A fibre supplement sold for £12.50 in Boots can help people lose weight, according to viral videos on TikTok.
The sawdust-like supplement psyllium husk has been hailed as a natural and cheaper alternative to Ozempic – a popular weight loss job.
Due to the similar effect, psyllium husk is now often known as the ‘the poor man’s Ozempic’ by many people online, including Dr Enaka Yembe.
She said: “Although psyllium husk and Ozempic are very different substances, they have similar effects.
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“They both induce feelings of fullness. They both stabilise your blood sugars. Both have been scientifically proven to assist with weight loss.”
She added: “The fibre supplement binds to water to form a voluminous gel in the stomach. This then slows the emptying of digested food from the stomach, keeping you fuller for longer.”
Ozempic slows the digestion of food, resulting in rapid weight loss. The weight loss jab mimics the GLP-1 hormone that keeps food in the gut for longer, reducing feelings of hunger.
TikTok videos on the benefits of psyllium husk for weight loss have gone viral, with some clips getting 200,000 views.
One user revealed that she is snatched for summer after taking the supplement for five days, while another said it helped her lose water weight.
Another user said that she felt less bloated after mixing the psyllium husk with water and apple cider vinegar.
Registered nutritionist Rob Hobson said: “Psyllium is great for keeping things moving smoothly in your digestive system.
“It’s known to help with regular bowel movements and can prevent constipation by absorbing water in your gut, making it easier to pass stools. But it’s used for weight management because they make you feel full and reduce your appetite.”
He added: “Psyllium supports your colon by keeping your bowel movements regular, which can help reduce the chances of developing inflammatory diseases of the gut.
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“It might also work as a prebiotic, encouraging the growth of good bacteria in your gut, which is crucial for overall digestive health.”
He continued: “It can be a useful addition to a weight loss plan, especially for those who are trying to manage their appetite, but it’s not typically associated with significant weight loss on its own.
“It’s not suitable for someone with a history of bowel problems and/or severe gastrointestinal conditions like Crohn’s disease.
“That’s because it absorbs water and swells which can potentially worsen these conditions or cause blockages.
“The supplement may also interfere with the absorption of certain medications, especially if taken at the same time such as diabetes or cholesterol drugs.”
Dr Duane Mellor, spokesperson for British Dietetic Association, said: “There’s no magic secret to the effects of psyllium husk – and most high fibre foods, like pulses and oats, will have a similar appetite curbing impact.”
