THE Kar-Jenner sisters have been battling claims that they use Ozempic for years.
The drug - originally manufactured as a diabetes medicine - burst onto the scene as a weight loss aid in 2022 and some fans have since been convinced that it’s how Kim Kardashian shrunk her famous rear.
Her sisters Khloe and Kylie have also had the finger pointed at them - and now, one of the famous clan has been accused of capitalising on the hype.
Last week, Kourtney Kardashian Barker’s £2.4billion supplement brand, Lemme, announced its latest product: an "Ozempic-style" weight-loss supplement.
Ozempic is a weekly jab that contains a synthetic version of the GLP-1 hormone, which our bodies naturally release into the bloodstream after eating.
When the man-made version of the hormone is injected, it slows digestion, dulls hunger pangs and helps shed body weight.
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In recent years, a whole host of celebrities have admitted using the drug to slim down - most recently Lottie Moss, who suffered a violent seizure after taking too high a dose.
Lemme’s new supplement is named GLP-1 Daily - a direct reference to the Ozempic hormone.
It is designed to “reduce body weight, visceral fat, and hip and waist circumference”, according to the brand.
And while Lemme's new pill doesn’t contain any of the key ingredients that Ozempic does, it is being marketed as a natural replacement for the jab.
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The reality star hasn’t explicitly compared her product to Ozempic.
However, she did on September 12 that discussed how she wants “in on the Ozempic boom”.
Rather than using synthetic GLP-1s like skinny jabs on the market, the Lemme pill aims to naturally increase levels of the hormone in the blood over time, using lemon and saffron extracts.
One email sent out by the brand on September 14 described it as “a GLP-1 solution without the side effects” that Ozempic gives.
But fans were quick to criticise mum-of-four Kourtney, who has previously been outspoken about body positivity.
One fan commented on a Lemme Instagram post: "I never comment on this type of stuff, but Kourt… do better.
"Are you that hard up to openly make money off of the people that don’t see through this facade? I highly doubt it."
The Kar-Jenner Multi-Billion Pound Business Empire
The Kardashian Jenner sisters might be known as reality TV stars, but they have a number of successful businesses between them...
Kim Kardashian
- SKIMS - £3 billion
- SKKN - £754 million
- SKKY Partners - £91.2 million
Khloe Kardashian
- Good American - £2.4 billion
Kylie Jenner
- Kylie Cosmetics - £904 million
- KHY - £753,695 (estimated)
- Sprinted - TBC following launch in March 2024
Kendall Jenner
- Drink 818 - £18.8 million (estimated)
Kourtney Kardashian
- Lemme - £2.4 billion
Another added: "This is the biggest facade and false marketing I’ve ever seen.
"These do not mimic GLP-1 medications as nothing oral can mimic it for weight loss.
"It will systemically be engulfed by enzymes in a few minutes. Do better, Kourtney."
A one-time purchase of the pills (which contains 30 servings) will set you back an eye-watering £69, while a monthly subscription of the supplement is discounted to £55.23.
Many young women feel societal pressure to conform to unrealistic body standards. Products like this Lemme pill exploit these insecurities by offering quick-fix solutions for weight loss, even though the product lacks scientific backing
Naveen Cavale
Doctors and plastic surgeons across the globe are not happy with Kourtney’s claims either.
Many are sceptical of the product’s ability to actually trigger and sustain weight loss - and they feel like the eldest Kardashian sister is trying to execute a quick cash grab.
That includes Naveen Cavale, a plastic surgeon at .
The expert slammed Kourtney for “cashing in” on young women who struggle with their body image and believes the product is “incredibly misleading”.
In fact, Naveen believes it could exacerbate the existing mental health epidemic among Kourtney’s Gen Z customers.
KOURT'S KASH GRAB
“While the supplement may be marketed as a natural alternative, it doesn’t offer the same scientifically proven impact as injectable medications like Ozempic,” he tells Fabulous.
“People should be very wary of such products, as they can create false hope while offering little in terms of real results.
“For effective weight loss solutions, it’s always best to consult a medical professional rather than relying on unproven supplements.
“It’s also important to note here that repeatedly using ineffective products may lead to frustration, feelings of failure and worsened body image issues for those who take these supplements.
“For those struggling with their weight, this can intensify anxiety, stress and even depression.”
