Doctor recommends breakfast staple that's a 'natural Ozempic': 'I tell my patients to eat more of it'
A TV doctor has revealed the foods he recommends to his patients who need to lose weight—as they have 'natural Ozempic' qualities.
Top of the list is eggs, which stimulate the same hunger-supressing hormone that the blockbuster weight loss jabs trigger, according to Dr Amir Khan, GP and resident doctor on ITV 's Good Morning Britain.
In an video posted to his Instagram page where he has nearly 650,000 followers, Dr Khan said nuts like almonds, pistachios and walnuts, olive oil, and high fibre foods like oats, barley and whole wheat have the same effect.
'These are the kind of foods I recommend my patients living with type two diabetes increase their intake of,' he wrote in the caption.
'But we could all do with eating more of them.'
Explaining how the fullness hormone, called GLP-1, works, he said: 'GLP-1 slows the rate at which the stomach empties, which keeps us fuller for longer and controls our appetite and food intake.
'It stimulates our pancreas to make insulin which lowers our blood sugar.
'It also stops the production of another hormone called glucagon that can raise our blood sugar.'
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Dr Amir Khan GP (@doctoramirkhan)
In particular, the protein-rich egg white and fibre in nuts and oats are known to stimulate the release of GLP-1 in the gut, he explained.
As for olive oil: 'Studies show that monounsaturated fats like olive oil are better at stimulating GLP-1 release than saturated fats like those found in butter,' he said.
He also recommended three vegetables to increase your intake of, due to their hunger-supressing effects.
This included brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots which cause bacteria in our gut to 'break fibre down into short chain fatty acids'.
'These can signal special cells in our gut to release GLP-1 into the bloodstream.'
This isn't the first time a staple food has been flagged as having 'natural Ozempic' effects.
Last spring, a series of viral videos emerged on social media featuring young women hailing a DIY oat-based drink for its surprising weight loss effects.
So-called ' Oat-Zempic ' trend involved drinking a blend of oats, water, cinnamon and lime daily.
TikTokers said they shed almost a stone in less than a month by drinking the shake daily.
Speaking of the trend, experts were sceptical, concluding that an oat drink is unlikely to have as significant impact as the weight loss jabs.
However, Dr Alok Patel, a pediatrician at Stanford, acknowledged that oats 'contain soluble fibre that will keep you fuller for longer'.
'A half a cup of oatmeal, that's a lot of fibre and some water to help them feel full, which may lead to a caloric deficit which is why people are seeing weight loss,' he said.
Ozempic and Wegovy, brand names for the medication semglutide, mimic glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).
Mounjaro, another weight loss jab making the headlines, works in a similar way to Ozempic and Wegovy, but is 'super-charged' by a compound that triggers another appetite-supressing hormone.
NHS data suggests that at least 1.45million semaglutide prescriptions were dolled out in 2023/24, and recent studies suggest more than one in 10 women are now taking slimming jabs.
Research suggests Ozempic results in an average weight loss of around a stone in roughly nine months—but it will be the same for everyone.
Nearly two-thirds of adults are overweight, with an extra 260,000 people entering the category last year, data shows.
Less than a third of over-18s eat the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, and a third fail to get any exercise.
Experts have called for the government to tackle the 'our broken food system' with bans on junk food advertising and promotions.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
33 minutes ago
- The Sun
The 4 signs of skin cancer beyond moles as Atomic Kitten's Natasha Hamilton reveals diagnosis after ‘itch on her back'
ATOMIC Kitten's Natasha Hamilton opened up about her skin cancer battle, revealing she was diagnosed with the disease after getting a persistent itchy spot on her back. In an emotional Good Morning Britain interview, the singer, 42, revealed she'd had basal cell carcinoma (BCC). 9 9 BCC is the most common skin cancer type in the UK. It begins in the basal cells — a type of cell within the skin that produces new skin cells as old ones die off - and is more likely to develop on skin regularly exposed to the sun, like the face, head or neck. The cancer often tends to appear as a pearly lump, but it can also develop as a scar-like patch on the skin or rough, scaly growths. Natasha initially mistook the diseased patch of skin as a mosquito bite. She told her hosts Kate Garraway and Rob Rinder that she developed an itch after catching a bit too much sun while on holiday in Majorca. Natasha said: "So I had been on holiday, I wasn't actually in the sun a lot, my baby was only about five months old and I was breastfeeding. "One afternoon I had her on my lap, my back was in the sun and I burnt. "I don't know if it was later that day or the next day, I had an itchy spot on my back. "I felt it, I went "oh mosquito bite". 'It wasn't until four weeks later when I was at home and it was itching I was like 'hang on a minute, that seems a bit long for a mosquito bite'. 