Weight-loss drugs are now being used by an estimated 29 million Americans, with millions more expected to seek prescriptions for the revolutionary Wegovy pill approved earlier this year.
But for many, the results can be underwhelming.
While some people lose up to a fifth of their body weight on the medications, others find their weight loss plateaus after just a few months.
Now, a new study published this week suggests a natural supplement costing less than $3 a day could hold the answer, helping users lose 6½ times more fat than those taking a placebo.
The supplement contains bitter hops extract – a concentrated form of the plant used to brew beer. Leading experts say it appears to suppress appetite.
‘The bitter compounds found in hops appear to be particularly effective at activating satiety hormones, helping us feel fuller for longer,’ says Dr. Madusha Peiris, a neurogastroenterologist at Queen Mary University of London.
Called Amarasate, it may even outperform GLP-1 weight-loss drugs on certain key measures, according to research.
People taking GLP-1 medications typically lose three to five times more weight than those not taking the drugs. However, research suggests that 20 to 40 percent of that weight loss comes from lean muscle mass – tissue the body needs to maintain strength, mobility and a healthy metabolism.
A new study published this week has shown a $3-a-day natural supplement could help users lose six-and-a-half times more fat than placebo pills
But in the new study, funded by the supplement company Calocurb, participants taking it lost weight without sacrificing lean muscle mass.
The research, published in the peer-reviewed journal Obesity Pillars, followed 128 adults enrolled in a 24-week weight-loss program. Participants attended monthly lifestyle coaching sessions focused on cutting back on unhealthy snacks, eating more protein and exercising regularly.
They also took a daily supplement containing either 500 mg of bitter hops extract or a placebo, divided between their two largest meals.
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Researchers tracked body weight, appetite control and self-reported food cravings every four weeks.
By the end of the study, those taking the bitter hops extract had lost an average of 9.9 pounds (4.5 kg) of body fat – about 8.6 pounds (3.9 kg) more than participants taking the placebo.
The researchers, from New Zealand’s Bioeconomy Science Institute, concluded the supplement could offer an additional option for people struggling to lose weight through diet and exercise alone, or for those hoping to come off GLP-1 weight-loss drugs without regaining the weight.
Dr. Edward Walker, the study’s lead author, said: ‘Interventions that can address these issues by acting either as an alternative to GLP-1s for weight loss or as a post-therapy to prevent weight regain may prove useful.’
Previous studies have shown that bitter hops extract can increase feelings of fullness, curb cravings and reduce calorie intake. However, until now, evidence that these effects translate into meaningful fat loss has been limited.
Experts say the bitterness of the supplement causes the gut to release appetite-suppressing hormones – similar to those targeted by GLP-1 drugs.
‘The bitterness is key,’ says Dr. Peiris.
‘Most people think taste happens only in the mouth, but the gut is also packed with specialized sensors that can detect compounds in the food we eat.
‘When these sensors are activated, they trigger the release of hormones that influence hunger and fullness, helping to tell the brain when we’ve had enough to eat.’
Interestingly, the researchers found that participants taking Amarasate not only experienced fewer overall food cravings but also reported fewer cravings for fatty, salty and savory foods.
‘One of the biggest problems for many people – especially those struggling to maintain a healthy weight – is ‘food noise’: repetitive thoughts about food that can drive snacking and overeating,’ says Dr. Peiris.
Amarasate is the active ingredient in the food supplement Calocurb
‘That often stems from not producing enough of these appetite-suppressing hormones.’
However, the researchers noted that about one in 10 participants experienced uncomfortable side effects, including diarrhea and nausea.
Experts also caution that there is not yet enough evidence to suggest supplements like these could replace GLP-1 weight-loss drugs – particularly for people with obesity-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes.
Dr. Peiris believes the findings nevertheless highlight the importance of naturally stimulating the gut’s appetite-control systems through diet.
She says a similar effect is seen in people who eat a high-fiber diet.
Foods rich in fiber include nuts, seeds, beans, lentils, oats and vegetables.
‘As a gut scientist who studies nutrient-sensing mechanisms, it’s encouraging to see human studies showing changes in appetite and appetite-regulating hormones,’ says Dr. Peiris.
‘But eating a varied diet – particularly one rich in fiber – can have a similar effect because these nutrients also stimulate the same gut receptors.’
