It’s secure to say the demand for (and recognition of) GLP-1 medication for weight reduction has by no means been increased. Drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound (to not point out the diabetes drug Ozempic, which isn’t really 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 carried out.
However can these non-prescription choices ship the identical outcomes, and are they really secure? Right here, weight problems drugs 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 drugs
GLP-1 is brief for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist drugs, initially created to deal with kind 2 diabetes, says Meghan Garcia-Webb, MD, an weight problems drugs knowledgeable who’s triple board-certified in inner drugs. 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 via the abdomen,” Dr. Garcia-Webb says. “It additionally acts on vitality regulation within the mind by up-regulating vitality expenditure and reducing vitality storage pathways.”
On this method, GLP-1 medication cut back meals cravings and starvation indicators, which frequently ends in weight reduction.
“Crucial space the place these work is within the mind and an space known as the hypothalamus,” says Jorge Moreno, MD, an inner drugs doctor who can also be board-certified in weight problems drugs. “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)?
Fantasy-busting second: Technically, there are not any precise over-the-counter GLP-1 medication. Dietary supplements? Sure, however as a way to be thought-about reputable medication, they’d should be categorized 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 medication, they usually can’t declare to deal with, diagnose, mitigate, forestall, or treatment illnesses,” 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.”
Not like pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements are usually 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 bought, and except they’re third-party verified (by an organization like USP, NSF, or Shopper Lab), there is not any actual technique to know that the complement contains the substances it claims within the quantity it claims.
When you ask an weight problems drugs physician whether or not they’re even value your time (or cash!), the reply is… in all probability not.
“Aside from common multivitamins and customary dietary supplements equivalent 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 believe 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 circumstances, if one thing appears too good to be true, it in all probability is.” —Meghan Garcia-Webb, MD, weight problems and inner drugs physician
Dangers of GLP-1 dietary supplements
As a result of GLP-1 dietary supplements aren’t effectively regulated, we now have to watch out with them and be vital about what’s really 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. “So that they must undoubtedly focus on 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 drugs, as a result of it is doable 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 ensure 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.”
Alternate options to OTC GLP-1 “medication”
Popping a once-a-day weight-loss complement may look like the best weight-loss choice, however in the long term, it is not an efficient (or sustainable) technique.
“Sufferers usually wish to strive dietary supplements as a result of they’re straightforward to entry and add into one’s routine. However when it comes to weight, the more practical 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, nevertheless it’s more durable to actively change these items than it’s to take a capsule, so it’s not shocking that dietary supplements are interesting,” she says. “However as in lots of circumstances, 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 remedy is thru a prescription out of your physician or an weight problems drugs specialist.
“It is usually of utmost significance that sufferers buy the FDA-approved variations of those drugs and don’t purchase from unregulated sources, equivalent 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 drugs from state-licensed pharmacies or outsourcing amenities registered with the FDA.
