Weight-loss drugs like Wegovy, Mounjaro and Ozempic are now reshaping how people interact with food. Whether it is about shifting their eating habits or altering perceptions of hunger, these drugs have it all. These drugs primarily work by reducing appetite. This in return, leads to weight loss- but they also raise important questions about its long-term use, societal impact, and of course, the root cause of obesity.

How do Weight-loss drugs work?

The active ingredient in these drugs are semaglutide, which is an anti-diabetic medication used to treat type-2 diabetes. It works by activating GLP-1 receptors, which lowers appetite, and slows how quickly the stomach empties and increases insulin production.

These medications are therefore also called GLP-1 Drugs, a class of medications that help manage the blood sugar (glucose) levels in people with Type 2 obesity. Some GLP-1 agonists can also help treat obesity.

They are most often injectable medication, which means you inject a liquid medication with a needle and syringe. The shot is administered in the fatty tissue under your skin and areas of your body that includes your belly, outer thighs, upper buttocks, and the back of your arms.

GLP-1 is a hormones that your small intestine makes which can do these following functions:

• Trigger insulin release from your pancreas
• Block glucagon secretion (glucagon is a hormone that your body uses to raise your blood sugar levels when necessary)
• Slows stomach emptying: slower digestion means your body releases less glucose from food to your bloodstream
• Increase your satiety

For years, obesity was often seen as a result of poor lifestyle choices. However, experts now suggest that biological factors play a significant role. Some individuals may have a hormonal imbalance that makes them feel hungrier than others, predisposing them to weight gain. This could explain why traditional dieting methods don’t work for everyone.

Historically, a strong appetite was beneficial—people needed to eat when food was available because the next meal wasn’t guaranteed. But in today's world, where high-calorie foods are cheap and easily accessible, this natural drive can lead to excessive weight gain. Weight-loss medications counteract this by adjusting appetite-regulating hormones.

So, how does food choices change on these drugs?

People who take weight-loss medications report a noticeable change in their eating behaviors.

While one of the most common one is the reduce in hunger, meals become smaller and snacking decreases. In fact, for many, there is less interest in junk food, and people lose cravings for sugary or high-fat foods. Some people also report a change in taste, which means certain flavors, especially if they are sweet or greasy becomes unappealing.

However, there may be challenges in its long-term use. One major concern is what happens when people stop taking these medications. Since they only work while in use, many individuals regain weight once they discontinue the treatment. This raises critical questions:

• Should people take weight-loss drugs indefinitely?
• Will these medications become a lifelong necessity for some?
• What happens when cost or availability becomes a barrier?

Currently, the NHS prescribes these drugs for only two years due to financial constraints. However, if the underlying issues causing obesity aren’t addressed, demand for these medications will likely continue to grow.

Making waves in the news is GLP-1 drugs, especially after Serena Williams, the tennis icon revealed that she used it for her own weight loss journey. This has also become a popular option for many and not just celebrities. However, the cost is high, and not everyone can afford it. Furthermore, cases of side effects have too come up, especially for those who have not followed the prescribed guidelines for its administration and consumption. In such cases, what other options does one have? This is where dietary supplements fit in.

If you have kept up with the Kardashians, you would know that Kourtney Kardashian has launched her own OTC dietary supplements that claims to "naturally boost GLP-1 levels in the body to reduce hunger and support healthy weight management".

In fact, these dietary supplements do not require approval from the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). These supplements also do not require any data or clinical evidence to support their marketing claims. They are also not regulated or tested like the medication prescribes, which indicates that they could have unknown side effects too.

What Works Better: GLP-1 Medications vs GLP-1 Supplements

Before we get into which one is better, we must understand what are GLP-1 drugs? The Harvard Health Publishing notes that GLP-1 drugs or GLP-1 agonists are shortened names for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. They are supposed to mimic GLP-1 hormone that is naturally released in the gastrointestinal tract in response to eating.

What it does is, it triggers the release of insulin from your pancreas, which helps usher glucose or the sugar out of your bloodstream and into your cell. This is where it could be used for nourishment and energy.

The American Journal Of Medicine's 2025 study explains the mechanism of GLP-1 in weight loss. GLP-1 receptor agonists also promote weight loss by suppressing appetite, enhancing satiety and delaying gastric emptying.

What Are GLP-1 Drugs?

Popular drugs like Ozempic and Wgovy, which have semaglutide, which is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, or tirzepatide found in Zepbound and Mounjaro are FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes and weight loss.

