I'm one of many who can't take fat jabs. So could I lose weight on these 'natural Ozempic' pills?

I kept a 12-week diary while taking Elcella. There were no side effects, the food noise faded – here's exactly what I lost.

By Jane Alexander,

26 JANAURARY 2026

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I've been trying to lose weight since I was seven. It's been decades of good intentions, hunger, and frustration.

When Ozempic and Mounjaro took off, I watched closely. The promise of silenced appetite was incredibly tempting.

But injections weren't an option for me. My history of gallstones means rapid pharmaceutical weight loss comes with risks I'm not willing to take.

Jane Alexander found that her appetite was suppressed on Elcella.

 

The gut-based approach behind Elcella

Elcella was developed by two researchers at Queen Mary University of London – Dr Madusha Peiris and Dr Rubina Aktar – who discovered that specific fatty acids trigger appetite-suppressing hormones in specialised gut cells (called L-cells) when they reach the lower gut.

Rather than introducing synthetic hormones, Elcella encourages your gut to release its own appetite-regulating hormones – including GLP-1 and PYY – which signal fullness and reduce cravings.

It's a different approach to weight-loss injections, and one that immediately appealed to me.

What makes Elcella different

I was sceptical. I'd tried appetite-controlling oils before and felt no difference.

What I learned: it's not just what you take – it's where it ends up.

Elcella uses a patented, coated capsule that passes through the stomach intact, releasing its contents in the lower gut where the appetite-regulating L-cells are concentrated.

The company's 12-week evaluation of 51 people showed a 94% improvement in appetite control, with an average weight loss of 6kg and a 7cm waist reduction.

Month One

Three tubs arrived with instructions to take them twice daily, two to three hours before meals.

The theory: the capsules would kickstart hunger suppression right as appetite hormones start yelling.

Four days in, I travelled overseas for work. And something strange happened.

I wasn't tempted by airport snacks. I skipped lunch without noticing. At dinner, I picked at my plate and felt full quickly.

No nausea, no discomfort. I just didn't want as much food.

After two weeks, the scales were down by 4kg. I couldn't believe it.

Then I returned home – and the strong feeling of fullness softened. My appetite was quieter, but evenings remained my weak spot.

Month Two

Evening eating has always been my downfall – not hunger exactly, but stress, habit, and exhaustion. By night-time, food becomes comfort.

And that's exactly what happened. The pills clearly worked during the day – I wasn't constantly hungry, portions felt more manageable, cravings were less intense.

But once evening hit, I was still eating too much. A slice of toast became six. A handful of grapes became the whole bunch.

By the end of the second month, I'd regained what I'd lost. The scales were back where I started, and it was demoralising.

Month Three

Then, towards the end of the third month, something changed.

Without really trying, I stopped overeating in the evenings. Snacking reduced. Sweet cravings faded.

By the end of the 12 weeks, I'd lost 2.7kg in total. My clothes felt noticeably looser, and my appetite felt calmer than it had in years.

The biggest difference wasn't the number on the scale – it was how manageable food felt.

Why this feels like the smarter alternative to jabs?

Weight-loss injections override the body with synthetic appetite hormones.

Elcella takes a different approach.

The researchers behind Elcella point out that injections rely on artificial hormones that linger in the body longer than nature intended, which may explain the side effects many users experience, including nausea, digestive issues, and gallbladder problems.

Elcella encourages the gut to release its own hormones at natural levels to regulate appetite and cravings. Over time, the gut becomes healthier and less dependent on external intervention.

The Final Week

In the final week, the changes felt settled. I was eating less, sweet cravings had vanished, and my appetite felt under control.

Elcella's slower approach is claimed to favour fat loss – particularly visceral fat – rather than indiscriminate weight loss.

I'd happily continue taking it, not just for weight control, but as a convenient way to support gut health.

Real People. Long-Term Appetite Control