The other day I saw a headline, “Scientists May Have Discovered a Natural Ozempic.” Being the curious sort, I dove in and read. No link here, not supporting stupid click bait articles. Here is what I discovered:
Bacteroides vulgatus is a type of bacteria found in the gut. Most, if not all, healthy humans have B. vulgatus in their gut as it is considered a common and prevalent member of the core human gut microbiota. To keep your colony of B. vulgatus happy, all you need to do is eat healthy dietary fiber found in veggies, nuts, and legumes. Stay away from over processed foods and sugar, then add prebiotic foods such as oats, bananas, mushrooms, garlic and leeks – then your B. vulgatus population should thrive.
Research has shown that this bacterium might help the body process fats and sugars better, but it does this in a different way than Ozempic (semaglutide), which is a medication used for weight loss and controlling blood sugar.
How Bacteroides vulgatus works
- Lowering bad fat levels in the body.
- Changing the balance of different types of bacteria in the gut, which might have a positive effect on how the body handles fat and sugar.
How Ozempic works
- Acts directly on the body’s hormones.
- Helps the pancreas release more insulin (which lowers blood sugar) and signals to the brain to reduce hunger, helping people eat less and lose weight.
Comparing the Two
Bacteroides vulgatus works more by affecting the gut microbiome, which refers to the collection of bacteria and microbes living in the digestive system. It changes which bacteria are present, which may help improve how the body processes food.
Ozempic works directly by affecting hormones like GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptid, a regulator of blood sugar, appetite, and digestion), which controls insulin and hunger. It doesn’t rely on gut bacteria, but instead, it targets the brain and organs to manage blood sugar and control appetite.
So, while both have benefits for metabolism, B. vulgatus works through changes in gut bacteria, while Ozempic works through hormones.
Why Bacteroides vulgatus May Be Interesting
Some studies have shown that if this bacterium is more abundant in the gut, it can help the body resist cravings for sugar and fat. In one experiment, they found that when certain proteins were missing, B. vulgatus didn’t work as well, suggesting that this bacterium may help manage sugar cravings by affecting hormones that control hunger.
Could you use B. vulgatus and Ozempic together? I don’t see why not, but I’m not an expert. I’m just a curious Joy (female Joe) who likes reading sciency things on the internet.
More Reading:
“Bacteroides Vulgatus Ameliorates Lipid Metabolic Disorders and Modulates Gut Microbial Composition in Hyperlipidemic Rats – PMC.” PMC Home, Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
“Free Fatty Acid Receptor 4 Modulates Dietary Sugar Preference via the Gut Microbiota | Nature Microbiology.” Nature, Springer Nature, Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.