General information with sources. Never a substitute for your doctor.

MethodologyAbout the authorESEN
SaciedadSearch

NewsArticle

"Natural Ozempic" and GLP-1 Supplements: What the Evidence Says

Berberine, fiber, probiotics, GLP-1 patches: what "natural Ozempic" supplements promise, what trials show, what the FDA and FTC say, and how to spot a misleading ad.

Written by
Published
Next review
Sources
38 primary and 7 supporting

No clinical review. No advertising from drug companies and no affiliate links.How we work

No supplement is a GLP-1 medication. The berberine, fiber, probiotics, drops and patches sold as “natural GLP-1” or “nature’s Ozempic” aren’t the hormone or a drug that activates its receptor, and in the US the FDA doesn’t approve dietary supplements before they’re sold[22]. They promise more fullness, less hunger and better blood sugar. In independent meta-analyses, the difference from placebo averages less than 1 kg (2.2 lb), or nothing at all61011131618.

Some also carry risks the ad doesn’t mention. Below: each ingredient’s best studies, what US regulators say (and the EU, where it differs), and how to spot a misleading ad. How real GLP-1 medications work is in what GLP-1 medications are, and the two most used have their own guides: semaglutide and tirzepatide.

The short version

  • No supplement works like a GLP-1 drug. The GLP-1 your gut makes lasts 1 to 2 minutes in the blood[4]; semaglutide’s half-life is about a week[5].
  • Berberine, the original “nature’s Ozempic”: −0.88 kg (1.9 lb) vs. control in a 2026 meta-analysis, and no difference in weight in a 6-month double-blind trial67.
  • Fiber, probiotics, chromium, green tea extract: average differences of 0.04 to 0.60 kg (0.1 to 1.3 lb), several not statistically significant1011131618.
  • The FDA doesn’t approve supplements before they’re sold[22]. It has sent warning letters over “GLP-1” drops and a “GLP-1” patch, which it treated as unapproved drugs2425.
  • “All-natural” weight-loss products have hidden sibutramine, a drug removed from the US market in 20103637.

What “natural GLP-1” products promise

According to a 2026 article from the Geisinger health system, “GLP-1 booster” supplements contain berberine, probiotics, psyllium, ginseng or other plant extracts, not the hormone. They promise that your body will make more GLP-1 to steady blood sugar and quiet hunger; the physician who wrote it finds little evidence they do so enough for noticeable weight loss[1].

The most common ingredients:

  • Berberine, a compound found in several plants, and the one most often called “nature’s Ozempic.” In 2023, CNN reported on that TikTok promotion, and the experts it interviewed rejected the comparison[2]. In January 2025, Spain’s largest consumer organization, OCU, called it unfounded and dangerous[39].
  • Soluble fibers: glucomannan, from konjac root, and psyllium, from the husk of Plantago seeds.
  • Probiotics, sometimes with the bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila.
  • Chromium and green tea extract, diet-pill classics, plus “GLP-1” drops and patches sold online.

The true part: eating already releases GLP-1

The pitch starts from something real: gut cells called L cells release GLP-1 when nutrients reach them. A 2016 review describes receptors on these cells that detect sugars, amino acids, unsaturated fats and the fatty acids produced when fiber ferments. Foods such as high-fiber cereals, nuts, avocado and eggs seem to influence its release, though the authors acknowledge it isn’t known which amounts matter[3].

The problem is scale. Natural GLP-1 has a half-life of 1 to 2 minutes in the blood, because the enzyme DPP-4 cuts it up almost at once, according to Müller’s review[4]. Semaglutide, by contrast, is modified in position 8 to provide stabilization against degradation by the enzyme dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP-4) and has an elimination half-life of approximately 1 week, according to the US Wegovy label[5]. No food or supplement does that. How GLP-1 fits with the body’s other hunger signals is in the science of satiety.

What the studies show, ingredient by ingredient

I only count trials in people with weight as an outcome. The figure is how much more weight, on average, the supplement group lost than the control group.

