If you keep up with even a little bit of news in the USA, you’ve likely heard about Ozempic. Originally used to treat people with type 2 diabetes, Ozempic’s popularity as a weight loss medication has skyrocketed within the past several years.
Danone (the French company that owns the US-based Dannon brand of yogurt) is targeting the nutritional needs of those taking the weight loss drug with the rollout of a yogurt line specifically for Ozempic users.
We’ll take a look at the reasons Danone claims its new “Oikos Fusion” line is suited for Ozempic users, as well as compare it to existing yogurt brands to see how it stacks up.
Ozempic’s uses
Ozempic (drug name semaglutide) is a type of injectable medication in a class called GLP-1 receptor agonists. Originally approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at the end of 2017, Ozempic started out solely as a treatment for type 2 diabetes.
In 2021, semaglutide was approved by the FDA for use as a weight loss medication, whether or not you have diabetes. This drug is called Wegovy, and is the same drug as Ozempic, though the dose is higher for Wegovy to promote weight loss.
Even though Ozempic hasn’t been approved as a weight loss drug, many people still use it for that reason. (In this article, we’ll refer to the GLP-1 receptor agonist medications as “Ozempic” to keep things simple, but just know that this also applies to similar medications like Wegovy, Saxenda, and Zepbound, which are in the same medication class as Ozempic.)
How Ozempic works
Ozempic promotes weight loss by slowing digestion and reducing appetite. People taking Ozempic can lose as much as 15-20% of their body weight. For a 200-pound person, that would mean a weight loss of 30-60 pounds.
Losing such a significant amount of weight often means that muscle is lost as well as fat. It’s important to maintain muscle mass for many reasons, such as maintaining strength and mobility and promoting healthy blood sugar levels, to name just a couple of reasons.
That’s where Danone comes into the picture with its yogurt geared specifically towards Ozempic users…
Danone’s Oikos Fusion line
Danone created a drinkable yogurt line called Oikos Fusion, which was made and marketed with Ozempic users in mind. Rafael Acevedo, Danone’s General Manager for yogurt at Danone North America, says this about the launch of Oikos Fusion: “GLP-1 is the center of the bullseye for this proposition.”
The packaging of Oikos Fusion doesn’t call out Ozempic users in any way, so you might not know that it’s geared towards that consumer base unless you’ve done some research (like reading this article). There is a disclaimer on Oiko’s website that says, “Use this product as a food supplement only. Do not use for weight reduction, but for extra protein during weight loss.”
Another statement reads “Patented blend with whey protein, leucine, & vitamin D designed to help build and retain muscle mass during weight loss**”, with “**Protein and exercise with a balanced diet help maintain muscles.”
Oikos Fusion features
The main reasons Oikos Fusion is targeted for those undergoing weight loss (with or without the use of Ozempic) are:
- High protein content (23 grams per 7 oz).
- Leucine content (leucine is an amino acid you must obtain from your diet that helps build muscle).
- Vitamin D added (15% of the daily value per serving) – Vitamin D promotes muscle mass.
- Fiber added to promote gut health and boost satiety (5 grams is around 18% of the daily value). This can be especially helpful while taking Ozempic because a common side effect is diarrhea, which can alter the balance of healthy bacteria in the gut.
Oikos Fusion comes in three flavors: Strawberry, Vanilla, and Mixed Berry.
Ingredients
The ingredients of Oikos Fusion (strawberry flavor) are:
- Water
- Cultured Non-Fat Milk
- Whey Protein Concentrate
- Inulin (fiber source)
- Contains Less Than 1% Of: Leucine Peptides, Natural Flavors, Lactase, Pectin, Vegetable Juice Concentrate (For Color), Sea Salt, Stevia Extract, Calcium Citrate, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Sodium Citrate, Lemon Juice Concentrate
- Yogurt Cultures S. Thermophilus & L. Bulgaricus
Oikos Fusion vs. other types of yogurt
So, Oikos Fusion is higher in protein than some other yogurts with a similar serving size, and it contains fiber, as well as leucine and vitamin D to promote muscle growth. (We don’t know how much leucine is in one serving since it’s not listed on the nutrition facts label, but research suggests that around 2.5 grams per day is necessary to promote muscle growth.)
How does it compare to other products in the Dannon line? Let’s take a look!
(Strawberry flavor for all products)
| Product | Calories | Fat | Total carbs | Fiber | Protein | Vitamin D | Leucine |
| Oikos Fusion (7 oz) | 130 | 1.5 g (0.5 g saturated) | 9 g | 5 g | 23 g | 25% DV | Present (amount not specified) |
| Oikos Triple Zero (5.3 oz) | 90 | 0 g | 7 g | 0 g | 15 g | 10% DV | Absent |
| Oikos PRO (5.3 oz) | 140 | 3 g (0 g saturated) | 8 g | 0 g | 20 g | 10% DV | Absent |
Summary
Danone’s Oikos Fusion line is targeted towards people losing weight, especially those taking weight loss medications like Ozempic. The reasons the product may be beneficial for people losing a significant amount of weight are:
- Higher protein content to support muscle mass while losing weight
- Higher vitamin D content to support muscle mass
- Added leucine to promote muscle growth
- Added fiber to support digestive health
Oikos Fusion is set to hit shelves at Walmart this month and will roll out sometime in October at Target, Kroger, and Wakefern stores.
FAQs:
Eating probiotic-rich foods can help promote a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria in your gut. This is especially helpful while taking medications like Ozempic, which can interfere with healthy digestion due to GI-related side effects.
Ozempic can cause an upset stomach, as well as vomiting and diarrhea. If you’re sensitive to dairy, you may want to cut back until your body gets used to Ozempic. Otherwise, eating dairy is perfectly fine while taking Ozempic.
Protein requirements vary based on factors like your age, physical activity level, and other aspects of your health. In general, aiming for one gram per kilogram of your body weight is a good place to start, but always reach out to your healthcare provider or Registered Dietitian for specific guidelines.
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