Weight-loss injections have revolutionised the slimming industry. The jabs – such as Ozempic and Mounjaro – can help people shed up to a third of their bodyweight.
The medicines work by suppressing hormones in the body that trigger the feeling of hunger. And, not surprisingly, the stampede to get prescriptions has led to shortages.
But almost simultaneously a small industry has sprung up offering supplements touted as ‘natural’ alternatives. Over the past six months, Google searches for these products has more than doubled worldwide.
Meanwhile, videos about cheap supplements that cause fat to ‘drop off’ or lead to a ‘flat tummy in seven days’ have been viewed by hundreds of millions on social media – and, predictably, celebrities are in on the act.
Earlier this year, Kourtney Kardashian, sister of Kim and co-star of the reality TV series The Kardashians, launched a capsule supplement called Lemme Smooth. She claims it can ‘combat cellulite from the inside out’.
And a raft of other pills and potions are vying for the title ‘Nature’s Ozempic’.
But do they really work? We asked the experts to give their verdict on the most popular brands.
Kourtney Kardashian, sister of Kim and co-star of the reality TV series The Kardashians, has launched a capsule supplement called Lemme Smooth, which she claims can ‘combat cellulite from the inside out’
Shrub extract that claims to make 'the weight drop off’ within weeks
Applied Nutrition, Berberine, 1,000mg x 60 capsules, £12.73, from Holland and Barrett
What is it?
Berberine is derived from a shrub in the berberis family of plants that are commonly found in the UK, and it has become a TikTok phenomenon.
On the social media site, more than 90 million people have watched videos about taking the supplement for weight loss. It’s claimed berberine can increase the body’s production of insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar, and can suppress the appetite.
One Australian woman, Casey Shaw, in a clip viewed more than two million times, described how ‘the weight just dropped off’ after she starting taking daily berberine tablets. ‘My body has completely changed in five weeks’, she said.
Expert verdict:
Despite the hype, there is limited research to back up these extraordinary claims, says Dr Simon Cork, a senior lecturer in physiology and obesity expert at Anglia Ruskin University.
‘It is not true to refer to this as nature’s Ozempic. There is some evidence that berberine has a slight effect on increasing metabolism by helping your body process sugars, but this is not the same as weight-loss injections,’ he says.
A 2020 study found that when people took 500mg of berberine daily for four months, they lost about 4lb (1.8kg) on average – but those who were given a placebo lost a similar amount of weight.
As well as the negligible benefits, side effects include diarrhoea, constipation, stomach discomfort and nausea.
Medics also advise avoiding berberine when pregnant after research found the supplement could cause jaundice in infants and even increase the risk of kernicterus, a type of brain damage that can prove fatal.
Spice gives you 'a flat belly in seven days’
Turmeric 10,000mg, Fast Release Formula, Nature’s Best, 60 tablets £11.99
What is it?
Turmeric, and its active ingredient curcumin, can supposedly help inflammation, reduce fat growth and help with insulin regulation – all of which help weight loss.
One Indian diet influencer, Shubhi Mishra, in a YouTube video viewed by nearly 30,000 people, claims that drinking tea made with turmeric on an empty stomach in the morning can give people ‘a flat belly in seven days’.
Meanwhile, on TikTok, US health influencer Ben Azadi – who has more than 300,000 followers – claims that turmeric ‘enhances fat burning’ and lowers BMI.
Expert verdict:
Research shows that curcumin can aid weight loss.
A 2019 study examined the impact of giving varying doses to patients with obesity and an associated health problem, including diabetes and heart disease. It was published in the medical journal Frontiers of Pharmacology and concluded that these patients were significantly more likely to lose weight than those who did not take the supplement.
However, experts say it should be combined with other, more reliable, approaches such as a healthy diet and regular exercise.
‘This isn’t a standalone solution,’ says Bridget Benelam, a nutrition scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation. ‘The bottom line is that although this supplement might help with weight loss, it needs to be part of bigger lifestyle changes in order to be effective.’
Ginseng 'lifts energy and aids slimming’
Korean Ginseng, 180 capsules, £22.99, from Holland and Barrett
Ginseng, an ancient Asian root, is a stimulant much like caffeine and some claim that not only does it provide an energy boost, but can suppress appetite, too
What is it?
Ginseng, an ancient Asian root, is a stimulant much like caffeine. There are claims that not only does it provide an energy boost, it suppresses the appetite. There is also evidence it helps regulate blood sugar levels, which can be beneficial for weight management.
US health influencer Dr Janine Bowring claims in YouTube videos that ginseng is a ‘super-exciting’ supplement that ‘can help with weight loss.’ Others have referred to it as the ‘Korean weight-loss hack’ that suppresses appetite.
Expert verdict:
There are potential benefits to taking this supplement, say experts, but the evidence is limited.
One small-scale study of 50 Korean women in 2012 found those taking 8g of the root daily lost 4lb (2kg) over 12 weeks.
