Nearly 75% of the American adult population aged 20 years and older is overweight or obese. Children are not far behind, as 55.6% of children and adolescents between the ages of 2 and 19 years are obese. Obesity is a risk factor for numerous chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cancer, osteoarthritis, and liver and kidney diseases. As obesity trends continue to rise, interventions from the medical community are expected to bring relief. Common medications that have been on the market for years, including OzempicÆ (semaglutide), WegovyÆ (semaglutide), and MounjaroÆ (tirzepatide) have made their name as effective treatments for obesity and T2DM. Recently, these drugs have soared in popularity for their use as weight loss agents. These drugs have become so popular that prescription fills increased by more than 400% between January 2021 and December 2023.
These prescription medications are classified as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, which mimic a hormone usually produced by the body — GLP-1. Semaglutide and tirzepatide bind to the same receptor as GLP-1 and cause a similar action, which, in this case, helps manage normal insulin and blood glucose metabolism. These drugs may even help manage appetite, promoting feelings of satiety. Weight loss outcomes from GLP-1 RAs may reach between 5.9% at three months and almost 11% at six months. Side effects of these medications include nausea and diarrhea and range from mild to moderate in their severity. Considering the side effects, high costs, and the route of administration (via injection), alternatives to these GLP-1 RAs may be preferred. Four plant-derived GLP-1 RAs, in particular, have promising data behind their efficacy.
Berberine (Berberis aristata)
Berberine is highly regarded for its efficacy in supporting blood glucose regulation and healthy insulin metabolism. Evidence indicates berberine may play a supportive role in the reduction of numerous markers of metabolic dysfunction, including fasting blood glucose (FBG), hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TGs), and fasting insulin. In vitro studies suggest that a proposed mechanism in which berberine may support metabolic health is its potential ability to facilitate GLP-1 secretion. Two berberine metabolites, berberrubine (BBB) and palmatine (PMT) have been reported to have significant pharmacological effects on GLP-1; namely, increasing the production of the GLP-1 peptide in cell studies. Berberine’s efficacy is attributed to increased insulin secretion and receptor expression. Berberine regulates glucose metabolism by supporting GLP-1 receptor production and inhibiting GLP-1 breakdown, which may help support an insulin response to a meal. However, further research is needed.
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)
Fenugreek has a long history of medicinal use in India and China. Fenugreek contains several compounds that act in various ways to support normal glucose and insulin metabolism, including:
A systematic review and meta-analysis of trials published in 2023 involving 894 subjects reported that the groups supplemented with fenugreek (from 0.5 g/day for four weeks to 10 g/day for six months) experienced a decrease in fasting blood sugar, after-meal rises in glucose, and a statistically significant reduction in HbA1C, suggesting its use as a supportive herbal glucose regulator.
American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium)
American ginseng contains active compounds called saponins that support metabolic, immune, neurological, and cardiovascular health. American ginseng may support how the body handles sugar and fat by supporting how insulin and a hormone called leptin work. Diabetic rats fed a high-fat diet and who were given ginseng exhibited lower blood sugar and fat amounts after four weeks. These findings were linked with higher amounts of GLP-1. In humans, a systematic review and meta-analysis reported that patients with T2DM who were given daily ginseng (2.7 to 5 g/day for 4 to 12 weeks) experienced improved glucose control and insulin metabolism compared to the control. Similar results were experienced when ginseng was co-administered with standard hypoglycemic medication for eight weeks, signifying a possible synergistic effect.
Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre)
Also known as the “destroyer of sugar” in Hindi, gymnema has been used for over 2,000 years to treat madhu meha or “honey urine.” A study published in 2021 investigated whether supplementation with gymnema would affect blood sugar control. The study combined results from ten studies with 419 people who had T2DM. The groups given daily gymnema supplementation (400 mg to 10 g for 21 days to 20 months) exhibited lower fasting blood sugar, lower blood sugar after meals, and lower HbA1C compared to before they started taking it. In an animal study, diabetic rats who were given a gymnema extract for 28 days exhibited lower blood sugar and HbA1C, and higher insulin compared to untreated rats. After the rats were sacrificed and examined, the rats given gymnema exhibited higher insulin gene activity in the pancreas and higher proglucagon gene activity in the gut, which is important for insulin release after eating. The researchers suggested that this increase in proglucagon may be the reason for the higher insulin levels and may have acted as a precursor to GLP-1 production.
In summary, these four botanicals offer promising benefits to support overall metabolic health. These plant-derived compounds support blood sugar control and healthy insulin function through mechanisms similar to GLP-1 RAs, with fewer complaints and added health benefits. As interest in alternative medicine grows, these plants may provide effective adjuncts for those seeking to manage metabolic health holistically.
Learn more about nutrients, GLP-1, and health:
The Hidden Effects: Medications and Their Impact on Your GI Tract
Spore-Based Probiotics: Guardians of Gut Health
Hungry for More: Nutrition Gaps in the Modern American Diet
By Bri Mesenbring, MS, CNS, LDN
Designs for Health has been dedicated to being the most trusted source for superior quality, science-based nutritional products for nearly three decades. We’re committed to maximizing successful health outcomes by providing healthcare practitioners with comprehensive support through our extensive product line, ongoing clinical education, and practice development programs. The blogs we publish here cover a range of topics, including new and original approaches to diet and healthcare, analyses of the latest cutting-edge research, deep-dives into specific nutrients, botanicals, nutraceuticals and more, all fully referenced for those who want to dig deeper into the primary literature.
