"These are rich in protein and monounsaturated fats."
Dr Amir Khan has highlighted five foods that naturally boost a key hormone linked to the likes of Ozempic, which is for diabetes but has weight loss effects.
In an Instagram post, he explained how these medications suppress appetite and promote fullness.
The NHS warns that these drugs can have severe side effects and should only be prescribed for severe obesity.
Dr Khan suggests certain everyday foods can increase GLP-1 hormone levels, offering a natural alternative.
He recommends these foods to his type 2 diabetes patients but says everyone could benefit.
Dr Khan explained: “GLP-1 is produced in our gut in response to certain nutrients.
“It has a couple of important jobs.
“Firstly, it stimulates our pancreas to make insulin which lowers our blood sugar, and it also blocks the production of another hormone called glucagon that can raise our blood sugar.
“GLP-1 also slows the rate at which the stomach empties, which keeps us fuller for longer and controls our appetite and food intake.
“Now you may have heard of GLP-1 hormone before.”
“Those weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Manjaro all work via GLP-1, switching off your appetite and keeping you full.”
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Dr Khan identified five foods that can boost GLP-1 levels naturally:
Eggs
Dr Amir Khan said: “These are rich in protein and monounsaturated fats.
“These can stimulate GLP-1 secretion. Egg whites in particular are thought to be beneficial to GLP-1 release.”
Nuts (almonds, pistachios and walnuts)
According to Dr Khan: “They may all increase GLP-1 levels through their fibre, protein and healthy fat content, plus the fibre in nuts can slow down digestion, which leads to more managed release of glucose into the gut and GLP-1 release.”
High-Fibre Food (oats, barley and whole wheat)
Dr Khan noted: “These are high in soluble fibre which can slow down digestion.
“This can lead to a gradual release of glucose into the bloodstream, which then triggers a release of GLP-1.”
Olive Oil
Dr Amir Khan said: “Studies suggest that unsaturated fats like those in olive oil are better at stimulating GLP-1 release than saturated fats like those found in butter.
“A Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil is thought to lead to higher post-meal GLP-1 levels and improved insulin sensitivity compared to diets high in saturated fats.”
Vegetables
Recommending a variety, Dr Khan said:
“I mean there’s so many to choose from, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots, etc.
“These are super high in fibre. Bacteria in our gut break this fibre down into short-chain fatty acids.
“These can signal special cells in our gut to release GLP-1 into the bloodstream.”
Dr Khan concluded: “Remember, no one food is a magic bullet for anything, but getting a balanced diet rich in nutrient-dense foods is a great way to manage your appetite and feelings of being full.”
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