Many consumers feel optimistic about dietary supplements. Most Americans take them. There is a great appeal of nature baked into advertising – a natural remedy may sound safer than anything “unnatural”, such as drugs. But natural doesn’t mean it’s safe or effective. And if there is a real medical need, “Big Pharma” can deliver the goods, often better than anything “natural”. If you have acute trauma, you will not use a nutritional supplement for your pain. If you have cancer, you would be wise to treat it with alternative medicine. And for weight loss, no food supplement comes close to the effect of new weight loss drugs, such as semaglutide, or Ozempic.
Recently a “natural” remedy has been trending on social media, billed as an alternative to Ozempic. It’s called Oatzempic, it’s popular on TikTok, and the promoters are showing great weight loss results.
Oatzempic is a new style of food with a clever name. The relationship with Ozempic ends in name. Oatzempic is not a drug but a diet change, with claims that the “Oatzempic diet” can lead to weight loss of 40 kilograms in two months.
The Oatzempic recipe is simple: Mix 1 cup water, ½ cup uncooked rolled oats and the juice of half a lime in a mixing bowl. Maybe add some cinnamon if you’re feeling cold. Blend until smooth, then drink. Why did it stop? No one seems to know. Advocates say the compound has the same effect as semaglutide.
The ingredients in this mixture are unhealthy. 1/2 cup of oats with lime juice is about 150 calories, and rolled oats are mostly carbohydrate with a small amount of protein. Oats have micronutrients like iron, magnesium and zinc as well. They are also a good source of soluble fiber, which can promote digestion and lower cholesterol. Oats can also have positive effects on blood sugar.
The challenge comes when you look closely at the general directions for use. Apparently you have to drink this once a day, in the morning, and fast until noon. So this success becomes a calorie-restricted diet, combined with an intermittent fasting program. For some, 150 calories until noon may be an insufficient number of calories. Although oatmeal can provide satiety, whether you maintain a net calorie loss depends on how much you eat throughout the day.
So can Oatzempic really help you lose weight? If it causes enough satiety, and leads to a reduction in the number of calories consumed every day, then yes – it can lead to weight loss. If your current breakfast is too high in calories, and you keep your overall intake constant – then overall calorie reduction may support weight loss. It’s important to note that intermittent fasting isn’t for everyone – but it can support some people’s weight loss goals. The Oatzempic diet may not last – and consistency is key to “permanent” weight loss. The Oatzempic diet has not been formally tested, so we do not have any hard data to evaluate its overall success rate.
The effectiveness of semaglutide is based on its effect on the GLP-1 receptor, which stimulates insulin secretion and lowers blood sugar. It reduces appetite and suppresses hunger, ultimately reducing energy expenditure and can cause weight loss of 15-20%. Naturally occurring GLP-1 does not last long in the body. Semaglutide, however, is designed to last longer in the body and therefore will have more profound effects on the diet. By doing so, it lowers the risk of heart disease, and can improve blood pressure and blood lipid levels. Semaglutide can do this to a degree that is not possible with food products such as oats.
The bottom line? Oatzempic is not a bad food trend from TikTok. But fad diet changes and fasting may not support long-term weight loss goals. Oats are a healthy food that can be included in a healthy diet. But you don’t need to mix them with lime juice into a slurry to get the benefits. The porridge is delicious. Combine that with fiber-rich fruit, and maybe some protein, and you have a very enjoyable (and sustainable) morning routine.
