Lose Weight Without GLP-1 Drugs – Safe & Natural Solutions That Work

Everywhere you turn, weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are being pushed as the ultimate quick fix. In fact, the GLP-1 drug market in the United States is currently estimated to be around $50 billion, with 12% of U.S. adults having used one despite the high cost, according to a June 2024 poll. But are GLP-1 drugs really the best solution? If you’re wondering, “Can I successfully lose weight naturally without risky pharmaceuticals?”—the answer is a resounding YES!

Let’s explore proven, science-backed strategies for safely losing weight without the risks of GLP-1 drugs.

A Natural Perspective on Semaglutides

From a holistic standpoint, semaglutides (GLP-1 drugs) are symptom-focused drugs that do not address the root cause of metabolic dysfunction. These synthetic drugs are a band-aid approach providing a “quick fix.” They act by artificially stimulating insulin release, reducing appetite, and slowing digestion, but they do not correct underlying imbalances such as:

• Toxicity overload in the gut, liver, and kidneys.
• Nutrient deficiencies (magnesium, chromium, B vitamins).
• Poor gut health and microbiome imbalance; parasite involvement.
• Insulin resistance due to chronic inflammation.
• Lack of movement and sunshine exposure.

DID YOU KNOW? Parasites and Weight Gain: Certain parasites, like tapeworms, deplete nutrients from the host, increasing appetite and calorie intake, which may lead to weight gain. Some also release substances that disrupt metabolism and fat storage, further promoting weight gain. (1)

Natural Alternatives to Semaglutides

For over 30 years, I’ve recommended and taught the successful natural medicine approach below for losing weight, emphasizing a healthy lifestyle and dietary changes that restore metabolic health:

1. Detoxification — To optimize glucose metabolism, perform the following cleanses: gut, liver, heavy metals, parasites, and lymphatic…
2. Plant-Based, Organic Foods — Focus on fiber-rich, organic foods that nourish cells and improve insulin sensitivity.
3. Herbal Support — Incorporate herbs such as cinnamon, berberine, gymnema sylvestre, and bitter melon to naturally regulate blood sugar.
4. Daily Exercise — Rebounding, strength training, biking, and walking activate GLP-1 naturally and improve insulin function.
5. Hydration & Mineral Support — Distilled water with fresh, organic lemon juice is best for flushing out toxins while supporting kidney and pancreas health…
6. Stress Management — Even minimal amounts of stress can disrupt blood sugar levels. Daily meditation, breathwork, and grounding can assist in balancing hormones naturally.

The Bigger Picture

Instead of relying on semaglutides long-term, natural methods empower your body to heal. Let’s talk about that.

Natural Protocol for Balancing Blood Sugar & Metabolism

Focusing on cleansing, nourishing your body, and restoring metabolic function can activate your body’s natural GLP-1 response and improve insulin sensitivity without drugs. (2)

Follow this daily three-step plan to naturally balance blood sugar, reduce cravings, and support a healthy metabolism.

Step 1: Detox & Cleanse Your System Daily

Why? Your liver, pancreas, and gut are key players in blood sugar regulation. A toxic, sluggish system disrupts glucose metabolism. (3)

Easy Liver & Gut Detox

Morning Detox Drink: 16-oz. warmed or hot distilled water.

• 1.5 tbsps organic raw apple cider vinegar. I recommend Fairchilds.
• 2 tbsps of freshly squeezed organic lemon juice.
• ¼ tsp organic cinnamon.
• Dash of organic cayenne pepper (boosts circulation & digestion).
• 2 dropperfuls of Global Healing Liver Health (supports liver detox).

Mix together all the ingredients and drink. Wait 20 minutes before eating breakfast.

Organic 1-Day Liver Cleanse – VERY IMPORTANT!

Dr. Group’s BEST Natural Alternative to Semaglutide

The one-day liver cleanse is performed at the same time you take all the supplements below. I suggest beginning this cleanse on a weekend.

> 1-Day Liver Cleanse: Do this once every 5 days until the liver is clean—usually, this takes 9x, then 1x weekly. Eat healthy during the day; do not eat food after 7 p.m.

Before bed, mix the following and drink:

> Add 3 ounces of organic cold-pressed olive oil, organic avocado oil, or mix ½ of both.

