I refused Ozempic due to horror side effects – could Kourtney Kardashian's £2 ‘natural' alternative help me lose weight?

Scottish Sun

01-05-2025

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FROM celebrities to mums at school, it seems everyone is using weight loss jabs these days.
As a woman who has desperately tried everything to slim down, I was tempted to turn to 'wonder' drugs like Ozempic, too.
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The thought of fat jabs horrified Donna Richardson - so she opted for the so-called 'weight management' capsule created by Kourtney Kardashian
Credit: Lorna Roach
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At her heaviest, Donna tipped the scales at 17st 7lbs last year despite being an active, outdoorsy person
Credit: Supplied
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Lemme GLP-1 Daily claims to help reduce cravings by supporting the production of GLP-1, a hormone that controls your appetite
Credit: Instagram/@kourtneykardash
I tipped the scales at 17st 7lbs last year, the heaviest I'd ever been.
I felt fat and unfit, having gained 4st since the pandemic due to emotional overeating, as well as taking anxiety medication and hitting my forties.
Despite being a relatively fit person who loves outdoor activities like hiking and skiing, food was my weakness. To compound matters, my job as a self-employed lifestyle journalist meant working unpredictable hours and grabbing fast food on the go.
But the thought of fat jabs terrified me.
I'd read about horrific side effects like vomiting, saggy skin and hair falling out. I wanted something more natural and less daunting – could a so-called 'weight management' capsule created by Kourtney Kardashian's supplements brand be the answer?
Lemme GLP-1 Daily claims to help reduce cravings by supporting the production of GLP-1, a hormone that controls blood sugar and appetite, similar to Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic.
The supplement contains Eriomin lemon fruit extract, Supresa saffron extract and Morosil blood orange extract.
Critics say the science around whether these three ingredients can really aid weight loss is limited at best.
But small studies have shown Eriomin – an antioxidant – can increase GLP-1 levels, while a two-month study claimed Supresa led to decreased appetite and sugar cravings.
Morosil has a high content of anthocyanins, an antioxidant thought to help the metabolism and boost weight loss.
Doctor slams Kourtney Kardashian's new OZEMPIC pills as star accused of 'cashing in on it' and claims her 'fad product' won't even work
The Lemme supplement was cheaper than jabs, costing £183 for a three-month supply, around £2 per day, plus shipping from America, compared to £199 a month or more for a private supply of Ozempic – and no pharmacist to go through.
However, I sought my doctor's advice before ordering, to ensure it wouldn't negatively interact with any of my medications.
I had other reservations, too.
My mum died of pancreatic cancer in 2007 and I'd read GLP-1 might increase the risk of pancreatitis, as well as the product not undergoing rigorous medical trials, like the jabs have.
Nevertheless, I decided to order a three-month supply online – the minimum time recommended to see an effect – and when they arrived a few days later at the end of January, I was eager to start.
The makers recommend following a healthy diet rich in colourful fruit and veg and fibre, as well as reducing stress, being active and getting restful sleep.
My weight was 17st 7lbs and I was wearing a size 20, with a BMI of 39.6, which is classed as obese for my 5ft 7ins height.
But my first challenge was two back-to-back trips abroad for work, which would involve staying in places with lots of rich food on offer.
Could Lemme help me resist?
I decided to have my dose of two capsules a day first thing. Luckily, they were easy to swallow and tasteless.
Resist cravings
They took a couple of days to take effect, but halfway through a meal I suddenly realised I felt surprisingly full.
Another thing that worked in my favour was coming down with flu after my first trip away. I spent four days in bed, eating very little.
I experienced stomach cramps, though I couldn't tell if they were due to the pills or the illness. Lemme say there are no known side effects, but there may be an adjustment period.
Two weeks into my trial, I was away again, but the capsules seemed to have properly kicked in and I felt less hungry, particularly at breakfast.
I was also trying to stick to two meals a day and make healthy food choices, conscious I was eating less and needing more nutrients.
By the time I got back, I was already 4lbs down on my starting weight and felt delighted.
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Critics say the science around whether these three ingredients in Lemme can really aid weight loss is limited at best
Credit: lemme/Instagram
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While taking the supplements, Donna also made a huge effort to get back on track with exercise
Credit: Supplied
On the couple of days where I forgot to take them due to being busy, I noticed I was hungrier, suggesting this wasn't a placebo effect.
Unfortunately, once home, I slipped into bad old habits, especially during the school holidays.
On days out with my eight-year-old daughter Amelia, many attractions only had fast food options like burgers and chips, plus I didn't have time to get to my usual twice-weekly Beatz workout classes.
While I still felt less peckish, my weight loss slowed down due to my food choices, showing that what you eat is as important as how much.
Taking the supplement first thing meant I immediately felt full, plus I was getting a few stomach aches and a bit of constipatio
Taking the supplement first thing meant I immediately felt full, plus I was getting a few stomach aches and a bit of constipation. So I decided to experiment with taking them at night instead.
This really helped and my 3am fridge raids for snacks decreased – a habit that had been triggered since starting anxiety medication.
Going into my second month, I noticed I was generally less hungry and losing a pound or two a week.
By the halfway point, I'd dropped 8lb.
In situations where I knew I was going to have to eat, like nights out with friends and dinners with my fiancé John, I was able to choose smaller portions and still feel satisfied.
Decline in cravings
But as I hit the third month, I went into a stressful work period and the juggle of career, home and family meant my food choices were less healthy.
The number on the scales began to creep back up.
Seeing my good work undone, I felt I had let myself down.
I made a huge effort to get back on track, exercising five times a week, with gym sessions on top of my classes, and eating well again.
There was a decline in cravings for sugary snacks and my weight started to go in the right direction.
That was until Easter hit and the temptation of chocolate eggs was too much.
The result was a 4lb gain.
With two weeks of my three-month trial to go, I got back on the wagon with determination.
By the time I'd swallowed the final capsule in my supply, I was 16st 5lbs, more than a stone lighter than when I'd started.
I was comfortably fitting into size 18 clothes and even some size 16.
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By the time Donna swallowed the final capsule in her supply, she was 16st 5lbs - over a stone lighter than when she started
Credit: Lorna Roach
My BMI still had a way to go to reach a healthy 24.9, but it was a start.
I was dubious about whether this supplement could work as the science seemed limited, compared to the clear scientific benefits of weight loss jabs.
But I've been pleasantly surprised by Lemme GLP-1.
The results speak for themselves – I'm lighter, my clothes fit better and I've got more energy.
No, it wasn't a dramatic weight loss, but I'm glad, as this feels much more natural.
After all, what is life without enjoyment? With this supplement, you can still have nice food, but the feeling of fullness means you just don't eat as much.
The results speak for themselves – I'm lighter, my clothes fit better and I've got more energy.
I do worry that if I stop taking them, my appetite will return to before.
But ultimately, I believe this is better in the long run as it also teaches you sustainable healthy habits rather than being a dramatic quick fix.
Now I'm ordering more capsules, hoping to lose another 3st to get back to my pre-Covid weight.
I'm determined to get there so I can start planning my wedding to John.
I didn't feel confident enough to walk down the aisle before, but thanks to Lemme, I'm on my way – and won't turn back.
Lemme GLP-1 is available from lemmelive.com and iHerb.com