Semaglutide injections, the slimming drug from Ozempic and Wegovy, have taken the world by storm.
But as suppliers are restricting prescriptions for healthy people looking to shed a few pounds, those looking to slim down have sought out “natural” alternatives.
Now psyllium husk, a fibre supplement sold in Boots stores for £12.50, has been hailed as the holy grail.
An American GP has dubbed the sawdust-like powder “the poor man’s Ozempic” for its appetite-suppressing benefits.
Dr. Enaka Yembe, known as @drenakayembe1 Taking to TikTok, she shared her thoughts on the health supplement she calls ‘the poor man’s Ozempic’ in a video shared on the social media platform.
Dr. Enaka Yembe, known as @drenakayembe1 on TikTok, dubbed the supplement “Ozempic for the poor.”
Psyllium husk, which is sold as a sawdust-like powder, can also cause gastrointestinal symptoms, bloating, gas and even rash, Dr. Yembe explains.
He explained that although psyllium husk and Ozempic are very different substances, they have similar effects.
The caption read: “Both induce a feeling of satiety. Both stabilize blood sugar levels. Both have been scientifically proven to help with weight loss.”
He explains that the fiber supplement binds with water to form a bulky gel in the stomach, which causes the emptying of digested food to slow down, making one feel 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 produced naturally in the body, which keeps food in the gut for longer, making people feel less hungry and reducing cravings.
As a result, people don’t eat as much and lose weight.
A post by @itsvivanturals claims that after five days of taking the fiber supplement, she had regular bowel movements and has a “flat belly” ready to be “snatched up 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 a separate post, @eshandearth told her 11,000 followers that mixing psyllium husk with water and apple cider vinegar helped relieve her bloating.
On the other hand, 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 viewed 200,000 times on the platform.
A post by @itsvivantural She claims that after five days of taking the fiber supplement she has a “flat stomach” and is “ready for summer.”
Another video posted by @lamiyaslimaniwho has 12,000 followers on TikTok, shows how she drinks psyllium husk dissolved in water. She claims the drink helped her lose “water weight.”
In a separate post, @eshandearth She told her 11,000 followers that mixing psyllium husk with water and apple cider vinegar helped relieve her bloating.
Wegovy and Ozempic work by stimulating the body to produce a hormone called GLP-1 that is naturally released from the intestines after meals.
“Psyllium is great for keeping the digestive system running smoothly. It is known to help regulate bowel movements and can prevent constipation by absorbing water in the gut, making it easier to pass stool,” Rob Hobson, a registered dietitian with Healthspan and author of Unprocess Your Life, told MailOnline.
But it is used for weight control because it makes you feel full and reduces appetite, he explains.
Hobson says it slows down It slows down the rate at which your body digests and absorbs carbohydrates, which may help keep your blood sugar levels under control, especially if you have diabetes.
‘Psyllium helps your colon by keeping your bowel movements regular, which can help reduce your chances of developing inflammatory bowel disease problems.
‘It may also work as a prebiotic, stimulating the growth of good bacteria in the gut, which is crucial for overall digestive health.’
The fiber supplement binds with water to form a bulky gel in the stomach. This slows down the emptying of digested food, keeping you fuller for longer.
However, when compared with semaglutide, the weight loss effects are “modest,” Hobson cautions.
He said: “It can be a useful adjunct to a weight loss plan, especially for those trying to control their appetite, but it is not typically associated with significant weight loss on its own.”
While the supplement is safe for most people, Mr Hobson warns that it is not suitable for anyone with a history of bowel problems and/or serious gastrointestinal conditions such as Crohn’s disease.
This is because it absorbs water and swells, which can potentially make these conditions worse 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 medications.
Mr Hobson recommends taking it at least two hours before or after other medications.
Dr Duane Mellor, a dietician and spokesman for the British Dietetic Association, said there was no magic secret to the effects of psyllium husk and that most high fibre foods, such as legumes and oats, would have a similar appetite-reducing effect.
“But it is unlikely to be as effective as semaglutide,” he added, stressing that the supplement “will do nothing if you don’t reduce calories.”
