Health and Me

Riya Baibhawi

Researchers Find Natural Alternative To Ozempic That Reduces Appetit By Half

Ozempic is a form of semaglutide that shuts down the "brain chatter" about food. Simply put, it works by mimicking a natural hormone (GLP-1) to lower blood sugar, slow down digestion, and reduce appetite. However, this miraculous weight loss drug is often accompanied by side effects like vomiting, fatigue, etc.

Now, researchers have found that another substance can act as a natural alternative to Ozempic. This substance, as per researchers, made mice eat up to 50% less — and notably, it came without the side effects commonly seen with weight-loss drugs. The findings have sparked new conversations around safer and more sustainable solutions for appetite control and obesity management.

The compound, derived from natural sources, appears to mimic some of the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic, a drug originally designed to treat type 2 diabetes but now widely used for weight loss. In the animal trials, mice given this compound reduced their food intake significantly—by up to half—while showing no signs of gastrointestinal distress or other adverse effects that can accompany pharmaceutical treatments.

With Ozempic and similar drugs making headlines for both their effectiveness and their side effects, this study points to the potential of a plant-based alternative that could one day offer similar benefits without the medical risks. The compound worked by influencing appetite-regulating pathways in the brain, similar to those targeted by semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic), but through a more natural mechanism.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Obesity rates have nearly tripled since 1975 and have increased almost five times in children and adolescents. It is the main reason behind chronic diseases. People with obesity are constantly shamed and blamed because many - including doctors, policymakers, and others - do not fully understand the root causes of obesity, which are often a complex mixture of dietary, lifestyle, genetic, psychological, sociocultural, economic and environmental factors.

Recently, a study published in Lancet revealed that half the world's obese people live in just 8 countries. The study further said that 2.11 billion adults aged 25 or above and 493 million children and young people aged five to 24 are overweight or obese. That is up from 731 million and 198 million, respectively, in 1990. In 2021, more than half of all adults who were overweight or living with obesity resided in just eight countries.

By 2050, about one-third of the world's children and adolescents are expected to be overweight or obese if current trends continue. This means around 746 million young people (aged 5–24 years) could be affected. Of these, 360 million are predicted to be obese, marking a 120% increase in prevalence.

For younger children (5–14 years), obesity rates are expected to rise from 9.1% in 2030 to 15.6% by 2050, affecting 186 million individuals. Among adolescents (15–24 years), obesity is forecasted to increase from 8.7% in 2030 to 14.2% by 2050, impacting 175 million people.

The rise in obesity is expected to be more significant among children aged 5–14 in regions like Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, and Asia. However, in high-income countries and Latin America, obesity rates in older adolescents (15–24 years) may surpass those in younger children.

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Ozempic is a form of semaglutide that shuts down the "brain chatter" about food. Simply put, it works by mimicking a natural hormone (GLP-1) to lower blood sugar, slow down digestion, and reduce appetite. However, this miraculous weight loss drug is often accompanied by side effects like vomiting, fatigue, etc. Now, researchers have found that another substance can act as a natural alternative to Ozempic. This substance, as per researchers, made mice eat up to 50% less — and notably, it came without the side effects commonly seen with weight-loss drugs. The findings have sparked new conversations around safer and more sustainable solutions for appetite control and obesity management.The compound, derived from natural sources, appears to mimic some of the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic, a drug originally designed to treat type 2 diabetes but now widely used for weight loss. In the animal trials, mice given this compound reduced their food intake significantly—by up to half—while showing no signs of gastrointestinal distress or other adverse effects that can accompany pharmaceutical treatments.With Ozempic and similar drugs making headlines for both their effectiveness and their side effects, this study points to the potential of a plant-based alternative that could one day offer similar benefits without the medical risks. The compound worked by influencing appetite-regulating pathways in the brain, similar to those targeted by semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic), but through a more natural mechanism.Obesity Is A Growing ProblemAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), Obesity rates have nearly tripled since 1975 and have increased almost five times in children and adolescents. It is the main reason behind chronic diseases. People with obesity are constantly shamed and blamed because many - including doctors, policymakers, and others - do not fully understand the root causes of obesity, which are often a complex mixture of dietary, lifestyle, genetic, psychological, sociocultural, economic and environmental factors.Recently, a study published in Lancet revealed that half the world's obese people live in just 8 countries. The study further said that 2.11 billion adults aged 25 or above and 493 million children and young people aged five to 24 are overweight or obese. That is up from 731 million and 198 million, respectively, in 1990. In 2021, more than half of all adults who were overweight or living with obesity resided in just eight countries.By 2050, about one-third of the world's children and adolescents are expected to be overweight or obese if current trends continue. This means around 746 million young people (aged 5–24 years) could be affected. Of these, 360 million are predicted to be obese, marking a 120% increase in prevalence.For younger children (5–14 years), obesity rates are expected to rise from 9.1% in 2030 to 15.6% by 2050, affecting 186 million individuals. Among adolescents (15–24 years), obesity is forecasted to increase from 8.7% in 2030 to 14.2% by 2050, impacting 175 million people.The rise in obesity is expected to be more significant among children aged 5–14 in regions like Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, and Asia. However, in high-income countries and Latin America, obesity rates in older adolescents (15–24 years) may surpass those in younger children.