Microdosing Ozempic -  Are semiglutide injection drugs like Ozempic natural and do they have a place in weight loss? 

There is a new trend emerging in the alternative medicine field to prescribe semaglutide drugs like Ozempic in micro doses for inflammatory issues like IBD, autoimmunity, metabolic disease and weight loss, with less side effects. This practice is considered “off-label” and frowned upon by conventional medicine.

Proponents of microdosing claim that we shouldn’t be afraid to use these drugs in small doses, since peptides are “just” parts of protein that already exist naturally in our bodies and in food. 

In order to determine if this is true we need to understand what natural GLP-1 is? 

Natural endogenous GLP-1 is a short-acting hormone that is vital for glucose regulation:

• naturally produced in the gut
• stimulates insulin secretion
• inhibits glucagon release
• slows gastric emptying
• promotes satiety (fullness)

Despite the fact that semaglutides like Ozempic were developed based on the idea of a natural peptide, they are classified as drugs because they function differently from the natural peptide. 

Calling semaglutides ‘natural’ is misleading, not only because semaglutide drugs are not molecularly bio-identical to endogenous GLP-1, but they are modified to work differently.

Natural GLP-1 is natural hormone made inside the body having short-lasting effects (short half life of 1.5 - 5 min).

Semaglutides like Ozempic are lab made, synthetic & modified to concentrate in the body for long-lasting effects (long half life 165 hours).

Portraying semaglutides like Ozempic to be ‘natural’ undermines the consumer’s ability to make an informed choice. 

Long term side effects are still unknown considering that Ozempic was only introduced on the market in 2017 for diabetes and was not prescribed for weight loss until 2021. 

So what are the side effects?

Known side effects of semaglutide (usually temporary, but severity is dose dependant and decreases over time):

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain 
• Indigestion, bloating, heartburn, belching
• Fatigue, headache, dizziness, lightheadedness
• Injection site reactions (redness, itching, swelling) 

There can also be serious side effects that require medical attention, such as:

• Pancreatitis: severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting
• Thyroid Tumors: medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
• Kidney Problems: decreased urination, swelling of legs or feet, fatigue
• Vision Changes: blurred vision or other visual disturbances
• Severe Allergic Reactions: wwelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; difficulty breathing or swallowing; severe rash or itching 

Emerging concerns:

• Gallbladder Issues: gallstones and cholecystitis.
• Ophthalmic Disorders: vision problems have been reported and even blindness 
• Dental Health: dry mouth, gum disease, and "Ozempic teeth" (decay due to gastrointestinal side effects)
• "Ozempic tongue”: marked by burning sensations and metallic taste 
• "Ozempic face," characterized by sagging skin due to rapid weight loss

Nutrient Depletion

GLP-1 drugs can lead to nutrient deficiencies since they suppress the appetite and have GI side effects that can reduce both intake of food and inhibit absorption, due to delayed gastric emptying. 

The likelihood of nutrient depletion is likely to be worse in people who already struggle to eat enough (elderly, eating disorders, existing GI issues). Lack of protein can lead to muscle wasting (sarcopenia).

Nutrients of most concern:

1. Vitamin B12
2. Iron, Folate, and Zinc
3. Fat-Soluble Vitamins (A, D, E, K) 
4. Protein Deficiency

As far as using Ozempic at conventional doses just for weight loss, without profound changes in diet and lifestyle, the risks outweigh the benefits. 

Without the complete mindset shift that is required to make permanent diet and lifestyle changes -  the weight and the previous dis-ease progression will return since none of the conditions that created the problem in the first place, have been addressed at root cause.

Are there herbal alternatives?

I hypothesize that herbs with similar actions, could be used to prevent having to use the drug in the first place or to help taper off the drug or down to a microdose, with less rebound hunger and weight regain.

Examples of herbs that could be used, depending on the uniqueness of the person:

1. Berberine
2. Gymnema sylvestre
3. Fenugreek
4. Bitter Melon

It is important to note though that there could be interactions with herbs - mostly be due to compounding effects on the gastrointestinal tract and overlapping actions such as blood sugar lowering. One should check with their doctor and monitor their blood glucose, if combining herbs with GLP-1 medications.

Is there a place for semaglutides in weight loss?

For people that are stuck in cycle of cravings, overeating and binging, micro-dosing might be a good bridge strategy, far better than more obtrusive approaches like gastric bypass surgery.