These drugs work by binding GLP-1 receptors in the body, which in return increase insulin production in response to food intake and suppress glucagon, a hormones that raises blood sugar.

Also Read: This Naturally Occurring Molecule May Have Ozempic-like Benefits Without The Side Effects

GLP-1 Supplement

Kardashian's Lemme GLP-1 Daily's website notes that it: "promote your body’s GLP-1 production, reduce hunger and cravings, and support fat reduction with three clinically studied ingredients".

However, the website points to studies where the ingredients were investigated separately that too on less than 200 participants. Dr Pamela Tambini, an international medicine physician, based in Florida, as reported by diaTribe says, "The ingredients in these supplements often lack the necessary potency and mechanisms to replicate the effects of prescription GLP-1 medications – without proper testing, their safety and efficacy are highly questionable."

What Are Ingredients In GLP-1 Supplements

Dr Donna Ryan, an obesity medicine specialist at Pennington Biomedical Research Center tells diatribe that there are no GLP-1 in any of the ingredients used in GLP-1 supplements.

Some of the ingredients that supplements note are: Superesa saffron extract, Morosil red orange fruit extract, and Eriomin lemon fruit extract.

Read: Serena Williams Opens Up About Her Weight Loss Journey With GLP-1 Medication

Superesa saffron extract

A study published in Nutrition Research in 2010 noted that this ingredient reduced weight, appetite and snacking frequency. However, experts point out that this study was done 15 years ago, with only 60 participants. However, a recent review published in Frontiers journal in 2024 highlights that it had no significant levels on insulin.

Morosil Red Orange Extract

A clinical trial on “Moro” blood orange extract, published in Nutrients journal in 2022, followed 180 adults with a BMI between 25 and 35. After six months, both those taking the supplement and those on placebo showed notable reductions in BMI, suggesting that the benefits may not be solely due to the extract.

Eriomin Lemon Extract

Preliminary research on Eriomin lemon extract, published in Wiley Open Access Collection in 2019, has shown it may help increase GLP-1 levels in people with prediabetes. However, these studies only tracked participants for 12 weeks, so its long-term impact on weight loss and blood sugar management remains uncertain.

Berberine

Often called “nature’s Ozempic,” berberine is widely used in GLP-1 dietary supplements such as Terra ELMNT’s Berberine + GLP-1 Support and Codeage’s GLP-Advantage+. This plant-derived compound has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to address digestive issues and inflammation. Reviews, publishd in Frontiers journal in 2022, suggest it may help lower fasting blood sugar and A1C levels, though most studies come from China, making its effectiveness across diverse populations less clear.

Chromium

Chromium, found in supplements like Codeage’s GLP-Advantage+ and Joi’s GLP-1 Assist, has limited evidence supporting its role in blood sugar control. While some research, among one is published in 2021 in the Biological Trace Element Research, indicates it may help reduce A1C levels in people with type 2 diabetes, it does not appear to significantly affect fasting blood glucose or cholesterol levels.

The dangers of tuberculosis may seem like the thing of the past; however, its effects still remain. The World Health Organization has speculated that TB has returned to being the leading cause of death all around the world after 1.25 million people died of it in 2023. In the same year, an estimated 10.8 million people fell ill with TB with 6 million men, 3.6 women and 1.3 million children. The surprising fact is that the TB present in all these countries, is curable.

There are many factors that affect how well a country tackles TB with. A study funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has shown that better nutrition can significantly reduce tuberculosis (TB) cases and deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized these findings and included them in its updated global guidelines for controlling the disease.

The main goal of the study was to see how giving nutritional support to people living with TB patients would affect whether they got the disease themselves.

What Are Some Factors That Can Help Cure TB?

Researchers worked with 2,800 TB patients and their families in four districts of Jharkhand, India. The study, published in the medical journal The Lancet, noted that in India, TB and poor nutrition are very common at the same time, especially among patients and in the general population.

In the study, all TB patients received food for six months. However, only the families in the "intervention group" received monthly food packages and micronutrients. The researchers followed up with all participants to see how many new TB cases appeared over time.

How Does Nutrition Impact TB?

The study, which ran from 2019 to 2021, found that giving nutritional support to families of TB patients led to a significant drop in new TB cases. This was the first study of its kind to show that nutritional help can substantially reduce the spread of TB within a household.

The study concluded that this approach, which combines medical and social support, could help speed up the fight against TB in communities where both TB and poor nutrition are big problems.

Nutrition and Tuberculosis: Why Does It Impact So Many People?

