The use of GLP-1 medications, like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, has increased at an incredible rate in recent years, with more than 700% increase from 2019 until 2023.
GLP-1 medications help to regulate blood sugar and promote weight loss, but they also come with some noticeable side effects.
These include some you might not expect, like hair loss and vaginal dryness.
Considering that women make up the majority of GLP-1 users, it’s important to understand how remedies like sea buckthorn can offer relief from these side effects.
The Scoop on GLP-1 Medications and Their Side Effects
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1) are medications that, in the past, were prescribed primarily to manage diabetes. It was noticed that many who took the medications also experienced appetite suppression and significant weight loss.
Science backed up the benefits of GLP-1s for treating obesity, and the FDA approved certain medications for weight loss. It didn’t take long before these medications caught on in celebrity circles, and soon everyone was talking about GLP-1s and their life-changing capabilities.
Whether you’re using GLP-1s for the treatment of diabetes, to support weight loss, or one of the off-label purposes that are currently being explored, these medications are not without side effects, and some of them can feel quite disruptive to your life.
More common side effects of GLP-1 medications include:
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarhea
Constipation
As the use of GLP-1 medications grows, we’re learning more about additional side effects and their severity. These include side effects such as hair loss, vaginal dryness, and what has been coined “Ozemipic face”.
Side effects aren’t fun, but some of them can significantly impact your daily quality of life and sense of self-confidence. These side effects are typically temporary, but it isn’t always possible to stop taking medication or switch to a new one. Even when that is an option, it’s important to support your body in its natural healing process as it recovers.
If you’re suffering side effects from GLP-1 medications, sea buckthorn can offer some relief – especially for hair loss and vaginal dryness.
Sea Buckthorn: A Gift From Mother Nature
Deep in the Himalayas is one of Mother Nature’s most potent sources of antioxidants and the rare omega-7 fatty acids. The sea buckthorn berry grows on a resilient shrub that is native to regions of Asia and Europe.
It’s brilliantly orange in color, tart in taste, and loaded with vitamins A, C, and E, flavonoids and antioxidants, amino acids, and omegas 3, 6, 9, and 7.
Sea buckthorn has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, but today, it has gained popularity and respect for its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and healing properties.
Sea Buckthorn for GLP-1 Side Effects
Sea buckthorn can offer restorative relief of certain side effects caused by GLP-1 medications.
Sea Buckthorn for Hair Loss Caused by GLP-1 Medications
GLP-1 medications are known for producing rapid and extreme weight loss. There is often a decrease in appetite, which means not as many nutrients are making their way into the body. Fewer nutrients, combined with mechanisms that cause reduced nutrient absorption, can lead to something called telogen effluvium – otherwise known as temporary hair loss, typically caused by some type of physical or emotional impact.
For those taking GLP-1 medications, it’s important to make sure there’s an adequate intake of certain vitamins and nutrients, such as vitamins A, C, and E, along with omega fatty acids. Together, these nutrients help to nourish hair follicles, promote growth, and support scalp health.
It’s often suggested to take biotin supplements to help prevent and reverse hair loss from GLP-1s, but biotin alone isn’t enough to do the job.
For starters, biotin can be found naturally in a number of foods, all of which can be considered part of a healthy, weight-loss-friendly diet. Salmon, sweet potatoes, nuts, and seeds are just a few examples. Enjoying diversity in your healthy diet while taking GLP-1s is one way to get biotin, without needing to take a supplement.
Plus, it’s worth noting that biotin is a water-soluble vitamin. This means that you excrete what you don’t use. The body doesn’t store excess biotin for later, so super high-potency supplements aren’t as effective as the supplement makers would like you to believe.
One supplement you can take that is extremely difficult to get through food in your regular diet is omega-7 fatty acid. Omega-7 is found abundantly in sea buckthorn, and it works to counteract the hair loss effects of GLP-1 medications.
In addition to this, sea buckthorn helps to counteract the hair loss effects of GLP-1 medications in several ways.
- Rich in hair-nourishing nutrients, like vitamin C and vitamin E, that help repair and protect hair follicles from oxidative stress.