The drug could help these people, just until they get firmly established with permanent diet, lifestyle and mindset changes. The trouble is that if the prescriber of the drug doesn’t also have a complete system of education, patients are unlikely to make these changes on their own. 

It’s not about counting calories, exercising more or following one size fits all dietary strategies. 

Health consciousness is key and a balanced meals based on whole foods should be the first step and foundation before anything to follow. 

Once the whole foods foundation is in place, then personalized protocols can be added that include herbs, natural supplements, mindset work and emotional release techniquies to overcome weight loss obstacles. 

This addresses the combined underlying root causes of being overweight at the individual level and ensures that people get healthier on their path to permanent weight loss. 

Whereas, achieving weight loss with drugs and surgery alone, while ignoring nutrition and muscle mass maintenance, can further deplete health, damage the metabolism and cause even more rebound weight gain.

By addressing diet, lifestyle and mindset - before resorting to semaglutide drugs - people are actually more likely to have success with the drug as well, because the body needs nutritional resources to be able to respond to any and all interventions - natural or not.

Eating nutrient dense foods has the following benefits while during weight loss interventions:

1. Fills up people’s nutrient stores, making being on the drug less depleting to the body
2. There should be less side effects because drugs are better tolerated by a healthier body
3. Less rebound weight gain and decreased return of old symptoms after they stop the drug

Semaglutides are not natural, but in some people, micro dosing could be a bridge to better health.

The bottom line is that peptide based drugs are not natural and should be the last resort in weight loss, not the first step. 

Permanent weight loss requires patience. The healthier and more balanced we become, the less cravings we have and over time our weight normalizes as a side benefit of putting health first.  

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References:

Microdosing for GLP-1s for Menopause-Related Weight Gain
https://www.joinmidi.com/post/microdosing-glp1

Ozempic History and Approvals
https://www.drugs.com/history/ozempic.html

Semaglutide Molecular Summary
https://pdb101.rcsb.org/global-health/diabetes-mellitus/drugs/incretins/drug/semaglutide/semaglutide

Mayo Clinic – Semaglutide (Subcutaneous Route)
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/semaglutide-subcutaneous-route/description/drg-20406730

MedlinePlus – Semaglutide Injection
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a618008.html 

Understanding GLP-1 Function: A Comprehensive Guide to Its Role in Metabolism and Health
https://bmidoctors.com/understanding-glp-1-function-a-comprehensive-guide-to-its-role-in-metabolism-and-health/ 

Molecular Pharmacology of Glucagon-Like Peptide 1-Based Therapies in the Management of Type Two Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11987703/ 

Molecular mechanisms of semaglutide and liraglutide as a therapeutic option for obesity
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11090168 

Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Implications of Semaglutide: A New Glucagon-Like Peptide (GLP)-1 Receptor Agonist
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29915923/ 

The short half-life of glucagon-like peptide-1 in plasma does not reflect its long-lasting beneficial effects
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12039708/ 

Ozempic Official Site – Side Effects
https://www.ozempic.com/how-to-take/side-effects.html

Penn Medical Group – Side Effects
https://pennmedicalgroup.com/questions-and-answers/what-are-semaglutide-side-effects

Ro – Side Effects and Management
https://ro.co/weight-loss/semaglutide-side-effects/?

Frontiers in Nutrition (2025)
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1566498/full

Nausea and Food Avoidance
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8067135/

British Journal of Pharmacology (2022)
https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bph.15611

The Daily Telegraph – Vision Issues (Eye Stroke) 

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/health/diet/weight-loss/ozempic-and-wegovy-have-been-linked-to-eye-strokes-as-tga-reports-ten-cases-of-blindness/news-story/4060991c1530d75e31d4c58a7c36f33b

 What Is 'Ozempic Tongue'?
https://www.verywellhealth.com/ozempic-tongue-11742469 

‘Ozempic Face’: What It Is and How To Avoid It
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/ozempic-face 

‘Ozempic Teeth’ May Cause Tooth Decay, Other Dental Health Effect
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/ozempic-teeth-may-impact-dental-health 

Meta-analysis of the effect and safety of berberine in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipemia and hypertension
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25498346/ 

Antidiabetic effects of Momordica charantia (bitter melon) and its medicinal potency
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4027280/ 

Comparative Effects of Gymnema sylvestre and Berberine on Adipokines, Body Composition, and Metabolic Parameters in Obese Patients: A Randomized Study 
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39064727/ 

Effect of Fenugreek on Hyperglycemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9962665/