Ingredient What’s claimed Best evidence on weight Limitations
Berberine “Nature’s Ozempic” Meta-analysis of 23 studies (2026): −0.88 kg (1.9 lb)[6]. 6-month trial in 337 adults (2026): no difference[7] The meta-analysis authors call for trials that address lack of blinding and randomization[6]
Glucomannan Fills the stomach Meta-analysis (2014), 8 trials: −0.22 kg (0.5 lb), not significant[10] Reporting quality varied; results differed widely between trials[10]
Psyllium Fills you up and “activates” GLP-1 Meta-analysis (2020), 22 trials: −0.28 kg (0.6 lb), not significant[11] Another meta-analysis of 6 trials (354 people) found −2.1 kg (4.6 lb); its authors are employees of a psyllium manufacturer[12]
Probiotics, Akkermansia A gut microbiome that releases more GLP-1 Meta-analysis (2018), 15 trials, 957 people: −0.60 kg (1.3 lb)[13]. Akkermansia: pilot trial of 3 months with 32 completers, difference not significant[14] Trials of 3 to 12 weeks; a small effect, per the authors[13]
Chromium Controls blood sugar and cravings Meta-analysis (2013), 11 trials: −0.50 kg (1.1 lb)[16] Large variation between trials; clinical relevance uncertain, per the authors[16]
Green tea extract Burns fat Cochrane review (2012): −0.04 kg (0.1 lb) in 6 trials outside Japan (532 people)[18] Trials of 12 to 13 weeks; in Japan, −0.2 to −3.5 kg (0.4 to 7.7 lb), which couldn’t be pooled[18]

To put that in scale: 0.88 kg in a person who weighs 100 kg (220 lb) is less than 1% of body weight. In the STEP 1 trial, semaglutide 2.4 mg, the dose in Wegovy, reduced weight by 14.9% over 68 weeks, vs. 2.4% with placebo[40]. It’s a prescription drug with its own side effects; the point is that these aren’t the same kind of effect. What the trials of the real drugs show is in how much weight you can lose on GLP-1s.

Berberine: why it isn’t “nature’s Ozempic”

Berberine is a plant alkaloid, not a peptide like the hormone, and its evidence on weight is weak:

  • Small, biased studies. The NCCIH, the NIH’s center for complementary health, summarizes a 2022 review with 18 studies on weight. It found decreases, but many studies had a high risk of bias and inconsistent results[8].
  • One rigorous trial, no effect. In a double-blind trial published in 2026, 337 Chinese adults with obesity and fatty liver disease, without diabetes, took berberine or placebo for 6 months. There were no differences in visceral fat, liver fat, weight, body mass index or waist size[7].
  • Safety under review in Europe. In January 2026, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) endorsed a draft opinion on plants that contain berberine for public consultation. It concludes that no safe intake can be set for any of them, citing signs of DNA damage in lab tests, cancer in rodents with the root of one of these plants, and liver injury in people with another[9]. As of October 5, 2026, I haven’t found a final version.

In the US, berberine is sold as a dietary supplement, so none of it needed FDA approval before reaching the shelf[22].

“GLP-1” drops, patches and “biomimetic” supplements

Every approved GLP-1 medication is injected or taken as a tablet, as I explain in what GLP-1 medications are. The FDA has acted against other formats:

  • Drops (December 2024). The FDA sent a warning letter to a seller of drops whose website, under the heading “The Science of GLP-1,” described appetite suppression and slower gastric emptying, next to an “FDA APPROVED” badge. The agency deemed them unapproved new drugs, misbranded because the labeling falsely suggested FDA approval[24].
  • A microneedle patch (March 2026). Another letter targeted a “GLP-1” patch sold on eBay for “Type 2 Diabetes Treatment” and weight loss, with “fat-burning ingredients (such as caffeine, green tea extract, or other thermogenic compounds).” Based on those intended uses, the FDA called it an unapproved new drug[25].
  • A “GLP-1 biomimetic” supplement (August 2026). The FDA wrote to the maker of a supplement built around a new yeast-derived peptide. The company had filed two safety notifications for that ingredient; the FDA found the information inadequate, citing potential toxicity, and the company sold the product anyway. The FDA deems it adulterated[26].

