Natural ozempic alternatives that might help lower blood sugar levels include berberine, magnesium, and aloe vera.
(NewsNation) — A plant-derived supplement called berberine is going viral on social media for being a cheaper, natural alternative to Ozempic for those wanting to lose weight. Posts calling it “nature's Ozempic” have racked up millions of views on TikTok as users claim it can help with weight loss.
Popular Ozempic alternatives for blood sugar control include Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), and Rybelsus (semaglutide). If you're looking for Ozempic alternatives with the goal of losing weight, Wegovy (semaglutide) and Saxenda (liraglutide) might be an option for you.
Similar to Ozempic, berberine decreases blood sugar and can lead to weight reduction, says Giordano who is also co-founder of Rebesana, a company that researches healthspan and lifespan. But unlike Ozempic, the natural drug isn't injectable and can be taken orally.
Mounjaro is a more effective drug than Ozempic. As demonstrated above, tirzepatide (the active ingredient in Mounjaro) leads to more clinically significant weight loss and blood sugar reductions than semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic).
If you stop taking Ozempic, the weight you lost will likely return, fast. People who ceased use of semaglutide gained back, on average, a full two-thirds of the weight they had lost on the drug within one year, according to an August 2022 study, the Wall Street Journal reports.
A 2022 study found that most individuals gain weight back a year after stopping the medication.
For most people, stopping Ozempic (or any medication that's meant to be taken long term) abruptly without a medical reason is not ideal. Stopping Ozempic is not directly harmful, but you may begin to notice weight gain.
Based on the literature, Ozempic induces higher levels of weight loss than berberine. However, treatment was still used as an addition to diet and exercise.
Semaglutide is commonly known as Ozempic, the brand name for the drug when prescribed as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. Ozempic has been widely used off-label for weight loss; the same drug, branded as Wegovy, is now approved for weight management in Australia, but is not currently available.
Some of the most effective prescription injectable weight loss medications available include: Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy - these are diabetes drugs originally and now used to treat obesity. Although these injectable drugs can help users lose weight there are some dangers and caveats!
It says there are no approved generic versions of these drug. However, an off-brand version of the drug has been seen at compounding pharmacies across the U.S. The FDA received reports of adverse events after patients used "generic" versions of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy.
Wegovy and Ozempic are once-weekly injections that contain the same active ingredient: semaglutide. These injectable medications have been gaining a lot of attention recently and, in fact, are both currently in shortage due to increased demand.
Through boosting metabolism, regulating blood sugar, and reducing inflammation, magnesium can be a valuable addition to your weight loss journey. Scientific research supports the use of magnesium supplementation for weight loss, with studies showing significant improvements in body composition and metabolic health.
San Antonio woman's weight loss journey with Berberine
Savannah Crosby has taken TikTok to document her weight loss journey with Berberine. Crosby has lost about 7 pounds already. " I want to talk about Berberine because people are calling it nature's Ozempic."
Berberine, a bioactive compound hailing from various plants, is fast making a name for itself as a health-promoting supplement in Australia. With a rich spectrum of benefits encompassing blood glucose regulation and cardiovascular health improvement, Berberine stands tall in the landscape of wellness.
Currently, two studies have shown that intake of berberine alone in those who are clinically obese can result in significant weight loss. Intake of berberine should be done for at least three months to see visible results. However, these studies only recruited small sample sizes.
A person can stay on Ozempic® so long as they are tolerating the medication and it is deemed appropriate by their treating provider. There is no specific time frame when someone should stop taking Ozempic as it is a medication that is intended for chronic (long-term) use.
The most common side effect with Ozempic is nausea and occurs in about 15% to 20% of people. Others include vomiting (5% to 9%), diarrhea (8%), stomach-area pain (6% to 7%), and constipation (3% to 7%).
Ozempic and its sister medication, Wegovy — approved for weight loss for people who are obese or overweight with weight-related medical conditions — are considered long-term or lifelong treatments.
Stopping Ozempic
Meanwhile, these are “not medications that our body becomes addicted to, there are no significant withdrawals and no significant major rebound effects,” emphasized Dr. Warriner. In her patients with diabetes, Warriner has also observed a return of increased appetite over time.
Ozempic can cause nausea and vomiting if taken after eating foods high in fat or sugar. It is recommended that you take Ozempic before meals, rather than after, to minimise any potential side effects from eating high-fat or high-sugar foods.