Taking the Weight Off

by Mike Straus | January 12, 2026

Natural practitioners have a new arsenal of products to help patients regain a healthy weight and body composition.

With the obesity rate climbing to record levels in both children and adults, weight management and body composition are taking center stage for natural health practitioners and their patients. The rise of GLP-1 drugs has sparked a renewed focus on weight management among patients and practitioners, with interest in natural alternatives to Wegovy and Ozempic spiking. There’s no shortage of diet, lifestyle, supplement and alternative care methods that can mimic the effects of these drugs, which is good news for patients and practitioners alike. Here are some of the ways that natural alternatives to GLP-1 products are expanding.

Diet and Lifestyle Remain Critical

Diet and lifestyle remain essential first principles for patients looking to slim down. Joe Brunner, president of Endurance Products in Tualatin, OR, said that a reduced-calorie diet is the cornerstone of successful weight loss. The rules of the road are different for children, Brunner cautioned, where the focus is typically on healthy growth than rapid weight loss in order to preserve normal development. But for adults, dietary measures remain the best method to lose weight.

“The literature is replete with studies investigating different types of diet plans,” Brunner explained. “Despite diet books extolling the contrary, the data are clear: For clinically meaningful weight loss—at least 5 percent of initial body weight—the type of diet doesn’t matter. What matters is a calorie deficit, starting at 500 calories per day, which alone is expected to result in weight loss of a pound per week.”

Brunner also cautioned that losing weight too rapidly could cause risks like malnutrition and excess loss of lean mass, including muscle. While losing weight naturally may seem slow compared to the backdrop of today’s GLP-1 frenzy, Brunner explained, it remains the most effective method for meaningful weight loss and, more importantly, preventing weight gain.

Newton Homeopathics President and CEO Marge Roberts in Conyers, GA, agreed. Roberts also pointed to the quality of food in one’s diet as a key factor influencing weight loss. Highly processed foods, excessive sugars and high fructose corn syrup can all influence how the body metabolizes and stores energy.

“I often enjoy my own asparagus right from the garden, eaten raw and organic,” Roberts said. “But if that same asparagus were grown conventionally with chemical inputs, then microwaved and smothered in seed oil or processed cheese, it would be nutritionally and physiologically a very different food. So even when someone says they eat healthy vegetables, the way those foods are grown and prepared can significantly affect their overall nutritional value.”

Meanwhile, Jennifer Campbell, education scientist at Life Extension in Fort Lauderdale, FL, said that diet and lifestyle interventions remain the foundation of effective, science-based weight management. Campbell cited research on the Mediterranean diet, proving that Mediterranean-style eating patterns improve satiety, glycemic control and long-term cardiometabolic health.

“These diet patterns emphasize vegetables, legumes, fruits, whole grains, olive oil, nuts and adequate high-quality protein—foods naturally higher in fiber and antioxidants that stabilize appetite hormones and reduce caloric intake without strict dieting,” she said.

Campbell noted that physical activity also plays an equally key role in weight management. She said that structured programs combining aerobic exercise, resistance training and behavior modification consistently produce meaningful weight reduction and improvements in blood pressure, lipid profile and fasting glucose.

“Sleep and stress management also strongly influence weight regulation,” Campbell explained. “Poor sleep alters leptin and ghrelin, driving increased hunger, while chronic stress elevates cortisol, encouraging fat storage. Addressing these factors becomes essential for lasting weight control.”

Other research is linking the microbiome to weight management. Stacey Smith, DC, senior medical affairs liaison with Gnosis by Lesaffre in Lille, France, explained that a growing body of research shows that how and what one eats changes the microbiota in ways that directly affect weight, metabolic health and appetite.

“A systematic review of studies exploring microbiota makeup and obesity pathogenesis found that prebiotic administration may reduce body fat by restoring a healthy microbiome,” Dr. Smith explained. “Prebiotics influence the growth of Bifidobacteria, which in turn increases the production of butyrate producers due to cross-feeding interactions. This contributes to the gut barrier function and improves metabolic outcomes.”

Diet and lifestyle changes can also help patients stabilize their blood sugar, lower inflammatory burden, and regulate circadian rhythm and sleep, said James LaValle, RPh, co-director of the Fellowship in Longevity Medicine at the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, or A4M, in Boca Raton, FL. LaValle explained that emphasizing protein at each meal, lowering inflammatory burden by minimizing seed oils and excess alcohol, and improving sleep duration and quality can all positively impact weight management. LaValle also noted that regular movement is core to weight loss.

