The Best Mounjaro Alternatives – Natural Options to Consider
Dr. Eric Berg
08/20/2024
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Mounjaro is a diabetes treatment that has been shown to help diabetic patients improve their blood sugar control and achieve weight loss.
However, potential side effects, such as severe abdominal pain and thyroid cancer, have sparked concerns, and many individuals are turning to natural remedies to support metabolic health.
Discover the best Mounjaro alternatives and learn practical tips for achieving a healthy weight without pharmaceutical drugs.
What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide, is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to control blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics. The dose depends on body weight and is administered weekly via an injection pen.
Mounjaro belongs to the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists drug class. These medications artificially mimic the effects of GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), hormones naturally produced in the intestines.
This drug works by activating the GLP-1 and GIP hormone receptors, which stimulates insulin release and lowers blood glucose levels. GLP-1 and GIP receptor binding also play a crucial role in satiation and hunger suppression, which explains why Mounjaro can promote weight loss.
In addition to weight loss, Monjaro has also been found to have the potential to reduce heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure.
Although Mounjaro isn’t FDA-approved as a weight loss medication, its active ingredient, tirzepatide, is approved for use in treating obesity under the brand name Zepbound. This clarifies why Mounjaro is often prescribed as a weight loss drug.
Watch the video below to learn more about the best alternatives to Mounjaro.
The Best MOUNJARO Alternative (Without the Side Effects)
Downsides to Mounjaro
Mounjaro can improve blood sugar control and decrease food intake, which can promote weight loss in overweight and obese adults.
Though Mounjaro is promising for managing diabetes and supporting weight loss efforts, there are some significant downsides to consider.
Like many other pharmaceutical drugs, Mounjaro is associated with various adverse reactions and long-term health concerns.
According to data released by the FDA, common Mounjaro side effects include:
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Constipation
Abdominal pain
In more severe cases, patients may experience:
Kidney damage
Diabetic retinopathy
Pancreatitis
Severe gastrointestinal reactions
Acute gallbladder disease
Mounjaro has also caused thyroid abnormalities and led to an increased risk of several cancers in animal trials and may cause tumor formation in humans.
A study published in Endocrinology found that “Long-term GLP-1 receptor agonist exposure in rodents was associated with thyroid C-cell hyperplasia and tumors.”
Therefore, Mounjaro is contraindicated in patients with a genetic predisposition to thyroid cancer and multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, which is a hereditary condition that increases the risk of endocrine gland tumors.
Furthermore, without lifestyle changes such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, and controlled calorie intake, patients must continue taking Mounjaro to maintain its weight loss benefits.
However, Mounjaro can cost between $1,000 and $2,000 monthly, which can be unsustainable for those without medical insurance.
In addition to lowering body mass index (BMI), Mounjaro significantly reduces muscle mass. This can lead to health issues, sagging skin, and reduced bone density, increasing the risk of injury and osteoporosis in later life.
Natural Mounjaro alternatives
Exploring natural alternatives to diabetes medications and weight loss drugs can help you achieve a healthy body weight without the risk of side effects or significant financial burden.
Here are four natural alternatives to Mounjaro.
1. Berberine
Berberine, a phytochemical found in various plants, may improve insulin resistance and lower blood sugar levels, which promotes metabolic balance and weight loss.
Berberine has even been compared to Metformin, a common prescription drug for controlling blood sugar levels in diabetes patients.
A study published in Oncotarget found that berberine had similar hypoglycemic effects as Metformin. It was also found to be effective in reducing body weight in diabetes patients and may protect against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a common condition in overweight and obese individuals.
2. Curcumin
Curcumin, a carotenoid found in turmeric responsible for its vibrant yellow color, has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for 6,000 years to remedy various ailments.
In addition to its antioxidant properties that help protect against chronic inflammation, curcumin has been shown to have antidiabetic and antiobesity properties.
Curcumin enhances cellular glucose uptake and reduces gluconeogenesis, a metabolic process that raises blood sugar concentration and contributes to weight gain.
“Turmeric can help your weight loss journey as it contains curcumin,” explains Dr. Berg. “Curcumin protects the beta cells in the pancreas that regulate insulin and can reduce the risk of diabetes by improving insulin resistance.”
3. Cinnamon
Cinnamon contains various polyphenols with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that support glycemic control and help protect against metabolic syndrome risk factors.
Cinnamon can improve insulin sensitivity, enhancing the body’s ability to control blood sugar levels. This helps reduce the risk of obesity-related conditions, such as insulin resistance and pre-diabetes.
It also has antihypertensive effects and may improve high blood pressure in overweight individuals.
A study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that supplementation with 1 to 6 grams of cinnamon daily significantly improved insulin signaling, decreased fasting blood glucose, and reduced body weight.
