A Treatise on GLP-1s & Metabolic Health

by Eric Munson | August 3, 2026

How GLP-1s and metabolic health are influencing weight management and overall health.

Weight management remains one of the most important health concerns globally. Consumers are increasingly concerned about physical health and are looking for effective, natural ways to manage their weight.

Two of the growing drivers for the category are GLP-1 drugs and metabolic health.

Shaheen Majeed, global CEO and managing director of Sabinsa Corporation (East Windsor, NJ), said weight management has grown beyond simple “calorie-in, calorie-out” conversations. Consumers are much now more sophisticated and aware of the broader implications of their health beyond just how their clothes fit.

They’re seeking solutions to address underlying metabolic factors such as insulin sensitivity, lipid balance and chronic low-grade inflammation. The GLP-1 drug phenomenon has accelerated this shift. There is an entirely new class of consumers who either can’t access pharmaceutical interventions or choose not to use them, and those who are looking for botanicals and clinically studied ingredients. Those on GLP-1s are increasingly aware of the need to supplement their nutritional intake, Majeed added.

“What’s particularly encouraging from an industry standpoint is the growing recognition that metabolic syndrome is the real driver of weight challenges for many people. It’s not simply about appetite suppression anymore,” Majeed said. “Formulators and brands are thinking more holistically, building products that support healthy lipid and blood sugar levels already within the normal range, and healthy body composition.”

According to Silvia Mont Darley, scientific marketing specialist at Euromed USA (Bridgeville, PA), 46 percent of consumers want to lose weight and 24 percent reported weight gain over the past year.

“While GLP-1 medications are reshaping the category, there is also growing demand for effective and sustainable nutritional solutions that support appetite control, body composition, metabolic health and overall well-being,” Darley said.

“The class of GLP-1 agonists are still dominating the weight management conversation and spurring a wave of new product development,” added Annie Eng, CEO of Florida-based HP Ingredients. “An emerging area is post-GLP-1 therapy when users are greatly concerned about gaining the weight back. Another concern for those on GLP-1 agonists is noticeable muscle loss, which reduces metabolic rate.”

GLP-1s Influence the Market

According to Cosimo Palumbo, COO of Indena USA (Aliso Viejo, CA), the current “GLP-1 Effect” in the weight management category introduced new opportunities for natural health products. It created market growth and broadened awareness for the importance of other health conditions when losing or maintaining healthy weight.

Florencia Moreno Torres, global marketing manager at Belgium-based Rousselot, observed two major trends related to GLP-1s and weight management.

“On one hand, we have an increase in ingredients boosting natural GLP-1 secretion—these ingredients find their place in formulations often targeting weight management support and metabolic health,” Torres said. “On the other hand, protein remains the main trend in weight management positioning—heavily pushed by the boom in GLP-1 companion products which cater to the needs of the increasing population of GLP-1 therapy users (more protein and fiber, less sugar) while also being relevant for anyone on a weight loss journey.”

Vincent Hackel, CEO and president of JBSL-USA and SloIron (Walnut Creek, CA) said GLP-1 remains a buzzword surrounding weight management and observed a trend in ingredients positioned in relation to GLP-1.

“This can be done either through focusing on how an ingredient can support current GLP-1 users or through offering individuals a similar strategy to weight management as GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs—targeting metabolic health and appetite suppression—but with a natural ingredient,” Hackel said.

According to Leslie Lannebère, global marketing director at Nexira (Somerville, NJ), weight management is being redefined by the conversation on GLP-1s.

“Consumers are no longer looking for ‘miracle pills,’ but for credible, natural and science-backed solutions that support appetite control, satiety, digestive comfort and long-term metabolic wellness. Fiber, protein and gut health are now central to the category, with consumers seeking practical products that fit daily routines,” Lannebère said.

Maggie McNamara, vice president of marketing at Texas-based Saanroo, added weight management continues to evolve beyond traditional diet-focused approaches. Consumers still care about healthy weight, but they want solutions that support overall wellness such as gut health, energy, appetite regulation, healthy aging and long-term metabolic health.

“We’re also seeing consumers move away from quick fixes toward more sustainable lifestyle support. Growing awareness of GLP-1 medications has helped fuel this shift by drawing more attention to satiety, body composition, nutrient intake, and metabolic wellness. As a result, consumers are seeking products that work with the body’s natural processes and fit into a broader health and wellness routine,” McNamara explained.

Developments and Innovations

Darley said innovation is increasingly focused on ingredients that can complement weight management routines such as protein, fiber and solutions for GLP-1 side effects.

“At the same time, there is growing interest in clinically supported botanical ingredients and food-based solutions that can naturally support weight management, metabolic wellness, and healthy lifestyle interventions. These areas are expected to drive significant product development in the coming years,” Darley said.

