, Berberine has not been rigorously tested. and of small scale study He passed This was done, but no meaningful results were achieved.
Dr. Belardo explains, “There are no strong data showing that berberine has a clinically significant effect on weight loss or glucose control that is comparable to even the FDA-approved GLP-1 drugs.”
She says comparing berberine to Ozempic is not only scientifically inaccurate, but also potentially dangerous, as people may seek out questionable treatments.
Additionally, berberine (and any supplement for that matter) is not subject to the same strict FDA regulations as prescription drugs. “This lack of regulation hampers the standardization and quality control of supplements, leading to variability in the purity and concentration of active ingredients across different products,” warns Dr. Belardo.
How to Choose (and Use) Natural Weight Loss Options.
Dr. Belardo strongly recommends not using supplements as a weight loss strategy. She warns, “No supplements, including those marketed for weight loss, have been proven to be as effective or safe as the methods endorsed by health professionals based on rigorous scientific evidence.”
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Instead, she recommends consulting a trusted healthcare provider, such as your primary care physician or a registered dietitian. They can analyze your individual health profile and medical history to come up with an evidence-based approach tailored to your specific health needs.
“They can help design a sustainable weight management plan that combines a balanced diet with regular physical activity,” she explains, adding that this is a safer and possibly more effective route.
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