Natural Alternatives to Ozempic
By Naturopath Sam Botica
The weight-loss phenomenon of Ozempic
In recent years, Ozempic and similar GLP-1 medications have exploded in popularity, widely known for their association with easy and fast weight loss. While the results that Ozempic can achieve are appealing, many people are now reporting unwanted side effects of this drug. Ranging from nausea and gut motility issues to more serious complications and permanent damage, risks that it seems many users were not aware of. You might have seen recently that in the USA, there are lawsuits mounting in relation to some of these more serious complications, highlighting the need for caution if choosing this drug.
As naturopaths, we fundamentally believe it’s necessary to understand the root causes behind any health complaint, and take into account any risks, existing medications, and contraindications before starting any treatment. While we obviously have a natural approach and provide herbal medicines or other treatments, we also work alongside conventional medical treatments for many of our patients. If you are someone who has used Ozempic in the past, or you've come across this drug in your research on weight loss solutions, you may be interested to also know that there are safe, natural ways to support your metabolism, appetite, and long-term health without injections.
What is GLP-1 and how does it help weight loss?
GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) is a naturally occurring hormone produced in the gut. It plays an important role in regulating your blood sugar and appetite. When GLP-1 levels rise, you'll feel fuller for longer, have less cravings, and steadier blood sugar control.
Medications like Ozempic mimic GLP-1 to achieve these effects, but the body has its own system for producing GLP-1 naturally. By learning how to support and enhance your body’s GLP-1 production, you can access many of the same benefits without relying on these injections, which we are seeing come with some serious risks!
The role of metabolic dysfunction and disease in diabetes and weight issues
Metabolic dysfunction occurs when the body struggles to manage blood sugar, insulin, and energy storage effectively. This is a major factor in both type 2 diabetes and weight gain as well as a range of other increasingly common health issues like cardiovascular disease, fatty liver, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and dementia. When metabolism is affected by these imbalances, the body becomes less efficient at producing and responding to insulin, which leads to cravings, energy crashes, and excess fat storage.
GLP-1 helps counteract these effects by:
Improving insulin sensitivity
Slowing down the digestive system (so you stay satisfied longer)
Helping regulate appetite signals in the brain
Addressing the underlying metabolic dysfunction is at the heart of both effective weight management and long-term health and diabetes prevention. Supporting GLP-1 naturally is one way to restore healthy, efficient, functioning metabolism.
Other benefits of increasing GLP-1 production
What we are seeing is that increasing GLP-1 could offer benefits beyond weight and blood sugar control that Ozempic is so well known for. Some of these potential improvements include:
Gut health: GLP-1 plays a role in motility and microbiome balance
Mental health: Studies link GLP-1 activity to improved mood and reduced anxiety
Inflammation: Higher GLP-1 activity may support autoimmune balance
In the USA, naturopathic doctor Dr Tyna Moore has explored micro-dosing of Ozempic with patients, reporting recovery from mental health, and autoimmune conditions, as well as better energy levels and overall health. However, in Australia, access to Ozempic is limited, and compounding into micro-doses is not a realistic or accessible option for most people.
Still, these insights add weight to the growing evidence that boosting GLP-1, whether through medication or natural strategies, has a range of health benefits.
How to boost GLP-1 production naturally
Your body has its own natural GLP-1 production system. Some simple lifestyle changes that can help GLP-1 production include:
Eating more fibre-rich foods such as beans, vegetables, and whole grains
Including healthy fats like avocado, nuts, and olive oil
Intermittent fasting to reset metabolism (not suitable for everyone)
Exercising regularly, which naturally increases GLP-1
Depending on the individual, there may also be supplements or herbal medicines we would suggest to support this process, as in some cases there are likely other hormonal or gastro-intestinal factors at play that have led to the GLP-1 production becoming less efficient.
Support gut health (a key driver of appetite and weight balance)
Whether your goal is weight loss, more energy, recovering from illness or simply optimising your good health, supporting your gut health is foundational to your overall health and wellbeing. For most people this should include:
Eating fermented foods to nourish your microbiome (or taking specific probiotic strains that target deficiencies)
Drinking bone broth or taking supplements to actively repair and support the gut lining
Avoid sugar, alcohol and processed foods that can negatively impact your digestive system and increase inflammation
Why consider natural approaches first?
Although Ozempic may be the best solution for some people, approaching weight loss and management of diabetes or other illnesses with a naturopathic approach has many benefits including:
No injections
No risk of gut paralysis or gut motility issues
Supports your body to naturally function as designed
Helps develop healthy lifestyle habits that aren't reliant on continuous medication
Creates lasting changes for better energy, metabolism, and overall wellbeing
If you’re curious about safe and effective ways to manage weight, boost energy, and reduce inflammation, book a consultation with me so we can develop a targeted, effective treatment plan for you that takes into account your lifestyle, your unique needs and health goals. From nutritional guidance and allergy testing to herbal medicines and natural, high quality supplement therapies, I'm here to help you achieve results without risking your long-term health.
Book online with Sam Botica here or call our team on 08 9328 9233 to make an appointment in our Highgate clinic.