- Improved skin and scalp hydration, which is key to preventing dry, brittle hair that breaks easily.
- Super anti-inflammatory properties create a healthier environment for hair regrowth.
- Replenishes the body with phytonutrients that have a natural balancing effect on hormones, which can help to reduce the impact of hormones on hair growth during weight loss.
Restoring Moisture: Sea Buckthorn for Vaginal Dryness
One of the least expected symptoms of GLP-1 medications is vaginal dryness, and it’s also one that isn’t talked about nearly enough.
Vaginal dryness can result from hormonal changes associated with rapid weight loss. More specifically, estrogen levels tend to drop, at least temporarily, with fast weight loss. Lipid cells (aka: fat cells) store excess hormones, like estrogen. So, when fast weight loss happens, there’s a natural “shedding” of excess estrogen that occurs.
This can throw hormone levels out of whack for a bit.
In addition to this, GLP-1 medications can cause digestive distress for some. Symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can lead to a state of mild to moderate dehydration, which can also affect vaginal moisture.
Sea buckthorn offers a natural solution to this issue. With a high concentration of omega-7 and other fatty acids, sea buckthorn can play a key role in maintaining healthy mucous membranes, including the delicate tissues of the vaginal lining.
Here’s a closer look at how it works.
- Omega-7 supports mucosal health by enhancing natural moisture and calming irritation.
- Sea buckthorn offers gentle hormonal support through its phytonutrients. Sea buckthorn does not disrupt hormones in any way, but it does provide natural, gentle support that can help ease the effects of estrogen fluctuations.
- Skin and tissue repair with the help of vitamins A and E. Sea buckthorn’s nutrient content encourages cellular regeneration and fights oxidative stress.
More Benefits of Sea Buckthorn for GLP-1 Users
Hair loss and vaginal dryness are two of the more disruptive side effects that women experience when taking GLP-1 medications. Sea buckthorn can offer relief for these symptoms, along with several others.
Skin Health and “Ozempic Face”: An unpleasant term that has been associated with GLP-1 side effects is “Ozempic Face”, which is used to describe a gaunt appearance that can happen after losing weight so rapidly.
It does take the body, including the face and skin, time to recover from rapid weight loss, but sea buckthorn can help speed the process along. Omega fatty acids and vitamin E help to restore and support skin elasticity and hydration, leading to a more plump, radiant-looking complexion.
Mood and Energy Support: It’s no secret that nutritional deficiencies can affect mood and energy levels. After all, this is why the term “hangry” was coined. The nutritional components in sea buckthorn help to boost mood and fight fatigue. Plus, the anti-inflammatory mechanisms help to ensure you’re getting more nutrition from the foods that you do eat.
Immune System Support: It’s not uncommon for the immune system to take a hit when a diet is drastically changed and weight loss happens rapidly. Sea buckthorn is a wonderful ally to have on your side, packed with vitamin C and flavonoids to strengthen the immune system and help your body fight off stress.
Digestive Wellness: Sea buckthorn’s anti-inflammatory properties help to ease inflammation throughout the digestive tract. This can help soothe symptoms like nausea and diarrhea, which are key contributors to dehydration and loss of moisture. The omega fatty acids in sea buckthorn also help to support a healthy gut lining, which helps to optimize the absorption of nutrients.
Nature Meets Modern Medicine: A Life Well-Lived
There’s no question that GLP-1 medications have completely transformed the lives of millions. Whether they’ve been used for managing diabetes or achieving weight loss that previously seemed impossible, GLP-1s have enhanced the quality of life for many. Still, no medication is without side effects, and GLP-1s are no exception.
Fortunately, sea buckthorn has come to the rescue.
Sea buckthorn is Mother Nature’s answer to bridging the gap between modern medicine and natural, holistic healing. Sea buckthorn can be taken with GLP-1 medications, without risk of interaction or side effects.
If you take GLP-1 medications or are considering them, we invite you to explore our Sibu sea buckthorn supplements, made with the most potent, highest quality sea buckthorn on earth.