Why fork over thousands of dollars a month for prescription weight loss jabs when store-bought supplements claim to have the same effect?

The products are being advertised as more affordable alternatives to blockbuster weight-loss drugs. Here’s what doctors think about them.

A new medical study published this month suggests yes — with some key factors to keep in mind. Ozempic’s long-term impact. Long-term weight loss for patients with obesity prov

Natural supplements have “very mild effects” on weight loss based on what Dr. Ali has seen. There is some data to suggest that saffron, green tea, or turmeric can have a slight impact on GLP-1 production, he says, but again, it's not a ton.

While both berberine and Ozempic may lead to weight loss, they are very different things. It’s “inaccurate and misleading” to call berberine “nature’s Ozempic,” Dr. Ali says, noting that they work differently in the body and have very different weight loss results.

GLP-1 supplements are advertised as a cheaper alternative to weight loss with Ozempic or Wegovy. Doctors explain if they help people lose weight and are safe.