> Add 1 teaspoon of organic cold-pressed black seed oil.

> Juice of 1 fresh, organic, large lemon or 2 fresh, small organic lemons.

> Add ½ bottle of Global Healing Liver Health supplement.

> Add 1 tsp of organic raw apple cider vinegar (Fairchild’s or other organic brand).

> Blend well in a blender with a glass container, shake well in a glass Mason jar, or use a Magic Bullet until mixed or shaken well. Drink, then lie on your right side with your knees up to your chest for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, you can walk around or go to bed. If you feel nauseous in the first 30 minutes, walk around and then go to bed.

> Take 4 Global Healing Oxy-Powder the following morning to flush everything out. NOTE: If this is too strong for you, use half the recommended amounts.

Hydration: To flush toxins, drink distilled water (room temperature) with freshly squeezed organic lemon juice or Apple Cider Vinegar. Make this your go-to drink during the day.

Step 2: Nourish & Restore Metabolic Balance

Why? Nutrient-dense foods and key herbs help activate GLP-1 naturally, improve insulin function, and reduce cravings. (4)

Top Metabolism-Boosting Foods

Chromium & Magnesium-Rich Foods (improve insulin sensitivity):

• Broccoli, spinach, green beans, pumpkin seeds, cacao, almonds, *avocado, sweet potatoes. All foods should be organic. *One study from 2019 found that, compared with consuming a control meal, eating a whole avocado with a meal increased levels of GLP-1 along with another appetite-regulating hormone called peptide YY while also reducing insulin levels. (5)

Fiber & Prebiotic-Rich Foods (feed gut bacteria & regulate blood sugar):

• Blueberries, raspberries, bananas, artichokes, asparagus, onions, garlic–all foods should be organic.

Natural and Organic Protein-Rich Foods:

• Beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, almonds, quinoa, hemp seeds, and peas—all foods should be organic.

Foods to Eliminate:

• Refined carbs & refined sugars (white bread, white flour, pasta, soda).
• Inflammatory oils (canola, soybean, vegetable oils).
• Dairy & processed meats (contribute to gut inflammation). Try to have at least one meatless meal daily.

Step 3: Activate Your Body’s Natural Healing Mechanisms

Why? Movement, sunlight, and stress reduction naturally trigger GLP-1 production and balance metabolism. (6)(7)

Daily Movement for Blood Sugar Control

• Strength Training (3x per week)—Increases insulin sensitivity.
• Rebounding (work up to 30 min daily)—Lowers post-meal glucose spikes. Lymphatic support. 30 minutes reduces cortisol and boosts mental health.
• Passive Static Stretching & Deep Breathing—Reduces cortisol, which can spike blood sugar.

Sunlight & Circadian Rhythm Support

• Morning Sunlight (15-20 min upon waking)—Regulates metabolism and resets insulin function.
• Early Dinner (before 7 PM)—Allows your body to enter fasting mode at night and restores insulin balance.

Powerful Natural Replacements For GLP-1 Drugs

• Earth Harmony Magnesium Glycinate (400mg daily)—Improves insulin function.
• Chromium Polynicotinate (200 mcg 1-2x daily with meal)—Naturally enhances glucose metabolism. Helps reduce hunger cravings and binge eating.
• Global Healing Organic Multivitamin with Minerals (4 capsules daily)— Supports a healthy immune system, which is essential for overall health and defense against pathogens.
• Global Healing Organic Berberine (2 capsules 2x daily)—Mimics semaglutides naturally. Studies in rats suggest that berberine increases GLP-1 secretion. (8)
• Other Powerful plant compounds that mimic semaglutides naturally.

➢ Organic Guggal Gum—.5-1 gram by mouth 3x daily for up to 75 weeks. Supports metabolism and insulin sensitivity naturally

➢ Organic Allulose—1-2 grams before meals 3x daily. Supports blood sugar balance, aids weight management, and promotes metabolic health without spiking insulin levels.

➢ Organic Amla—1-2 capsules 2x daily. Boosts immunity, supports blood sugar balance, and enhances digestion with its powerful antioxidants and vitamin C.

