A significant portion of adults in the UK, around 28% classified as obese and 36% as overweight, has led to a surge in the popularity of weight-loss injections. Approximately 1.5 million individuals are currently using these injections monthly.
While these injections can facilitate impressive weight loss, experts warn about their associated risks and their failure to address the root causes of weight gain. Mike Wakeman, a pharmacist and researcher behind Evera Nutrition, explained that these medications primarily function by elevating levels of gut hormones GLP-1 and GiP, which reduce appetite, increase satiety, and slow down stomach emptying. However, he emphasized that many individuals solely rely on these medications without considering factors such as stress, poor sleep, alcohol abuse, binge eating, or underlying medical conditions like an underactive thyroid, which can contribute to weight issues. Neglecting these factors may lead to rebound weight gain post-treatment.
Recent research revealed that individuals who discontinued weight loss injections tended to regain most of the lost weight within a year. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation, and reflux, with more severe complications like pancreatitis, gallbladder issues, and depression observed in some cases. Rapid weight loss from these injections can also result in muscle loss, hair loss, and vision problems.
Experts suggest that certain natural ingredients, when combined with dietary and lifestyle changes, may offer a safer approach to promoting healthy weight loss without the adverse effects associated with weight loss injections. Mike highlighted that natural components like Glucomannan, Resveratrol, Hibiscus, Green Tea, Berberine, Curcumin, Cinnamon, and Mulberry can mimic the effects of gut hormones, supporting appetite control, satiety, and metabolic health in combination with a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Analyzing the science behind these natural ingredients, Mike explained how they can aid in weight management. For instance, Glucomannan, derived from konjac root, expands in the gut to induce a feeling of fullness and may enhance hormones like GLP1. Resveratrol, found in foods like grapes, has shown significant effects on body weight and waist circumference. Hibiscus, Green Tea catechins (EGCG), Berberine, Curcumin, Cinnamon, and Mulberry have also demonstrated positive impacts on weight reduction and metabolic health when incorporated into a healthy lifestyle.
Moreover, certain ingredients like Curcumin, Resveratrol, Cinnamon, Maritime Pine Bark Extract, Blackcurrant, Mulberry, Quercetin, and Rosemary may help inhibit Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (DPP4), an enzyme that degrades gut hormones, thereby potentially aiding in weight management by prolonging the effects of these hormones.
In conclusion, the shift towards natural ingredients as a weight management solution emphasizes the importance of holistic approaches that address underlying factors contributing to weight gain, rather than relying solely on medication.