Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have brought a remarkable revolution to the realm of weight loss. These medications have significantly transformed how individuals approach and achieve their weight management goals.
Health experts have identified numerous everyday foods, likely nestled in your pantry, that have a similar impact on the body as these groundbreaking medications. These food items possess the capacity to influence the body akin to these innovative drugs.
Semaglutide, the pivotal element in these medications, operates by mimicking GLP-1, a hormone naturally produced by the body in response to food intake. This hormone plays a crucial role in stimulating insulin release and moderating the movement of food from the stomach to the intestine. Additionally, it communicates with the brain, signaling a sense of fullness, reducing hunger pangs effectively.
Certain high-fiber foods prompt a comparable reaction within your digestive system.
“When my family discovers that I’m delving into the study of obesity or diabetes, their immediate question is, ‘What’s the miracle drug? What should I take? What’s the solution?'” remarked Frank Duca from the University of Arizona’s Cancer Center during a recent NPR interview.
“And my response is simple: ‘Increase your fiber intake.'”
Does fiber help weight loss?
Fiber, due to its slow digestion compared to other food compounds, progresses more leisurely through the small intestine and undergoes breakdown in the large intestine.
In the large intestine, fiber stimulates the release of GLP-1 and PYY, an additional hormone known for reducing appetite. This extended process spans several hours, effectively curbing hunger for an extended period and minimizing cravings between meals.
“PYY plays a role in managing satiety—essentially, the duration between meals,” Duca explained. “The combined release of PYY and GLP-1 extends the interval between meals.”
However, not all types of fiber offer the same benefits, and foods supplemented with fiber might not necessarily aid in controlling your appetite. Duca suggests that fermentable fiber stands out as the most effective type for appetite regulation and weight management.
Weight Loss
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Beta-glucan, a fermentable fiber present in barley, oats, and rye, has exhibited promising results in encouraging weight loss, particularly in animal studies.
“In our experiments, we found that it was solely beta-glucan that showed effectiveness,” Duca highlighted.
Additional fermentable fibers, such as wheat-derived dextrin, oligosaccharides found in beans, peas, and lentils, and pectin present in apples, pears, and green bananas, contribute to this group of beneficial fibers.
“Being mindful of your fiber intake and gradually increasing it represents a significant step towards enhancing your overall health,” mentioned Duca. “Once the habit of consuming more fiber is established, focusing on adding specific sources like more beta-glucan from barley becomes a subsequent goal.”
Duca points out that foods enriched with additional fiber may not necessarily contain the type of fiber that aids weight loss.
“Many companies are responding to the call for increased fiber content in their products. However, often, the fiber added may not offer substantial benefits,” Duca explained. “This type of fiber simply moves through the system without stimulating the release of any beneficial hormones.”
Medically directed weight loss program
When it comes to achieving sustainable weight loss and overall well-being, a medically directed weight loss program stands out as a good options. Unlike fad diets or quick-fix solutions, a medically supervised program takes a holistic and evidence-based approach to address individual health needs.
These programs are tailored to the specific requirements of each participant, considering factors like age, medical history, lifestyle, and underlying health conditions. The guidance of trained healthcare professionals ensures that weight loss is achieved safely and with a focus on long-term results.
Medical supervision also provides a comprehensive understanding of the metabolic and physiological aspects of weight management, making it possible to create a customized plan that promotes not only weight loss but also improved health, reduced risks of obesity-related conditions, and sustainable lifestyle changes.
In this way, a medically directed weight loss program offers a well-rounded, scientifically grounded, and effective approach to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.
Weight Loss
Get access to GLP-1 medication and 1:1 support to meet your weight loss goals.
