Understanding the body’s natural processes can be a game-changer when it comes to weight management. For many people, GLP-1 medications have been the answer they were looking for to help them get their weight where they want it and to help support healthy blood sugar levels. Others have found success by supporting the body’s natural GLP-1 production.
What does GLP-1 do for the body?
GLP-1 is a hormone produced in the intestines in response to food intake. It does a lot for the body, with its primary job being to regulate appetite and blood sugar levels.
Weight loss is a common “side effect” of the work GLP-1 does. For many people, increasing the amount of GLP-1 in their bodies—whether through medication or natural means—can be the missing piece of the weight-management equation that finally helps them get to where they want to be.
5 ways GLP-1 enables weight loss
GLP-1 is just one piece in the weight-management puzzle (which also includes diet and physical activity), but it’s an important one.
Regulates appetite. GLP-1 affects areas of the brain that processes hunger and satiety, which signals to the body how hungry (or full) you feel. It’s hard to lose weight if you’re always hungry, so supporting your body’s production of GLP-1—and other hormones—is an important aspect to managing hunger.
Slows gastric emptying. GLP-1 slows down the rate at which the stomach empties its contents into the small intestine. This helps you feel full for longer so you’re less likely to eat as much.
Helps support healthy blood sugar levels. When your blood sugar levels are consistently high, your body produces more insulin. And when your body is producing more insulin, your body will use glucose for energy first rather than tapping into fat storage, making it difficult to lose weight. GLP-1 stimulates insulin release from the pancreas and suppresses the hormone glucagon. Both of these actions help limit blood sugar spikes after you eat, which can lead to increased hunger and overeating.
Behavioral changes. GLP-1 can change how you feel about certain foods, especially foods you crave and how much you eat. This naturally leads to healthier eating patterns and helps curb the overconsumption of high-calorie, high-fat foods.
Supports metabolic health. Healthy levels of GLP-1 have a domino effect on your health. Better blood sugar levels, weight loss, and reduced calorie intake help manage or reduce your risk of chronic health conditions and help you feel better overall. GP-1 isn’t a cure-all, but its potential impact is far-reaching.
GLP-1 medications
GLP-1 agonists—medications like Ozempic and Wegovy that have surged in popularity recently—are used to help treat diabetes and obesity. These GLP-1 agonists work by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone, which essentially “tricks” the body into thinking it has more GLP-1 than it really does, supporting healthy blood glucose levels and increased satiety.
However, these medications are pricey, and can cause a range of side effects (including gastrointestinal issues). Furthermore, long-term results aren’t conclusive yet and many have reported gaining back the weight they lost after they stopped taking GLP-1 medication.
How to increase GLP-1 naturally
GLP-1 agonists can be a quick, efficient way to help shed a few unwanted pounds, but they’re not the only option—and for most people, they’re not a permanent solution, either.
Fortunately, we can do a lot to support the body’s natural production of GLP-1. A combination of diet and lifestyle modifications can help boost your body’s natural GLP-1, with strong benefits for weight management and overall metabolic health. See these valuable tips on how to increase GLP-1 naturally for more ideas.
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The bigger picture
While boosting GLP-1 is naturally beneficial for weight management, it’s also a good strategy to support overall health. Balancing GLP-1 with lifestyle changes can help you lose weight and support your metabolic health—without needing to rely on synthetic alternatives.