In recent times, numerous illnesses have caused conventional medicine, and particularly the pharmaceutical industry, to be challenged by those who believe that natural substances and actions can achieve a cure. When it comes to the GLP-1 RA drugs (leaving type 2 diabetes aside, and considering only the weight-loss aspect) the case for nature has been proven in enough instances to make the idea worth considering.
A previous post asked,
What if, instead of making semaglutide universally comfortable to use, the emphasis could be on making it obsolete?
Well, first of all, many large corporations would commence to bleed from the pockets. But, leaving that aside, could dietary supplements be the answer? Would natural products work as well, only slower? Could people be convinced to try other substances instead?
Possibly they could, because apparently, GLP-1 drugs have some bad effects, and current science does not reveal how to eliminate the bad ones while keeping the good ones. Some practitioners believe that, rather than supply a GLP-1 receptor agonist, medicine’s goal should be to encourage the body to make its own GLP-1, which the expensive pharmaceutical product definitely does not. So, the market also features probiotics, which do not cause as much harm as the GLP-1 RA drugs.
What problems with Ozempic (and other semaglutide brands) have natural alternatives been found to avoid? Not surprisingly, it seems that one of the earliest to be noted was unwanted facial remodeling. As Zsa Zsa Gabor reputedly said long ago, “As a woman, you have to choose between your fanny or your face. I chose my face.”
Apparently, when weight is lost too fast, especially if it is from muscle, the metabolism may slow down and the whole hormonal system can be thrown out of sync. The immune system could be impaired, bones could become brittle, and hair could be shed. For women, any menopause-related symptoms might intensify.
Okay, so what else is there?
One suggestion is berberine:
When taken as a pill or powder, berberine enters the bloodstream and interacts with cells, influencing various biological processes. Instead of targeting a single pathway, berberine acts on multiple fronts, impacting several conditions simultaneously.
Proponents of the natural approach say that three bacterial strains (Lactobacillus gasseri, Bifidobacterium breve, and Bifidobacterium lactis) trigger the gut to release GLP-1 on its own. They also in some way make the body more responsive to the chemical, and incidentally, help prevent the leaky gut syndrome.
Endorsements from the public say that the probiotic combo helps to eliminate the craving for junk food. One enthusiast quoted in the advertising claims to have lost three inches from her stomach; another claims to have dropped three jean sizes. It is also asserted that these natural probiotics do not lead to what is called “rebound” weight, in other words gaining it all back again if the drug is discontinued.
A probiotic supplement can reportedly prevent that negative outcome, while still providing the benefits sought by Ozempic users. As always, a doctor should be consulted, especially about potential conflict with other substances, prescribed or otherwise, and it should be firmly understood that patient compliance, in the matters of dosage and timing, is paramount.
(To be continued…)
Your responses and feedback are welcome!
Image by South Australian History/Public Domain
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