Thinking of Trying an Ozempic Alternative? Doctor Exposes the Supplement Industry's Biggest Lies

When used in conjunction with the care of an experienced physician, next-generation drugs like semaglutide (marketed under the brand names Wegovy and Ozempic) and tirzepatide (sold under the brand name Mounjaro) have shown remarkable success in helping patients overcome their obesity.

Unfortunately, not everyone who may benefit from these medicines can get their hands on them because of supply issues and expensive prices.

Consequently, it might be alluring to experiment with less expensive options, such as those promoted on social media or sold at discount health food stores.

However, Dr. Christopher McGowan, a board-certified physician in internal medicine, gastroenterology, and obesity medicine, cautioned that despite the prevalence of supplements promoted as weight reduction solutions, there is no evidence to support the claims that they work.

"As we know, patients are desperate for treatment and are looking for all options," he told the publication. A single proven herbal supplement for weight reduction does not exist. You can be throwing your money away."

Due to the unregulated nature of the market, it is not always clear what ingredients are included in weight-loss pills and in what quantities.

Avoid spending unnecessary money on supplements, as recommended by McGowan.

If you can't resist the temptation, arm yourself with basic knowledge about deciphering everyday items and their labels.

Issues with berberine, sometimes known as "nature's Ozempic,"

Traditional medicine in China and India has employed berberine, a bitter-tasting chemical found in plants like barberry and goldenseal, for millennia. However, in recent years, berberine has become a popular weight-reduction trend on social media.

There is scant evidence to support the claims made by TikTok influencers that the pill aids weight loss and restores hormonal or glucose homeostasis.

"It's been given the name "nature's Ozempic," unfortunately with no real basis in reality," McGowan remarked. The challenge requires concrete evidence that such actions can contribute to weight loss. These studies carry a substantial risk of bias, primarily because of their limited sample sizes and absence of randomization.

If there is any advantage, it's not clinically significant."

He also noted that berberine's potential gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea and drug interactions, warrant caution.

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Keep away from secret recipes that might have harmful hidden components.

Numerous ingredients are often packaged together under a single brand name and sold as a weight reduction pill with catchphrases like "metabolic health," "appetite control," and "fat shredding."

According to McGowan, these goods called "proprietary blends," are more dangerous than others because their ingredient lists are notoriously tricky to understand and chock-full of chemicals with copyrights.

"I would advise avoiding proprietary blends because there's no transparency," he said. Stay with supplements that include only one component. Stay away from anything that makes vast promises or assurances.

The fact that the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate supplements means that the substances and doses included in them are subject only to the claims made by the manufacturers.

McGowan emphasized that manufacturers bear the responsibility for guaranteeing the safety of their supplements. This situation implies that the supplements may not contain the stated ingredients on the label and could possess varying potencies. Some instances have revealed the presence of hazardous contaminants, illegal substances, and even prescription drugs in certain supplements.

Despite mounting evidence suggesting they do more harm than good, certain popular weight-reduction pills have remained popular for over a decade.

Throughout pregnancy, the body secretes the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) at specific times. As featured on "The Dr. Oz Show," this supplement gained popularity as a crucial component of a 500-calorie-per-day diet within a rapid weight loss program.

HCG may cause weakness, irritation, fluid retention, and an elevated risk of blood clots, which is why it requires a doctor's prescription.

"It's mind-blowing to me that there are still clinics offering weight loss when there's no evidence and there are warnings from the FDA and the American Medical Association," McGowan commented.

Dr. Oz has also helped popularise garcinia cambogia, a weight-loss supplement made from the rind of a tropical fruit that blocks fat production. Nevertheless, research indicates that garcinia does not yield more significant weight loss results than a placebo. Additionally, previous studies have associated the supplement with instances of liver failure.

Even though plant-derived products like garcinia may seem appealing due to the false belief that natural compounds are inherently safer than medications, McGowan emphasized that they still carry risks.

McGowan emphasized the need to recall that, despite its natural origins, the supplement undergoes manufacturing in a factory.

Caffeine commonly features in diet pills, and excessive consumption of it can pose potential harm.

Most "fat burners," such as those sold in health food stores, include caffeine as green tea or coffee bean extract. Although caffeine has some positive effects, such as boosting alertness, McGowan claims it has nothing to do with weight reduction.

"It can boost energy; we know that, and while it may improve exercise capacity, it won't move the scale," said the researcher.

Caffeine can produce gastrointestinal upset, anxiety, and headaches at high dosages. Caffeine supplements, especially those with a high concentration of the drug, can cause fatal overdoses, with symptoms including convulsions, unconsciousness, and even death.

The health benefits of psyllium husk and other fiber supplements do not include rapid weight loss.

Numerous over-the-counter diet supplements focus on boosting your fiber intake, an indigestible carbohydrate that enhances the digestive process.

One of the trendiest fiber supplements is psyllium husk, a powder obtained from the seeds of a plant native to South Asia.

McGowan contends that there is insufficient evidence to support the idea that fiber, on its own, aids in weight loss. However, it can contribute to weight reduction by increasing the feeling of fullness after a meal.

"No studies are showing that fiber alone is going to cause significant weight loss," according to him.

Eating more fiber, mainly in nutrient-rich whole foods such as vegetables, legumes, nuts, and fruits, enhances overall health.

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New types of weight reduction products are continually arriving on the market, and previous trends often return, making it impossible to keep pace with all the weight loss promises, McGowan said.

Some other substances that have been marketed as weight-loss aids but have not shown any clinical efficacy are:

"Aloe vera"

Calcium

Picolinate of chromium

Ephedra gum guar

Nonetheless, supplement manufacturers persist in making outlandish promises, and it can be difficult for the average customer to sort through the evidence.

"It's unfair to expect the average person to understand the claims—I can barely understand them," McGowan said. "You need to dig deep because products claim to have studies, but those studies may be poor quality and show nothing."

The main conclusion, he added, is that none of the weight-loss supplements on the market are safe and effective.

"You can scan the supplement shelf, and it's well-stocked with things that claim weight loss, but unfortunately, they're not backed by the evidence," McGowan commented. "I always recommend reaching out to a medical expert to talk through your options, or better yet, when you hit the supplement aisle, just keep walking."

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