4. Ginseng
There are many benefits of ginseng, including reduced inflammation, enhanced immune defenses, and anti-cancer effects, which are attributed to its high concentrations of ginsenosides.
Ginseng may also promote weight loss by suppressing appetite, improving insulin resistance, stabilizing blood sugars, and altering the gut microbiome, which plays a vital role in weight management.
A study published in the Journal of Ginseng Research found that ginseng extract supplementation induced beneficial changes to the gut microbiome, which resulted in weight loss in all study participants.
Tips for healthy, fast, and sustainable weight loss
Promoting weight loss naturally eliminates the risk of unwanted side effects associated with prescription medications.
The most sustainable way to achieve lasting long-term weight loss is to make beneficial dietary and lifestyle changes.
Following a low-carb, whole-food-based diet, such as Healthy Keto®, supports better blood glucose control by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing cravings.
Healthy Keto limits carbohydrates to no more than 50 grams daily, thereby keeping blood sugar levels stable and reducing the need for insulin. This is an important aspect of weight loss, as insulin promotes fat storage and prevents the body from utilizing stored body fat as a fuel source.
The metabolic effects of carbohydrate restriction force the body to burn fat to generate energy instead of relying on sugar. This explains why following a nutritious keto diet is an excellent strategy to promote a healthy body weight.
Additionally, constant grazing and snacking between meals spike insulin levels, keeping your body in a permanent state of fat storage, even if you snack on seemingly healthy foods.
For this reason, intermittent fasting (IF) helps regulate insulin levels and promotes fat burning by allowing the body extended periods without food. This encourages metabolic flexibility and weight management.
Finally, regular exercise, including cardio and strength training, plays a key role in weight management by encouraging fat-burning and building muscle mass.
Exercise also reduces stress and can help manage emotional eating, which an estimated 38 percent of adults experience, according to data published by the American Psychological Association (APA).
Key takeaways
Mounjaro is a diabetes medication that is effective for weight reduction and regulating blood sugar levels. However, there are downsides to consider, including the possibility of severe gastrointestinal pain, kidney damage, and an increased risk of thyroid tumors and cancer.
Increasingly more individuals are seeking natural options to promote weight loss, and research indicates that berberine, curcumin, cinnamon, and ginseng are among the best Mounjaro alternatives to support blood sugar control and metabolic health.
FAQ
1. What are the best alternatives to Mounjaro?
Berberine, curcumin, cinnamon, and ginseng are among the best alternatives for Mounjaro and other weight-loss-promoting drugs.
These natural remedies have been found to improve insulin sensitivity and support the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels, which are crucial aspects of achieving weight loss and long-term weight management.
2. Does Mounjaro work?
Yes, Mounjaro is an effective drug for diabetes management that can aid weight loss by promoting stable blood sugar and insulin levels while reducing hunger and craving sensations.
However, Mounjaro has been linked to serious side effects such as gastrointestinal issues and an increased risk of cancer. In addition, the weight loss and antidiabetic benefits of Mounjaro aren’t lasting, which means a lifelong reliance on this drug.
3. Do any foods mimic Mounjaro?
Yes, a whole-food-based ketogenic diet can mimic the effects of Mounjaro.
Drastically reducing carbohydrate and sugar intake helps increase insulin sensitivity and stabilize blood glucose levels. This offers profound metabolic benefits and is one of the most effective ways to support your weight management journey.
4. Is Mounjaro safe?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has declared Mounjaro a safe and effective treatment for improving blood sugar control in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
However, side effects include pancreatitis, kidney failure, digestive issues, muscle mass loss, diabetic retinopathy, and an increased risk of thyroid tumors and cancer.
5. Is berberine as effective as Mounjaro?
Yes, in combination with diet and exercise, berberine can yield weight loss results similar to Mounjaro's, with notably fewer side effects.
Berberine’s benefits for insulin regulation have been found to be comparable to those of Metformin, a prescription drug used to enhance blood sugar control and support weight loss in diabetic patients.
6. Is fast weight loss healthy?
Fast weight loss can be unhealthy when achieved through extreme calorie restriction or weight loss medications, which can lead to nutrient deficiencies, muscle loss, and other long-term health complications.
However, rapid weight loss through dietary and lifestyle changes, such as following a healthy ketogenic diet, exercising regularly, and practicing intermittent fasting, is linked to several health benefits.
7. How can I lose weight fast?
Though drugs like Mounjaro lead to fast, significant weight loss, they can also cause muscle loss, digestive problems, kidney damage, and other side effects.
A healthier approach to quick and effective weight loss is to follow a ketogenic diet in combination with intermittent fasting and regular exercise.
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