Francesco Rubino

With obesity medications like Wegovy and Zepbound dominating social media and conversations in doctors' offices, you might think that doctors at least have a good idea about what obesity is. But there really isn't a conclusive definition of the condition, with some clinicians maintaining it's a chronic disease, like high blood pressure or diabetes, while others say it's not a disease itself, but a risk factor for other diseases. 'There isn't a description in medical history, because historically, obesity has been recognized as a spectrum,' says Dr. Francesco Rubino, chair of metabolic and bariatric surgery at King's College London.
In 2024, he led a group of more than 50 international experts, convened by the medical journal the Lancet, in an effort to define obesity so doctors could better recognize, diagnose, and treat it as a disease. 'We found that nobody was entirely right when we started to discuss whether obesity is a disease or not, and also nobody was entirely wrong,' he says.
The committee came up with guidelines, published in January, to help doctors distinguish between preclinical obesity—in which people gain weight but may not yet have any negative health outcomes—and clinical obesity, in which people have symptoms such as diabetes or sleep apnea. It may seem semantic, but defining a condition that affects more than 1 billion people worldwide has consequences for treatment. Rubino says understanding where people fit on the obesity spectrum, and creating more useful distinctions between those at risk and those beginning to experience disease, will help more people to manage their weight better with medical help. Already, 79 major health organizations, including the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association and the World Obesity Federation, have endorsed the revised guidelines.

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Is This Nature's Ozempic? Dietitians Weigh in on the Metabolic Benefits of This Underrated Supplement

With GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy making headlines for their powerful effects on weight loss, it's no surprise people are asking: Can you boost GLP-1 naturally? The answer is yes, and there is compelling research that shows certain foods and supplements support this powerful appetite-regulating hormone. Dietitians are especially excited about one underrated nutrient: prebiotic chicory root fiber. Let's break down what GLP-1 is, how it works, and how your diet and lifestyle can naturally encourage your body to produce more of it. Chicory root fiber is a type of prebiotic fiber known as inulin, naturally found in the chicory plant. It feeds the beneficial bacteria in your gut, which ferment the fiber and produce compounds called short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These SCFAs, in turn, help trigger the release of GLP-1, a hormone that regulates appetite control, gut health, and blood sugar balance. Among prebiotic fibers, chicory root has compelling research to show that consuming at least 10 grams per day can lead to measurable improvements in satiety and metabolic health. Glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1, is a hormone made in the gut during digestion. 'It plays a key role in managing blood sugar levels by stimulating the pancreas to release insulin. GLP-1 also slows down the movement of food from the stomach, promoting the feeling of fullness and reducing appetite,' shares dietitian Gisela Belen Bouvier, MBA, RDN, LDN. If your goal is weight loss or weight management, increasing GLP-1 naturally can help reduce hunger cues, making sticking to a calorie deficit that much easier. The popularity of injectable GLP-1 agonist medications like Ozempic has brought attention to this hormone. But the conversation is expanding beyond medication to include food, supplements, and lifestyle strategies that also support your metabolic health. While many whole foods contain prebiotic fiber and are undoubtedly healthy to include in your diet (like bananas, onions, and asparagus), you'd need to eat five bananas, two large onions, or 10 cups of asparagus just to get five grams of the same fiber in chicory root. That's why functional foods or supplements containing chicory root fiber can be a more practical way to meet your daily intake—especially for people on GLP-1 medications who are eating less overall. Clinical trials back this up. For example, one systematic review and meta-analysis found that chicory root fiber significantly reduced body weight with a daily dose of 10 grams. Participants also saw reductions in BMI, fat mass, waist circumference, and body fat percentage. Meaning, you can lose fat and maintain muscle mass on your weight loss journey when you supplement with chicory root fiber. Similarly, in another study, participants consuming 16 grams per day of oligofructose-enriched inulin experienced a significant increase in GLP-1, along with improved hunger and satiety cues, and a 6-percent reduction in calorie intake compared to a placebo. These findings suggest that chicory root fiber isn't just good for your gut—it may also help you eat less, feel fuller, and support sustainable weight loss. But keep in mind, consistently taking the same amount of chicory root fiber is root fiber is generally considered very safe, especially since it supports the body's natural production of GLP-1. The most common side effect may be temporary digestive discomfort, such as bloating or gas, particularly if you add too much fiber too quickly. To minimize side effects, start slow and drink plenty of water to help your body adjust. Even individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may tolerate chicory root fiber well at lower doses. Research suggests that up to 10 grams per day of chicory root fiber can be tolerated by people with IBS, especially when introduced gradually. Chicory root fiber is becoming increasingly available in a variety of convenient formats, including gummies, powders, prebiotic drinks, protein bars, and meal replacement shakes. These products make it easier to get a meaningful dose of fiber—especially for people who are already eating less due to GLP-1 medications or want to control their appetite hormones naturally. When choosing a supplement, ideally, choose brands that use ingredients backed by human clinical research, particularly studies that show benefits related to GLP-1 and weight management. For weight loss, remember to consume the clinically significant dose of at least 10 grams of chicory root fiber per day, taken consistently for 8 weeks or more. 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The new Ozempic? Weight-loss pill Amycretin could be more effective than jabs