The FTC, which polices advertising, lists “Lose weight with this patch or cream” among the claims it calls false, with the answer “(You can’t.)”[27].

In Latin America, Chile’s SERNAC joined a November 2025 alert on unauthorized “PATCHES GLP-1” sold online[32], and Colombia’s INVIMA declared a “GLP-1” weight-control patch fraudulent in April 2026[33]. In February 2026, Mexico’s COFEPRIS warned about unregistered “tirzepatide” sold online as drops, patches, vials and syringes; one cartridge labeled tirzepatide held semaglutide and bacterial growth[34]. What these patches list, why a peptide can’t cross the skin from one and what each regulator said are in my guide to GLP-1 patches.

My take: if a product says it contains GLP-1, either it doesn’t, or it’s an illegal drug. Either way, you don’t know what you’re taking.

Compounded, “research” and counterfeit GLP-1s

These contain, or claim to contain, real drug ingredients: a different problem from supplements. The FDA’s page on unapproved GLP-1 drugs says[30]:

  • Compounded drugs aren’t FDA-approved or reviewed for safety, effectiveness or quality before they’re sold. As of May 31, 2026, the FDA had received 990 adverse event reports with compounded semaglutide and more than 730 with compounded tirzepatide, likely underreported.
  • Fraudulent compounded products exist. Some carry false labels naming pharmacies that don’t exist or that didn’t make the product.
  • “For research purposes” isn’t a loophole. The FDA has warned companies selling semaglutide, tirzepatide, retatrutide and others labeled “for research purposes” or “not for human consumption” to consumers, with dosing instructions.

Counterfeit Ozempic has reached the US supply chain more than once, with FDA alerts in December 2023, April 2025 and December 2025. In 2023 the needles were counterfeit too, so their sterility couldn’t be confirmed[31]. The FDA’s advice is to get these drugs only with a prescription, filled at a state-licensed pharmacy3031; this site has no purchase links or sourcing information. Why compounded semaglutide isn’t a generic is in generic semaglutide: patents and approvals.

How US law treats “GLP-1 support” supplements

  • No approval before sale. Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA), the FDA can’t approve supplements before they’re marketed. Companies generally don’t have to show it their safety evidence, and it generally doesn’t approve claims or labels[22].
  • Structure/function claims. A claim about how a product affects the body’s structure or function must be substantiated as truthful and not misleading, and must carry this disclaimer: “This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.”[22]
  • Disease claims make it a drug. A product sold as a supplement but represented to treat or prevent a disease, such as type 2 diabetes, meets the definition of a drug[22]. The patch above was treated as one, based on claims like “Type 2 Diabetes Treatment”[25]. Nor could it be a supplement: the legal definition covers products intended for ingestion[22].
  • New ingredients need a safety notification. An ingredient not marketed in the US before October 15, 1994, generally needs one, and the FDA can object, as it did with the “GLP-1 biomimetic” peptide2226.
  • Ads answer to the FTC. Its 2022 guidance says health benefit claims generally need randomized, controlled human clinical trials as support, whatever the product category. And the DSHEA disclaimer “won’t cure an otherwise deceptive ad”[23].

I found no FTC case from 2024 to 2026 against a supplement over GLP-1 claims. The closest is NextMed, a telehealth company selling GLP-1 weight-loss programs. In July 2025, the FTC alleged that it claimed, without support, that members lost 53 pounds and 23% of their body weight on average, and that it used fake reviews and before-and-after photos of people who weren’t clients. The company agreed to pay $150,000[28], and the final order came in December 2025[29].

