Kourtney Kardashian Barker’s supplement brand, Lemme, has faced significant scrutiny following the launch of its new “Ozempic-style” weight-loss supplement, GLP-1 Daily. This comes amidst years of claims that the Kar-Jenner sisters, including Kim Kardashian, Khloe, and Kylie, have used Ozempic—a drug originally for diabetes that gained popularity as a weight-loss aid in 2022. Lemme’s new product is accused of capitalizing on this trend, despite not containing the same key ingredients as the prescription drug.

Ozempic is a weekly injectable medication that utilizes a synthetic version of the GLP-1 hormone, naturally released by the body after eating. When injected, this man-made hormone slows digestion, reduces hunger, and promotes weight loss. Its use by celebrities, such as Lottie Moss who suffered a seizure from an overdose, has further amplified its presence in pop culture.

Lemme’s GLP-1 Daily supplement is directly named after the Ozempic hormone and is marketed to “reduce body weight, visceral fat, and hip and waist circumference.” While Lemme emphasizes its product uses natural ingredients like lemon and saffron extracts to purportedly increase GLP-1 levels over time, it explicitly avoids the synthetic GLP-1 found in Ozempic. Despite this, Kourtney promoted an article that discussed her desire to be “in on the Ozempic boom,” and brand emails described the supplement as “a GLP-1 solution without the side effects” of Ozempic.

The product has drawn immediate criticism from fans and medical experts alike. Many fans, who remember Kourtney’s past outspokenness on body positivity, accused her of creating a “facade” and engaging in “false marketing” to exploit insecurities. The pills are also expensive, costing £69 for a one-time purchase of 30 servings, or £55.23 with a monthly subscription.

Doctors and plastic surgeons have also expressed strong skepticism about the supplement’s effectiveness. Naveen Cavale, a plastic surgeon at Real Plastic Surgery, criticized Kourtney for “cashing in” on young women struggling with body image, calling the product “incredibly misleading.” He warned that such products offer “false hope while offering little in terms of real results” and could exacerbate mental health issues like anxiety, stress, and depression by leading to frustration and feelings of failure due to ineffective outcomes.

Cavale further explained that Ozempic contains semaglutide, a rigorously tested GLP-1 receptor proven to promote significant weight loss by regulating blood sugar, reducing appetite, and slowing digestion. Lemme’s supplement lacks this key ingredient. He clarified that if it did contain GLP-1, it would be classified as a drug, not a supplement. Despite claims of boosting GLP-1 levels with plant-based extracts, Cavale asserted there is “little to no clinical evidence to support significant weight loss from these ingredients.”

A critical detail is Lemme’s small print disclaimer, which states its claims have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and that the product is “not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.” This is significant because FDA approval ensures products have been thoroughly tested for efficiency and safety, a standard not met by Lemme’s supplements.

Kourtney Kardashian launched Lemme in September 2022, following her long-standing reputation as the most health-conscious Kardashian sister, known for strict diets and a wellness focus sparked by the birth of her eldest son, Mason. However, Lemme has faced multiple controversies prior to the GLP-1 Daily release.

In February of the previous year, Lemme launched “Lemme Purr,” vagina gummies marketed to boost vaginal health and alter taste. This product drew sharp condemnation from gynecologist Dr. Jen Gunter, author of ‘The Vagina Bible’, who called it a “misogynist and awful” “grift,” particularly challenging the notion that a vagina needs an improved taste or freshness.

Similarly, in June, Lemme released “Smooth” capsules, claiming to reduce cellulite in just 28 days using ingredients like French Cantaloupe Melon (SOD B Dimpless). Again, medical experts, including Naveen Cavale, dismissed these as a “fad” and an “ineffective solution to a perfectly normal condition,” emphasizing that cellulite is natural and common, and such pills lack scientific backing. The same FDA disclaimer applies to these products as well, reinforcing concerns about their efficacy and safety claims.