Obesity is on the rise in this country, affecting just over 40 percent of adults and nearly 20 percent of children, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. People that are obese are at higher risk of developing numerous health problems, including Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, fatty liver disease, breathing difficulties, kidney disease and some forms of cancer. Obesity can also take a toll on mental health, posing risk of developing body image problems, low self-esteem, depression and eating disorders.

In light of this public health crisis, GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and other peptides, including insulin, have become significant areas of interest. These amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, acting as messengers in support of immune, brain and mitochondrial health.

Because of their regenerative properties, BPC-157 and thymosin beta-4 peptides are prescribed for tissue repair and healing, particularly in sports medicine and injury recovery. For weight management and anti-aging, GLP-1, CJC-1295 and ipamorelin stimulate the release of growth hormones, which are believed to improve body composition by reducing fat and increasing muscle mass.

GLP-1 Agonists

Naturally secreted by the intestines in response to food intake, GLP-1 plays a key role in glucose metabolism by stimulating insulin and inhibiting glucagon secretion. Medications such as semaglutide (marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy), liraglutide (Saxenda and Victoza) and dulaglutide (Trulicity), are called GLP-1 receptor agonists because they mimic the effects of GLP-1. “GLP-1 agonists are great for weight loss when other things have been tried and have failed, and someone seems to be more resistant to weight loss,” says Rajka Milanovic Galbraith, M.D., a longevity expert and founder of Simply Health Institute, in Illinois.

“For people who are truly obese, have diabetes and long-standing metabolic issues, GLP-1 can be a lifesaver,” says Lorraine Maita a board-certified functional and integrative doctor in New Jersey. She notes that these medications can also reduce the risk of joint pain, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and many obesity-related cancers.

Side Effects

According to Maita, “GLP-1 medications have their place, and most people who need them get good results. However, they are expensive, inconvenient injectables that need refrigeration and are in short supply, with limited or no insurance coverage. They can be difficult to wean off and if not dosed properly, have significant side effects, and some people do not get results or can’t tolerate them no matter what.”

Common side effects include gastrointestinal, such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting, as well as muscle wasting, malnutrition, loss of fat in the face and pancreatitis. Maita cycles the medicine—three weeks on and one week off, or three months on and one month off. She starts with the lowest dose that offers results without side effects, and if side effects develop, she stops the medication until the patient gets relief and pre-treatment symptoms return, at which time she will go back on a lower dosage. The goal is to stay at the lowest dose that provides benefit.

Longevity Benefits

“Beyond their use for weight loss, GLP-1 medications may play a beneficial role in longevity, especially as it relates to heart health—the number one cause of death—as well as brain health,” says Galbraith. “In studies, they have found them to be cardio-protective and can help the heart recover from damage caused by heart attacks. They are also neuro-protective, showing promise in slowing or preventing memory loss in Alzheimer's disease. Lastly, they enhance mitochondrial function, which supports energy production in our cells.”

Maita emphasizes that treatment must be individualized and under a physician’s care to get the best results. “You still must eat healthy, exercise, balance your hormones, heal your gut and live a healthy lifestyle,” she counsels. “There is no free ride.”

Madiha Saeed is a holistic, functional and integrative doctor in Naperville, Illinois, and director of education for Documenting Hope and KnoWEwell.

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