In the EU: only authorized claims

  • A closed list. Health claims on foods and supplements must be on the authorized list of Regulation 432/2012. Berberine, psyllium, probiotics and green tea have no authorized claim on body weight[20].
  • Glucomannan is the exception. The EU allows saying it contributes to weight loss in an energy-restricted diet, under strict conditions, with a label warning about choking for people with swallowing difficulties or who take it with too little fluid, and advice to drink plenty of water with it[20], although the 2014 meta-analysis found no significant difference[10]. I cover the other trials, shirataki noodles and the choking risk in my glucomannan guide.
  • Chromium. It’s authorized for normal blood glucose and macronutrient metabolism. EFSA assessed a body-weight claim, and it wasn’t authorized1720.
  • Akkermansia. The pasteurized form was assessed as a safe novel food, not as effective[15].
  • No pounds, no deadlines. Article 12 of Regulation 1924/2006 bans health claims that refer to the rate or amount of weight loss[21].

Risks the ad doesn’t mention

Berberine: drug interactions, pregnancy and breastfeeding

  • Interactions. According to the EFSA draft, berberine may inhibit CYP3A4 and possibly other liver enzymes that clear many medicines[9]. The NCCIH documents an interaction with cyclosporine, a drug used to prevent transplant rejection[8]. OCU counts up to 17 medications, including digoxin, tacrolimus, statins and metformin[39].
  • Higher-risk groups. The draft notes that the French food safety agency (ANSES) advises children and teens, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people with diabetes, liver or heart disease against these supplements, citing a higher risk of low blood sugar or low blood pressure; EFSA found no such episodes reported in the human studies it reviewed[9].
  • Newborns. According to the NCCIH, berberine has been linked to a buildup of bilirubin in infants that can cause brain damage. It’s likely unsafe for infants and may be unsafe during pregnancy or breastfeeding[8].
  • Digestive effects. In trials, constipation, diarrhea, nausea and abdominal pain were more frequent with berberine than with placebo, according to EFSA[9].

If you take a GLP-1 or any other medicine, check with your prescriber or pharmacist before adding a supplement. Which nutrients matter when you eat little is in vitamins and minerals on Ozempic or Zepbound.

Green tea extract: the liver

According to EFSA, supplements with high doses of EGCG, the main catechin in green tea, raise transaminases, a marker of liver damage. It also notes rare cases of liver injury with the brewed tea[19].

“Natural” weight-loss products with hidden drugs

The FDA puts it plainly: a weight-loss product could contain sibutramine, “a banned weight loss drug,” while claiming to be an “all-natural weight loss supplement”[35]. In a 2024 notification about a product found in international mail, the FDA notes that sibutramine “was removed from the market in October 2010 for safety reasons.” It can substantially raise blood pressure or heart rate, may be a significant risk for people with a history of heart disease, arrhythmias or stroke, and may interact with other medicines in life-threatening ways. The same product had phenolphthalein, which studies suggest may increase cancer risk[36].

Between 2007 and 2016, the FDA flagged 317 adulterated weight-loss supplements, and 84.9% contained sibutramine[37]. Nor is it only American: on September 2, 2026, Spain’s medicines agency, AEMPS, ordered 22 weight-loss products presented as natural off the market because they contained undeclared sibutramine[38].

How to spot a misleading ad

No single sign proves a product is dangerous, but each is a reason for caution:

  • “GLP-1” in the name, or “works like Ozempic.” It’s false, or an unapproved drug.
  • Specific pounds or deadlines. The FTC lists “You can lose 30 pounds in 30 days” among the false claims, along with weight loss without diet or exercise[27].
  • “FDA approved.” The FDA doesn’t approve supplements before they’re sold[22], or the facilities that make them[35]. The drops above showed an “FDA APPROVED” badge[24].
  • “All natural,” “herbal” and rave reviews. The FDA lists these as warning signs and names weight loss among the riskiest product types[35]; the FTC alleged fake reviews in the NextMed case[28].
  • A “free” trial if you pay shipping. The FTC warns that many people who signed up for free trials of weight-loss products ended up billed for recurring shipments they didn’t want[27].
  • An unchecked product. Before buying any health product, the FDA suggests searching its health fraud product database[35].

