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Understanding GLP-1: The Hormone That’s Reshaping Metabolism
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a natural hormone that has become a cornerstone of modern metabolic medicine. Produced in your gut in response to food, GLP-1 plays a vital, multi-faceted role in regulating your blood sugar and appetite. When you eat, GLP-1 is released and sends signals that help your body manage the incoming nutrients effectively.
Its main actions include:
- Stimulating Insulin Production: It tells the pancreas to release insulin when blood sugar is high, helping your cells absorb glucose for energy. This action is “glucose-dependent,” meaning it doesn’t cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) on its own.
- Suppressing Glucagon: It reduces the release of glucagon, a hormone that tells the liver to release stored sugar. This prevents blood sugar from rising too high between meals.
- Slowing Digestion: It slows down the rate at which food leaves your stomach (gastric emptying), which helps you feel fuller for longer and prevents sharp spikes in blood sugar after eating.
- Signaling Fullness to the Brain: GLP-1 acts on receptors in the brain, directly reducing appetite and cravings.
Medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are known as “GLP-1 receptor agonists” because they mimic the actions of your body’s natural GLP-1, but for a much longer duration. This sustained action is what makes them so effective for managing type 2 diabetes and promoting weight loss.
Practical Healthcare Plan: Considering GLP-1 Therapy
- Comprehensive Medical Evaluation: Before considering a GLP-1 medication, schedule a thorough check-up. Your doctor will assess your overall health, run blood tests (like HbA1c, fasting glucose, and kidney function), and review your personal and family medical history (especially regarding thyroid tumors or pancreatitis).
- Informed Discussion on Goals: Talk openly with your provider about what you hope to achieve. Is the primary goal blood sugar control, weight loss, or both? Understanding this helps set realistic expectations and determines which specific medication and dosage is right for you.
- Adopt a Protein-Forward Diet: Since GLP-1 agonists slow digestion, large, heavy meals can cause discomfort. Proactively shift your diet to focus on smaller, more frequent meals rich in lean protein and fiber. This helps maintain muscle mass, enhances satiety, and can reduce side effects like nausea.
- Start a Symptom and Food Journal: For the first few months of therapy, keep a simple daily log. Note your energy levels, any side effects (nausea, fatigue, constipation), your food intake, and your water consumption. This provides valuable data for you and your doctor to make adjustments.
- Plan for Sustainability: GLP-1 medications are a tool, not a cure. Use the reduced appetite as a window of opportunity to build lasting healthy habits. Work with a registered dietitian or a health coach to create a sustainable nutrition and exercise plan that you can maintain long-term.
This plan is designed to help you navigate your treatment with a GLP-1 receptor agonist. DOWNLOAD HERE!
Sources:
- Cleveland Clinic. (2023). “GLP-1 Agonists.”
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). (2021). “The Role of GLP-1 in the Regulation of Islet Function.”
- American Diabetes Association. “Standards of Care in Diabetes.”
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This article reviewed by Dr. Jim Liu, MD.
There’s nothing more important than our good health – that’s our principal capital asset.
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