Key takeaways

  • Certain dietary supplements like protein powder, calcium, and fiber may enhance GLP-1 secretion, which plays a role in insulin production and appetite regulation.
  • While these supplements can be more accessible than GLP-1 medications, there’s limited research on their efficacy, and they are not FDA-regulated.
  • Consulting a healthcare professional is advised to tailor supplement use to individual health needs, especially when considering supplements alongside GLP-1 medications.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone naturally produced in the large intestine. After eating, it helps secrete insulin, a hormone that plays a key role in managing blood glucose (sugar) levels and appetite.

In recent years, a class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists has gained popularity for managing health conditions, such as diabetes and obesity.

Since GLP-1 is present in all our bodies, research has found that certain nutrients and dietary supplements may also help increase GLP-1 activity, potentially providing a more affordable and accessible method for regulating appetite.

Keep reading to learn more about what supplements may help support GLP-1 secretion and how these compare to GLP-1 medications.

A note on supplements

While some dietary supplements may help support GLP-1 secretion, it’s important to note that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate supplements.

This means that the type, quantity, and quality of ingredients in a product may differ from what is written on its ingredients label. There are also no guidelines about the proper dosage for each supplement.

Before taking any supplements, consider speaking with a healthcare professional, pharmacist, or registered dietitian. They can advise you on whether it’s appropriate for you and recommend a dosage.

Whey protein powder is one of the most widely used dietary supplements because it helps support muscle growth, recovery, and athletic performance.

According to a 2023 review, whey protein powder may also be an effective GLP-1 agonist. It contains bioactive compounds, such as lactoferrin, glutamine, and immunoglobulins, which block the activity of dipeptidyl peptidase-4, a gut enzyme that breaks down incretin hormones, including GLP-1.

Whey protein powder may also help regulate appetite and promote feelings of fullness by affecting other gut hormones, such as cholecystokinin, polypeptide YY, and glycosylphosphatidylinositol.

Calcium plays a key role in supporting the health of your bones, cells, and muscle tissues, as well as regulating hormones, metabolism, and blood clotting. It’s the mineral you have the most of in your body.

According to a 2023 review, calcium supplementation may help increase GLP-1 secretion and help reduce appetite. The benefits may be more prominent when supplementation is long-term or combined with protein.

However, the authors concluded that more studies are needed to better understand whether supplementing with calcium alone is effective for GLP-1 secretion, or if the effects only occur when it’s combined with other nutrients.

Dietary fiber is a crucial nutrient found in many plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, and legumes.

While it plays a crucial role in regulating appetite, bowel function, and gut health, experts estimate that over 9 in 10 people don’t consume enough fiber.

According to a 2022 review, fiber stimulates the secretion of appetite-regulating hormones, including GLP-1, peptide YY, and cholecystokinin. Fiber may also help produce short-chain fatty acids, further contributing to GLP-1 secretion.

A popular dietary supplement for supporting GLP-1 secretion is psyllium, derived from the husks of the Plantago ovata plant seeds.

Berberine is a bioactive plant compound that’s typically extracted from Berberis, a group of shrubs.

Research suggests that berberine supplementation may be an effective complementary therapy for managing type 2 diabetes and obesity because it stimulates GLP-1 secretion. It may achieve this by supporting gut health and mitigating oxidative stress, cell death, and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Despite these positive findings, many of the studies were conducted in animals, so further research in humans is necessary to better understand the potential role of berberine in GLP-1 secretion.

Resveratrol is a polyphenol derived from grapes and berries that may have a wide range of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

According to a 2023 review, resveratrol may help regulate appetite and glucose levels by influencing the gut-brain axis, a communication channel between the gut and brain. Resveratrol may do this by:

  • promoting the secretion of GLP-1 and insulin
  • regulating specific proteins, such as adenosine dinucleotide-dependent deacetylase SIRT1
  • boosting the function of mitochondria and energy expenditure

Although the authors highlighted several studies that showcase the potential effects of resveratrol and GLP-1 secretion, many of them were conducted in animals. More human studies are needed.

Other studies in animals and humans have found that other supplements may also help promote GLP-1 secretion, potentially contributing to appetite regulation and the management of diabetes and obesity.

These supplements may include:

Limited studies have compared the effectiveness of taking GLP-1 medications or dietary supplements, such as protein powder, calcium, or resveratrol.

It’s also important to be aware of the many dietary supplements marketed specifically for GLP-1 secretion and weight management. These aren’t regulated by the FDA, so manufacturers can include what they want on the labels, and no scientific studies support their effectiveness.

GLP-1 medications are likely to be more effective than dietary supplements, but these medications are only prescribed for certain conditions, such as diabetes and obesity.

Consider speaking with a healthcare professional if you have any questions about GLP-1 medications. They can provide you with answers and resources tailored to your individual needs.

A healthcare professional may recommend taking certain supplements if you’re taking GLP-1 medications. In some cases, GLP-1 treatment may lead to nutrient deficiencies, muscle loss, and metabolic issues.

To help prevent these complications, a healthcare professional may recommend:

GLP-1 is a hormone released after eating. It helps secrete insulin, a hormone important for regulating glucose levels and appetite.

Some dietary supplements, such as protein powder, calcium, and fiber, may help naturally boost GLP-1 secretion. However, there’s limited research on the optimal dosage and how they compare to GLP-1 medications.

If you’re interested in dietary supplements that support GLP-1 secretion, consider speaking with a healthcare professional. They could recommend supplements tailored to your individual needs, if necessary.