Although GLP-1-based positioning is quickly rising, the strongest opportunities for supplements are in safe, natural ingredients that support satiety and appetite management without overpromising, according to Lannebère.

Torres said there is “something very interesting” happening with innovation around weight management and it has extended far beyond “losing weight.”

“We are starting to see a shift where weight management is no longer the end goal, but part of something bigger, which is metabolic health. The latest weight management product developments are taking a more proactive approach in catering to not only healthy weight management but also glucose control, insulin response, and overall metabolic balance,” Torres explained.

According to Majeed, the science around metabolic pathways was previously considered “too complex to target” with botanical ingredients.

“Adipogenesis inhibition, adiponectin modulation, and gut microbiota influence on body composition are areas where serious preclinical and clinical research is now validating mechanisms that we at Sabinsa identified years ago,” Majeed said.

McNamara added one of the most innovative developments is the growing understanding of the relationship between the gut microbiome and metabolic health.

“Consumers and brands alike are recognizing that weight management is about much more than the number on a scale. Areas such as gut barrier integrity, beneficial bacteria, inflammation, energy regulation and overall metabolic function are increasingly important,” she said.

Natural Ingredients

Raw material suppliers recognize the growing demand for ingredients that provide a more holistic approach to both weight management and overall health.

Euromed’s weight management portfolio consists of botanical ingredients that address complementary aspects of metabolic health, body composition and healthy aging. Ingredients include perFix, ABAlife, Pomanox and Spisar.

“Together, these ingredients reflect a broader approach to weight management: supporting fat metabolism, glucose control, satiety, cardiometabolic resilience and muscle preservation,” Darley said.

HP Ingredients innovated a blend that helps accelerate weight loss for those trying to drop pounds. CitruSlim is a blend of Citrus bergamia Risso extract with Adapticort Eurycoma longfiolia, both with their own set of studies demonstrating benefits.

Nexira offers a 360-degree natural approach to weight management including solutions for appetite control, fat binding, water elimination, enzyme inhibition, detox and microbiome modulation.

“Our latest innovation is Carolean, a proprietary, patent-pending complex combining carob and nopal,” Lannebère said. “Its mechanism combines delayed gastric emptying with incretin modulation. In preclinical studies, Carolean doubled GLP-1 levels, reduced the hunger hormone ghrelin by 67 percent, decreased food intake by up to 47 percent, and restored calorie intake to near-normal levels despite a high-fat diet. Together, these findings support Carolean as a science-backed natural solution aligned with the new generation of appetite-management products.”

Indena’s core weight management ingredients feature unique Indena Phytosome formulations designed to improve efficacy and better absorption. The line included Berbevis Berberine, Greenselect and Ubiqsome.

CurCousin from Sabinsa is an ingredient standardized to more than 99 percent calebin-A, a curcuminoid found naturally in Curcuma longa and Curcuma cassia.

“From a weight management perspective, CurCousin supports healthy lipid levels, healthy blood sugar levels already within the normal range, and healthy body composition by supporting pathways involved in fat metabolism,” Majeed said. “Research in this area has shown that it may inhibit adipogenesis and favorably influence adiponectin and leptin levels, which are key biomarkers in the metabolic health picture.”

Rousselot’s Nextida GC is a specific collagen peptide composition whose efficacy has been observed in two double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials.

“As observed in clinical trials, Nextida GC intake 30 min before a meal boosted GLP-1 and GIP secretion, lowered the glucose spike, and improved the insulin response. As such, Nextida GC could deliver multi-benefit support—from satiety and cravings reduction to weight management—by improving glycemic control and reducing post-meal glucose spikes,” Torres explained.

Saanroo is excited about the emerging science on Trpti, its bioavailable oleoylethanolamide (OEA) ingredient. A clinical trial showed Trpti significantly increased Akkermansia muciniphila, one of the most studied beneficial bacteria linked to gut barrier integrity and metabolic health. ActivAMP is a patented Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract that supports AMPK activity and helps meet growing consumer interest in ingredients for healthy body composition, energy utilization and active lifestyles.

JBSL-USA’s ChalCurb is derived from the sap of the ashitaba (Angelica keiskei) plant endemic to Japan and contains rare flavonoids called chalcones. ChalCurb has been shown to help reduce visceral fat and waist circumference and lower the “hunger hormone” ghrelin.

SloIron is plant ferritin iron that also works well in GLP-1 support products. Iron deficiency is the largest nutrient deficiency on the rise among GLP-1 drug users. It is believed to be partially caused by “delayed gastric emptying” of the GLP-1 receptors agonists.

“Typical non-heme iron supplements (iron salts and chelates) rely on stomach acid to be properly absorbed into the gut via the DMT-1 channel, however, delayed gastric emptying can decrease the exposure of oral iron supplements to stomach acid and therefore stunt the absorption of the iron,” Hackel explained.

Who Are Using These Products?

Weight management products now appeal to a broad range of consumers, particularly those concerned about weight gain and overall health.

