A dietitian has revealed the unlikely supplements that may help supercharge the effects of blockbuster weight loss drugs.
Taken by one in eight American adults (30 million people) injections like Ozempic and Wegovy have changed the landscape of weight loss, diet and diabetes care.
The drugs work by mimicking glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a naturally present hormone in the gut that slows digestion, regulates blood sugar and tells the body it’s full – which helps control diabetes and weight.
Because GLP-1 medications slow gastric emptying, those taking them often have to adjust their diets and supplement regimens to avoid potentially debilitating side effects like nausea, constipation, diarrhea and bloating.
In her new book, Your Best Shot: The Personalized System for Optimal Weight Health – GLP-1 Shot or Not, California-based dietitian Ashley Koff revealed the ins and outs of the weight loss shots.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Koff, a dietitian for more than 25 years, identified the supplements science suggests may help boost the effects of the drugs.
She noted that while tried and true supplements like omega-3s and fiber help aid digestion and satiety, lesser known ones like berberine and Amarasate may enhance the body’s natural production of GLP-1.
However, she cautioned that no supplement can replace a medication for those whose doctors have deemed it necessary for health control.
A dietitian has revealed the key supplements to take to maximize the effects of GLP-1 agonists
‘There is a lot of misinformation about supplements,’ Koff told the Daily Mail. ‘There is no “nature’s Ozempic,” there’s no supplement that works exactly like the medications do because [medications] stay working for 24 hours, for seven days a week.
‘There are a couple [supplements] on the market that are helping our bodies have more GLP-1, but nothing that would compare to a medication.’
Berberine
Berberine is a yellow plant-derived compound found in herbs like barberry and Oregon grape. Long used in herbal medicine for infections and digestive issues, it is now sold in supplement form for blood sugar, cholesterol and weight control.
Costing between $10 and $50 per bottle, berberine is a type of bitter, meaning it stimulates the body’s bitter taste receptors.
Stimulating these receptors in the gut triggers cells in this area to release more GLP-1, adding on to the benefits of a weight loss shot.
‘If they stimulate the bitter taste receptors, that’s going to help our own body’s hormones,’ Koff said.
However, berberine has been shown to interact with medications that control blood pressure and cholesterol, so doctors recommend caution if you are taking one of those drugs.
Ashley Koff (pictured) cautioned that while supplements may enhance GLP-1 production, there is no ‘nature’s Ozempic’
Probiotics
Probiotics are ‘good’ bacteria naturally found in the gut and in fermented foods such as kimchi, doenjang and kefir.
They have been shown to promote healthy digestion and help the body absorb vital nutrients.
Koff specifically pointed to Akkermansia muciniphila, which has been shown to strengthen the intestinal barrier and reduce inflammation.
‘Mucinophilia means it likes mucin, so it goes in and it chews up the mucin and the mucosal layer,’ Koff said. ‘In doing that, it’s going to help to stimulate the production of GLP-1.’
Akkermansia muciniphila does not directly come from food, but its growth in the gut and can be boosted by eating foods rich in polyphenols such as berries, green tea and dark chocolate.
It is also available as a supplement in pill or gummy form, costing anywhere from $20 to $80 per bottle depending on the brand.
Glutamine
Pictured: Koff’s book, which was released on January 6
Koff also recommended glutamine, the most abundant of 20 amino acids in the body.
While the body produces its own, it can also be found in animal products like beef, chicken, fish, eggs, milk, yogurt and cheese, as well as plant-based sources such as legumes, spinach and whole grains.
As a supplement, bottles with 60 to 180 capsules tend to cost anywhere from $10 to $35.
Glutamine is also available as a powder, with prices ranging from $10 to $40 depending on the size and brand.
Similar to berberine, glutamine in food or supplement form triggers intestinal cells to secrete additional GLP-1.
It has also been shown to help strengthen intestinal lining, which helps lower inflammation that could otherwise interfere with GLP-1 signaling.
Amarasate
Hailing from New Zealand hops, Amarasate is, much like berberine, a natural bitter extract.
Sold as an appetite control supplement, a 90-capsule bottle costs about $70 to $90.
Similar to berberine, Koff explained the supplement stimulates bitter taste receptors that trigger the natural release of GLP-1, promoting feelings of fullness.
Koff told the Daily Mail that Amarasate may be particularly useful for people coming off a GLP-1 agonist like Ozempic or Wegovy since it naturally stimulates hormone production with minimal side effects.
Amarasate also works to reduce hunger in as little as 30 minutes, she noted.
Your Best Shot: The Personalized System for Optimal Weight Health – GLP-1 Shot or Not is available now through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, HarperCollins Publishers and others.