“You don’t need an athlete’s regimen,” LaValle noted. “Instead, consistent movement is the key. Walking after meals, resistance training two to three times weekly, and breaking up long sitting bouts significantly improves glucose disposal and metabolic health across all age groups. The key is to find activities that you enjoy and get support with taking group classes if needed.”

Berberine Craze, GLP-1s Spark Weight-loss Renaissance

Weight management has taken on a new meaning for both practitioners and patients in the Ozempic age. Health Care Practitioner Support & Education Coordinator Pam Conboy at Omni-Biotic (AllergoSan USA) in New York, NY said that greater awareness of a natural agent with the ability to positively influence metabolic function is particularly desirable in a culture like ours, which has fallen victim to the ubiquity of processed food and a sedentary lifestyle. Conboy noted that berberine is an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory mechanisms; it produces a metabolism-regulating chemical called adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). A market report by Fact MR estimates the current market value of the global berberine supplement market at $897.6 million; this market is expected to be worth more than $2 billion by the end of 2034.1

Monique Class, MS, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist in holistic health and a brand friend of Calocurb, a supplement brand in Auckland, New Zealand. Class noted that berberine works through mechanisms similar to the prescription drug metformin; it can help support healthy glucose regulation and sensitize insulin receptors, which makes it a useful tool for improving insulin resistance when appropriately applied. Class also explained that while GLP-1 medications have become extremely popular for regulating appetite, not everyone can access or tolerate them; many of her clients want structured plans to de-escalate their GLP-1 dose or transition off of GLP-1s entirely.

“GLP-1 medications should be used as bridges for most clients, paired with lifestyle, nutrition and targeted supplements like Calocurb, vitamin D3 and high-quality fish oils,” Class explained. “When used this way, they support sustainable behavior change and help us address the larger metabolic health crisis we are facing.”

Nitesh Khakhar, national sales manager for HealthAid America in Sunnyvale, CA, noted that GLP-1 products have gained attention because they support the body’s natural mechanisms involved in appetite signaling and metabolic balance. Their rise, Khakhar said, reflects a growing interest in solutions that work with the body’s own natural pathways to support metabolic wellness.

Natural Alternatives to GLP-1s Emerge

The nutraceuticals market has jumped in to offer a variety of new alternatives to GLP-1 drugs, which many patients are reluctant to take as a result of their side effect profiles. Gnosis’ Dr. Smith noted that Akkermansia muciniphila is gaining attention through research and anecdotes that it helps people lose weight. Another major supplement that’s gaining traction in the weight loss area is vitamin K2.

“Beyond its recognized benefits for bone quality and arterial elasticity, vitamin K2 has recently been linked to fat metabolism,” Dr. Smith said. “Our clinical data support this emerging direction.”

One study found that 180 micrograms of Gnosis’ branded MenaQ7 vitamin K2 supplement was sufficient to significantly increase adiponectin, reduce abdominal fat, and reduce visceral fat in postmenopausal women.2 Previous research, Dr. Smith explained, has found that higher levels of adiponectin are associated with better metabolic health, particularly in lean individuals. “We urgently need to broaden the conversation beyond ‘how much weight did the patient lose?’ to ‘what happened to their nutrition, muscle and long-term health?’” Dr. Smith noted. “Recent findings show that people using GLP-1 receptor agonists are at a real risk for nutrient inadequacies, with 99 percent falling below the recommended intake for vitamin K. This matters because vitamin K—especially K2—is required to activate extrahepatic proteins that protect our arteries and strengthen our bones, and emerging evidence points to promising benefits for body composition.”

For natural health practitioners, Dr. Smith noted, there is an enormous opportunity to screen GLP-1 users for nutrient inadequacies, especially vitamin K and other fat-soluble vitamins, proteins, and minerals in order to build evidence-based supplement protocols.

Roberts, meanwhile, explained that the current trend in weight management mirrors many broader health trends; she says society has become a “microwave society” that wants immediate results. The demand for a quick fix has grown rapidly, and Roberts said this stems from widespread confusion and mixed messages about how weight management truly works.

