How Ozempic Weakens Your Digestion + 5 Natural Appetite Suppressants to Try Instead

There's always something.  A new miracle pill - a magic bullet - to make you look as beautiful as you feel you should be.  The you you want to see in the mirror.  

What never ceases to surprise me is how people endlessly research, question, and second-guess herbal medicines based on thousands of years of case studies, and yet, for a medication that's been on the market for 7 years with no longitudinal studies, people take without a second glance.  

I'll ask people, when I see they're on a medication, "How does it work, do you know?"  I've yet to get an answer.  Usually it's taken without hesitation.  After all, it's a DOCTOR!  It's SCIENCE!  It's covered by my insurance???  

Ozempic, a semaglutide medication, similar to Wegovy, is a relatively new medication that gives your body more of a hormone (glucagon) that signals fullness. Voila - you’re not overeating anymore.  

How simple!  Or is it...

The reason I caution people against taking hormones your body is already producing is that it makes your organs lazy.

Your Spleen in TCM is in charge of making Qi and blood from your food. Lack of appetite is actually a sign of Spleen illness.  

You’re supposed to have an appetite! 

So you have less appetite NOW, but if you ever want to STOP the medication, your appetite can actually increase to more than it was before you started it.  

The side effects of semaglutide are nausea, diarrhea, bloating.  All are signs of Spleen Qi Deficiency.  It also stagnates energy in your Stomach, the Yang counterpart of the Yin Spleen.  

If you're thinking, ah, that doesn't sound too serious, let me emphasize that your Digestive (Spleen) Energy is the FOUNDATION of your health.  It's how you make QI for the REST OF YOUR BODY to function.  

Alternatives for Weight Loss Drugs

Thankfully nature already provides the answers we need.  And #1 on that list is ... wait for it ...

NUTRITION!  

Getting at least 80% of your calories from NUTRIENT-DENSE FOODS will naturally allow your body to produce bucket-loads (actual scientific term!) of GLUCAGON.  And you don't even need to file an insurance claim.  Just go to the grocery store and stock up on 

• cruciferous, fiber-y vegetables, leafy greens, sprouts, seaweed, root veggies, etc.
• seasonal fruits
• whole grains (rice, quinoa, oats, sprouted-grain breads, etc.)
• plain, full-fat yogurt, nuts, avocado, olive oil, grass-fed butter or ghee
• quality eggs, fish, grass-fed beef, etc.

Regular, ol' REAL FOOD does the trick.  NOBODY overeats broccoli...

If you need some ideas of what to cook, make sure to download our cookbook for over 25 healthy, delicious nutrient-dense recipes.  

STRESS RELIEF

Why is stress so important for weight loss? Stress increases cortisol, which stimulates ghrelin, a hormone that increases appetite, and decreases leptin, another hormone which signals fullness.  

Chronic stress also leads to adrenal insufficiency, and sometimes thyroid imbalance, both of which coincide with slower metabolism.  

According to TCM, worry weakens the Spleen, your organ in charge of metabolism.  

Studies show over and over that getting enough sleep is essential for weight management as well.  They call it beauty sleep for a reason.  

WATER

Many times I feel hungry when I'm actually thirsty.  Before reaching for more chips, try a glass of water. 

How much water?  I don't know, but if you feel thirsty, you're already dehydrated.  Keep a water bottle on you at all times. 

Drink water, but hold the ice.  Your Spleen likes to be warm, too.  

GREEN TEA 

Nature's appetite suppressant.  It's cool in nature, and slightly bitter which helps you feel less hungry, especially in between meals.  

SELF-ACCEPTANCE

There's a difference between giving up and accepting certain facts.  No, I'll never be a supermodel.  But I CAN make sure I sleep 7-8 hours a night.  I can make sure I stay hydrated.  I can chose healthy meals.  I can move my body every day.  

Instead of wishing for a different body, make peace with the one you have now.  Place your hands on your belly, close your eyes and take a deep breath.  Thank your body for all its hard work.  Ask your body what it needs to be happy.  Then listen.  

Not accepting your body is stressful!  If you want to change your appetite hormones, start with that.