What’s the Deal With GLP-1?
Ozempic, Wegovy… what’s with all these GLP-1 drugs?
We’ve heard your questions. These weight loss drugs seem too good to be true. So what’s the deal?
Ozempic and Wegovy are prescription semaglutide drugs containing GLP-1 receptor agonists (agonists are drugs that mimic naturally-occurring substances already present in your body). GLP-1 is short for glucagon-Like peptide 1, a hormone naturally produced by your small intestine. GLP-1 is integral to both regulating blood sugar levels by promoting insulin secretion and slowing gastric emptying. These traits make GLP-1 a key player in managing glucose, enhancing satiety, aiding in weight loss, and blood sugar/diabetes management.
Semaglutide drugs, initially designed for diabetic treatment, signal your body to increase insulin production in order to lower blood sugar. It wasn’t long before people became interested in the drugs’ weight loss properties. WebMD notes that “over the past decade, the proportion of people using them for weight loss has doubled, while the proportion of people taking GLP-1s to treat diabetes is declining.”
It’s important to remember that with all drugs come side effects, health concerns, nutrient depletions, and more. As we aim for clarity, we hope to share some tools you can use for your health goals as it relates to GLP-1.
Cost and effect
With all drugs, cost can be a major concern and a deal breaker for many patients seeking treatment, and for weight loss drugs, the cost can be significant.
So will a semaglutide break your bank? Drug manufacturer Novo Nordisk lists their drug Ozempic at $935.77 per month out-of-pocket. In a 2021 study, The New England Journal of Medicine found that along with counseling, altered diet, and lifestyle changes, once-weekly Ozempic users lost 10-15% of their body weight over the course of 68 weeks. At Novo Nordisk’s given monthly rate and NEJM’s findings, this calculates to a 200-pound adult losing about 20-30 pounds in just over 1.5 years to the tune of $14,000 - $17,000, with no promise of maintaining weight loss once you stop buying and taking semaglutide. While 20% of users maintained their weight loss post-semaglutide use, nearly half of users studied (44%) experienced weight regain. Here are a couple very informative podcasts regarding this topic; 1) A 4 minute podcast with RFK interviewing health advocate Calley Means on Ozempic concerns in the US. 2) Concerns of ozempic life long.
Outside of financial cost, another concern about semaglutide weight loss should be from where on your body the “weight loss” is coming. Without changing lifestyle habits (primarily diet and exercise), semaglutide users typically experience a significant weight loss — but a loss of lean body mass, too. Multiple studies [Neeland, Linge, Birkenfeld] [Attia] [Laurens, et al] have found that up to 40% of total weight lost while using semaglutide drugs can come from lean body mass. That ratio is considered quite high, especially since preserving muscle mass is important for maintaining metabolic health and physical function.
Yet another concern is the increased correlation between semaglutide usage and complications with the pancreas, gall bladder, or kidneys.
It’s important to keep in mind that semaglutides were developed and remain FDA-certified only for diabetes management; their use as a weight-loss aid is a relatively new development and may be considered “off-menu.” Exercising caution when considering these drugs is never a bad idea.
What can you do?
We know what GLP-1 is and what semaglutide drugs can do, but what can you do? Let’s focus on what safe actions you can take on your own to enhance your body’s natural production of GLP-1.
Unsaturated fats like avocados, nuts, olive oil, and eggs have minimal effect on blood sugar, allowing our blood sugar sensitivity response to improve, therefore producing higher levels of GLP-1.
Start with diet and lifestyle
We hear it often, but our foundations are crucial to our overall wellbeing. Start simply: think of healthy proteins, high-fiber foods, and unsaturated fats.
We think real foods really work. GLP-1 is related to blood sugar management, so foods that are friendly to your blood sugar are foods that are often good for increasing your levels of GLP-1.
For example, foods high in soluble fiber will slow down digestion. When digestion slows, blood sugar enters the bloodstream more slowly, which in turn stimulates more GLP-1 in your intestines. Fiber is also a friend of our gut bacteria: your gut flora will ferment these soluble fibers, creating more ‘short chain fatty acids’ (SCFAs). SCFAs, in turn, carry out activities that promote and increase production of GLP-1.
With or without adding semaglutides, diet & exercise are king. With some of the diet benefits noted above, exercise is 2 fold. It helps with blood sugar management by rendering insulin more effective, it also “sharpens” GLP-1, making it more effective, as well. Enhance your GLP-1 immediately — get out for a walk after a meal or on your break at work!
What can you add?
If you’re looking to add something to your routine to boost your natural GLP-1 production without the use of semaglutides, we recommend looking first to your diet. Any diet deficiencies/nutrient lack may need additional support outside of what we could consume safely. Here are just a few common nutrients that are effective in balancing blood sugar and — you guessed it — should help boost your GLP-1 levels.
Bitter Melon has been shown to have insulin-like effects, supporting blood sugar and increasing GLP-1 production naturally.
Stinging Nettles supports insulin, signaling which will elevate our GLP-1 production.
Berberine stimulates enzymes to directly produce more GLP-1 while balancing blood sugar metabolism.
When it comes to weight management, our foundation will always be more important and impactful than what we add to it. If your GLP-1 is an area of concern and you’re looking for additional support, we’re here to help. Call to schedule a complimentary consult or book your functional medicine consultation today!