The global fight against obesity is witnessing a significant shift, with British scientists announcing a new 'natural Mounjaro' pill, Elcella, designed to curb appetite without the debilitating side effects often associated with conventional slimming jabs like Ozempic and Mounjaro. This development comes as the cost of popular weight-loss drugs is set to skyrocket, prompting many to seek accessible and natural alternatives for managing their weight and health.

Developed by Dr. Madusha Peiris and Dr. Rubina Aktar from Queen Mary University, London, Elcella is a £49-a-week capsule formulated from just three natural oils: linseed oil (flaxseed), coconut oil, and MCT oil. Taken twice a day, these capsules are engineered with a special coating that ensures they are not broken down in the stomach but instead reach the colon, where they release their ingredients. This unique delivery system allows Elcella to hyperactivate the gut hormones GLP-1 and peptide YY, which naturally signal fullness to the brain. Unlike synthetic GLP-1 mimics used in drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, Elcella stimulates the body's own natural appetite-reducing hormones, thereby avoiding common side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, and high blood pressure.

Clinical trials of Elcella have shown promising results, with patients cutting their calorie intake by 18 percent and losing an average of 1 stone 1 pound in 12 weeks, with no reported side effects. One of the first British dieters to benefit, Clare, a 52-year-old healthcare worker from Hertfordshire, experienced a life-changing transformation. Struggling with constant hunger induced by medication for a gut condition and weighing 13 stone 10 pounds, Clare lost over 3 stone, 18cm from her waist, and went down two dress sizes in just 12 weeks on Elcella. She noted that unlike friends on weight-loss jabs who lost the pleasure of eating, she still enjoyed meals and wine, simply without the constant desire to overeat. Dr. Peiris and Dr. Aktar express hope that Elcella could 'help solve the global obesity epidemic,' emphasizing that it aids the gut in releasing hormones it naturally produces, thus preventing dependency and offering additional benefits like less stomach pain, healthier hair and nails, and more regular bowel movements.

The urgent need for such alternatives is underscored by recent news regarding Mounjaro, one of the most popular GLP-1 weight loss drugs. Manufacturer Eli Lilly announced a staggering 170 percent price hike from September 1, raising the monthly cost from £122 to £330. This move, reportedly influenced by pressure from President Trump to make products cheaper for American citizens, has led to panic buying and desperate searches for more affordable or natural methods to manage weight, especially for the two in three UK adults who are overweight or obese, a condition linked to a 39 percent rise in type 2 diabetes among under-40s and at least 13 types of cancer.

In response to this growing demand, nutritionist Kim Pearson offers a comprehensive seven-step diet plan designed to achieve a 'natural Mounjaro effect' by stimulating the body's own appetite-regulating hormones through food. Pearson, who successfully lost 3.5 stone on Mounjaro but has continued to lose weight through diet alone, emphasizes that it is perfectly possible to shed pounds without drugs. Her approach focuses on tapping into the natural GLP-1 response, which is a gut hormone that regulates blood sugar and signals fullness to the brain.

Kim Pearson's seven-step guide includes:

1. Eat 30 Plant Foods a Week: To boost GLP-1 production, it is crucial to nourish the gut microbiome with a diverse range of plant foods. This includes not just fruits and vegetables, but also nuts, seeds, herbs, spices, and legumes. Avoiding ultra-processed foods (UPFs), which negatively impact GLP-1 production, is also key. Simple strategies like adding mixed nuts, seeds, and beans can quickly increase plant-food intake.

2. Bust the Snack Habit with Fibre: Fibre not only stimulates GLP-1 but also Peptide YY, another appetite-decreasing hormone. Prioritizing vegetables rich in fermentable fibre and phytochemicals is essential. Reversing the typical plate composition to emphasize varied vegetable portions over starchy carbs, and incorporating fruits like apples (known for the antioxidant quercetin which stimulates GLP-1 secretion), can help. Aim for around 30g of fibre daily.

3. Fill Up on (Virtually) Calorie-Free Noodles: Introducing konjac, a South-East Asian plant containing glucomannan dietary fibre, can significantly aid satiety. Konjac expands in the stomach upon absorbing water, keeping one feeling fuller for longer. Available in supplement form or as virtually calorie-free noodles, it also delays gastric emptying and reduces the absorption of accompanying carbohydrates and fats.

4. Quash Your Appetite with a Probiotic: The probiotic strain Akkermansia Muciniphila, naturally found in the gut, has gained attention for its ability to increase GLP-1 levels. While a healthy gut should contain 1-4 percent of this bacteria, some individuals have none. Supplements, though not cheap, are available to boost these beneficial bacteria.

5. Use Good Olive Oil to Boost Full-Up Feeling: Studies show that meals rich in olive oil trigger a higher GLP-1 response compared to those with butter, suggesting unsaturated fatty acids are more effective at stimulating fullness signals. High-quality extra virgin olive oil, rich in flavonoids, should be used in moderation to optimize this effect, alongside other flavonoid sources like avocados and nuts.

6. Banish Tummy Rumbles with Protein: Dietary proteins are powerful stimulators of GLP-1 and are known to provide sustained fullness. Aim for 20-30g of protein with every meal, choosing lean organic meats, chicken, fish, or plant-based sources like tofu, tempeh, chickpeas, lentils, and other pulses. Protein powders can also supplement intake.

7. Stop Overeating by Taking Your Time: Mindful eating practices, such as cooking meals from scratch, unplugging from electronic devices during meals, chewing slowly, and savoring each mouthful, enhance the 'cephalic phase' of digestion. This primal response, triggered by the thought, sight, and smell of food, stimulates gastric juices and helps prevent overeating by increasing awareness of fullness signals.

As a practical guide, a super-seeded loaf recipe, rich in protein and fibre from ingredients like sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, oats, and psyllium husks, is recommended as a healthy alternative to traditional breads. A sample daily meal plan designed to activate GLP-1 includes a high-fibre smoothie for breakfast, scrambled eggs with a vegetable-rich salad for lunch, and a protein and vegetable-packed stir-fry with konjac noodles for dinner. Both Elcella and these dietary strategies offer promising, natural pathways for individuals to take control of their health and tackle the obesity crisis without relying on expensive, potentially side-effect-laden pharmaceutical interventions.