It’s secure to say the demand for (and recognition of) GLP-1 medicine for weight reduction has by no means been larger. Medicines 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 completed.
However can these non-prescription choices ship the identical outcomes, and are they really secure? Right here, weight problems medication docs give us the low-down on GLP-1 medicine for weight reduction and over-the-counter choices.
First, a fast refresh on GLP-1 drugs
GLP-1 is brief for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist drugs, initially created to deal with sort 2 diabetes, says Meghan Garcia-Webb, MD, an weight problems medication skilled who’s triple board-certified in inside medication. It would appear to be the time period “GLP-1” popped up out of nowhere, however these prescribed drugs 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 means of the abdomen,” Dr. Garcia-Webb says. “It additionally acts on power regulation within the mind by up-regulating power expenditure and lowering power storage pathways.”
On this means, GLP-1 medicine cut back meals cravings and starvation indicators, which frequently leads to weight reduction.
“A very powerful 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 also 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 medicine (and do they work)?
Fantasy-busting second: Technically, there aren’t any precise over-the-counter GLP-1 medicine. Dietary supplements? Sure, however with a purpose to be thought-about professional medicine, they’d must be labeled as a medicine by the Meals & Drug Administration (FDA). GLP-1 dietary supplements miss the mark and are not permitted by the FDA, Dr. Garcia-Webb says.
“Dietary dietary supplements are regulated as meals, not medicine, they usually can not declare to deal with, diagnose, mitigate, stop, or treatment ailments,” she says. “They will make claims to advertise or help well being, however an over-the-counter complement couldn’t declare to deal with weight problems.”
In contrast to prescribed drugs, dietary supplements should not required to undergo medical trials, so you will discover that almost all haven’t any credible analysis to again up their claims. The FDA additionally does not consider these merchandise for security earlier than they’re offered, and until they’re third-party verified (by an organization like USP, NSF, or Shopper Lab), there is no actual option to know that the complement contains the substances it claims within the quantity it claims.
In case you ask an weight problems medication physician whether or not they’re even price your time (or cash!), the reply is… in all probability not.
“Aside from common multivitamins and customary 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 may optimize their wholesome consuming and train patterns.”
“As in lots of instances, if one thing appears too good to be true, it in all probability 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 nicely regulated, we’ve to watch out with them and be essential about what’s truly inside, Dr. Moreno says. Some dietary supplements could comprise substances like caffeine, which will 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 undoubtedly talk about the substances with their well being care supplier to essentially know precisely what’s in it,” Dr. Moreno says. This goes double for individuals who take different drugs, as a result of it is doable for complement substances to negatively work together with sure medicine.
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 ensure the product is secure, and the FDA usually 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 in regards to the well being advantages that may be completed with these over-the-counter dietary supplements.”
Alternate options to OTC GLP-1 “medicine”
Popping a once-a-day weight-loss complement would possibly appear to be the best weight-loss choice, 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 by way of weight, the simpler options are the boring ones,” Dr. Garcia-Webb says. As a substitute of taking weight reduction dietary supplements, she suggests these options:
“It sounds so easy, nevertheless it’s tougher to actively change this stuff than it’s to take a tablet, so it’s not shocking that dietary supplements are interesting,” she says. “However as in lots of instances, if one thing appears too good to be true, it in all probability is.”
The easiest way to get a secure, dependable, and efficient GLP-1 medicine is thru a prescription out of your physician or an weight problems medication specialist.
“Additionally it is of utmost significance that sufferers buy the FDA-approved variations of those drugs and don’t purchase from unregulated sources, corresponding to compounding pharmacies,” Dr. Garcia-Webb says.
The FDA notes that folks ought to solely use medicine they’ve gotten by way of prescription from a licensed well being care supplier, and they need to solely get these drugs from state-licensed pharmacies or outsourcing services registered with the FDA.