However, another study the year before at the Washington University School of Medicine found the root extract has no effect on blood sugar regulation.
There have been no large-scale clinical trials of the supplement, considered the gold standard for scientific research.
Research also suggests that taking large doses of ginseng can lead to nausea and migraines, particularly in women over 40.
‘It is a traditional supplement and there appear to be some weight-loss benefits to taking it,’ says Elizabeth Montgomery, a nutritionist from London. ‘It has also been shown to be good for the gut.’
Can green tea really help shift the pounds?
Ultra Green Tea, 30 tablets, Vitabiotics, £5.95
Theories about about green tea’s use as a slimming aid appear in medical literature as far back as the 16th century in China
What is it?
Green tea has been viewed as a potential natural weight-loss supplement for centuries.
Claims about its use as a slimming aid appear in medical literature as far back as the 16th century in China.
But in the past decade, one of its main promoters has been the US reality TV star Kim Kardashian. In 2017 she backed a green tea drink called FitTea which claims to ‘help weight loss and detoxify the body’.
Expert verdict:
Results from studies on the effects of green tea extract have been mixed.
One trial in 2016 of 115 women – published in the Clinical Nutrition Journal – found that taking 800mg green tea tablets daily over 12 weeks did lead to a reduction in weight and waist size.
However a similar study of 60 men and women in 2022 – published in the Journal of Nutrition – did not find any significant benefits. A scientific review concluded: ‘Green tea preparations appear to induce a statistically non-significant weight loss in overweight or obese adults.’
Professor Gunter Kunhle, a diet specialist at Reading University, says: ‘Green tea supplements have become quite common but the impact is small and not meaningful in the studies we have on this.’
Blood orange can shrink your waist
Sensilab Essentials Moroslim, 400mg high dose – 60 capsules, £19.99
What is it?
These supplements contain blood orange extract, which can be a game-changer for weight loss, according to UK supplement company Sensilab.
The firm claims that combining the citrus fruit with black pepper is the key, as this helps the body absorb it.
Sensilab says its product – known as Moroslim – can ‘reduce body weight by 3kg, shrink your waist by 7.5cm and decrease hip circumference by 6cm’.
It adds that the supplement ‘stimulates fat burning, prevents fat accumulation and shrinks your belly’ and has clinically confirmed results to back up the claims.
Expert verdict:
There is, indeed, potential for blood orange supplements, according to some experts.
Professor Kunhle says: ‘We think that it may be the flavonoids in the supplement that contribute to weight loss by suppressing appetite, though it is too early at this stage to recommend it for everyone who wants to lose weight.’
Small trials of blood orange extract and black pepper found that participants did lose weight. However, on average, they dropped only half as much as Sensilab claims.
A 2022 study of overweight adult men and women found blood orange extract ‘may be useful as a complementary strategy in weight management programmes’ when used alongside diet and exercise.
Nutty fad that may just be low in calories
Natures Aid, 100% MCT oil, premium coconut oil, 500ml £19.95, from Ocado.
MCT oil is derived from coconuts and is believed to suppress appetite. It is also found in small amounts in whole milk and butter
What is it?
MCT oil is derived from coconuts and is believed to suppress appetite. According to UK herbal supplement firm Natures Aid, it can fill you up while being ‘turned into energy efficiently, [meaning] it is less likely to be stored by your body as fat’.
The oil can also be found in small amounts in whole milk and butter.
Expert verdict:
There has been no direct research to indicate taking MCT oil on its own can trigger significant weight loss.
However, there are studies that show that switching from using popular cooking oils to MCT oil can help.
One – published in 2008 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition – found that participants who made the switch from olive oil to MCT oil lost a pound more over two months.
As a result, some experts say there are still benefits.
‘Swapping to MCT oil can have a benefit for your weight-loss journey,’ says London-based nutritionist Elizabeth Montgomery. ‘It helps provide energy but is also low in calories.’
FACT BOX TITLE
A daily oat smoothie, nicknamed ‘Oatzempic’, can slash pounds in a matter of weeks, according to the claims of TikTok influencers.
Earlier this year the ‘diet’ drink went viral on the platform, with more than 50 million people watching videos about it.
The recipe contains half a cup of oats, one cup of water, the juice from half a lime and a dash of cinnamon. Many claim it is a cheaper version of the appetite-suppressing injection Ozempic. One TikToker, who calls himself The Churro King, said he lost nearly 10lb (4.5kg) in three weeks from drinking two Oatzempics a day on top of his regular diet.
So-called 'Oatzempic’ is a daily smoothie that slashes pounds in a matter of weeks, according to the claims of TikTok influencers
Experts are sceptical that adding this concoction (pictured right) to a diet will lead to weight loss.
‘Oats are generally considered a healthy food choice due to their fibre content,’ says Dr Chandni Rajani, a London-based GP. ‘But they don’t have the same mechanism of action as Ozempic.’
