Nature’s Ancient Answer to Ozempic
In recent years, medications such as Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) have emerged as weight-loss alternatives with a medical pedigree. They were first developed as diabetes treatments, and they function primarily as appetite suppressants. Still, using type 2 diabetes drugs in this way seems backward. More than a third of U.S. adults have diabetes or are prediabetic. Both conditions can be managed with lifestyle changes and weight loss. Yet, in 2021, the American Diabetes Association’s treatment guidelines allowed for the use of these drugs primarily intended for people with type 2 diabetes as weight-loss treatments—not because our waistlines are well-formed but because the drugs work.
Hops Extract
Hops extract—which is mainly known for its use in crafting beers—offers a fortunate alternative. It aligns with the body’s natural systems for controlling appetite. For centuries, traditional medicine used hops to effect a variety of cures. Now, modern research affirms that compounds in hops can help with weight management in ways that are much safer and far more affordable than synthetic pharmaceuticals.
Hops and Weight Loss: A Natural Approach
Mechanism of Action
Hops extract contains bitter compounds that evoke the release of appetite-suppressing gut hormones, such as peptide YY (PYY), cholecystokinin (CCK), and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). These compounds work directly on the brain. PYY and GLP-1 are released in response to food; however, their release can be increased by dietary factors. Historically, humans have not consumed PYY or GLP-1, or their precursors, in the quantities found in the modern diet.
The mechanism of the “bitter brake” involves activating receptors in the gut when the extract is consumed, leading to decreased appetite and food intake. Hops extract supports the body’s natural appetite regulation, unlike synthetic GLP-1 agonists, which are not natural alternatives.
Evidence from Clinical Studies
Reduction in Abdominal Fat
Another study involved 200 overweight people who drank a beverage formulated with matured hop extract (MHE) that contained 35 mg of matured hop bitter acids (MHBA). They consumed the beverage daily for 12 weeks.
The 200 participants experienced significant reductions from baseline in:
– Visceral fat area
– Total fat area
These reductions were observed at two different times—8 and 12 weeks—during the daily intake. They also experienced no adverse side effects
Comparison to Pharmaceutical Options
Comparison to Pharmaceutical Options
| Feature | Hops Extract | GLP-1 Agonists (e.g., Ozempic, Mounjaro) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Low (natural extract) | High (~$1,000/month) |
| Administration | Oral capsules | Injectable |
| Safety | Mild side effects (e.g., minimal GI discomfort) | Serious risks (e.g., pancreatitis, thyroid tumors) |
| Mechanism | Activates natural appetite-regulating gut receptors | Synthetic GLP-1 mimetic |
| History of Use | Centuries in traditional medicine | Novel, limited long-term safety data |
Why Choose Hops Extract?
Hops extract provides numerous benefits when compared to synthetic medications that assist in weight loss.
Cost-Effectiveness: Hops extract is markedly cheaper than prescription medications, making it affordable for most consumers.
Safety Profile: Hops extract has a long history of safe use with hardly any side effects; when side effects do occur, they’re mostly limited to mild gastrointestinal issues.
Ease of Use: Hops extract comes in oral capsules, which makes consuming it much easier than, say, injecting a drug.
Natural Alignment: Hops extract nudges the body to perform natural hormonal functions that help humans shed pounds—a much more physiologically harmonious method than, say, surgically removing part of the digestive system.
Conclusion
Hops extract offers a safe, effective, and low-cost alternative to high-priced and sometimes harmful diet drugs for people looking to lose weight and keep it off. It suppresses appetite, shrinks visceral fat, and works with your body’s natural signaling to help you achieve satiety—that’s the feeling when you’re done eating and don’t want to eat anymore.
Hops extract merges age-old medicinal wisdom with modern research, allowing the remedy to bridge the gap between traditional medicine and present-day health problems.
References
- GreenMedInfo. “Nature’s Ancient Answer to Ozempic: Affordable, Safe Alternative to Injectable Weight Loss Drugs.” Available at: greenmedinfo.com.
- American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. “Hops extract reduces appetite and calorie intake through natural gut hormone activation.” Available at: ajcn.nutrition.org.
- Nutrition Journal. “Matured hop extract reduces visceral fat in overweight individuals: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial.” Available at: nutritionj.biomedcentral.com.