What actually helps with appetite, no prescription needed

The goal isn’t to eat as little as possible, but to reach your next meal without overwhelming hunger. What has support are habits:

  • Protein at every meal. A 2015 review finds a modest effect: more fullness and more satiety hormones[41]. You can estimate your own starting point with the protein calculator.
  • Fiber and volume from food. Fiber helps less than people say: in a systematic review, only 39% of fiber treatments reduced appetite[42]. Foods with lots of water and fiber fill you up more per calorie; there are examples in the most filling foods and the filling foods finder.
  • Sleep. In a 2004 trial with 12 young men, two nights of 4 hours in bed raised hunger by 24% compared with two nights of 10 hours[43].

If cravings draw you to these products, see sweet cravings on Ozempic or Mounjaro and do I have to count calories on Ozempic?. If you already take a GLP-1, what matters most is that the little you eat covers what you need: see what to eat on GLP-1s.

And if you’re looking for a product to help you eat almost nothing, or food brings you anxiety or guilt, talk to a professional. Eating disorders are serious, and there are treatments that can help, as MedlinePlus notes[44].

Frequently asked questions

Berberine vs. Ozempic: how do they compare?

Not in the same league. In a 2026 meta-analysis, berberine averaged 0.88 kg (1.9 lb) more weight loss than control[6]; in STEP 1, semaglutide 2.4 mg reduced weight by 14.9% over 68 weeks, vs. 2.4% with placebo[40].

Is there a natural Mounjaro?

No. Mounjaro, like Zepbound, is tirzepatide, a prescription drug. Its US label describes a GIP receptor and GLP-1 receptor agonist that selectively binds to and activates both the GIP and GLP-1 receptors, with a half-life of approximately 5 days[45]. No food, plant or supplement does that. Products sold as “natural Mounjaro” are either supplements like the ones on this page, which the FDA doesn’t approve before they’re sold[22], or products that claim to contain tirzepatide: Mexico’s COFEPRIS warned about unregistered drops, patches, vials and syringes[34], and the FDA has treated “GLP-1” drops and a “GLP-1” patch as unapproved drugs2425. The FTC lists weight loss from a patch or cream among the false claims[27]. More in my tirzepatide guide and GLP-1 patches.

Are there natural alternatives to Ozempic?

No supplement has shown an effect anywhere near it6101113161840. Protein, fiber from food and enough sleep help with appetite without replacing a medicine414243. Whether a medication makes sense for you is a conversation for your doctor.

What foods boost GLP-1 naturally?

Eating releases it, and fiber, unsaturated fats and protein seem to play a part[3], but natural GLP-1 lasts 1 to 2 minutes in the blood[4]. What those foods do well is fill you up and nourish you.

Can I take supplements if I’ve been prescribed a GLP-1?

That’s a question for your prescriber or pharmacist, not for a label. Berberine interacts with several medicines, including metformin, and ANSES advises people with diabetes against these supplements939.

Sources

Sources consulted for this article, with the access date.

