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The weight-loss benefits of injecting synthetic diabetes medication such as Ozempic have been well documented. Now some are touting the benefits of natural alternatives, such as Elcella, developed by British neuroscientists, and Calocurb, a supplement partly funded by the New Zealand government that aims to help the body release GLP-1 hormones.
Elcella is made of linseed oil, MCT coconut oil and coconut oil. When it reaches the L-cells, a type of enteroendocrine cell in the lining of the lower-gut intestine, it stimulates the release of “fullness hormones” GLP-1 and PYY (peptide tyrosine tyrosine). Users initially take four capsules twice a day (£189 for a one-month supply) before reducing to two a day when they reach their ideal weight. A consumer trial found that participants experienced an average of 6kg reduction in body weight, while 72 per cent of people reported fewer sugar and carb cravings. On average, participants lost 6kg in 12 weeks.
“Normally, the only oil your colon sees is inside seeds, so if the nerves detect oil [from the supplement] they say, ‘this is a precious reserve’ and slow things down,” says Professor Anthony Hobson, clinical director of The Functional Gut Clinic in London. He adds: “It looks like it could have interesting long-term effects on the gut microbiome because it targets the lower colon, which is harder to reach.”
