Have these scientists invented the first natural ‘Ozempic’ pill?
Could a supplement be as effective for weight loss as fat jabs? Harriet Walker, a former Mounjaro microdoser, investigates – and our writers try it out
By Harriet Walker, Michael Odell, & Bridget Harrison
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard of GLP-1 – the fullness and blood-sugar-regulating hormone behind Ozempic and Mounjaro. It’s become so mainstream that some people now jokingly call themselves “GLP-1 girls”.
But after more than a decade of research, two enteric neuroscientists believe they’ve developed a natural alternative – not by copying GLP-1, but by activating its partner hormone, PYY.
The Scientists Challenging the GLP-1 Boom
“We’re the PYY guys,” laughs Dr Madusha Peiris as she and Dr Ruby Aktar welcome me into their Portland Place HQ.
For 15 years, they’ve studied how the gut and brain communicate to regulate appetite, and why so many people feel constantly hungry.
Their breakthrough? Finding a way to stimulate PYY, a hormone more powerful than GLP-1 at reducing appetite and keeping hunger quiet for hours. GLP-1 is what makes you feel full after a meal but PYY is what ensures you stay feeling that way.
While pharmaceutical companies have been synthesising GLP-1 to treat diabetes since 1984, they haven’t been able to make an artificial version of PYY so far.
The Science Behind Natural Appetite Control
GLP-1 and PYY are released by cells in the lower colon, known as L-cells, but nutrients in modern ultra-processed diets rarely reach that far to trigger their release.
“All of us in the western world could do with a reset,” says Peiris.
To solve this, the researchers engineered a patented capsule – named Elcella – with a coating that dissolves only in the alkaline environment of the lower gut.
Inside: a precise blend of cold-pressed linseed, coconut, and MCT oils – chosen because L-cells respond best to these specific fats.
From Lab to Real Life
In Elcella’s first consumer trial, participants lost around 13lb, reduced calorie intake by 18%, and trimmed 2.5 inches off their waist over 12 weeks.
Experts see it as a possible option for those who don’t qualify for injections – or as a gentler transition after using them.
Their research has been published in Gut and the British Journal of Pharmacology, with Gut calling it a “decoy bypass for appetite suppression”.
But the real test came when journalists from The Times tried it themselves – with no idea if it would actually work.
The Times Put it to the Test
Michael Odell described his eating habits as "the short, angst-ridden commute to the fridge I make whenever I hear 'food noise'". By week three, despite a full day of activity, he realised "I was bored by the idea of dinner. This felt new". Pizza – once irresistible – suddenly held no appeal.
He lost 4lb after 5 weeks on Elcella, feeling "marginally less hungry after 8pm".
Bridget Harrison, a self-described "pleasure eater" in her early fifties, found herself questioning her habits after a month on Elcella: "Do I really want that croissant with my coffee at 10am? Probably not."
She stopped eating "tempting crap" and lost 5lb within the same period.
"The science behind it is very innovative"
– Andrew Jenkinson, a consultant bariatric surgeon at University College London Hospital
How Does it Compare to GLP-1 Drugs?
"It's never going to be as powerful as the GLP-1 drugs," says Professor Giles Yeo, an obesity expert at Cambridge University. "But the idea makes sense – you're trying to hack the biology."
"The science behind it is very innovative," says Andrew Jenkinson, a consultant bariatric surgeon at University College London Hospital and author of How to Eat (and Still Lose Weight).
Jenkinson sees it as particularly relevant for certain groups: "For really big people, the problem with Mounjaro is you put that weight back on when you come off it. So for them, it could be like a microdose strategy that you switch to afterwards."
For some, that's the appeal: a quieter appetite without nausea or weekly injections – and a more sustainable approach to maintaining weight loss.
"Elcella is a miracle for helping me with willpower. I've stopped snacking. I've stopped eating in between meals and I've definitely started to lose weight" – Will
“I'm 50 years old and managed to lose 10 kg in 8 weeks. I feel great and no longer snack between meals.” – Anna D.
“Improved sleep quality and time, better stress management, 8.9 kg and 11 cm waistline loss – results after 5 weeks.” – Andrea W.
“My hunger is finally under control, my gut symptoms have eased, and I feel healthier, more energetic, and more confident than I have in years.” – Clare
“I’ve been on it for 9 weeks, I’ve lost 5.8 kg (13 lbs). I eat so much healthier as I don’t crave the sugary/carby stuff.” – Joanne
“Since taking Elcella for the past 2 months I’ve noticed some unexpected but wonderful changes… an increase in energy, thickening in my hair and a massive decrease in food noise.” – Maria H.
A More Sustainable Approach to Appetite Control
Curious whether Elcella might work for you? The researchers recommend starting with the 12-week protocol – the minimum time needed to reset L-cell signalling and restore natural appetite control.
✔ Subscribe & Save 10% — the most cost-effective way to complete the full 12-week reset
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Disclaimer: Elcella is a scientifically developed food-based supplement, not a licensed medicine. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary. Consult your GP if you have a medical condition or are taking medication.