Short for Glucagon-like peptide-1, it is a naturally produced amino acid structure that your gut releases upon eating food and signals its effects as a hormone throughout the body. This molecule is degraded by the body after a few minutes. Pharmaceutical companies have extended the time that it takes for the body to break the molecule down from a couple of minutes to about a week. This was done by changing out a few of the amino acids making it more difficult for the body to degrade.

The first GLP-1 agonist was developed in 1995 and was approved for use to treat type 2 diabetes by the FDA in 2005.

The peptide hormone signals satiety, eliminating hunger in the brain. The molecule also acts on the digestive system by delaying gastric emptying. Both of these effect result in few calories being consumed.

Glycine is one of twenty amino acids that the body uses to manufacture different types of proteins.

A short amino acid chain is called a peptide, while a long amino acid is a protein. As muscles is primarily composed of protein, Glycine has been shown to improve muscle tone and delays muscle loss; this can be beneficial when running a caloric deficit. Additional measures for protection against muscle loss are reviewed in the educational material accessible after scheduling your intake appointment.

B12 is a water soluble vitamin that the body uses in numerous metabolic processes to include maintenance of the nervous system, red blood cell production, DNA synthesis and among others. Fatigue secondary to B12 deficiency has been found to be as high as 38% in older adults and is routinely treated with weekly injections.

The side-effect profile is mostly due to the slowing of the digestive system and consists of nausea, vomiting (n/v), diarrhea, and constipation. These side-effects are usually brought on by over eating or consuming fatty greasy foods. The medication also reduces junk food cravings. Techniques for mitigating side-effects are available in your patient portal and will be addressed by Dr. Heaton during your visit.

Depends on the medication you choose and the amount of time you stay on it, your body’s response the medication, and your diligence in implementing lifestyle and behavioral changes. Semaglutide has shown to decrease body weight by 10-15% across various studies; NEJM, Nature. Tirzepatide studies have shown greater than 20%.

In the clinic, Dr. Heaton routinely saw people lose 30-40 lbs on Semaglutide and with some extra effort up 60-80 pounds. Anything north of 80 lbs often requires Tirzepatide; NEJM.

Female patients report elimination of PCOS symptoms while on these medications; Study.

Studies have found that GLP1 agonists lower blood pressure, decrease reward behavior (addiction), increase exercise tolerance, and have anti-inflammatory properties along with other beneficial effects.

Image retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8346189/