From the Guidelines
Berberine is a natural mimicker of Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and it can be taken at doses of 500mg 2-3 times daily with meals. When considering natural alternatives to pharmaceutical GLP-1 receptor agonists, it's essential to prioritize options that have been studied for their potential to stimulate GLP-1 production or activity.
- Berberine, found in plants like barberry and goldenseal, is one of the most studied natural GLP-1 mimickers 1.
- Other options include bitter melon extract, cinnamon, and fenugreek seeds, which may help stimulate GLP-1 production or activity, although the evidence for these options is not as strong as for berberine.
- High-fiber foods like oats, legumes, and vegetables naturally stimulate GLP-1 release, as do fermented foods containing probiotics, which can promote improved gut microbiome health 1.
- Protein-rich meals, particularly those containing specific amino acids like glutamine, can also enhance GLP-1 secretion, making them a potential natural approach to supporting GLP-1 activity. It's crucial to note that while these natural alternatives may help with blood sugar management and appetite control, they are generally less potent than pharmaceutical GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide and liraglutide, which have been shown to reduce weight and improve weight-related comorbidities significantly 1.
- As a result, natural GLP-1 mimickers should be used as complementary approaches rather than replacements for prescribed medications, and their use should be discussed with a healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment.
From the FDA Drug Label
Liraglutide is an acylated human Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist with 97% amino acid sequence homology to endogenous human GLP-1(7-37). The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Natural Mimickers of GLP-1
There are no direct references to natural mimickers of Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in the provided studies. However, some studies suggest that certain dietary strategies can sustain the secretion of GLP-1 for improved glucose homeostasis 2.
Dietary Strategies to Sustain GLP-1 Secretion
- A slow digestion-oriented dietary approach can efficiently reduce the digestion rate of food nutrients and potentiate their distal deposition, leading to a sustained secretion of GLP-1 2.
- Incorporation of viscous dietary fibers and enzyme inhibitors of phytochemicals in a designed whole food matrix can help reduce the digestion rate of food nutrients and sustain GLP-1 secretion 2.
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
- Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, has been approved as a second-line treatment option for better glycemic control in type 2 diabetes and has shown cardiovascular benefits 3.
- Other GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as liraglutide and exenatide, have also shown reductions in fasting and postprandial glucose concentrations, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels 4.