According to Palumbo, the market is being driven by younger, active consumers. There is a strong correlation between products that can support metabolic composition and wellness behaviors such as maintaining physical activity, making healthy food choices and proactively managing overall health.

“Although consumers of all ages are seeking solutions, GLP-1 usage is highest among younger generations, with Gen Z twice as likely as Baby Boomers to report using these medications,” Darley explained. “Beyond weight loss, consumers are also motivated by goals, such as improving appearance, supporting long-term health, boosting confidence and reducing health risks associated with excess weight.”

According to Majeed, the consumer profile has broadened considerably. A few years ago, the market was mainly acute weight-loss goals.

“Today we’re seeing sustained interest from the 40-plus demographic who are managing the metabolic changes that come with aging, as well as a younger cohort who are proactively addressing risk factors they’re seeing in their bloodwork or hearing about from their health care providers. These are educated consumers who read labels, consult clinical references, and choose brands that substantiate their claims,” Majeed explained.

McNamara said today’s weight management consumers are incredibly diverse—from active adults to healthy aging consumers to busy professionals to individuals seeking support for wellness before, during, and after a weight management journey.

“Consumers are also more informed than ever. They want products backed by credible science and are increasingly interested in benefits that go beyond weight management. Ingredients that support energy, digestive health, body composition, and overall well-being resonate because they align with how consumers think about health today,” McNamara added.

According to Eng, weight-loss ingredients are being used by various demographics such as wellness-focused Generation Z and Millenials, amateur athletes and fitness trainers, post-partum women, perimenopausal women, men focused on getting rid of “dad bod,” and former GLP-1 users who are concerned about gaining weight back.

“Both the population of GLP-1 receptor agonist users as well as non-users looking for weight management products would be using these types of products because GLP-1 drugs are not always accessible for the general population and even when they are accessible, users may look for more natural alternatives that can continue to provide benefits after stopping usage of the drugs,” Hackel said.

“These products appeal to consumers looking for more natural support in their weight management journey, including people focused on portion control, appetite regulation, digestive wellness or maintenance after weight loss. They are also relevant for brands developing next-generation supplements, powders, stick packs and meal-replacement concepts,” added Lannebère.

Formulation and Manufacturers

According to Darley, consumers are looking for solutions that are effective, safe, convenient and align with broader health goals.

“Alongside interest in GLP-1 medications, many consumers are seeking natural, science-backed alternatives and complementary solutions that support weight management in a more holistic and sustainable way,” Darley explained. “Demand is expected to increase for ingredients such as protein, fiber, probiotics, prebiotics, collagen and electrolytes, particularly when supported by strong scientific evidence and clear health benefits.”

According to Eng, approximately 17 percent of people globally are taking some type of GLP-1 medication and 24 percent are “very concerned” about post-use weight gain. Research found 33 percent of consumers who stopped taking GLP-1 experienced weight gain as their appetite increased. Also, 69 percent of consumers are interested in buying products that stimulate production of GLP-1.

“There’s an adjacent need that may be worthwhile to address—anxiety and stress about life after GLP-1 treatment ends; many come to rely on it and become anxious about potential rebound pounds,” Eng said.

“Consumers are more informed and more demanding. They expect ingredients with a clear mechanism of action, scientific substantiation, transparency, naturality and convenience. For manufacturers, the challenge is to create products that are effective, enjoyable and easy to integrate into everyday life (not restrictive or punitive),” added Lannebère.

Torres said it is important for manufacturers and suppliers to know that metabolic health isn’t a trend—it’s here to stay.

“Whether you’re targeting a person who recently transitioned away from GLP-1 therapy, or an overall healthy consumer who prefers focusing on natural solutions rather than taking drugs, being able to provide science-backed solutions together with application versatility, is the sweet spot for success in the category,” Torres said.

According to Majeed, weight management has a long history of “overpromised, underdelivered products” and that history shapes how consumers approach new purchases. They want transparent sourcing, transparent clinical evidence, and transparent structure/function claim language that doesn’t overreach.

“What I’d encourage the industry to avoid is the temptation to ride the current wave of consumer interest without doing the underlying work,” Majeed said. “GLP-1 awareness has opened a door for the supplement industry, but that door closes quickly if brands don’t bring real evidence and real efficacy to the conversation. The opportunity before us is to establish botanical metabolic health ingredients as legitimate, science-backed tools within a broader wellness strategy.”

“The future of weight management is increasingly holistic. Rather than focusing solely on weight loss, consumers are seeking support for healthy body composition, gut health, energy, and long-term wellness. As science continues to evolve, we expect even greater interest in ingredients that support multiple aspects of health simultaneously,” McNamara added. “For brands, this presents an opportunity to move beyond traditional weight-management messaging and create products that help consumers feel healthier, more energized and better supported throughout their wellness journey.” NIE