It’s secure to say the demand for (and recognition of) GLP-1 medication for weight reduction has by no means been larger. Drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound (to not point out the diabetes drug Ozempic, which isn’t truly meant to be prescribed for weight reduction) have taken the tradition by storm. And now, we’re seeing over-the-counter GLP-1 dietary supplements hit the market, claiming to get the identical job executed.
However can these non-prescription choices ship the identical outcomes, and are they really secure? Right here, weight problems medication medical doctors give us the low-down on GLP-1 medication for weight reduction and over-the-counter choices.
First, a fast refresh on GLP-1 medicines
GLP-1 is brief for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist medicines, initially created to deal with sort 2 diabetes, says Meghan Garcia-Webb, MD, an weight problems medication professional who’s triple board-certified in inside medication. It’d look like the time period “GLP-1” popped up out of nowhere, however these pharmaceuticals have been round for some time. They work by activating the receptor for the GLP-1 hormone, which is of course produced within the small gut.
“This hormone slows the motion of meals by the abdomen,” Dr. Garcia-Webb says. “It additionally acts on vitality regulation within the mind by up-regulating vitality expenditure and lowering vitality storage pathways.”
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On this manner, GLP-1 medication cut back food cravings and hunger signals, which frequently ends in weight reduction.
“An important space the place these work is within the mind and an space known as the hypothalamus,” says Jorge Moreno, MD, an inside medication doctor who can be board-certified in weight problems medication. “And so that is what controls urge for food and helps management your meals indicators.”
Are there over-the-counter GLP-1 medication (and do they work)?
Delusion-busting second: Technically, there are not any precise over-the-counter GLP-1 medication. Dietary supplements? Sure, however with a purpose to be thought of reputable medication, they’d must be labeled as a medicine by the Meals & Drug Administration (FDA). GLP-1 dietary supplements miss the mark and are not authorized by the FDA, Dr. Garcia-Webb says.
“Dietary dietary supplements are regulated as food, not drugs, they usually can not declare to deal with, diagnose, mitigate, forestall, or remedy ailments,” she says. “They’ll make claims to advertise or assist well being, however an over-the-counter complement couldn’t declare to treat obesity.”
In contrast to pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements usually are not required to undergo scientific trials, so you may discover that almost all haven’t any credible analysis to again up their claims. The FDA additionally would not consider these merchandise for security earlier than they’re bought, and until they’re third-party verified (by an organization like USP, NSF, or Shopper Lab), there is not any actual approach to know that the complement consists of the substances it claims within the quantity it claims.
In the event you ask an weight problems medication physician whether or not they’re even price your time (or cash!), the reply is… most likely not.
“Apart from common multivitamins and commonplace dietary supplements corresponding to calcium and vitamin D, I don’t often suggest many different dietary supplements,” Dr. Garcia-Webb says. “And within the case of weight administration, I feel it’s a waste of time. A significantly better use of time can be to see how a affected person might optimize their wholesome consuming and train patterns.”
“As in lots of instances, if one thing appears too good to be true, it most likely is.” —Meghan Garcia-Webb, MD, weight problems and inside medication physician
Dangers of GLP-1 dietary supplements
As a result of GLP-1 dietary supplements aren’t properly regulated, now we have to watch out with them and be essential about what’s truly inside, Dr. Moreno says. Some dietary supplements might include substances like caffeine, which might be dangerous to anybody who’s delicate to stimulants or has a historical past of coronary heart well being points. “In order that they must positively talk about the substances with their well being care supplier to actually know precisely what’s in it,” Dr. Moreno says. This goes double for individuals who take different medicines, as a result of it is potential for complement substances to negatively work together with sure medication.
The final dangers of all dietary supplements is that they don’t seem to be held to the identical security requirements as a medicine.
“The FDA doesn’t routinely take a look at dietary supplements for security or efficacy. The onus is on the producers and distributors to verify the product is secure, and the FDA typically will intervene if there are considerations after a product goes to market,” Dr. Garcia-Webb says. “Particularly for GLP-1 dietary supplements, I fear that sufferers are being misled concerning the well being advantages that may be completed with these over-the-counter dietary supplements.”
Options to OTC GLP-1 “medication”
Popping a once-a-day weight-loss complement would possibly look like the simplest weight-loss possibility, however in the long term, it is not an efficient (or sustainable) technique.
“Sufferers usually wish to attempt dietary supplements as a result of they’re straightforward to entry and add into one’s routine. However when it comes to weight, the simpler alternate options are the boring ones,” Dr. Garcia-Webb says. As a substitute of taking weight reduction dietary supplements, she suggests these alternate options:
“It sounds so easy, but it surely’s tougher to actively change this stuff than it’s to take a tablet, so it’s not stunning that dietary supplements are interesting,” she says. “However as in lots of instances, if one thing appears too good to be true, it most likely is.”
One of the simplest ways to get a secure, dependable, and efficient GLP-1 treatment is thru a prescription out of your physician or an weight problems medication specialist.
“It’s also of utmost significance that sufferers buy the FDA-approved variations of those medicines and don’t purchase from unregulated sources, corresponding to compounding pharmacies,” Dr. Garcia-Webb says.
The FDA notes that folks ought to solely use medication they’ve gotten through prescription from a licensed well being care supplier, and they need to solely get these medicines from state-licensed pharmacies or outsourcing facilities registered with the FDA.