Like many social media users, he feels the pill is a "cash grab" that's particularly harmful for the young women to see
“Many young women feel societal pressure to conform to unrealistic body standards, which are heavily promoted on social media by celebrities,” Naveen adds.
“Products like these exploit these insecurities by offering quick-fix solutions for weight loss, even though the product lacks the scientific backing to deliver real results.”
WOULD IT WORK?
No, according to health experts.
“Ozempic contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor that has been rigorously tested and proven to promote significant weight loss by mimicking the body’s natural GLP-1 hormone,” Naveen explains.
“It works by regulating blood sugar, reducing appetite and slowing digestion, leading to effective weight management.
“This supplement lacks that key ingredient.
Repeatedly using ineffective products may lead to frustration, feelings of failure and worsened body image issues for those who take these supplements. This can intensify anxiety, stress and even depression
Naveen Cavale
“If it did contain GLP-1, then it would be classified as a drug, not a supplement.
“While it claims to boost GLP-1 levels using plant-based extracts, there is little to no clinical evidence to support significant weight loss from these ingredients.”
Furthermore, Lemme’s small print reveals that its claims have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease,” a disclaimer reads.
How to lose weight safely
Losing weight should be a long-term commitment to healthier living, rather than any drastic measures.
The NHS tips - which can be adopted slowly - include:
- Get active for 150 minutes a week – you can break this up into shorter sessions
- Aim to get your 5 A Day – 80g of fresh, canned or frozen fruit or vegetables count as 1 portion
- Aim to lose 1 to 2lbs, or 0.5 to 1kg, a week
- Read food labels – products with more green colour coding than amber and red are often a healthier option
- Swap sugary drinks for water – if you do not like the taste, add slices of lemon or lime for flavour
- Cut down on food that's high in sugar and fat – start by swapping sugary cereal for wholegrain alternatives
- Share your weight loss plan with someone you trust – they can help motivate you when you have a bad day
Read about:
- The five fat loss foundations
- The calorie formula for weight loss
- The perfect portion sizes for meals to lose weight
- Sun Health's 8-week weight loss kick start plan
The FDA is responsible for protecting public health in the US by ensuring the safety, efficacy and security of drugs, vitamins, supplements and medical devices.
With FDA-approved products, consumers are ensured they have been thoroughly tested for efficiency and safety.
Where supplements and vitamins are concerned, the FDA stands behind the performance and safety of the ones it approves.
WHAT IS LEMME?
Anyone who has watched any of their various reality shows over the last 15 years will know that Kourtney is the most health-conscious sister.
From a strict dairy-free, gluten-free diet to not letting her children eat sweets, she’s been known to try extreme diets in pursuit of health.
The mum-of-four says the birth of her eldest son, Mason Disick (who’s now 14), sparked her interest in wellness as she “became really aware of the importance of what we put into our bodies”.
So, when she launched Lemme back in September 2022, fans felt it made a lot of sense.
Fast forward two years and the brand has experienced its fair share of criticism.
Lemme’s vagina gummies, called Lemme Purr, are marketed to boost the health of your vagina - and alter its taste.
Upon their release in February last year, Kourtney said the product uses "pineapple and Vitamin C and probiotics to target vaginal health and pH levels that support freshness and taste".
However, Dr Jen Gunter, a gynaecologist and author of myth-busting bestseller The Vagina Bible, was quick to slam the eldest Kardashian sister.
Anyone who suggests that your vagina isn't fresh or needs an improved taste is a misogynist and awful person. And yes, that includes you Kourtney Kardashian and your Lemme grift
Dr Jen Gunter
"Anyone who suggests that your vagina isn't fresh or needs an improved taste is a misogynist and awful person," she wrote on Instagram.
"And yes, that includes you Kourtney Kardashian and your Lemme grift."
The reality star was also slammed in June this year when she released a pill that supposedly can reduce cellulite in just 28 days.
According to the Lemme website, its new Smooth capsules are formulated with clinically-studied ingredients.
They contain French Cantaloupe Melon (SOD B Dimpless), an antioxidant derived from melon, which the brand says has been clinically studied to reduce cellulite.
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But again, doctors poo-pooed Lemme’s claims and urged young women to remember that cellulite is totally harmless and naturally occurring in most bodies.
Lemme has been approached for comment.