“The guidance seems to shift constantly,” Roberts said. “Butter was bad, until it wasn’t. First fat was the villain, then sugar took its place. Even cigarettes were once advertised by physicians before the dangers became undeniable. With messages changing so often, consumers feel lost and bounce from one new expert to another, hoping this time the advice will stick. Even patients who prefer natural approaches often wish for fast results—but they’re less willing to sacrifice safety to get there.”

Roberts said one emerging natural therapy for weight loss is Newton Homeopathics’ Appetite-Craving Control complex. Unlike pharmaceuticals, she explained, Appetite-Craving Control focuses on supporting the body’s internal ability to heal. This product is formulated not to suppress the appetite, but rather, to bring the body back to balance to achieve a healthy weight. Appetite-Craving control includes Argentum nitricum, indicated for a desire for sweets that gets worse when feeling emotional, Berberis vulgaris and graphites for excessive appetite, and Nux vomica and Sepia for cravings.

Campbell, meanwhile, noted that while no natural intervention matches GLP-1 medications, there are several evidence-based tools that natural health practitioners can use to support appetite control, insulin sensitivity and metabolic resilience. These include viscous soluble fibers like glucomannan and psyllium, which can slow gastric emptying, improve satiety and modestly reduce body weight, as well as ingredients like maqui berry and clove extracts, which support a healthy insulin response.

“AMPK-activating botanicals like Gynostemma and hesperidin can support fat oxidation and metabolic balance,” Campbell said, “but adequate dietary protein and resistance training remains the strongest body-composition strategy validated in meta-analyses.”

Campbell went on to explain that weight management should prioritize healthspan, not just the number on the scale. Improvements in blood sugar, muscle mass, waist circumference, blood glucose and inflammatory markers are often more predictive of long-term health than any single number.

Celine Torres-Moon, senior scientist at NOW Foods in Bloomingdale, IL, noted that while there are no natural alternatives to GLP-1 drugs in terms of the magnitude of weight loss, there are natural health products that practitioners can use to boost the effects of GLP-1s as well as mitigate some of the side effects. Whey protein and fibers that have been shown to stimulate GLP-1 production can help to prevent protein deficiency, promote weight loss and relieve constipation, while supplementing a restricted diet with vitamins can help to ensure overall health.

“Natural health practitioners can also be here for their patients to support them while going through their body transformation and recommend dietary supplements that help with hair loss, dry skin and other conditions that are common during rapid weight loss,” Torres-Moon noted. “They can also help their patients to transition off GLP-1 drugs when they have attained their weight goal.”

While GLP-1 drugs are generally safe to use long-term, according to the World Health Organization,3 patients who dislike their side effects should be offered natural alternatives as well as a plan for transitioning off the drug.

Weight Management Takes Center Stage

Weight management and body composition are becoming key concerns for patients, who are looking for natural ways to either complement or end their GLP-1 journeys. While diet and exercise remain key elements of any weight loss routine, the berberine craze has sparked intense consumer interest in supplements and natural remedies that can support weight loss. Supplements like Akkermansia, berberine, and whey protein have all been shown to help support various elements of weight loss, giving patients more options to lose weight—and keep it off—than ever before. Moreover, emerging research is demonstrating that natural solutions can and do serve as effective weight loss measures. While consumers have been led to expect instant or overnight results, practitioners owe a duty of care to ensure that their patients are losing weight safely and sustainably. As more consumers discover GLP-1 medications and weight loss supplements, demand for guidance along their weight journeys will increase; natural health practitioners can play an important role in helping patients lose weight by providing natural alternatives to GLP-1s, natural solutions for transitioning off of GLP-1s, and general weight management and lifestyle advice.

References:

1 Fact MR. “Berberine supplement market: Berberine supplement market study by caplets, capsules, liquid, powder, soft gel, and tablets sold online and through retail from 2024 to 2034.” Published online March 2024.

2 Knapen MHJ et al. “Vitamin K-induced effects on body fat and weight: Results from a 3-year vitamin K2 intervention study.” European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 71 no. 1 (January 2018): 136-141.

3 World Health Organization. “WHO issues global guideline on the use of GLP-1 medicines in treating obesity.” Published online December 1, 2025.

Healthy Take Aways

• A calorie deficit of 500 calories per day is sufficient to cause 1 pound of weight loss per week.
• Sleep and stress management strongly influence weight regulation.
• Emerging natural health solutions can help relieve the side effects of GLP-1s.
• Some natural and homeopathic formulations are designed to directly stimulate weight loss.