Glp-1 Drugs Like Ozempic Work - but at What Cost?

But while the results can be dramatic, the experience isn’t always smooth - and the risks aren’t minor.

Why Everyone’s Talking About GLP-1 Drugs

The rise of GLP-1 medications isn’t just a passing wellness trend - it’s happening against the backdrop of a growing public health crisis:

• Over 42% of U.S. adults are obese, and an additional 30% are overweight.⁽¹⁾
• 1 in 10 Americans now have type 2 diabetes, and nearly 1 in 3 has prediabetes.⁽²⁾
• GLP-1 prescriptions, including semaglutide and liraglutide, grew by nearly 300% from 2020 to 2023.⁽³⁾

While GLP-1 receptor agonists are undeniably effective, they weren’t designed for the average person simply looking to manage appetite or improve metabolism. They’re prescription medications for chronic diseases, and they come with a list of potential side effects ranging from nausea to more serious concerns like pancreatitis and thyroid tumors.

What About Potential Side Effects?

According to the FDA and peer-reviewed studies, GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide and liraglutide can be associated with a range of side effects:

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation - among the most common gastrointestinal effects.⁽¹³⁾
• Pancreatitis - noted as a risk in several case reports and clinical reviews.⁽¹⁴⁾
• Gallbladder disease - increased risk observed in observational studies.⁽¹⁵⁾
• Kidney problems - especially in patients experiencing severe dehydration from vomiting or diarrhea.⁽¹⁶⁾
• Thyroid C-cell tumors - observed in rodent studies; relevance to humans is unknown, but warnings exist.⁽¹³⁾
• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors - reports prompted an ongoing FDA investigation, though no causal link has been established.⁽¹⁷⁾
• Bone density loss - some emerging research suggests potential effects on bone turnover markers, though more data is needed.⁽¹⁸⁾

Additionally, a now widely discussed aesthetic side effect is “Ozempic face” - a term coined by dermatologists to describe facial volume loss caused by rapid weight loss.⁽¹²⁾ While not medically dangerous, it has raised concern about the broader physiological effects of sudden fat loss.

The Power of GLP-1, Naturally Activated

GLP-1, short for glucagon-like peptide-1, is a hormone your body naturally releases after eating. It helps regulate appetite, stimulate insulin, reduce blood sugar spikes, and slow down digestion.

Ora, the creator of premium natural supplements, just launched their newest plant-based formula, GLP-1 Up - designed to support your body’s natural production of GLP-1^† without pharmaceutical intervention. It uses 4 impressive patented plant compounds studied in human clinical trials, and is without the harrowing side effects aforementioned.

Backed by Plants, Not Prescriptions

1. Encourages Your Body to Make More GLP-1^†

Eriomin®, a citrus flavonoid complex from lemon, has been shown in clinical studies to naturally increase GLP-1 levels by up to 17.5%^†⁽⁴⁵⁶⁾ and improve glucose control, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation markers.^†⁽⁴⁵⁶⁾

2. Helps Manage Healthy Blood Sugar Spikes After Meals^†

Reducose® (white mulberry leaf extract) slows down carbohydrate digestion and absorption, leading to up to a 40% reduction in post-meal glucose and insulin spikes in human studies.^†⁽⁷⁸⁾

3. Supports Fat Metabolism and Insulin Health^†

Morosil® (Moro blood orange extract) and Feiolix® (whole feijoa fruit) have shown human clinical benefits for metabolic health:^†

• Morosil: reduced body weight, BMI, and waist circumference over 12 weeks^†⁽⁹⁾
• Feiolix: improved fasting glucose, triglycerides, LDL, and gut function in adults with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes^†⁽¹⁰¹¹⁾

A Safe Option for Metabolic Health

Ora’s natural GLP-1 support formula is available without a prescription, starting at $59.99/month ($74.99 one-time) - and 20% off with your exclusive Epoch Health discount.

If you want to support metabolism, curb cravings, and feel more energized naturally,^† this may be the safe, gentle alternative you’ve been looking for.

👉 Shop GLP-1 Support – 20% off with Epoch Health Offer

References

1. CDC National Center for Health Statistics, 2023
2. CDC National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2022
3. IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science, U.S. Medication Trends 2023
4. Ribeiro CB, Ramos FM, Manthey JA, Cesar TB. Effectiveness of Eriomin® in managing hyperglycemia and reversal of prediabetes condition. Phytother Res. 2019;33(7):1921-1933. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30919998
5. Cesar TB, Ramos FMM, Ribeiro CB. Eriomin® reduces hyperglycemia by increasing GLP-1 and downregulating systemic inflammation. J Med Food. 2022;25(11):1050-1058. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36384444
6. Ramos FM, Ribeiro CB, Cesar TB, et al. Eriomin® attenuates prediabetes intestinal dysbiosis. Food Sci Nutr. 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37415644
7. Wang Y, Liu S, Yang Z, et al. Mulberry leaf extract reduces postprandial glycemia in healthy adults. J Diet Suppl. 2017;14(6):650-661. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28914546
8. Zhang Y, et al. Mulberry leaf extract for glucose metabolism in prediabetic adults. J Med Food. 2021;24(1):35-41. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32811282
9. Cardile V, et al. Moro orange extract and weight management: a randomized clinical evaluation. Nat Prod Res. 2015;29(6):518-522. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25280038
10. Taghavi M, et al. Feijoa sellowiana supplementation in type 2 diabetics: effect on glycemic control and lipids. Int J Endocrinol Metab. 2012;10(2):497–503. https://ijem.sbmu.ac.ir/article_1223.html
11. Derosa G, et al. Abscisic acid treatment in prediabetics: effects on glyco-metabolic markers. Nutrients. 2020;12(10):2931. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32987917
12. American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. “Ozempic Face” and Aesthetic Concerns with Rapid Weight Loss. 2023. https://www.asds.net/Blog/Post/ozempic-face-and-weight-loss
13. FDA Prescribing Information for Ozempic and Wegovy
14. Lee CJ, et al. Pancreatitis associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2019. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31410036
15. Faillie JL, et al. Gallbladder-related events associated with GLP-1 agonists. JAMA Intern Med. 2016. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27842167
16. Egan AG, et al. FDA perspective on GLP-1 kidney risks. N Engl J Med. 2011. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21776413
17. FDA. Update on Suicidal Thoughts and GLP-1 Drugs. July 2023. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/update-fdas-ongoing-evaluation-reports-suicidal-thoughts-or-actions-patients-taking-certain-type
18. Zhang Y, et al. GLP-1 and bone metabolism: a review. Front Endocrinol. 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35401626

Disclaimers: