The word is out on the impressive weight loss results from prescription GLP-1 medications like semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro®, Zepbound®). Medication shortages, lack of insurance coverage and prohibitive costs may have you considering an alternative.
Supplements are popping up with claims to support weight loss similarly to GLP-1 medications. Do these GLP-1 supplements actually work?
Find out how some popular supplement ingredients and brands stack up to prescription weight loss medications.
Always talk to your doctor before starting any supplement.
What are GLP-1 supplements?
To best understand GLP-1 supplements, it helps to start with the definition of GLP-1. GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the small intestine after eating. It performs multiple functions, including managing blood sugar levels and increasing satiety.
When the term GLP-1 is used, it often refers to medications that mimic the GLP-1 hormone in the body. These medications, called GLP-1 receptor agonists, are prescribed to lower blood sugar in type 2 diabetics and as a weight loss aid for those with obesity.1 Common types of GLP-1 medications include semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®), tirzepatide (Mounjaro®, Zepbound®) and liraglutide (Saxenda®).
GLP-1 supplements are products that claim to increase levels of the hormone GLP-1 in the body. While some small studies have shown that some supplements can have a slight impact on GLP-1 production, the results are not enough to cause significant weight loss.2
The following types of supplements have made claims to stimulate natural GLP-1 production.
Berberine
Berberine is a compound found in barberry shrubs and other bushy plants. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years.
Some clinical trials have shown that berberine can help lower blood sugar and reduce insulin resistance, which can be helpful for diabetics. In a 2020 meta-analysis, people taking berberine lost an average of four pounds over several months.
Berberine does not significantly affect GLP-1 and is eclipsed by GLP-1 receptor agonist medications in weight loss.3 Studies of GLP-1 medications have reported average weight loss of over 20% of total body weight.4
Psyllium husk
Psyllium husk is a naturally occurring soluble fiber not digested by the body. Fiber can help increase and extend feelings of fullness in the digestive system.
In studies, overweight and obese participants lost weight and reduced waist circumference when consuming psyllium husk before meals.5 Psyllium husk increases satiety and delays gastric emptying, which is one of the ways that GLP-1 medications support weight loss. However, there is little to no evidence that dietary fiber, like that found in psyllium husk, increases the production of GLP-1 hormones.6
Chromium picolinate
Chromium picolinate (CrP) is an essential trace element required for the metabolism of carbohydrates, protein and fat. Studies have shown that it helps increase insulin sensitivity, which may be fueling weight-loss claims.
In clinical studies focused on weight loss, CrP did not show any significant differences in weight from the placebo group.7
Yerba mate
Yerba mate is a plant from South America that is often steeped in hot water to make tea. Like many other teas, it is caffeinated. In one study, yerba mate caused significant weight loss in participants who consumed the tea before meals.
Like GLP-1 medications, yerba mate slows gastric emptying to produce feelings of fullness sooner. Study participants ate fewer calories at meals when taking yerba mate. In mice studies, yerba mate did stimulate GLP-1 production, but more research in humans is needed.8
Green tea extract
Green tea extract is a concentrated form of green tea made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant.9 In high doses, green tea extract has been shown to result in significant weight loss over 12 weeks of use.
It is believed that the weight loss results from green tea’s ability to suppress ghrelin, often referred to as the “hunger hormone.” Green tea also increases adiponectin levels, a hormone that improves insulin sensitivity and supports metabolic processes.10
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Get StartedCommon brands of GLP-1 supplements
There are supplement brands that combine ingredients and claim to boost GLP-1 naturally. The FDA has not evaluated these claims.
Lemme GLP-1 Daily
Lemme GLP-1 Daily claims to support GLP-1 levels, reduce hunger and decrease appetite. It contains red orange fruit extract, lemon fruit extract and saffron extract.11
The Gut Healthy GLP-1 Booster
The Gut Healthy GLP-1 Booster from supergut® contains several forms of natural soluble fiber. The company claims the product can reduce hunger and boost GLP-1 production with prebiotics.12
GLP-1 Probiotic
GLP-1 Probiotic is a multistrain probiotic from Pendulum®. The company claims these strands of probiotics can increase production of GLP-1 in the gut.13
Do GLP-1 supplements work for weight loss?
The FDA does not evaluate supplements' safety or efficacy before they go to market, making it difficult to determine whether a supplement will deliver the desired results.14
Some supplements have clinical evidence to support weight loss. Psyllium husk,15 yerba mate16 and green tea extract17 have clinical evidence of weight loss. None of the studies showed a direct connection between the product and GLP-1 production.
Overall, there is not enough evidence to show that the supplements will cause significant weight loss like GLP-1 medications.18
Are GLP-1 supplements safe? Are they FDA approved?
The FDA does not evaluate supplements' safety before they hit the shelves, which limits the agency’s ability to prevent potentially harmful supplements from reaching consumers.
The FDA enforces regulations regarding ingredient labeling. However, serving size or recommended dosing is not regulated.
Supplements can also interact with medications or other supplements. Always consult your medical provider before taking a supplement.19
How do GLP-1 supplements compare to GLP-1 prescription medications?
Overall, the word GLP-1 on a supplement is more marketing than fact. No supplement has been proven to be as effective as GLP-1 prescription medications for weight loss.20
Semaglutide, a prescription GLP-1 medication, has shown promising results. In one study, participants lost an average of 15% of their body weight after 68 weeks of use. Users of tirzepatide, another GLP-1 prescription medication, lost an average of 20.9% of their body weight after 72 weeks.21
The FDA oversees the manufacturers and compounding pharmacies that produce GLP-1 prescription medications. The facilities must meet certain safety standards before the medications can be prescribed to patients, and compounding pharmacies must be state-licensed.22
With supplements, the FDA is limited to post-market enforcement of safety standards. Supplement producers are responsible for ensuring the product is safe for consumers.23
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