'I asked my husband to have look and he went "oh that's not a bite," he took a picture. Natasha revealed: "Originally it had just been a dark freckle that I'd had on my back for many years. "It wasn't even raised, it wasn't a mole, it was just a freckle." The star sought specialist help and was diagnosed with BCC. 9 9 9 She was able to have the cancerous skin removed and is now living cancer-free. But she revealed: "Now I have to be really vigilant, I have to check my skin all the time. "Since then I've had a few things appear where I've had to go back to the dermatologist, they're on the 'watch list'. "This is probably something I am going to have to keep an eye for the rest of my life," Natasha said. The 4 signs of BCC When you think of signs of skin cancer, a mole probably comes to mind. This is usually the case with melanoma, the deadliest form of the disease. But non-melanoma skin cancer - which includes BCC - can manifest in other more subtle ways. According to Macmillan Cancer Support, a BCC might have some of these features: A smooth, firm lump that may be pearly, pink, red, brown or black – on black or brown skin, it is more likely to be pearly, brown or black A lump that is sunken in the middle like a crater A flat patch of scaly, crusty or irritated skin A scar-like area of pale, shiny skin This type of skin cancer tends to be painless but it can cause itchiness or bleeding. 9 9 9 Over time, a BCC may develop into an open sore that does not heal. Any part of your skin can be affected, but it's most common in areas exposed to the sun, such as the: Head, face and ears Neck and shoulders Back Hands Lower legs BCCs mainly people with fair skin, but those with other skin types may also be at risk, according to the British Skin Foundation. Those with the highest risk of developing a basal cell carcinoma are: People with pale skin who burn easily and rarely tan Those who have had a lot of exposure to the sun, such as people with outdoor hobbies or outdoor workers, and people who have lived in sunny climates People who have used sun beds or have regularly sunbathed. People who have previously had a basal cell carcinoma Almost all cases of BCC can be cured and it's almost never a danger to life, according to the charity. However, if a BCC is not treated early, it may get larger and may be more likely to come back. Treatment can include surgically removing the affected area of skin. There are two main types of skin cancer - non melanoma skin cancer and melanoma skin cancer. Non melanoma skin cancer includes: Basal cell skin cancer - this is also called basal cell carcinoma (BCC) Squamous cell skin cancer - this is also called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) Some other rare types Non melanoma skin cancers tend to develop most often on skin that's exposed to the sun. There is a high cure rate for these cancers. Most people only have minor surgery and don't need further treatment. Melanoma skin cancer is when abnormal cells in the skin start to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. It starts in skin cells called melanocytes. These cells are in the deep layer of the epidermis. Around 17,500 people are diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in the UK each year. The number of people diagnosed has increased over the last few decades. Melanoma skin cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the UK.
Daily Mail
37 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Tyson Fury horses around with his family as he takes delivery of traditional gypsy caravan - while thousands of travellers arrive at Appleby Horse Fair
Tyson Fury has accepted the delivery of a new traditional gypsy caravan as he shared footage of himself 'horsing around' with his family. The boxing champ posted a clip of the red, green and gold carriage on his Instagram story last night - sparking further excitement he might be on his way to Appleby Horse Fair. It comes after Fury, 36, yesterday posted a video of himself riding a horse and trap. While it was thought he may be travelling to Appleby, Fury later confirmed he had just been taking a ride around Knutsford, Cheshire, for scenes filmed for his Netflix show. Meanwhile in another social media clip, Fury shared footage of him pulling his son along in a beautifully decorated horse trailer. His son can be heard yelling: 'Giddy up horsey!' While Fury growls back: 'You don't need a horse, you've got me.' Up to 10,000 travellers and 30,000 visitors have been arriving in Appleby-in-Westmorland this week for the annual horse fair. The picturesque town has a population of 3,000 for 51 weeks of the year - but this all changes in the first week of June as a result of the event which dates from 1775. One traveller caused controversy by taking her pony to the 'chippy' with her on Thursday evening. The grey and white horse was spotted queuing patiently at the counter of Appleby's Riverside Fish and Chips. One local said: 'It's bad enough that they're galloping up and down the high street, but surely they don't have to go into takeaways with their owners.' Two years ago drinkers watched in bewilderment as a pony was trotted through the Crown and Cushion pub in the town. The pony's visit to the bar, thought to be to show it off for sale, was captured on CCTV. Meanwhile Scarlett Tipton, 17, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, was seen putting her pony Duchess through her paces on the streets of the town. She said: 'I love coming to Appleby, I'm here every year with my family. Duchess is loving the flashing lane this year, it's been great fun. I just wish the rain would stop.' MailOnline also spoke to fortune teller Melvina Smith on Thursday, who has been attending Appleby for 30 years. She said: 'The fair has changed so much over the years. It used to be a calm place where you could come to relax. A woman with her horse in The River Eden for the Appleby Horse Fair 'These days it's so much busier and it's sad that there's so much trouble now. You see a lot of bad behaviour, which is mostly down to drink.' Ms Smith, from Blackpool, Lancashire, bills herself as a 'true born gypsy' who reads palms and tells fortunes. She added: 'My mother and her mother before her had the gift and it's been passed down to me.' Travellers have also been washing their horses in the River Eden as part of a long-held tradition to prepare them for sale and to cool them off. However, some have also been accused of smashing up a cricket pavilion, racing carriages along village streets, threatening