➢ Organic Arjuna—250 mg to 500 mg capsules 1-2 times daily. Improves circulation and helps maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

➢ Organic Fenugreek—500-1,000 mg capsules 1-2 times daily. Supports digestion, balances blood sugar, and enhances metabolism.

➢ Organic Rutin—250 mg to 500 mg capsules taken once or twice daily. Strengthens blood vessels, supports circulation, and gives powerful antioxidant protection.

➢ Organic L-Arginine HCL—2-6 grams daily, divided into 1-2 doses on an empty stomach. Boosts nitric oxide production and promotes heart and vascular health.

➢ Organic Glutamine—5-10 grams daily on an empty stomach. Promotes gut health, stabilizes blood sugar, and aids in appetite regulation and metabolism.

• Organic Bitter Melon—Acts like metformin to lower blood sugar and helps with parasites. It seems to increase GLP-1 levels in both animals and people.(9)
• Organic Ceylon Cinnamon—Regulates insulin & improves glucose uptake. Cinnamon is good for blood sugar because it increases GLP-1. (10)
•  Organic Curcumin—Studies in animals show that curcumin can improve blood sugar control by increasing GLP-1 release. (11)
• Ultimate Probiotics with Prebiotics—Some probiotic strains encourage the body to naturally increase GLP-1, the hormone Ozempic mimics, leading to better blood sugar control and appetite suppression.

➢ Lactobacillus gasseri – Shown to reduce belly fat and support weight loss.

➢ Bifidobacterium breve – Supports fat metabolism and prevents obesity.

➢ Lactobacillus rhamnosus – May suppress appetite and aid in weight loss.

➢ Akkermansia muciniphila – Helps improve insulin sensitivity and metabolism.

• Vitamin D3—Dietary vitamin D3 stimulates GLP-1 secretion in aged mice. GLP-1 content in the enteroendocrine cells was decreased in aged mice. Vitamin D3 activates membrane-associated signal transduction in NCI–H716 cells. Our results suggest that orally ingested dietary vitamin D3 in aged mice improvesglucose metabolism as a GLP-1 enhancer. (12)

Bonus: Food Combining Diet

Food Combining is a type of eating plan that separates certain macronutrients and food groups. It can help with digestion and assist with overall weight loss. Eating the “wrong combination” of foods can create a buildup of disease-causing toxins in the gut and an increase in digestive stress. The beauty of Food Combining is that it is not a diet. It encourages healthy, organic food and an understanding of how to compose each meal. The result is that you can naturally raise your base metabolic rate, which makes it possible for you to shed unwanted pounds. Food Combining can also be used with Intermittent Fasting. Please check out my course, Healing With Nutrition. Once you sign up (see the end of this article), you will have immediate access to my Healing With Nutrition eBook for FREE, which teaches you all the inside info about Food Combining.

Food Combing with Intermittent Fasting (16:8 Method)

• An 8-hour eating window (e.g., 11 AM – 7 PM) improves insulin sensitivity.
• 16-hour fasting period allows the body to burn fat & regulate blood sugar naturally.
• See the end of this article about how you can get my food combining eBook, Healing With Nutrition

Other Morning Metabolism-Boosting Drinks

• Organic Herbal teas (ginger, dandelion, cinnamon)
• Best Organic Coffee—Tyler’s acid-free organic black coffee with a dash of organic cinnamon & MCT oil

Side Effects of GLP-1 Drugs (Semaglutides Like Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus)

Let’s discuss the truth about GLP-1 drugs on the body. The drug semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) is often prescribed for diabetes and weight loss, but the potential short-term and long-term side effects are not always discussed. Below are possible side effects of GLP-1 drugs that you need to know.

Common Side Effects of GLP-1 Drugs

These symptoms often appear early on and may lessen over time:

1. Nausea & Vomiting—Due to slowed digestion and changes in gut hormones.
2. Diarrhea or Constipation—Disrupts gut motility, leading to irregular bowel movements.
3. Loss of Appetite & Malnutrition—Rapid weight loss can cause muscle loss and nutrient deficiencies.
4. Fatigue & Low Energy—Reduced calorie intake and metabolic shifts may lead to exhaustion.
5. Bloating & Gas—Disruptions in gut bacteria can cause digestive discomfort.

