Looking for natural alternatives for Ozempic? Continue reading this article and find out what they are.
Ozempic is a prescription medication that is primarily used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Its active ingredient is semaglutide, which is a type of drug known as a GLP-1 receptor agonist. While Ozempic is not officially approved for weight loss, it is sometimes prescribed off-label for this purpose due to its effects on appetite and weight. But there are natural ways to lose weight, improve your cholesterol, and decrease your blood sugar naturally, without feeling hungry or spending hours at the gym. But before we show you to top natural alternatives for Ozempic, here is how Ozempic works and its main side effects.
In This Article You Will Find:
How Ozempic Works
- Mimics GLP-1 Hormone: Ozempic works by mimicking the action of a natural hormone in the body called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This hormone is involved in the regulation of blood sugar levels, particularly after meals.
- Stimulates Insulin Release: When blood sugar levels are high, Ozempic stimulates the pancreas to release insulin. Insulin is the hormone that helps lower blood sugar by allowing glucose to enter cells where it can be used for energy.
- Reduces Glucagon Secretion: Glucagon is a hormone that tells the liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream. By reducing glucagon secretion, Ozempic helps prevent blood sugar from rising too high, especially between meals.
- Slows Gastric Emptying: Ozempic slows down the rate at which food leaves the stomach, which helps to control blood sugar levels after eating. This also contributes to a feeling of fullness, which can lead to weight loss.
Potential Side Effects
The most common side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain are common, especially when starting the medication. In some cases, Ozempic can cause more serious issues like pancreatitis, kidney problems, or severe allergic reactions. There is also a potential risk of thyroid tumors, which is why it’s contraindicated in individuals with a personal or family history of certain types of thyroid cancer. These are enough reasons to opt for a natural alternative to Ozempic, but before you do that, please consult with your physician.
7 Best Natural Alternatives for Ozempic
1. Berberine
Berberine is an alkaloid found in many plants that give the plants a bitter taste and yellow coloring. Studies done in rats do show that berberine increases GLP-1 secretion, making it a natural alternative to statins in lowering cholesterol, but also in lowering blood sugar levels. One analysis showed moderate but significant decrease in body weight when taking berberine regularly (500 mg daily) – participants lost about 4 lbs of body weight. The plants that contain the highest levels of berberine are:
- Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)
- Turmeric tree (Berberis aristata)
- Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)
- Goldthread (Coptis chinensis)
- Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium)
- Amur Cork tree (Phellodendron amurense)
2. Alpha Lipoic Acid
Alpha Lipoic Acid or ALA is a powerful antioxidant that helps not only reduce oxidative stress and has a role in energy production but also boosts the liver’s ability to store and release glucose, aiding in weight loss. It supports the nerves entering the liver and also improves glucose storage ability, increasing glycogen storage containment in deep levels of the liver. ALA perks up the liver and helps detoxify it at the same time, plus, it repairs and fortifies areas of the body that have been damaged by powerful viruses such as EBV. Green peas are a great source of protein, fiber, and omega-3 fats in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).
3. Curcumin
Curcumin is a natural compound found in turmeric, a spice that’s used frequently in cooking and is a natural source of berberine. Studies in animals show that curcumin can improve blood sugar control by increasing GLP-1 secretion. One small study on humans showed that taking 1,500 mg of curcumin daily reduced weight and blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. This may be related to curcumin’s effect on GLP-1, which makes curcumin a potential natural alternative for Ozempic.
4. Cinnamon
Some studies suggest that cinnamon can help lower blood sugar levels by increasing insulin sensitivity. It’s best used as a supplement or added to meals, or drinks. Make a simple weight loss drink by squeezing 1/2 lemon in 16 oz of room-temperature water, a teaspoon of raw honey, and a 1/2 tsp of cinnamon. Enjoy this drink first thing in the morning or evening before bed, or both.
5. Ginseng
Ginseng has been used for energy, focus, immunity, and even hot flashes. One study in rats showed that ginseng compounds improved blood sugar and cholesterol (and increased GLP-1 release), while in human studies, ginseng improved blood sugar control in people with diabetes. There are three types of Ginseng, Korean, Siberian, and American Ginseng. While all are very potent, American Ginseng is especially effective for diabetes and can be used as capsules, tincture, extract, or tea.
6. Fenugreek
Fenugreek seeds can help improve glucose tolerance and lower blood sugar levels due to their high soluble fiber content. But more importantly, fenugreek seeds contain an amino acid called 4-hydroxy-isoleucine which helps to facilitate insulin secretion and is very helpful for diabetics who are trying to find natural ways to control their blood sugar levels. Sipping on fenugreek seed tea may be a helpful natural alternative for Ozempic. Plus, they also have a proven hypocholesterolemic effect, as they intervene in lipid metabolism, reducing LDL-cholesterol and protecting the cardiovascular system.
7. Bitter Melon
(Momordica charantia)
Bitter melon is a plant traditionally used in various cultures for its medicinal properties, particularly in managing diabetes. Its potential use as a natural alternative for Ozempic (semaglutide) has gained attention due to its similar effects on blood sugar and metabolic processes. Bitter melon contains compounds like charantin, vicine, and polypeptide-p (an insulin-like compound) that have hypoglycemic (blood sugar-lowering) effects. These compounds enhance glucose uptake in the cells, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce glucose production in the liver, making bitter melon one of the top natural alternatives for Ozempic.
Truth About Blood Sugar
According to best-selling author Anthony Williams, “Contrary to popular belief, one factor that is much more likely to put you at risk for insulin resistance and diabetes than healthy carbs is a high-fat diet. ” He explains that a high-fat diet (which is also a high-protein diet) puts a lot of strain on the pancreas, liver, and adrenals, which are responsible for regulating blood sugar.
- A high-fat diet makes the liver sluggish and unable to properly store and use the much-needed glucose in the bloodstream and tires the pancreas which has to secrete enzymes for fat digestion.
- Then the adrenals push a high dose of adrenaline into the bloodstream in an attempt to help increase digestive strength to help the breakdown of fats. Excess adrenaline tires the pancreas, which in time will be less able to produce enough insulin to keep glucose levels in check.
- Last but not least, high-fat blood levels can prevent glucose from entering body cells, which paves the way for type 2 diabetes.
Thus, the actual culprit for type 2 diabetes is primarily a high-fat diet. In this sense, the first step in preventing or ameliorating blood sugar levels and insulin spikes is to moderate and reduce excess dietary fat. This will help the liver, pancreas, and adrenals work together better in regulating blood sugar. To keep your blood fat in check, it is best to avoid cheese, milk, cream, butter, eggs, processed oils, and all sugars except for raw honey and fruit.
For anyone considering using natural alternatives for Ozempic, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare provider, especially if already on other diabetes medications, to avoid potential interactions or side effects.
Read Also: 7 Natural Remedies for Diabetes
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