Decoding GLP-1: The Hormone Everyone is Talking About
But should everyone be taking it?
I have been wanting to do a newsletter on this topic for a while now. It is the hormone of that everyone is talking about but we know it more commonly as the GLP-1 receptor agonist used for weight loss injections - Ozempic, Wegovy, Trulicity, Ro, etc. There are so many versions of this now in the market. These GLP-1 receptor agonists were designed to mimic the action of natural GLP-1 produced in our bodies.
All the buzz on this new-ish pharmaceutical, got me to thinking…Do people really know what this peptide/hormone is? Do they know what it really does in the body? Do they know how we produce it and what the real importance of it is.
Thanks to some brilliant marketing, we know it is the ‘magic shot’ for weight loss. But not without some controversy, of course. But we will get into that later.
Decoding GLP-1
Glucagon-like peptide 1, like many other hormones, is produced in our bodies, naturally. It plays a significant role in the regulating of blood sugar levels and appetite amongst other things. It is released into the gut in response to food intake.
PEPTIDE - is a short string of amino acids which are the building blocks of proteins. These smaller versions of protein provide many benefits such as aging support, anti inflammatory, immune system, muscle building. Because the are small then a protein, peptides are much easier for the body to absorb. For those who a little more into the full biochemistry of a peptide, I have included some light reading…
How Does Our Body Make GLP-1?
Our body produces this peptide through a process involving special cells in the digestive system and the brain stem.
derived from the proglucagon gene, a precursor protein called prolucagon found in the L-cells which are found online in the lining of the small and large intestine, Alpha cells of the pancreas and neurons in the brainstem.
prolucagon is broken down during an enzymatic process to an active form of this hormone (GLP-1)
it is then triggered to be secreted in the but by the foods we eat (carbohydrates, fats and proteins). The nutrients from the food interact with the intestinal lining stimulating the L-cells to release GLP-1 into the bloodstream.
once released into the bloodstream, GLP-1 triggers the pancreas to stimulate insulin, the brain to promote satiety and the stomach to slow gastric emptying.
GLP-1 has a short lifespan within the bloodstream and only lasts 1-2 minutes. (unlike the synthetic forms, which last much longer in our systems. This is an important fact to know). Factors that support GLP-1 production and release are your gut microbiome, hormonal signals and neuronal signals. And there are certain foods that can stimulate natural production:
dietary fiber
healthy fats
high protein food
bitters and polyphenols
fermented foods
Exercise, sleep and stress reduction can also stimulate GLP-1 production and release.
So, to conclude and wrap up how we produce GLP-1’s . I would say a high population, who are eating a standard American diet of ultra processed food and fast food, and are mainly sedentary and not getting enough movement are not producing enough GLP-1 hormone naturally to help them feel satiated or to produce enough insulin for managing glucose levels and this is leading to being overweight, pre diabetic, diabetic and metabolically unhealthy.
The Magic Injectable..
Enter GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Ro and the many other injectables that are on the market that basically do the same thing by synthetically providing you the hormone to do all the things, its like magic.
GLP-1 agonists (also known as semiglutides) were first developed for therapeutic use of regulating glucose metabolism for type 2 diabetics. It was then found through the use of this synthetic hormone, that it helped weight loss by regulating appetite by enhancing satiety and therefore decreasing food intake (less calories in). And as mentioned previously, this semiglutide lasts longer in the body because they are resistant to the natural enzymatic breakdown of the hormone.
There are risks to taking this type of medication and those risks range from minor gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue, muscle weakness to the extremes of pancreatitis, gallbladder issues, changes in vision. But there are also risks to being metabolically unhealthy, overweight and diabetic. So making an informed decision and educating yourself on this pharmaceutical is very important. A step that many do not do.
My Thoughts Even Though You May Not Have Asked For Them.
When I would ask people what their understanding of GLP-1’s were, it was a short list..drug for weight loss. Many didn’t actually understand or know that it is a naturally occurring hormone produced in our bodies for specific processed. And when provided the right tools, this process runs very smoothly for most people and does what it is supposed to.
But when things go wrong, people want a quick fix. Why focus on food and lifestyle, when you can just take something to fix it. The problem here is that many don’t fix it the right way. I do understand that in certain situations, these interventions can be helpful, short term. But in the case of these GLP-1 agonists, you need to change your lifestyle as well, or you end up in the exact same situation when you want to stop taking them. I follow a certain holistic health practitioner, who is very pro Ozempic, IF you micro dose correctly, change your eating and lifestyle habits and realize these are not forever. And because these are peptides, short chain proteins, there can be some other helpful benefits cognitively and mechanically to our bodies. **Let me just say here, that you can also get these results from food changes and exercise** But usually this is not the case. Dosages are higher then then should be, there is usually no end in sight to weaning off , and lifestyles are not adjusted. Eating is adjusted because you are now eating less due to the nature of the drug making you feel full and not hungry which of course is not always a good thing. Eating less usually results in absorbing less critical nutrients that our bodies need. Which then can lead to other issues.
I know that this is a very controversial product and there will be people for it and people against it. And there are studies that are pro and con. But what I do know is IF:
You want to lose weight and feel healthy again..
Change the food you are eating. Simple, whole foods. High protein, high fat and low carbohydrates.
Move more. Walking is free and so good for you.
Create a sleep routine so that you are getting consistent uninterrupted sleep
Reduce your stress. Practice breathing exercises, read a book. GET OFF TECHNOLOGY!
And yes this will take longer but there are no risks or major negative side effects to this method.
Curious to know what your thoughts are or experiences have been with GLP-1’s. Let me know below.
Danni
Also for your further reading enjoyment:
We don’t know yet what the long term effects of these drugs will be. Fortunately, the world is conducting a large experiment that will give us results in a couple decades. In the mean time, those who take them and also make changes to their lifestyles will most likely do great. I’m worried about people who go the quick fix route.