Serious Side Effects Of GLP-1 Drugs

1. Gastroparesis (Stomach Paralysis)—The stomach empties much slower than normal, causing chronic bloating, nausea, and vomiting. (13)
2. Gallbladder Issues—Increased risk of gallstones and gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis). (14)
3. Pancreatitis—Inflammation of the pancreas, leading to severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. (15)
4. Kidney Damage & Dehydration—Increased nausea and vomiting can cause dehydration, leading to kidney stress.
5. Severe Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)—Dangerous when combined with insulin or other diabetic medications.

Long-Term Risks & Concerns of GLP-1 Drugs

1. Thyroid Cancer Risk— (16)
2. Muscle Wasting—Rapid weight loss from GLP-1 drugs. (17)
3. Dependency & Weight Rebound—Regaining weight after stopping the drug, as it does not address the root causes of metabolic dysfunction. (18)
4. Mental Health Effects—Reports of increased anxiety, depression, or mood swings. (19)
5. Reproductive Health Concerns—Semaglutide’s rapid weight loss can disrupt the body’s hormonal balance, especially estrogen and progesterone, leading to menstrual irregularities. The sudden change acts as a stressor, affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, which regulates reproductive hormones. Women may experience cycle changes, irregular periods, or even amenorrhea if body fat drops too low, as the body prioritizes survival over reproduction. In more extreme cases, ovulation can be disrupted entirely. Your body views this as a state of stress—prioritizing survival over reproduction. (20)
6. May Cause Diabetic Retinopathy—Can lead to blindness. (21)

The Natural Medicine Take-Away

Friends, I get it—losing weight and keeping it off can feel frustrating, especially when quick-fix drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy give rapid results that don’t often last. This is because these drugs fail to address the root cause of weight gain. In other words, all you’re doing is slapping a band-aid solution with serious side effects. Instead of relying on synthetic solutions, lasting weight loss comes from healing your metabolism from the inside out.

The key? Daily Consistency!

• Detoxify your body.
• Nourish with organic, nutrient-rich foods.
• Move your body daily.
• Daily sunshine and stress relief.
• Hydrate with distilled water.
• Powerful herbs and supplements.

THE TRUTH? There is no such thing as a pharma “drug deficiency disease.” Yet there were 6.7 BILLION prescriptions – approximately 19 for every American – filled in 2022 alone! True health comes from addressing the root cause. It’s the essence of taking hold of that fleeting moment of resolve that encourages you to break free from inertia and indecision and take control of your health. As I always told my patients: “Change is just a decision away. Just do it!”

Sources:

(1) Parasites, nutrition, immune responses, and biology of metabolic tissues

(2) What Foods Increase GLP-1 Levels?

(3) Pancreatic regulation of glucose homeostasis

(4) What Foods Increase GLP-1 Levels?

(5) Using the Avocado to Test the Satiety Effects of a Fat-Fiber Combination in Place of Carbohydrate Energy in a Breakfast Meal in Overweight and Obese Men and Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial

(6)  Habitual physical activity is associated with lower fasting and greater glucose-induced GLP-1 response in men

(7) Glucagon-like peptide-1: a multi-faceted anti-inflammatory agent

(8) Modulation of glucagon-like peptide-1 release by berberine: in vivo and in vitro studies

(9) Role of GLP-1 in the Hypoglycemic Effects of Wild Bitter Gourd

(10) Cinnamon: Potential Role in the Prevention of Insulin Resistance, Metabolic Syndrome, and Type 2 Diabetes

(11) Curcumin improves glucose tolerance via stimulation of glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion

(12) Dietary vitamin D3 improves postprandial hyperglycemia in aged mice

(13)  https://gi.org/journals-publications/ebgi/phil_paul_nov2023/

(14) https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2790392

(15) https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2810542

(16) https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/46/2/384/147888/GLP-1-Receptor-Agonists-and-the-Risk-of-Thyroid

 (17) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38937282/

(18)  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35441470/

(19) GLP-1 Agonists Can Affect Mood: A Case of Worsened Depression on Ozempic (Semaglutide)

(20) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothalamic%E2%80%93pituitary%E2%80%93gonadal_axis?

(21) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37454782/