Our weight-loss columnist and type 1 diabetic, Alice Dogruyol, looks to leave the weight-loss drug Wegovy behind to embrace a more natural path to a healthy weight on her weight-loss journey.

Words: Alice Dogruyol. Images: Shutterstock and various brands. Headshot: David Venni

During the past year, I’ve embarked on a journey that I’m sure many of you can relate to – finding a sustainable, healthy way to manage my weight. Like countless others, I experimented with various diets, workout routines and wellness trends, each promising transformative results. But nothing seemed to stick, until I discovered Wegovy, a prescription medication designed to support weight loss. At first, Wegovy felt like the perfect solution. (You can read Alice’s initial thoughts on Wegovy here)

My appetite diminished, the pounds started to melt away, and for the first time in years, I felt a sense of hope. However, as time went on, I began to question if this was truly the best path for me. The side effects of nausea, fatigue, constipation and disruptions in my menstrual cycle became increasingly bothersome. The thought of relying on yet another pharmaceutical long term didn’t sit well with me. Adding to my concerns was the advice from my IVF doctors to discontinue Wegovy before my final frozen embryo transfer.

Yes, at 47, I’m making one last attempt to have a child using embryos I created in my early 40s, after several rounds of IVF. This personal milestone pushed me to reconsider my approach to weight management as the doctors also want me to get my BMI down before they attempt the transfer – so weight loss is still a focus. Now, I’m on a mission to transition off Wegovy and replace it with a more natural, holistic approach.

I’m aware that I’ll likely need support from supplements, my insatiable hunger could return, and the weight might start to creep back on. To prepare, I’ve been researching natural alternatives to help me navigate this transition. I reached out to several nutritional experts to help craft the ultimate weight-loss toolkit.

One of the key resources I found is The Slimming Clinic (theslimmingclinic.com), the UK’s largest provider of private, non-surgical, medical weight-management solutions. It offers doctor-led online weight-loss programmes that combine diet, exercise, lifestyle changes, and prescription GLP1 medications like Wegovy.

However, I made it clear that my goal was to get off Wegovy, so after an in-depth consultation, I was referred to Sarah Abdula, a specialist weight management dietician. Sarah advised me to increase my fibre intake and introduced me to Zinzino Balance Oil, a blend of omegas 3 and 6. This supplement is said to reduce hunger, boost calorie-burn, regulate blood sugar and minimise fat storage. I’ll be checking in with Sarah periodically as I wean off Wegovy.

NAD+ for metabolism

At the Health Optimisation Show earlier this year, I discovered NAD+ AT HOME, a brand that offers subcutaneous NAD+ injections which you do yourself. After several weeks of using them, I’ve been amazed by the improvements in my energy and focus. NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a vitamin B3 derivative, is a coenzyme found in all living cells, playing a crucial role in energy metabolism and cellular function.

As you age, NAD+ levels decline, leading to reduced energy, slower metabolism and potential weight gain. After starting with a low dose, I gradually increased it, and soon noticed higher energy levels and better focus. Even more surprising, my brain fog lifted, and I became more productive. Research published in the journal Cell Metabolism supports these observations, showing that NAD+ can enhance fat oxidation, increase energy expenditure, and improve insulin sensitivity – all critical factors for weight loss.

Alice’s must-haves:

Berberine for blood sugar

Another supplement I’m incorporating into my routine is berberine, specifically dihydroberberine (DHB), known for its Wegovy-like appetite-suppressing and blood sugar-regulating effects. Berberine is a compound extracted from plants like barberry and goldenseal, and it has been used for centuries in traditional medicine.

Modern science has begun to reveal its benefits for weight loss, particularly its ability to regulate blood sugar. By activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), berberine helps increase insulin sensitivity, reduce glucose production in the liver and improve glucose uptake in cells. A meta-analysis in the journal Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity found that berberine supplementation led to significant reductions in body weight, BMI and waist circumference, making it a promising natural option.

Spermidine for improved cellular health

At the Oxford Longevity Summit, I had the pleasure of meeting Leslie Kenny, the inspiring health entrepreneur and founder of Oxford Healthspan, renowned for creating what many consider the best spermidine supplement on the market, Primeadine. Spermidine has gained significant attention in the longevity community as a powerful compound with promising anti-ageing and metabolic benefits. It plays a vital role in autophagy – the body’s natural process of cleaning out damaged cells and regenerating new ones – a key function for maintaining cellular health and supporting fat loss.

As someone who practises low-carb living and intermittent fasting, both of which also promote autophagy, I’m excited to see how incorporating spermidine will enhance these metabolic processes, especially once I transition off Wegovy. A study in Nature Medicine even highlighted spermidine’s potential to extend lifespan and improve metabolic health in mice, suggesting it could be a game-changer for fat metabolism. I have a feeling we’ll be hearing much more about this supplement in the near future.

Nutrients for better digestive balance

Wegovy has disrupted my digestion; I used to have a regular routine, but now I can go days without a bowel movement. To address this, I’m turning to Equi London’s Lean Formula, a comprehensive multi-nutrient supplement designed to support weight loss while nourishing and balancing the body.

This formula includes 50 nutrients, with ingredients like chromium to regulate blood sugar levels and suppress cravings, glucomannan to reduce hunger, and green coffee bean extract to boost metabolism and brain function. I am looking forward to getting my body back into its natural equilibrium. I’m both nervous and excited about stopping Wegovy, and I need to speak with my endocrinologist to make sure I wean off it safely. But I’m hopeful that my new habit of eating less will stick, especially with my natural weight-loss toolkit by my side.

Wegovy jump-started my weight-loss journey, but now I’m ready to transition to a more natural approach, one that supports not just my weight goals but also my overall health as I prepare for my final IVF attempt.

To connect with Alice, visit instagram.com/Alice_Dogruyol.

Read Alice’s weight loss columns here!