  1. InstitutionGeisinger Health.Still C. Natural ways to boost your GLP-1 hormone (March 6, 2026).accessed .
  2. PressCNN / CBS News.LaMotte S. Forget TikTok claims: 'Nature's Ozempic' is no such thing, experts say. CNN, July 4, 2023 (republished by CBS News Sacramento).accessed .
  3. Other sourceNutrition & Metabolism (BioMed Central).Bodnaruc AM, Prud'homme D, Blanchet R, Giroux I. Nutritional modulation of endogenous glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion: a review. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2016;13:92. doi:10.1186/s12986-016-0153-3.accessed .
  4. Other sourceMolecular Metabolism (Elsevier).Müller TD, et al. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). Mol Metab. 2019;30:72-130. doi:10.1016/j.molmet.2019.09.010.accessed .
  5. Drug labelU.S. Food and Drug Administration label, via DailyMed (National Library of Medicine).Wegovy (semaglutide) injection and tablets: US Prescribing Information (sections 11 and 12.3), revised 6/2026.accessed .
  6. Meta-analysisInternational Journal of Obesity (Springer Nature).Elahi Vahed I, et al. The effect of berberine on obesity indices: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Obes (Lond). 2026;50(1):53-73. doi:10.1038/s41366-025-01943-x.accessed .
  7. Clinical trialJAMA Network Open.Lei L, Wang B, Zhao L, et al. Berberine and Adiposity in Diabetes-Free Individuals With Obesity and MASLD: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2026;9(1):e2554152. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.54152.accessed .
  8. InstitutionNational Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH, NIH).Berberine and Weight Loss: What You Need To Know (last updated November 2023).accessed .
  9. RegulatorEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA).EFSA NDA Panel. DRAFT Scientific Opinion on the safety of plant preparations containing berberine (EFSA-Q-2022-00803), endorsed for public consultation on January 29, 2026.accessed .
  10. Meta-analysisJournal of the American College of Nutrition.Onakpoya I, Posadzki P, Ernst E. The efficacy of glucomannan supplementation in overweight and obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. J Am Coll Nutr. 2014;33(1):70-78. doi:10.1080/07315724.2014.870013.accessed .
  11. Meta-analysisCritical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition.Darooghegi Mofrad M, et al. The effects of psyllium supplementation on body weight, body mass index and waist circumference in adults: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2020;60(5):859-872. doi:10.1080/10408398.2018.1553140.accessed .
  12. Meta-analysisJournal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.Gibb RD, Sloan KJ, McRorie JW Jr. Psyllium is a natural nonfermented gel-forming fiber that is effective for weight loss: A comprehensive review and meta-analysis. J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2023;35(8):468-476. doi:10.1097/JXX.0000000000000882.accessed .
  13. Meta-analysisObesity Reviews.Borgeraas H, et al. Effects of probiotics on body weight, body mass index, fat mass and fat percentage in subjects with overweight or obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Obes Rev. 2018;19(2):219-232. doi:10.1111/obr.12626.accessed .
  14. Clinical trialNature Medicine.Depommier C, et al. Supplementation with Akkermansia muciniphila in overweight and obese human volunteers: a proof-of-concept exploratory study. Nat Med. 2019;25(7):1096-1103. doi:10.1038/s41591-019-0495-2.accessed .
  15. RegulatorEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA).EFSA NDA Panel. Safety of pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. EFSA J. 2021;19(9):6780. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6780.accessed .
  16. Meta-analysisObesity Reviews.Onakpoya I, Posadzki P, Ernst E. Chromium supplementation in overweight and obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Obes Rev. 2013;14(6):496-507. doi:10.1111/obr.12026.accessed .
  17. RegulatorEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA).EFSA NDA Panel. Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to chromium and […] contribution to the maintenance or achievement of a normal body weight (ID 339, 4665, 4666) […]. EFSA J. 2010;8(10):1732.accessed .
  18. Meta-analysisCochrane Library.Jurgens TM, et al. Green tea for weight loss and weight maintenance in overweight or obese adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;12:CD008650. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008650.pub2.accessed .
  19. RegulatorEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA).EFSA ANS Panel. Scientific opinion on the safety of green tea catechins. EFSA J. 2018;16(4):5239. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5239.accessed .
  20. RegulatorOfficial Journal of the European Union (EUR-Lex).Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 of 16 May 2012 establishing a list of permitted health claims made on foods (glucomannan, chromium). OJ L 136.accessed .
