GLP-1s have been a hot topic for a while in the health and fitness world.
If you're unfamiliar with the term "GLP-1", the names you might recognize are:
Ozempic
Wegovy
Zepbound
Mounjaro
GLP-1s are well known for their use in managing type-2 diabetes, but there has been a surge in the medications being used for weight-loss, weight management, and the treatment of obesity.
My goal with this series is to break down much of the information surrounding GLP-1s into digestible chunks.
If you are on GLP-1s, there is some actionable advice woven intopart 2 and part 3 of this series.
If you're on the fence about GLP-'s, maybe this series will bring you some clarity so you can have an informed conversation with your doctor.
Note: I am not a doctor—just someone reading the research and trying to break it down for you. This is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about GLP-1 medications if you are considering taking them.
ARE WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS LIKE OZEMPIC NEW?
GLP-1s have been studied for years.
The first notable GLP-1 medication, Exenatide, was released in 2005 under the name Byetta. It was used for helping with type-2 diabetes [1].
Liraglutide under the brand name Victoza, was released in 2010 [2].
Five other GLP-1 drugs were released between 2010 and 2016, when Semaglutide under the brand name Ozempic, was released[3].
GLP-1 medications have largely been used to help control type-2 diabetes, but are now being directly marketed as weight-loss drugs with the FDA approving Zepbound (Tirzepatide) specifically for weight-loss[4].
Before GLP-1 medications, stimulants were used as appetite suppressants and were the stakeholders of pharmaceutical treatment for weight management.
Phentermine, and Phentermine combinations like Fen-Phen, and Qsymia have been around since the 60's.
Ephedra has been used as an appetite suppressant since the 90's.
Possibly my favorite fact is that amphetamines were straight up prescribed as appetite suppressants between 1930 and 1950 under the name Benzedrine. This was before the US govt' realized we probably shouldn't be casually giving out amphetamines to the general public.
Drugs like Contrave and Belviq have been around for a number of years, they work similarly to antidepressants by modifying brain chemistry.
Orlistat was another popular weight loss drug. Orlistat affects how the body digests the fat we eat, reducing the amount of calories that our body absorbs from the fat we eat.
Contrary to popular opinions, GLP-1 medications like Ozempic are not new. Nor are weight-loss drugs in general, they've just evolved.
WHAT DO GLP-1 MEDICATIONS DO?
Your body naturally produces a hormone called GLP-1 or 'glucagon-like peptide 1'.
Hence the name for GLP-1 medications.
The GLP-1 hormone that your body produces plays a few key roles:
Triggering an insulin release from your pancreas
Reducing glucagon production
Slowing down digestion
Promoting fullness and reducing appetite
Reducing food noise
Let's break these down a little further:
Triggering an insulin release from your pancreas:
Your body digests carbohydrates and breaks them down into sugars, which are then released into your bloodstream. Your pancreas releases insulin to help balance blood sugar levels. Type-2 diabetics don't produce enough insulin, which leads to consistently elevated blood sugar levels.
GLP-1 medications help your body produce additional insulin, to more effectively manage your blood sugar levels.
Reducing glucagon production:
Glucagon is a hormone that your body produces to raise blood sugar levels after eating. The GLP-1 hormone prevents additional glucagon from being released.
GLP-1 medications work to additionally slow down your body’s natural production of glucagon. This works alongside insulin to further balance blood sugar by reducing the amount of sugar released into your blood after eating.
Slowing down digestion:
The GLP-1 hormone causes your digestive system to slow down. In particular, food remains in your stomach for longer. This has a two-fold effect of reducing blood sugar levels, and creating additional feelings of fullness or satiety.
GLP-1 medications help keep food in your stomach for longer, which helps you feel fuller for longer after meals.
Promoting fullness and reducing appetite:
The GLP-1 hormone also makes you feel fuller after meals and can reduce appetite. The slowed digestion mentioned above plays a role in this. The GLP-1 hormone also impacts the signals from your stomach to your brain associated with fullness and satiety after eating.
GLP-1 medications may potentially amplify enhance these signals, helping you feel fuller with smaller portions and keeping you satisfied for longer after eating.
Food Noise:
GLP-1 medications have also been heavily associated with reducing the phenomenon recently dubbed as "food noise".
Food noise describes the ongoing thoughts about food that can dominate your mind. These thoughts often center around meal choices, timing, and portions, which can trigger cravings or lead to mindless eating. For myself and others, this constant focus on food becomes overwhelming, distracting them from other important activities and making it harder to eat mindfully. I wrote about my personal experience with food noise here.
Wrapping it up:
Weight Loss drugs and GLP-1 medications are not new. The healthcare space has been searching for pharmaceutical solutions for obesity for the better part of a century. While GLP-1 medications were initially used to treat type-2 diabetes, they have shifted into the spotlight for their positive impacts on obesity and weight management.
GLP-1s have a positive impact on blood sugar management through improved insulin production, reduced glucagon production and slowed digestion. GLP-1 medications can potentially reduce appetite, improving feelings of fullness after meals, and there are many reports of reduced 'food noise'.
In part 2 of this article, I'll cover some commonly asked questions and misconceptions about GLP-1 medications.
-Derek
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