Injections of semaglutide, the slimming drug in Ozempic and Wegovy, have taken the world by storm.
But with providers cracking down on prescriptions for healthy people looking to shift a few pounds, slimmers have been on the hunt for ‘natural’ alternatives.
Now psyllium husk — a fibre supplement sold in Boots stores for £12.50 — has been hailed as this holy grail.
The sawdust-like powder has been dubbed the ‘poor man’s Ozempic’ by one US GP for its appetite suppressing benefits.
Dr Enaka Yembe, who goes by @drenakayembe1 on TikTok, shared her thoughts on the health supplement she hails ‘the poor man’s Ozempic’ in a video shared to the social media platform.
Dr Enaka Yembe, who goes by @drenakayembe1 on TikTok , dubbed the supplement ‘poor man’s Ozempic’
Psyllium husk, sold as a saw-dust like powder, can also cause gastrointestinal symptoms, bloating, gas and even a rash, Dr Yembe explains
She explained although psyllium husk and Ozempic are very different substances, they have similar effects.
In the caption she said: ‘They both induce feelings of fullness. They both stabilize your blood sugars. Both have been scientifically proven to assist with weight loss.’
She explains that the fibre supplement binds to water to form a voluminous gel in the stomach. This then slows the emptying of digested food from the stomach, keeping you fuller for longer.
Semaglutide — the generic name for Ozempic and Wegovy — also triggers weight loss by slowing the digestion of food.
The drugs mimic GLP-1, a hormone made naturally in the body, which keeps food in the gut for longer, which makes people feel less hungry and reduces cravings.
As a result, people don’t eat as much and lose weight.
One post by @itsvivanturals, claims after five days of taking the fibre supplement she had regular bowel movements and has a ‘flat stomach’ ready to be ‘snatched for summer’
Another video posted by @lamiyaslimani, who has 12,000 followers on TikTok, shows her drinking psyllium husk dissolved in water. She claims the drink helped her lose ‘water weight’
In separate post, @eshandearth told her 11,000 followers that mixing the psyllium husk with water and apple cider vinegar helped relive her bloating
Elsewhere, young women on social media are also raving about the benefits of psyllium husk for their waistline.
Clips posted by TikTok users demonstrating the uses of the powder have been watched 200,000 times on the platform.
One post by @itsvivantural claims after five days of taking the fibre supplement she has a ‘flat stomach’ and is ‘snatched for summer’.
Another video posted by @lamiyaslimani, who has 12,000 followers on TikTok, shows her drinking psyllium husk dissolved in water. She claims the drink helped her lose ‘water weight’.
In separate post, @eshandearth told her 11,000 followers that mixing the psyllium husk with water and apple cider vinegar helped relive her bloating.
Wegovy and Ozempic work by triggering the body to produce a hormone called GLP-1 that is released naturally from the intestines after meals
‘Psyllium is great for keeping things moving smoothly in your digestive system. It’s known to help with regular bowel movements and can prevent constipation by absorbing water in your gut, making it easier to pass stools,’ Rob Hobson, registered nutritionist at Healthspan and author of Unprocess Your Life, told MailOnline.
But it’s used for weight management because they make you feel full and reduce your appetite, he explains.
Hobson says it slows down how fast your body digests and absorbs carbohydrates, which might help keep your blood sugar levels in check, especially if you have diabetes.
‘Psyllium supports your colon by keeping your bowel movements regular, which can help reduce the chances of developing issues inflammatory diseases of the gut.
‘It might also work as a prebiotic, encouraging the growth of good bacteria in your gut, which is crucial for overall digestive health.’
The fibre supplement binds to water to form a voluminous gel in the stomach. This then slows the emptying of digested food from the stomach, keeping you fuller for longer
However, when it’s compared to semaglutide the weight-loss effects are ‘modest’, Mr Hobson warns.
He said: ‘It can be a useful addition to a weight loss plan, especially for those who are trying to manage their appetite, but it’s not typically associated with significant weight loss on its own.’
Although for most people the supplement is safe, Mr Hobson warns it’s not suitable for someone with a history of bowel problems and/or severe gastrointestinal conditions like Crohn’s disease.
That’s because it absorbs water and swells which can potentially worsen these conditions or cause blockages.
The supplement may also interfere with the absorption of certain medications, especially if taken at the same time such as diabetes or cholesterol drugs.
Mr Hobson recommends taking it at least two hours before or after other medications.
Dr Duane Mellor, a dietitian and spokesperson for British Dietetic Association, said there’s no magic secret to the effects of psyllium husk —and most high fibre foods, like pulses and oats, will have a similar appetite curbing impact.
‘But it is not likely to be anywhere as effective as semaglutide,’ he adds. He stresses the supplement ‘will do nothing without reducing your calories’.
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