  21. RegulatorOfficial Journal of the European Union (EUR-Lex).Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods, Article 12. OJ L 404.accessed .
  22. RegulatorU.S. Food and Drug Administration.Questions and Answers on Dietary Supplements (content current as of August 27, 2026).accessed .
  23. RegulatorU.S. Federal Trade Commission.Health Products Compliance Guidance (December 2022).accessed .
  24. RegulatorU.S. Food and Drug Administration.Warning letter to Veronvy (MARCS-CMS 694688), December 10, 2024.accessed .
  25. RegulatorU.S. Food and Drug Administration.Warning letter to FormPour (MARCS-CMS 722215), March 31, 2026.accessed .
  26. RegulatorU.S. Food and Drug Administration.Warning letter to BioDrive, Inc. (MARCS-CMS 731846), August 24, 2026.accessed .
  27. RegulatorU.S. Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Advice.The Truth Behind Weight Loss Ads (updated February 2025).accessed .
  28. RegulatorU.S. Federal Trade Commission.FTC Takes Action Against Telemedicine Firm NextMed Over Charges It Used Misleading Prices, Fake Reviews, and Deceptive Weight Loss Claims to Sell GLP-1 Weight-Loss Programs (July 14, 2025).accessed .
  29. RegulatorU.S. Federal Trade Commission.FTC Approves Final Order against Telehealth Provider NextMed Over Charges It Used Deceptive Advertising Claims to Sell GLP-1 Weight-Loss Programs (December 3, 2025).accessed .
  30. RegulatorU.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA's Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss (reports as of May 31, 2026; content current as of October 1, 2026).accessed .
  31. RegulatorU.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA warns consumers not to use counterfeit Ozempic (semaglutide) found in U.S. drug supply chain (updates of December 21, 2023, April 14, 2025 and December 5, 2025).accessed .
  32. RegulatorServicio Nacional del Consumidor (SERNAC, Chile).SERNAC se suma al ISP y advierte sobre riesgos de producto falsificado «PATCHES GLP-1» (November 28, 2025).accessed .
  33. RegulatorInstituto Nacional de Vigilancia de Medicamentos y Alimentos (INVIMA, Colombia).Alerta sanitaria n.º 116-2026: comercialización fraudulenta del producto GLP-1 PATCHES (April 30, 2026).accessed .
  34. RegulatorComisión Federal para la Protección contra Riesgos Sanitarios (COFEPRIS, Mexico).Alerta sanitaria: comercialización ilegal de productos con tirzepatida (February 9, 2026).accessed .
  35. RegulatorU.S. Food and Drug Administration.Avoiding Products Contaminated with Hidden Ingredients (content current as of June 10, 2025).accessed .
  36. RegulatorU.S. Food and Drug Administration.Public Notification: Body Shape Weight Loss System contains hidden drug ingredients (October 2, 2024).accessed .
  37. Other sourceJAMA Network Open.Tucker J, et al. Unapproved Pharmaceutical Ingredients Included in Dietary Supplements Associated With US Food and Drug Administration Warnings. JAMA Netw Open. 2018;1(6):e183337. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.3337.accessed .
  38. RegulatorSpanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS).La AEMPS retira varios productos adelgazantes por contener sibutramina, un principio activo no autorizado en la UE por sus efectos adversos graves (September 2, 2026).accessed .
  39. Other sourceOrganización de Consumidores y Usuarios (OCU, Spain).Berberina, ¿el Ozempic natural? OCU desaconseja su consumo por los riesgos asociados (January 9, 2025).accessed .
  40. Clinical trialNew England Journal of Medicine.Wilding JPH, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 1). N Engl J Med. 2021;384(11):989-1002.accessed .
  41. Other sourceAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition.Leidy HJ, et al. The role of protein in weight loss and maintenance. Am J Clin Nutr. 2015;101(6):1320S-1329S. doi:10.3945/ajcn.114.084038.accessed .
  42. Other sourceJournal of the American College of Nutrition.Clark MJ, Slavin JL. The effect of fiber on satiety and food intake: a systematic review. J Am Coll Nutr. 2013;32(3):200-211. doi:10.1080/07315724.2013.791194.accessed .
  43. Clinical trialAnnals of Internal Medicine.Spiegel K, Tasali E, Penev P, Van Cauter E. Sleep curtailment in healthy young men is associated with decreased leptin levels, elevated ghrelin levels, and increased hunger and appetite. Ann Intern Med. 2004;141(11):846-850. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-141-11-200412070-00008.accessed .
  44. InstitutionMedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine (NIH).Eating Disorders.accessed .
  45. Drug labelU.S. Food and Drug Administration label, via DailyMed (National Library of Medicine).Mounjaro (tirzepatide) injection: US Prescribing Information (sections 10, 11 and 12.1), revised 8/2026.accessed .

Related guides

Useful tools: Monthly cost of a GLP-1