What is GLP1
GLP-1 is a hormone released by the gut. Its full name is glucagon-like peptide-1. It is released as a response to eating and digesting food.1
What does GLP1 do?
GLP-1 has many roles in digestion2:
- It slows down gastric emptying. This means it keeps food in the stomach longer before passing through the small and large intestines.
- GLP-1 helps release insulin from the pancreas, which regulates blood glucose.
- GLP-1 helps to reduce appetite as it signals to your brain that you are full.
What is GLP1- medication?
GLP-1 medications imitate the GLP-1 hormone by prolonging gastric emptying and feelings of fullness, and they reduce appetite.2
How long does GLP1 stay in your system?
Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro are injected once a week. Ozempic and Mounjaro stay in your system for approximately 4/5 weeks after the last dose. Wegovy stays in your system for 5-7 weeks after the last dose.
Which GLP1 is best for weight loss?
It is hard to know which GLP-1 is best for weight loss as it affects people differently. Some options available in the United Kingdom are Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. Ozempic is prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes. However, Wegovy and Mounjaro are prescribed to people who are overweight and/or obese and must meet certain criteria.
Effects of GLP-1 medication.
GLP-1 medication has been very effective. Many people on these medications have successfully lost weight (~ 10% or more of body weight), and they have reduced diabetes risk in prediabetic people.3 However, side effects must be considered, including nausea, vomiting, malnutrition, nutrition deficiencies, and loss of lean muscle mass.
How to overcome side-effects of GLP-1 medication?
A multi-disciplinary approach to taking GLP-1 medication may reduce the side effects. You should:
- Work with a nutritionist/dietitian: now that you are having smaller meals, getting the right nutrients and avoiding deficiencies is essential. A nutritionist on your weight loss journey can reduce the risk of weight gain once you stop the medication and help you develop positive eating habits for life.3,4
- Consider a personal trainer or physiotherapist. Taking GLP-1 weight loss medication is linked to losing essential lean muscle mass. However, studies show that those who combine weight loss medication therapy with exercise throughout the course and for a year after taking it have better health outcomes.5,6
Check-in with your GP: GLP1- doses, side effects, blood samples etc.
How can I help you succeed with GLP-1 weight loss medication?
As your nutritionist, I will:
- Help you ensure you get all the right nutrients into your smaller meals.
- Help you to reduce the risk of malnutrition and/or nutrition deficiencies.
- Help you to develop healthier eating habits.
- Help you to improve your relationship with food.
- Provide meal ideas and/or recipe inspiration.
- Help you to manage social events that involve eating.
- Help you to maintain muscle mass.
- Refer you to a personal trainer or physiotherapist.
When you stop taking GLP-1 medication, the drugs stop working. The most incredible effect of this drug is how it suppresses appetite and “switches off” that insatiable desire to eat more. If you stop taking the medication, the desire to eat more will be “switched on” again. This is where I can help you develop new healthy eating habits.
Please get in touch with Sage Nutrition so that they can help you be the best version of yourself while you are taking GLP-1 medication.
References:
1. Drucker, Daniel J. “The GLP-1 Journey: From Discovery Science to Therapeutic Impact.” The Journal of Clinical Investigation, vol. 134, no. 2, 16 Jan. 2024, e175634. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI175634.
2. Aldawsari, Malikah, Almadani, Fatima et al. “The Efficacy of GLP-1 Analogues on Appetite Parameters, Gastric Emptying, Food Preferences, and Taste Among Adults with Obesity: A Systematic Review.” Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy, vol. 15, 2022, pp. 2147–2163. Dove Medical Press, https://doi.org/10.2147/DMSO.S387116.
3. Davies, Melanie, et al. “Semaglutide 2·4 mg Once a Week in Adults with Overweight or Obesity, and Type 2 Diabetes (STEP 2): A Randomised, Double-Blind, Double-Dummy, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 3 Trial.” The Lancet, vol. 397, no. 10278, 2021, pp. 971–984. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00213-0.
4. Garvey, W. Timothy, et al. “Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity in People with Type 2 Diabetes (SURMOUNT-2): A Double-Blind, Randomised, Multicentre, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 3 Trial.” The Lancet, vol. 402, no. 10402, 19 Aug. 2023, pp. 613–626.
5. Lundgren, Julie R., et al. “Healthy Weight Loss Maintenance with Exercise, Liraglutide, or Both Combined.” The New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 384, no. 18, 6 May 2021, pp. 1719–1730. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2028198.
6. Jensen, Simon Birk Kjær, et al. “Healthy Weight Loss Maintenance with Exercise, GLP-1 Receptor Agonist, or Both Combined Followed by One Year without Treatment: A Post-Treatment Analysis of a Randomised Placebo-Controlled Trial.” EClinicalMedicine, vol. 69, Mar. 2024, p. 102475. Elsevier, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102475