It's now August, and if there's one nutrition topic in 2025 that has divided opinion and been given the most airtime it has to be that of "weight-loss jabs" aka Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro.
GLP-1 receptor agonists (to give them their correct name) were originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, and have gained popularity as powerful weight loss aids. These medications are now frequently prescribed for individuals with obesity or weight-related conditions. But what exactly do these medications do, and how can Nutritional Therapy help?
What Are They?
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar, slows gastric emptying, and reduces appetite. These drugs mimic that hormone, leading to:
Reduced hunger
Slower digestion
Improved insulin sensitivity.
This in turn can then lead to improvements in metabolic health, such as blood glucose levels, insulin sensitivity, cholesterol and blood pressure. The "food noise" is also reduced and fewer cravings can (in theory) help establish healthier eating habits.
The downside however is side effects and common issues include
Vomiting
Constipation or diarrhoea
Fatigue
More serious (though rarer) concerns:
Pancreatitis
Gallbladder issues
Potential thyroid tumors (based on animal studies)
Another issue is cost; in the UK, the NHS prescription criteria is very strict and the vast majority of people are buying the drugs online (with no medical supervision) spending up to £250 per month.
How Nutritional Therapy can help
I know from clients I see in my clinic that obesity is often truly devastating, and the reasons for it can often be multi-factorial, and not just down to poor diet, excess alcohol and a sedentary lifestyle (although this of course can be the case). Weight gain can be caused by chronic health conditions, reliance on certain medications and inactivity due to both of these factors. Add the hormonal fluctuations of perimenopause and menopause into the mix and the result is a perfect storm of frustration and unhappiness.
My clinic is free of judgement and although I'm a "holistic" practitioner I can see the positive benefit that these drugs are having on many people; many of my clients are already taking other pharmaceutical drugs and I see GLP-1 as another of these that needs to be worked with.
A common side effect however is malnutrition, muscle loss and micronutrient deficiencies such as B12 and iron. As appetite is suppressed; patients tend to eat much less, and unfortunately aren't often advised about nutrient dense foods and supplements they need to implement while undergoing the weight loss transition. In an ideal world I'd love to see people use the opportunity to embrace behavioural change around diet, food choices and exercise, so that when they stop the medications sudden weight gain is mitigated leading to improved health outcomes.
So if you are taking the drugs or considering doing so I'm happy to support you without judgement. They can be life-changing for the right individual, but they work best when paired with behavioral change, optimum nutrition, and accountability.
Do feel free to book in for a chat x