Ozempic, Wegovy, and other GLP-1 Agonists

So many people are talking about and using Ozempic and other GLP-1 agonists, primarily for type 2 diabetes and weight loss. Like any drug, this comes with a list of side effects, so many are now trying “microdosing” to limit the side effects but still get the benefits. What’s the hype?

What Does GLP-1 Do?

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a peptide naturally made in the body that stimulates insulin release and thus helps to “push” glucose into your cells to reduce blood sugar levels. It also slows stomach emptying and suppresses glucagon. These 2 effects cause you to feel full and reduces hunger.

GLP-1 agonists such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus use semaglutide to mimic GLP-1 and stimulate the same receptor. This then creates a similar effect in the body as GLP-1. The half-life of naturally made GLP-1 is only 1-2 minutes before being broken down, meaning it stops acting on the body in 5-10 minutes. The half-life of semaglutide is ~1 week, meaning it will act on the body for 5-6 weeks before it is all out of the body.

I would like to caution people away from using these drugs, because no one has a pharmaceutical deficiency. Here is a list of side effects, most of which can be found on the package insert of your chosen brand:

In normal conditions GLP-1 is released in response to the following:

• Smelling your food
• Chewing 30-40 times per bite
• Eating fats, carbs, and protein
• Eating larger meals
• Exercise (also increases receptor sensitivity)

It has been shown that a higher protein diet with 30% or more of your calories coming from protein causes a larger GLP-1 release than a diet with 10% protein. Basically, more protein = more GLP-1. Fats increase GLP-1 release for longer than protein or carbs, so a good source of healthy fats will help create a better release of GLP-1. A high carb diet can cause insulin resistance which can lead to a decrease in GLP-1 release. So logically to eat in a way that would stimulate GLP-1 would be a diet high in protein and fat, and low in carbs. You should also eat larger meals for a larger GLP-1 release compared to smaller more frequent meals.

Regular exercise is also hugely beneficial for GLP-1. Not only will it increase GLP-1 release, but exercise also makes your GLP-1 receptor more sensitive giving you “more bang for your buck”.

Yeah, it’s really that simple in most cases. Slow down, smell and chew your food more, and replace your empty carb calories with more protein and fats. Another added benefit of chewing more and eating more protein and fats is this will all help you feel fuller sooner and longer after you have eaten. There is a reason that anything related to weight loss says it works best with diet and exercise, because that works better than any drug you can take.

Now For the Nuance

Of course, with weight loss there are a lot of variables. Thyroid issues and other hormonal imbalances can make weight loss difficult even when you’re in a caloric deficit. These can also be addressed with natural methods, but that is for another article.

GLP-1 release is controlled by your vagus nerve and therefore acetylcholine. If you read my nicotine article you know that eggs are a great source of the building blocks of acetylcholine. You need fats and choline to create this important neurotransmitter. The vagus nerve will not be functioning optimally in times of high stress. So, it is no surprise that norepinephrine (noradrenaline) blocks the release of GLP-1. Don’t forget to take some time to relax.

One other very important factor in GLP-1 function is your microbiome. Dysbiosis reduces GLP-1 receptor sensitivity, therefore if you are “doing everything perfect” with little to no results, then it’s time to look at your gut. Guess what! Dysbiosis is also a condition that can be addressed with natural remedies rather than pharmaceuticals. Want to know what to do about dysbiosis? Check out my articles on IBS. Part 1 discusses symptoms and causes, Part 2 discuses natural remedies.

Pulling it all together

If your goal is weight loss and you’re looking to increase your GLP-1, try this before injecting yourself with a drug that has the above list of side effects.

• Smell and chew your food
• Eat 1.5g of protein per kg of your goal body weight
• Eat more healthy fats
• Eat less carbs/sugars
• Eat larger and less frequent meals (3 meals per day rather than snacking)
• Exercise 3-5 days/week

I would be surprised if you didn’t see any benefit once you get all these habits down. But, if you don’t see any benefit from these lifestyle changes then it is possible you need to address an underlying thyroid, hormone, or gut dysbiosis issue. These are best addressed with a natural and holistic focused doctor. I recommend finding an Applied Kinesiology doctor near you since most are trained in helping these conditions naturally.

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