Chances are that you have heard of the recently popularized GLP-1 treatment, known more commonly by some of its medication names such as Ozempic, Zepbound and Wegovy. GLP-1-based medications have recently risen in popularity and public awareness due to their potential to cause significant weight loss. But most people aren’t aware that GLP-1 medications were originally meant to treat type 2 diabetes and that GLP-1 is, in fact, a hormone that your body naturally produces.
What is the GLP-1 Hormone?
The GLP-1 hormone is a hormone that is made in your small intestine that triggers the body to release insulin when you eat, prevents your blood sugar from dropping dangerously low, slows digestion, and reduces your appetite. This hormone is essential for a number of reasons but one of the most important is its insulin release and regulation. Insulin is another natural hormone that helps regulate your blood sugar and helps convert the food you eat into energy. Insulin is released after you eat, when your blood sugar rises, to help regulate your blood sugar so your blood doesn’t have too much sugar in it. This is why it is used to help those with type 2 diabetes, because they have trouble releasing regular amounts of insulin. As well as monitoring your blood sugar levels, GLP-1 also slows down the movement and function of your intestines, so you digest your food slower. Slowing down digestion also inhibits your appetite, so you are less hungry and are overall consume less food.
What is a GLP-1 Medication?
The GLP-1 medications are meant to mimic the GLP-1 hormone by performing the same functions. The medication is most commonly used by those with type 2 diabetes, as it helps manage and regulate their insulin production and blood sugar levels. However, it is also approved for those with obesity, and in recent years it has gained popularity because of its weight loss side effects. GLP-1 medications like Ozempic are typically marketed for weight loss instead of type 2 diabetes.
GLP-1 medications come in either an injectable liquid form or an oral tablet form. Studies say that the most effective way to take GLP-1 medication is through an injectable form once a week. Some GLP-1 medications include Dulaglutide (Trulicity), Semaglutide (Ozempic, and Rybelsus), Tirzepatide (Mounjaro), and Liragluide (Victoza). If you are exploring the possibility of taking a GLP-1 medication, keep in mind that there are FDA-approved GLP-1 medications and there are unapproved GLP-1 medications. So, if you are interested in starting a GLP-1 medication, please talk to your doctor and see if GLP-1 is the right choice for you and which medication is best for your body.
GLP-1 Benefits and Risks
The benefits of GLP-1 medication include:
- Managing your type 2 diabetes
- Weight loss
- Lowering blood pressure
- Improving certain lipid disorders
- Improving fatty liver disease.
GLP-1 medications also can help reduce your risk of developing kidney disease and certain heart conditions.
Possible side effects of taking GLP-1 include
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- infections
- headaches
- indigestion
- mild tachycardia.
The risks of taking GLP-1 are long term side effects such as
- gastrointestinal problems
- chronic acid reflux
- bowel obstruction
- Increased risk of developing kidney problems/ pancreatitis
- Increased risk of gallstones
- Increased risk of bone fractures
Please remember that GLP-1s are not safe for pregnancy, as studies have shown that they cause developmental abnormalities.
Keep in mind that certain GLP-1 medications only began being FDA approved in 2005, with some approval coming as recently as 2017. In the medicine world, these medications are relatively new, and therefore we don’t know the full range of side effects and consequences of long-term use. Approximately 40-80% of people taking GLP-1 medications do experience side effects in some form. Benefits, side effects, and risks vary depending on the type of GLP-1 medication, so please be aware of all the possible side effects and talk extensively to your doctor before beginning any GLP-1 treatment.
The GLP-1 Diet
Some of the GLP-1 medication advocates and advertisements might make you think that taking the medication is incredibly easy and it will be all sunshine and rainbows. However, in reality, if you are taking a GLP-1 medication, the deliberate slowed digestion might lead to some uncomfortable symptoms if you eat the wrong food while taking the medication. When your stomach empties at a slower rate, there are specific foods that are more likely to trigger nausea, bloating or heartburn. So, if you are taking a GLP-1 medication, it might be in your best interest to avoid some of the following foods.
- Spicy foods and hot chili peppers
- Ultra-processed foods
- Caffeine
- Foods/drinks with high sugar content
- Acidic foods
- Highly processed carbohydrates
- Fatty, greasy, and fried foods
- Alcohol and carbonated drinks
- Foods with a high glycemic index
All these foods tend to linger in the stomach longer or irritate the stomach, and with GLP-1’s slowed digestion, this combination can increase your chance of feeling nauseous or bloated after eating. Every body handles food differently, so pay attention to which foods cause you to feel more nauseous and which ones do not.
Best Foods to Eat When Taking GLP-1
Keeping your diet centered on nutrient-rich foods that are easy to digest is the best way to help the GLP-1 work and to minimize side effects. Lean proteins like fish, eggs and skinless chicken breast; whole grain fiber like oatmeal, quinoa and brown rice; and foods with healthy fats like avocado, olive oil and certain nuts and seeds are all healthy and delicious options to eat when on a GLP-1. Keeping the unhealthy fat content low and getting enough protein will help GLP-1 regulate your blood sugar and set you up for success.
Can Food take the Place of a GLP-1 Medication?
For those who are interested in boosting their body’s GLP-1 content but want to do so without taking medication, there are ways to do it! Food cannot entirely replace a GLP-1 medication, but there are certain foods that boost your body’s production of the natural GLP-1 hormone and foods that act as natural appetite suppressants and regulate your digestion and bowel movements. To learn more about how you can boost your natural GLP-1 production, check out our article here.
References:
GLP-1 Agonists: What They Are, How They Work & Side Effects
The physiology of glucagon-like peptide 1 – PubMed
Your friendly guide to GLP-1 weight loss: what works, what doesn’t and what’s next
Ozempic Foods To Avoid: What May Trigger Side Effects | MyObesityTeam
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