Regularly chowing down on foods like avocados, nuts and eggs offers similar effects on the body as effective weight loss injections, according to one nutrition. As of recent, semaglutide injections have surged in popularity thanks to Hollywood stars preaching them as a quick fix for shedding excess fat.
Brands like Wegovy and Ozempic both contain a compound which mimics fullness caused by the GLP-1 hormone, and is used to help treat type-two diabetes by managing blood sugar levels. And while it's also effective in aiding the obese, the treatment can cause a number of unpleasant side effects.
According to the respective websites of Wegovy and Ozempic, regularly taking said injections is known to sometimes cause nausea, stomach pains, constipation and vomiting. Wegovy users in particular also are further at risk to increased headaches, tiredness and dizziness.
The Daily Record reports however, that Dr Emma Beckett - who is a nutritionist - believes that regularly consuming certain foods can potentially be equally as effective when it comes to weight loss, without the nasty side effects. The expert claims that avocados are packed with nutrients which help trigger the GLP-1 hormone which boosts fullness.
In a chat with Diabetes.co.uk, she detailed: "The nutrients that trigger GLP-1 secretion are macronutrients. There is evidence that by choosing foods high in these nutrients, GLP-1 levels can be increased. This means a healthy diet, high in GLP-1 stimulating nutrients can increase GLP-1 levels.
"This could be foods with good fats, like avocado or nuts, or lean protein sources like eggs. And foods high in fermentable fibres, like vegetables and whole grains, feed our gut bacteria, which then produce short chain fatty acids able to trigger GLP-1 secretion."
While Wegovy has been approved for use on the NHS via prescription to those with BMI's of 35 and higher, they must also have a serious weight-related condition - such as type-two diabetes - to be eligible for the treatment. While intended to treat obesity, some celebs have openly admitted to using the drug to help them lose weight.
Clinical trials conducted by the brand found that those with an average starting weight of 232 pounds managed to shift 15 per cent of their total body weight while using the injection - equating to in the region of 35 pounds or 2.5 stone over 68 weeks. However, losing weight through injections doesn't give you the all clear to indulge.
Dr Beckett says that users still have to make long-lasting changes to their diet to achieve 'true health improvements'.
