GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have quickly become household names—but many people still don’t understand what GLP-1 actually is or how it works in the body.
To make informed decisions about your health, it helps to know the science behind GLP-1.
So let’s break down what GLP-1 is, how it functions in your body, and how you can naturally support it without needing any medication or injections.
What Is GLP-1?
GLP-1 stands for Glucagon-Like Peptide-1, a hormone that your body naturally releases after eating. It’s part of a group of hormones called incretins, which help regulate your blood sugar and appetite.
GLP-1 is made in the small intestine and it sends signals to several key areas of your body:
The brain: GLP-1 signals satiety, meaning it helps you feel full after eating.
The stomach: It slows down how quickly food leaves the stomach, which helps with blood sugar control and keeps you fuller for longer.
The pancreas: It increases the release of insulin when your blood sugar rises, especially after meals.
The liver: It reduces glucagon release, helping to prevent your liver from releasing too much sugar into your bloodstream.
In short, GLP-1 helps your body manage hunger and stabilize blood sugar after eating. AND your body does all of this without needing any medication! The key is to learn how to support the body so that the natural GLP-1 works optimally in your body.
What Do GLP-1 Medications Do?
GLP-1 medications are synthetic versions of this hormone that copy what your body already does. When injected, these medications amplify GLP-1 activity, leading to:
Reduced appetite
Slower digestion
Improved blood sugar control
Weight loss (mainly by reducing food intake due to extremely low appetite)
You might be thinking, well what’s wrong with all of that? Sounds great to me… But, what you don’t see is all of the common negative side effects of taking GLP-1 medications like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and fatigue (ewww, who wants to live with these symptoms day after day?!?)
The Problem with Relying on Synthetic GLP-1
While GLP-1 medications can be effective, they come with concerns:
- They override natural hunger cues, making it harder to learn how to eat intuitively. This means that when you stop taking your GLP-1 medications or injections, it will be harder for your to regulate your appetite; therefore, potentially leading to excess weight gain.
- Weight regain is very common after stopping the medication—because lifestyle changes weren’t made. If you do decide to take the GLP-1 medication, make sure you are working with a dietitian to learn how to properly fuel your body to reduce the risk of weight gain when you come off of the medication. (We have dietitians that can help!)
- They don’t address the root cause of weight gain, which often involves emotional eating, poor sleep, stress, or unbalanced habits.
There can be serious risks involved with taking GLP-1 medications, including: pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, and unknown long-term effects.
Three Ways to Support Natural GLP-1 Function Without Injections or Medications
1. Prioritize Protein and Fiber
Eating high-fiber carbs and quality protein at each meal stimulates GLP-1 naturally.
Examples: oatmeal with chia seeds and almonds, lentils with brown rice, eggs with vegetables
2. Eat Mindfully and Chew Each Bite 10-20 Times
Digestion starts in the mouth. Slower eating enhances satiety signals, including GLP-1 release. Aim to chew each bite 10-20 times before swallowing. This will help you learn how to tune into your hunger-fullness cues and practice mindful eating.
3. Exercise Daily To Boost Natural GLP-1 Activity
Physical activity—especially walking, resistance training, or any form of movement throughout the day—can increase GLP-1 production and improve insulin sensitivity. This helps reduce cravings and supports a balanced metabolism and better blood sugars.
If all of the above are still not reason enough for you to learn how to change your behaviors to support your natural GLP-1 function, GLP-1 medications come with a high cost. Some medications exceed $1,000/month and may not be covered by insurance.
You Can Lose Weight—Naturally
Losing weight without medication might take more time, but it builds real, lifelong skills. Instead of outsourcing your health to a weekly shot, you’ll learn how to work with your body—not against it. And that’s something a prescription can’t replace.
Take the Next Steps to Invest in your health today!
If you are ready to learn how to lose weight, fuel your body, and build a more positive relationship with food, check out our 6-week Weight Loss Boot Camp Program!
Our 6-week weight loss boot camp is an affordable program that provides evidenced-based nutrition information and strategies that is designed to help you lose weight and maintain your weight loss by learning foundational, life-long, healthy nutrition habits that don’t make you feel like you are on just another diet.
Our medical nutrition therapy services are covered by insurance and 95% of our clients pay $0 out of pocket to learn how to create a nutrition plan that is personalized to their lifestyle and budget needs, and meets their health goals!
Schedule your appointment with one of our dietitians when you are ready to take the next step to investing in your health and not taking the quick way out!
Although Samantha Turner is a registered dietitian, she is not YOUR registered dietitian. All content in this post is for informational and educational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice, and does not establish any kind of patient-client relationship by your use of these courses, OakStone Health and Nutrition website, and any other OakStone Health and Nutrition related content.
