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In May, newly reported survey data from KFF showed that one in eight adults (12%) have tried a GLP-1 agonist — the class of drugs that includes Ozempic. Six percent reported currently taking one. Though these drugs have been prescribed for people with diabetes for decades, the conversation around their use for weight loss has exploded in the past couple of years. According to the same survey, “Awareness of GLP-1 drugs has increased in the past year, with about one-third (32%) of adults now saying they have heard ‘a lot’ about these drugs, up from 19% in July 2023.” Fifty-four percent of people who took a GLP drug said it was difficult to afford — and it is often reported that, although doctors recommend staying on these drugs for a lifetime, many abandon them after a year.
So, it’s no surprise that several wellness- and supplement-focused brands have launched products intended to meet the moment, though each of the products discussed in this piece positions itself slightly differently and uses different ingredients. In addition to supplements created to “mimic” the effects of drugs like Ozempic, there is also a growing segment of products to support users of GLP-1 medications, both in the supplement space and in grocery aisles. According to the CDC, 74% of adults in the United States are overweight and 43% of those people are considered obese.
Dr. Alexandra Sowa, an obesity medicine specialist, and founder of her own supplement brand, SoWell, said she recommends supplements for addressing targeted deficiencies to patients all the time. But, she said, it is important for patients to understand that such products will not achieve the same results GLP-1 medications do. On the flip side, “Not everybody needs a [GLP-1] injection.” she said. “There are other tools in the metabolic health toolkit.”
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