Gut microbes could mimic some effects of Ozempic

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Some early studies suggest that certain gut microbes, such as Bacteroides vulgatus, and the metabolites they produce may help support the body’s natural release of GLP-1, the same hormone influenced by drugs like semaglutide (the ingredient in Ozempic). In mice, this was linked to better blood-sugar control and fewer sugar cravings. It’s not yet known whether similar effects will appear in humans, but the researchers note that their findings could offer a starting point for exploring future approaches to diabetes prevention.

Source

Zhang, T., Wang, W., Li, J. et al. Free fatty acid receptor 4 modulates dietary sugar preference via the gut microbiota. Nat Microbiol 10, 348–361 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-024-01902-8

Additional Reading

https://www.sciencealert.com/researchers-may-have-discovered-a-natural-alternative-to-ozempic

https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2025/03/ozempic-rival.html

https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/what-know-about-berberine-so-called-natures-ozempic