locals with a penknife and fouling footpaths with human excrement. A special police task force was also dealing with reports of burglary, criminal damage, racist abuse, knife crime. Cumbria Police said last Sunday that almost 30 arrests had been made in the Eden and South Lakes area as part of their pre-fair policing operation. Meanwhile, local sporting venue, Kirkby Lonsdale Cricket club, also saw its wooden pavilion smashed up. Cumbria Police said that three 10-year-old boys were arrested over the attack as part of the wider Appleby Fair policing operation. There were also problems at Woodclose Park caravan site where police investigated reports of criminal damage and the racial abuse of a security guard. It was reported that a group of traveller children had been abusive to staff and when asked to leave the park's reception set off fire extinguishers. In another earlier incident, police detained and handcuffed two traveller children after a penknife was produced in front of a shocked local on a riverside path. One of the biggest concerns for locals is also the welfare of the thousands of horses driven to Appleby to be traded in the streets. Last year two horses died at Appleby with both deaths being put down to exhaustion and overworking. The RSPCA intervened in 438 cases in total. Local campaigners say stricter regulations need to be placed on the event with spot checks on animal passports. The Appleby Fair Communities Group said: 'There are no checks on horse passports, we know horses are traded but the authorities never spot check passports. We know horses are moved, but with no check on passports ever. '
Daily Mail
37 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Statins slash death from terrifying 'hidden' condition that kills 48,000 a year by 40 per cent, new study finds
Taking statins can improve the chances of surviving 'hidden' killer sepsis by 40 per cent, a major new trial has found. Sepsis can occur when the body's immune system—which usually helps to fight infection—overreacts to an infection and attacks its own organs. It is notoriously difficult to spot as the telltale symptoms, such as a fever and muscle pain, can be easily mistaken for signs of a common cold or other infection. Statins are cholesterol-busting drugs that prevent heart attacks and strokes and are taken by around 5million adults in the UK. Experts have said they also have other benefits, including reducing inflammation and fighting bacteria that can ultimately lead to sepsis. The latest study compared survival rates of sepsis patients who were given statins, and those who didn't, during a hospital stay. It found the cholesterol-busting pills reduced risk of death for those with the life-threatening condition by 39 per cent. In the intensive care unit, 14.3 per cent of 6,000 sepsis patients who were given statins died within 28 days, compared with 23.4 per cent of 6,000 patients who were not. It also helped survival rates for those no longer in a critical condition—11 per cent of sepsis patients in this group given statins died compared to 19 per cent who were not. Meanwhile, those who were prescribed statins had a slightly longer stay in hospital than those who didn't—an average of 10 days compared to eight. Dr Caifeng Li, of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital in China and the study's author said: 'These results strongly suggest that statins may provide a protective effect and improve clinical outcomes for patients with sepsis.' The research team have called for larger trials to confirm their findings—which was based on a data from thousands of patients at a hospital in Israel over a decade. In response UK sepsis experts said that 'anything which might reduce the burden of a condition which claims one in five lives worldwide needs to be rigorously explored.' Dr Ron Daniels, founder and chief executive of the UK Sepsis Trust, added: 'It has been known for some time that the anti-inflammatory properties of statins confer a survival benefit on those who take them if they develop sepsis. 'Whilst previous studies have failed to show a similar survival benefit in treating people with sepsis with statins, this new study supports calls for a large, multi-country, randomised control trial. 'Anything which might reduce the burden of a condition which claims one in five lives worldwide needs to be rigorously explored.' The study is the latest to find statins, one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the UK, could have other health benefits beyond controlling cholesterol. Earlier this year researchers found taking the pills, which cost mere pennies a tablet, could also slash dementia risk—even in patients who don't have high cholesterol. Sepsis, known as the 'silent killer', strikes with frightening speed and, for every hour of delay, a patient's chance of dying increases 8 per cent. If caught early enough, it can be easily treated with intravenous antibiotics and fluids, but these must be given as soon as sepsis is suspected. The early symptoms of sepsis can be easily confused with more mild conditions, meaning it can be difficult to diagnose. A high temperature, chills and shivering, a fast heartbeat and rapid breathing are also indicators. A patient can rapidly deteriorate if sepsis is missed early on, so quick diagnosis and treatment is vital–yet this rarely happens. In the early stages, sepsis can be mistaken for a chest infection, flu or upset stomach. It is most common and dangerous in older adults, pregnant women, children younger than one, people with chronic conditions or those who have weakened immune systems. The six potential signs of the deadly condition can be identified by the acronym 'SEPSIS'. Slurred speech or confusion, Extreme shivering or muscle pain, Passing no urine in a day, Severe breathlessness, and Skin that's mottled or discoloured. Anyone who develops any of these symptoms should seek medical help urgently—and ask doctors: 'Could this be sepsis?'
