Injections of semaglutide, the slimming drug from Ozempic and Wegovy, have conquered the world.
But now that healthcare providers have become stricter about prescribing medications to healthy people looking to lose a few pounds, people looking to lose weight are looking for “natural” alternatives.
Now psyllium husk, a fibre supplement sold in Boots stores for £12.50, is being hailed as this holy grail.
The sawdust-like powder has been dubbed ‘the Ozempic for the poor’ by an American general practitioner because of its appetite-suppressing properties.
Dr. Enaka Yembe, known as @drenakayembe1 On TikTok, she shared her thoughts on the health supplement she calls “the Ozempic for the poor” in a video on the social media platform.
Dr. Enaka Yembe, who goes by TikTok moniker @drenakayembe1, called the supplement “the poor man’s Ozempic”
Psyllium husk, sold as a sawdust-like powder, can also cause gastrointestinal symptoms, bloating, gas and even skin rashes, Dr. Yembe explains
She explained that although psyllium husk and Ozempic are very different substances, they have similar effects.
In the caption she said, “They both make you feel full. They both stabilize your blood sugar. They’re both scientifically proven to help with weight loss.”
She explains that the fiber supplement binds to water to form a bulky gel in the stomach. This then slows the movement of digested food out of the stomach, keeping you fuller for longer.
Semaglutide, the generic name for Ozempic and Wegovy, also causes weight loss by slowing the digestion of food.
The drugs mimic GLP-1, a hormone the body naturally produces that keeps food in the intestines longer, making people feel less hungry and have less of an appetite.
This causes people to eat less and lose weight.
A post from @itsvivanturals claims that after taking the fiber supplement for five days, she had regular bowel movements and a “flat stomach” ready to be “grabbed 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 has 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
Elsewhere on social media, young women are also raving about the benefits of psyllium fiber for their waistlines.
Clips posted by TikTok users showing how to use the powder have already been viewed 200,000 times on the platform.
One message by @itsvivantural claims that after taking the fiber supplement for five days, she has a “flat stomach” and is “gone for the summer.”
Another video posted by @lamiyaslimaniwho has 12,000 followers on TikTok, shows herself drinking psyllium husk dissolved in water, claiming 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.
Wegovy and Ozempic work by stimulating the body to produce a hormone called GLP-1 which is naturally released from the gut after meals
‘Psyllium is great for keeping things moving smoothly in your digestive system. It’s known to help with regular bowel movements and can prevent constipation by absorbing water in your gut, making it easier to pass stools,’ Rob Hobson, registered nutritionist at Healthspan and author of Unprocess Your Life, told MailOnline.
But it is used for weight management because it makes you feel full and reduces appetite, he explains.
Hobson says it slows down how quickly your body digests and absorbs carbohydrates. This can help control your blood sugar levels, especially if you have diabetes.
Psyllium supports your colon by keeping your bowel movements regular, which may help reduce the risk of developing inflammatory bowel diseases.
“It may also act as a prebiotic, encouraging the growth of good bacteria in your gut, which is crucial for your overall digestive health.”
The fiber supplement binds with water to form a bulky gel in the stomach. This then slows the emptying of digested food from the stomach, keeping you fuller for longer
But when compared with semaglutide, the effects on weight loss are ‘modest’, Mr Hobson cautions.
He said: ‘It can be a useful addition to a weight-loss plan, particularly for people trying to control their appetite, but it does not lead to significant weight loss on its own.’
While the supplement is safe for most people, Mr Hobson warns that it is not suitable for people with a history of gut problems and/or serious gastrointestinal conditions, such as Crohn’s disease.
This is because it absorbs water and swells, which can aggravate the condition or cause blockages.
The supplement may also interfere with the absorption of certain medications, especially if taken at the same time, such as medications for diabetes or cholesterol.
Mr Hobson advises taking it at least two hours before or after other medications.
According to Dr Duane Mellor, a dietitian and spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association, there is no magic secret to the effects of psyllium husk. Most high-fibre foods, such as legumes and oats, have a similar appetite-suppressing effect.
“But it’s not likely to be as effective as semaglutide,” he adds, stressing that the supplement “won’t do anything without cutting your calories.”