What’s the “Ozempic” Craze All About?
Okay friends, it’s been a while since I posted, and this post is coming back with a bang!
What is the craze with all of these GLP-1 medications, is it all it’s cracked up to be, and is there more to the story? Let’s take a deep dive into what seems to be an overnight hit in the medical world!
Lets start with, what is GLP-1?
GLP-1 or glucagon-like-peptide-1, is a hormone, made in the human body, that stimulates insulin production, slows stomach emptying, decreases appetite, and increases urination. This hormone is a naturally occurring compound like insulin, estrogen, testosterone, and so many more. It has been available since 2005 to be used as a medication by compounding pharmacies, to aid in things like weight loss, diabetes, insulin resistance, lowering cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, and reducing the risk of heart and kidney diseases. They also have been shown to lower inflammation and regulate the immune system, which is helpful in autoimmune disease. There are many of these medications now created by pharmaceutical companies working under trade names like Ozempic, Mounjaro, Zepbound, and Trulicity. Each brand is a form of GLP-1 that offers different dosing by metered pen for a certain indication like diabetes or weight loss.
Here’s the deal. You might see people using these and getting “skinny” almost overnight. But I have a couple of potential issues with the dosing and monitoring of these medications. First you need to know your body composition and ensure you are not losing muscle mass; this is the metabolic currency of the body and if you lose it instead of fat tissue, the metabolic issue is now worse, but you wear a smaller pant size. Muscle protects our bones, burns energy, and keeps us moving. The other thing is dosing, if you are having positive benefits at a low dose there is no reason to increase to “lose” faster. The body is not made to lose weight quickly without burning muscle and that includes your heart muscles. And while it can be a helpful tool, you always need to start with the foundations of a healthy diet, good exercise, and hydration. I believe that not having those things in check, is where the “rebound” weight gain comes in when people stop the medication and a lot of the severe side effects of nausea, fatigue, and severe constipation. I used to be team “anti-GLP-1” but the longer I have studied them and seen the vast array of benefit, I think that like any other drug, for the right person, in the correct dose, they can be a useful tool. Just remember it is a tool, not a solution.
Off label indications for these medications is actually where I came to love them. There are so many other benefits of this class of drug. It has been shown to aid in autoimmune disease like PCOS, Hashimoto’s, mood disorders like depression and Alzheimers, skin conditions like psoriasis, other metabolic conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver, and even helping with the cravings of substance abuse. These are not commonly thought of indications and typically will not be covered by insurance but, as a holistic provider, being able to offer another method to alleviate symptoms and possibly reverse disease, I am always eager to learn!
Here’s my take on the GLP-1 category, as holistic provider. I think that if you or your doctor are considering starting on one of these medications, either pharmaceutically prepared or compounded you need to know and do these things first.
1) Ensure your vitamin levels are in check, and you’ve had a thorough lab workup. If you have not had things like vit D, b12, folate checked then you need to ensure they are before you start, because slowing the GI tract can worsen these deficiencies and you need to supplement them.
2) Focus on a whole food diet for at least 3 months before and throughout, to be in a good habit and to ensure your body is ready to do the work ahead.
3) Ensure you are eating plenty of protein, ideally 0.5-1 gram per pound of body weight every day so you do not lose muscle.
4) Exercise! This is a must to ensure you are not losing muscle mass, this can be as simple as going for a brisk walk 3-4 times per week, but weightlifting is the best.
5) Hydrate! You must be drinking enough water or the slowing of the GI tract will cause severe constipation.
6) Low and slow! Allow your body time to heal itself while focusing on the foundations. These conditions, diabetes, obesity, and autoimmune disease, did not occur over night but over years, allow the symptoms to resolve slowly and don’t “crank up your dose” to see them occur faster.
I hope this give some clarity to the hot topic right now. There is no perfect, or one size fits all solution be sure to talk with your health care team to find out what is best for you.
If you are looking for more holistic care, I am happy to help! You can call and schedule an appointment with myself of my colleague Rebecca!
