Metformin, Ozempic, or Berberine for Weight Loss? 🤔
Video: Hormones that Control Your Weight
Hello Friends!
When it comes to weight loss, is there a magic pill 
or injection 
that can help us shed pounds?
There has been a lot of interest lately in common weight loss injectable drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovi. While these prescriptions can benefit some individuals with diabetes and obesity, are they appropriate for those simply looking to lose 10-15 lbs?
Unfortunately, these drugs do come with some serious side effects on the gastrointestinal tract. They are GLP-1 agonists and work by increasing pancreatic insulin release and slowing gastric emptying. By slowing the motility of the gut, they can cause nausea, constipation, and alterations of the gut microbiome, such as small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
Also, when these medications are stopped, I have seen the weight come right back, almost immediately! 
The good news is there are natural ways to fix the hormones that are controlling your appetite and metabolism. To learn how to regulate your hunger hormones such as insulin, ghrelin, and leptin, please watch my video on the Hormones that Control Your Weight. This video also explains why the stress hormone known as cortisol can make you hold on to weight.
My absolute favorite supplement to help activate metabolism and facilitate weight loss is Berberine Pro. Berberine Pro has been a game changer in the management of insulin resistance! Berberine works to activate AMPK, the metabolic switch on our cells that controls insulin receptors and glucose uptake. It works by the same mechanism of action as Metformin, a common medication used for diabetes.
Unfortunately, Metformin has a few downsides. It depletes B12, which can increase the risk of neuropathy in diabetics, who are already at a higher risk of neuropathy! It can also cause loose stools in some individuals, and has undesirable filler ingredients like polyethylene glycols (PEG 400, PEG 8000), polysorbate 80, povidone, sodium lauryl sulfate, synthetic black iron oxides, and titanium dioxide! 
This is why I prefer Berberine, a natural plant compound that has been used by Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Berberine has the same mechanism of action as Metformin, but with numerous additional benefits and less side effects. Berberine is anti-inflammatory and has antimicrobial properties to kill bad bacteria and yeast like Candida in the gut microbiome. Berberine also has a positive effect on cholesterol profile as well as liver enzymes. Finally, Berberine Pro contains the potent antioxidant known as Alpha Lipoic Acid which is actually good for nerves, the brain, as well as the mitochondria in our cells.
Do you struggle with hunger and feel like snacking all the time? If so, you may want to try Metabolism Support, a natural plant botanical blend that can help reduce hunger and improve satiety. It contains green coffee bean extract (free of caffeine) and polyphenols from hibiscus 
and lemon verbena leaf extract. This formula has been research-proven in randomized control trials to promote weight loss, lower body fat percentage, and lower waist circumference.
My #1 diet recommendation for weight loss in the Paleo Diet, often in combination with intermittent fasting. This diet eliminates all grains such as bread, pasta, rice, cereals, biscuits, and crackers which are the key triggers for insulin release which drives hunger and weight gain. Over the years I've seen hundreds of patients lose 15+ lbs within a few months by just eliminating grains. This diet is so effective because it reduces insulin levels, and hence reduces hunger as well. Patients lose weight and tell me they're not even hungry! 
The Paleo diet is also much less restrictive compared to the Keto diet, so it's more sustainable as a lifestyle.
Finally, exercise 
is a critical piece of the weight loss puzzle. I recommend 30-45 min cardiovascular exercise daily for weight loss, and this can be divided into 2 or more sessions throughout the day.
By changing your food choices and exercise habits, you can create a lifestyle that changes your hormones, appetite and metabolism to lose weight and keep it off, while becoming healthier on the inside, and feeling great too! 
This is a warm and comforting chicken soup with the superfood veggies: Kale and Cabbage!
These vegetables are excellent for detoxification pathways and can help you to slim down.
Ingredients:
1 lb ground organic chicken
2-3 cartons of organic chicken or vegetable broth (32 oz each)
1 large yellow onion, diced
3 carrots, peeled and chopped
1/2 medium cabbage, chopped
5 large kale leaves, deveined and chopped
Olive oil
1/2 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
In a large soup pot, sauté the onion with a few tablespoons of olive oil on low to medium heat.
After a few minutes, add the carrots.
After a few minutes, add the ground chicken and season with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp curry powder, 1/2 tsp cumin, and 1/2 tsp chili powder. Drizzle a little more olive oil to moisten the chicken.
When the chicken is well cooked, add 2-3 cartons of organic chicken or vegetable broth. Add the chopped cabbage and kale.
Add an additional 1/2 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
Cover and bring to a boil on high heat. Then lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Enjoy! This soup is also nice with an optional squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Stay warm and stay healthy,
Rajsree Nambudripad, MD