Oatzempic: Can You Increase GLP-1 Naturally? - Levity

Have you heard of 'Oatzempic'? It's a weight loss trend that claims to help you lose weight naturally in the same way that Ozempic does. Some people say they both cause rapid weight loss, but what does the science say? Is it possible to get the same results from natural ingredients that you get from cutting-edge weight management treatments? 

Let's debunk the myths around foods promoting weight loss and help you get the best results possible on your weight loss journey. 

What is GLP-1?

GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, which is a hormone that naturally occurs in your body. It's released when we eat food and triggers insulin secretion, which lowers your blood sugar levels. GLP-1 also slows the release of glucagon, a hormone that increases blood glucose. 

What are GLP-1 receptor agonists? 

GLP-1 receptor agonists are, simply, medicines that mimic what the body’s natural GLP-1 does. They were originally developed as diabetes drugs, as they help with blood sugar regulation in people with type 2 diabetes. 

Now, GLP-1 agonists are also used to help support weight loss – some of which (not including Ozempic) have been approved for weight loss by the FDA. They have a number of beneficial effects that help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight, including:

• Greater blood sugar control: Because GLP-1 agonists trigger the release of insulin, they prevent your blood sugar from spiking, which keeps hunger pangs and food cravings at bay.
• Slower gastric emptying: GLP-1 agonists have been found to slow the rate your stomach empties after eating, making you feel fuller for longer. This will reduce your calorific intake and thereby help with weight loss. 
• Reduced appetite signals: GLP-1 agonists play a crucial role in regulating your appetite by interacting with the appetite control centers in the brain. This reduces the signals that make you feel hungry, helping you manage your food intake more effectively.
• Enhanced satiety: By increasing the feeling of fullness after meals, GLP-1 agonists help curb the desire to eat between meals. This leads to a natural reduction in calorific intake and supports weight management efforts.

How does food trigger GLP-1 release? 

When you eat foods high in soluble fiber — found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains like oats — your digestive system breaks them down into short-chain fatty acids. These fatty acids then signal to special cells in your small intestine to release the GLP-1 hormone. Increasing GLP-1 levels helps control your blood sugar and reduce your appetite (Bodnaruc et al., 2016). [1] 

Foods that affect your GLP-1 levels

Whether you're taking weight management medication or not, it's beneficial to eat a healthy diet rich in foods that may naturally increase GLP-1 concentrations in your blood. When taking GLP-1 medication, the quality of your diet becomes even more important because a reduced appetite means your body’s nutritional needs must be met by a reduced food intake. We recommend avoiding ultra-processed foods and focusing on nutrient-dense whole foods that will provide you with adequate energy, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, micronutrients, fiber and fluids. Examples of these include:  

• Whole grains: Oats and brown rice are fiber-rich. They're also good sources of slow-release energy, which helps keep your blood sugar stable. 
• Legumes: Chickpeas, beans and lentils are high in fiber and protein, which helps control your blood sugar and boosts gut health. 
• Fruits, vegetables and leafy greens: High in fiber and micronutrients, helping regulate blood sugar and improving overall health. 
• Eggs: High in protein and monounsaturated fats, which may help you feel full. 
• Healthy fats: Nuts and healthy oils may promote gallbladder emptying, which helps reduce the risk of cholestasis during weight reduction. (Almandoz et al., 2024). [2] 

Can Oatzempic help you lose weight?

Let's return to Oatzempic. We've discussed that oats are high in fiber, but some people claim this 'miracle drink' — a blend of oats, water and lime juice — triggers a comparable GLP-1 response to Ozempic and other GLP-1 agonists. So, does it?

In short, no. Although studies suggest fiber naturally increases GLP-1 secretion, this oat drink won't have comparable results to a clinically proven medication (Bodnaruc et al., 2016). 1 And what results have we seen? In clinical studies participants taking Semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic) have lost up to 15 % of their body weight after a year (Wilding et al., 2021). [3]

What's more, Oatzempic is promoted as a meal replacement, which won't lead to healthy weight loss. In fact, restrictive fad diets can often increase cravings. You'll see the best weight loss results from eating a balanced diet rich in protein, carbohydrates, dietary fats and a range of micronutrients. Combine that with regular exercise and you should start to see your weight loss efforts pay off. When you choose Levity as your weight loss partner, health coaching is included in the price of your medication to help you make the healthiest diet and lifestyle choices possible. 

Interested in what Ozempic could do for you? Take our short consultation to see if you're eligible to try an injectable GLP-1 treatment here.

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References

1. Bodnaruc AM, Prud’homme D, Blanchet R, Giroux I. Nutritional modulation of endogenous glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion: a review. Nutrition & Metabolism. 2016 Dec;13(1).

2. Almandoz JP, Wadden TA, Tewksbury C, Apovian CM, Fitch A, Ard JD, et al. Nutritional considerations with antiobesity medications. Obesity. 2024 Jun 10.

3. Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine [Internet]. 2021 Feb 10;384(11):989–1002. Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183