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5 foods that naturally stimulate the ‘Ozempic hormone' — without drugs

Want to shed pounds without getting poked? Your fork might be the fix. While GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have taken the weight-loss world by storm, there are some everyday foods that offer similar benefits naturally — no needle required. 'No one food is a magic bullet for anything, but getting a balanced diet rich in nutrition-dense foods is a great way to manage your appetite and feelings of being full,' Dr. Amir Khan, a general practitioner, said in an Instagram video. Advertisement Khan broke down five foods to add to your diet if you're looking to naturally boost your levels of GLP-1, the hunger-controlling hormone that these trendy drugs are designed to mimic. An added bonus: These foods are also packed with nutrients that benefit your whole body, not just your waistline. But first: what is GLP-1? Advertisement GLP-1 is a hormone released by the small intestine after you eat, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It plays several key roles in how the body processes food, including triggering insulin production to turn meals into energy and lower blood sugar levels. 5 About 12% of US adults have tried a GLP-1 drug. millaf – Advertisement It also suppresses glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar, and slows stomach emptying, which helps you feel fuller for longer. GLP-1 drugs mimic this natural process by curbing appetite and reducing food intake, often leading to weight loss. But according to Khan, some kitchen staples can produce similar effects. #1 Eggs Packed with protein and monounsaturated fats, eggs have been shown to help boost GLP-1 secretion. Advertisement 'Egg whites in particular are thought to be beneficial to GLP-1 release,' Khan said. 5 Eggs may even help trigger the release of GLP-1 and other satiety hormones. Mara Zemgaliete – A 2016 study compared a bagel breakfast to one with three eggs. The egg meal led to lower blood sugar after eating, less hunger, and reduced food intake over the next 24 hours. #2 Certain nuts Almonds, pistachios, and walnuts may help boost GLP-1 thanks to their fiber, protein, and healthy fats. These nutrients work together to slow digestion, leading to a more steady rise in blood sugar and improving insulin sensitivity. #3 High-fiber grains Grains like oats, barley and whole wheat are packed with soluble fiber, which dissolves in water and forms a gel-like substance in your gut. 5 Soluble fiber, found in oats, barley, and rye, slows down the digestion process. baibaz – Advertisement This gel slows digestion and the release of glucose into your bloodstream, preventing sugar spikes and triggering GLP-1 release. #4 Olive oil 'Studies suggest unsaturated fats, like those in olive oil, stimulate GLP-1 release better than saturated fats found in butter,' Khan explained. Olive oil also slows carbohydrate digestion, helping prevent rapid blood sugar spikes. Advertisement Its polyphenols and vitamin E provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits that support hormone regulation — including GLP-1. A 2021 review found that a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil led to higher post-meal GLP-1 levels, improved insulin sensitivity, and lower blood sugar compared to diets high in saturated fats. #5 Some vegetables Veggies like Brussels sprouts, broccoli and carrots are loaded with fiber, which helps regulate blood sugar. Advertisement Gut bacteria break down that fiber into short-chain fatty acids, which Khan says signal gut cells to release GLP-1 into the bloodstream. 5 Vegetables are high in fiber, vitamins and minerals, which can help regulate blood sugar and GLP-1 levels. Wolfilser – A 2022 study found that eating vegetables before carbs significantly improved glucose and GLP-1 levels in people with type 2 diabetes — especially an hour after eating. America's weight problem Advertisement About one in eight US adults have tried a GLP-1 drug, according to a 2024 KFF poll. Among them, nearly four in 10 say weight loss was the primary reason. Obesity is an epidemic in America, with more than two in five adults and nearly one in five kids and teens classified as obese, per the CDC. The health fallout is huge. Obesity is a risk factor for a wide range of chronic conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, kidney disease and even several cancers. But it's not just physical. Obesity can take a toll on mental health, with research showing it increases the risk of developing low self-esteem, depression, eating disorders and chronic stress. On top of that, people with obesity often face bias at school and work, taking a serious toll on their quality of life.