According to a 2025 study published in the Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, looked at how nutrition programs for people with tuberculosis (TB) are working in India. Researchers talked to TB patients, their family members, and healthcare providers in five different states between August 2023 and April 2024. The goal was to understand their experiences and thoughts on getting nutritional help.

Understanding Nutrition

Patients and their families understood that good nutrition is important for treating TB. However, they faced challenges in getting the right foods.

Changes in Diet

While many tried to eat more protein, they often struggled with food insecurity—meaning they didn't have enough food because they were poor.

Issues with Financial Aid

The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) program, which gives money directly to people, had problems. Participants felt the money wasn't enough and that there were gaps in how they could access it.

Preferred Delivery Method

People preferred getting food and support directly from TB treatment centers. They were less keen on using other systems or middlemen to get their nutritional help. Based on these findings, the study suggests a few changes to improve the program:

• Provide more protein-rich food and increase the financial support to better meet people's needs.
• Fix the problems with the DBT program to make sure people can easily get the money they are given.
• Consider giving ready-to-eat food directly to patients at TB treatment centers.

Walmart has recalled certain lots of its frozen, raw shrimp sold across 13 states after federal officials detected traces of radioactive contamination. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed that the shrimp may contain Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope, and urged consumers to dispose of the affected products immediately.

What Triggered the Recall

The FDA said it asked Walmart to pull three lots of its Great Value brand frozen shrimp from store shelves after routine inspections revealed contamination. The agency detected Cesium-137 in both shipping containers and in a sample of frozen breaded shrimp imported from Indonesia.

Although the levels found were far below the FDA’s intervention threshold, officials said the recall was issued as a precaution.

The contamination was linked to products processed by P.T. Bahari Makmur Sejati, operating as BMS Foods of Indonesia. U.S. Customs and Border Protection first raised the alarm after detecting Cesium-137 in containers arriving at ports in Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, and Savannah, Georgia.

Potential Health Concerns

Cesium-137 is a byproduct of nuclear activity, including weapons testing, nuclear power plant operations, and accidents. While trace amounts of the isotope are already present in the environment, including soil and food, prolonged exposure can increase the risk of health problems.

ALSO READ: Are Power Plant Emissions Really Not Dangerous, As The EPA Claims?

“The risk from the recalled shrimp is quite low,” said Donald Schaffner, a food safety expert at Rutgers University. Still, FDA officials emphasized that minimizing unnecessary exposure is important. “If you have recently purchased raw frozen shrimp from Walmart that matches this description, throw it away,” the agency said in a statement.

What Consumers Should Look For

The recall applies specifically to Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp with the following lot codes:

• 8005540-1
• 8005538-1
• 8005539-1

All three carry best-by dates of March 15, 2027. The products were distributed in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia.

Customers who purchased the shrimp can return them to any Walmart store for a full refund, or simply discard them.

How the Contamination Was Found

FDA investigators collected several samples following the customs alert and discovered one contaminated batch of breaded shrimp. The containers flagged at the ports were denied entry into the U.S. But officials later learned that Walmart had received products from shipments that slipped through without triggering contamination warnings.

As a result, Walmart moved quickly to issue a recall. “As soon as we were made aware of the FDA findings, we took immediate action to remove the affected products from our stores,” a Walmart spokesperson said.

Read more news on food recalls

Why Cesium-137 Raises Red Flags

Cesium-137 has been a global concern since the mid-20th century when nuclear testing and accidents released it into the environment. Unlike naturally occurring elements, Cesium-137 is man-made and has a half-life of about 30 years, meaning it can persist in ecosystems for decades.

Ingesting contaminated food over time, even at low levels, could contribute to radiation exposure. While the FDA stressed that the amounts detected in the shrimp were well below harmful levels, experts say cumulative exposure is worth avoiding.

A Precautionary Step

The FDA said its investigation into BMS Foods of Indonesia is ongoing, with inspectors reviewing shipping and production practices. The agency also assured the public that the contamination detected does not represent a widespread risk to the U.S. food supply.

“Consumers should understand that this is not a major food safety crisis,” Schaffner noted. “It is a targeted recall, and the system worked as it should to identify, contain, and address the issue.”

What Happens Next

For now, the FDA continues to monitor imports from the supplier and will take further steps if necessary. Walmart has pledged full cooperation with regulators and stressed that customer safety is its priority.

While the health risk is considered minimal, officials say the recall underscores the importance of vigilance in food safety systems. By acting quickly, they hope to reassure consumers and prevent long-term exposure to contaminants that could pose problems over time.