Regularly eating foods such as avocados, nuts and eggs can offer similar effects on the body as seen with weight loss injections, a nutritionist has claimed.
In recent months, semaglutide injections have soared in popularity among Hollywood stars as a quick fix for shedding pounds. Brands such as Wegovy and Ozempic both contain the compound that mimics fullness caused by the GLP-1 hormone and is used to treat type 2 diabetes by managing blood sugar levels.
While effective at helping those with obesity issues, this kind of treatment comes with some unpleasant side effects. According to Wegovy and Ozempic’s respective websites, regularly taking either injection may cause nausea, stomach pain, constipation and vomiting – with Wegovy users further risking headaches, tiredness and dizziness.
However, nutritionist Dr Emma Beckett believes that regularly consuming certain foods can be just as effective as semaglutide in losing weight, but without the nasty symptoms. According to the expert, avocados are full of nutrients that trigger the GLP-1 hormone that boosts fullness.
Speaking to Diabetes.co.uk, she explained: “The nutrients that trigger GLP-1 secretion are macronutrients. There is evidence that by choosing foods high in these nutrients, GLP-1 levels can be increased.
“This means a healthy diet, high in GLP-1 stimulating nutrients can increase GLP-1 levels. This could be foods with good fats, like avocado or nuts, or lean protein sources like eggs.
“And foods high in fermentable fibres, like vegetables and whole grains, feed our gut bacteria, which then produce short chain fatty acids able to trigger GLP-1 secretion.”
Wegovy has been approved for use on the NHS through prescription to those with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 and higher. However, patients must have a serious weight-related condition, like type 2 diabetes, to be considered eligable.
While intended to treat obesity, some famous users like Jeremy Clarkson, billionaire businessman Elon Musk and American presenter Chelsea Handler have openly admitted to using the drug to lose weight.
Clinical trials conducted by Wegovy found that participants with an average starting weight of 232 pounds lost 15 per cent of their body weight while using the injection – around 35 pounds or 2.5 stone over a 68 week period.
But using weight loss injections unfortunately does not give you the go ahead to indulge and Dr Beckett says that users still have to make long lasting changes to their diet “for true health improvements”.
