The UK's most complete GLP-1 guide
Every Question Answered. Every Side Effect Explained.
- How GLP-1 medications work
- Mounjaro vs Wegovy compared
- Injection instructions
- Side effects & solutions
- What to eat on treatment
- FAQs answered
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Does turmeric help with weight loss?
Turmeric is often promoted as a natural weight loss aid, but the evidence for its effectiveness is limited. While curcumin (the active compound in turmeric) shows some promise in research, it is not a proven weight loss tool on its own. If you're looking to lose weight in the UK, there are clinically-proven prescription weight management options available — including GLP-1 injections like Mounjaro and Wegovy — that have demonstrated real results in clinical trials. This guide explains what the evidence actually shows about turmeric, and introduces prescription weight loss medication available to eligible UK adults.
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Calculate Your BMI Instantly
Enter your height and weight below. Supports both imperial (stone & lbs) and metric (kg). Results include NHS category, healthy weight range, and ethnicity adjustments.
What Is BMI and Why Does It Matter?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is the most widely used screening tool for assessing whether your weight falls within a healthy range. Used by the NHS, GPs, and weight management services across the UK, BMI provides a quick snapshot of your weight relative to your height. The formula is simple: your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared (kg/m²).
While BMI isn't a perfect measure — it doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, or fat distribution — it remains the standard first step in identifying potential weight-related health risks including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and certain cancers.
The NHS also recommends adjusted thresholds for people of South Asian, Chinese, or Black African heritage — a BMI of 23 or above is classified as overweight, and 27.5 as obese. Our calculator includes this adjustment as a one-click toggle.
Turmeric and weight loss: what does the evidence show?
Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound studied for various health benefits. Some laboratory and animal studies suggest curcumin may support metabolism and reduce inflammation, but human evidence is weak. The few clinical trials involving humans and weight loss have used high-dose curcumin supplements, not turmeric powder, and results are modest at best.
A 2019 meta-analysis found that curcumin supplementation produced only modest weight reductions — on average around 1.5 kg over 8–12 weeks — and the quality of the studies was often poor. Turmeric alone is not an effective weight loss tool. Any weight loss from turmeric would be minimal and would still require a calorie deficit and lifestyle changes to be meaningful. If you're serious about weight management in the UK, using our free BMI calculator and weight converter above can help you understand your starting point and track progress accurately.
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How It Works
Three simple steps to understand your weight and take action.
Enter your height and weight in our free calculator. Get your BMI, NHS category, healthy weight range, and ethnicity-adjusted thresholds instantly.
If your BMI suggests you're overweight or obese, explore our GLP-1 calculators to project potential weight loss on Mounjaro or Wegovy.
Use our progress tracker to log your weight weekly, visualise your journey with charts, and stay motivated — all stored privately in your browser.
Free Weight Loss Tools & Guides
Everything you need to understand your weight, explore medication options, and track your progress — completely free.
UK prescription weight loss options for real results
If you have a BMI of 30 or above, or BMI of 27–29.9 with weight-related health conditions, you may be eligible for prescription weight loss medication in the UK. The most clinically-proven options include Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) — both GLP-1 injections licensed for weight management in the UK. Clinical trials show these medications help adults lose an average of 15–21% of body weight when combined with diet and exercise changes. Access is available through NHS specialist weight management services or private online prescribing services. Our GLP-1 weight loss calculator can help you estimate potential weight loss with these medications.
- Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Up to 22.5% body weight loss (SURMOUNT-1)
- Weekly injection, dose escalation over 20+ weeks
- Available via private prescription in the UK
- Doses: 2.5mg → 5mg → 7.5mg → 10mg → 12.5mg → 15mg
- GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Up to 15–17% body weight loss (STEP trials)
- Weekly injection, 5-step dose escalation
- NHS & private prescription available
- Doses: 0.25mg → 0.5mg → 1mg → 1.7mg → 2.4mg
Mounjaro vs Wegovy: Head-to-Head
A side-by-side comparison of the two most popular GLP-1 weight loss medications available in the UK.
| Feature | Mounjaro | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Drug class | Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist | GLP-1 agonist |
| Active ingredient | Tirzepatide | Semaglutide |
| Avg. weight loss | 15–22.5% | 12–17% |
| Key trial | SURMOUNT-1 (2022) | STEP 1 (2021) |
| Max dose | 15 mg weekly | 2.4 mg weekly |
| Escalation period | 20–32 weeks | 16–20 weeks |
| Administration | Weekly injection (pen) | Weekly injection (pen) |
| NHS availability | Private prescription only | NHS & private |
| Approx. private cost | £150–£250/month | £150–£300/month |
| Common side effects | Nausea, diarrhoea, constipation | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea |
Data sourced from SURMOUNT-1 and STEP 1 clinical trials. Costs are approximate and vary by provider. Always consult a prescriber.
Am I Eligible for Weight Loss Medication?
In the UK, eligibility for GLP-1 weight loss medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy is based on your BMI and overall health profile.
- BMI of 30 or above (obese)
- Age 18 or over
- No contraindicated conditions
- Committed to lifestyle changes
- BMI of 27 or above
- Plus type 2 diabetes
- Or high blood pressure
- Or obstructive sleep apnoea
Use our BMI calculator to check whether your BMI falls within the eligible range.
How We Built These Tools
Every calculator and guide on myweightcheck is built with accuracy and transparency in mind. Our BMI calculator uses the standard WHO formula with NHS-aligned category thresholds. Our GLP-1 projections are modelled on published clinical trial data from SURMOUNT and STEP studies.
All data stays on your device. We don't require sign-ups, and we don't store your health information on any server. Your progress tracker saves data locally in your browser using localStorage, so only you can see it.
We're based in the UK and our tools are designed specifically for UK users — supporting stone & lbs by default, referencing NHS guidelines, using NICE-approved medication data, and linking to GPhC-registered pharmacies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about BMI, weight loss medications, and our free UK tools.
Is turmeric effective for weight loss?
No — turmeric alone is not an effective weight loss tool. While curcumin (turmeric's active ingredient) is studied for health benefits, human evidence for weight loss is weak. Any weight reduction from turmeric supplements in trials was modest (around 1.5 kg over weeks) and required calorie deficit and lifestyle changes to work.
How much weight can you actually lose with turmeric?
Clinical evidence suggests minimal weight loss — typically 1–2 kg at most over 8–12 weeks with high-dose curcumin supplements. This is not clinically significant. If weight loss is your goal, prescription medications or NHS-supported programmes are far more effective than any supplement.
What is the best way to lose weight in the UK?
The NHS recommends a combination of calorie deficit (around 500 kcal/day for 0.5 kg/week loss), increased physical activity, and behaviour change support. For eligible adults, prescription weight loss medication like Mounjaro or Wegovy — available through NHS or private routes — offers clinical evidence of meaningful weight loss alongside lifestyle changes.
Am I eligible for prescription weight loss medication in the UK?
You may be eligible if your BMI is 30 or above, or 27–29.9 with weight-related conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnoea. South Asian, Chinese, Black African, and Black Caribbean adults have lower eligibility thresholds (BMI 27.5+). Speak to your GP for a referral to NHS specialist services, or explore private prescribing options online.
How much weight can you lose with prescription weight loss injections like Mounjaro?
In clinical trials, Mounjaro helped adults lose an average of 15–21% of body weight over 72 weeks, though individual results vary. Wegovy showed similar results — around 15% average weight loss. These medications work alongside reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, not instead of them.
Ready to take control of your weight loss journey?
Start with a free BMI check, explore your GLP-1 options, or begin tracking your progress today. No sign-up. No cost. Just results.