Former Hollyoaks star Davinia Taylor has sparked controversy after appearing on ITV's This Morning to promote supplements as an alternative to weight-loss injections like Ozempic and Wegovy. Taylor, who now describes herself as the 'world's number one female biohacker,' told hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley that people could 'make their own Ozempic' using certain dietary supplements.
During the segment, Taylor claimed that medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), found in coconut oil and goat's cheese, could activate the satiety hormone GLP-1, mimicking the effects of prescription weight-loss drugs. She suggested adding MCT oil to coffee or tea could reduce 'food noise' and curb cravings within 15 minutes.
However, Dr Federica Amati, a PhD-qualified nutritional scientist and head nutritionist at ZOE, quickly responded on Instagram, stating: 'You can't make your own Ozempic with supplements.' Dr Amati, also a research fellow at Imperial College London, emphasised that there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that MCTs can replicate the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic.
Viewers expressed concern over the segment, noting that Taylor is not medically trained and sells the supplements she recommended. One comment read: 'She is not medically trained AND has a business selling products she is recommending. Hello??' Another added: 'Platform and personal experience does not equate to clinical expertise, experience treating patients and scientific rigour.'
In the UK, only Wegovy, Mounjaro, Saxenda, and Nevolat are licensed for weight management. Ozempic is approved solely for type 2 diabetes, and using it for weight loss is considered off-label. Health experts warn that unregulated supplements cannot replace medically supervised treatments.
