And now, were seeing over-the-counter GLP-1supplementshit the market, claiming to get the same job done.
Here, obesity medicine doctors give us the low-down on GLP-1 drugs for weight loss and over-the-counter options.
They work by activating the receptor for the GLP-1 hormone, which is naturally produced in the small intestine.
This hormone slows the movement of food through the stomach, Dr. Garcia-Webb says.
It also acts on energy regulation in the brain by up-regulating energy expenditure and decreasing energy storage pathways.
In this way, GLP-1 drugs reducefood cravingsandhunger signals, which often results in weight loss.
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And so thats what controls appetite and helps control your food signals.
Are there over-the-counter GLP-1 drugs (and do they work)?
Myth-busting moment: Technically, there are no actual over-the-counter GLP-1 drugs.
GLP-1 supplements miss the mark and arenotapproved by the FDA, Dr. Garcia-Webb says.
They can make claims to promote or support health, but an over-the-counter supplement could not claim totreat obesity.
If you ask an obesity medicine doctor whether theyre even worth your time (or money!
), the answer is… probably not.
And in the case of weight management, I think it is a waste of time.
As in many cases, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
…
The FDA does not routinely test supplements for safety or efficacy.
Patients often want to try supplements because they are easy to access and add into ones routine.
But in terms of weight, the more effective alternatives are the boring ones, Dr. Garcia-Webb says.
But as in many cases, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
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