Essential Guide to GLP-1 Agonists for Weight Loss

How Does GLP-1 Work? 

GLP-1 is usually produced in the small intestine. It has a four-fold messenger action:

1. It tells the pancreas to increase insulin secretion to manage your blood sugar levels properly.
2. It also tells the pancreas not to release hormones like glucagon, which can move glucose from other storage places (like the liver) into the bloodstream.
3. It tells your stomach to digest the food slowly so that more sugars don’t get added to the bloodstream before insulin can clear them out.
4. It tells your brain that you’re full and not hungry at all — aka, it decreases hunger and increases satiety. This prevents overeating and keeps you from taking in more food before the previous meal is fully digested. 

This final action has caught the eye of the general public and has pushed GLP-1 agonists—the most well-known being semaglutide—into the limelight, even among people without diabetes.

GLP-1 agonists can decrease your appetite and keep you feeling full all the time. They may help you lose weight, especially if you find portion control challenging.

Does this mean anyone can take GLP-1 drugs to lose weight? Let’s explore the pros and cons of taking these medications for weight loss effects. 

6 Key Considerations of GLP-1 Drugs 

GLP-1 agonists were first approved for use as type 2 diabetes medication by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2005. These drugs are usually available in a liquid form, along with a needle and syringe. 

You need to inject them into the fatty tissue under your skin. The most common injection site is the belly, followed by the outer thighs, upper buttocks, and the backs of your arms.

These drugs are usually recommended only after safer and more conventional methods like diet and exercise have failed to produce the desired results.

Even then, GLP-1 agonists aren’t miracle drugs and can’t work alone. They must be accompanied by dietary and lifestyle changes for long-term use.

1. Learn who can and cannot take these drugs

To benefit from GLP-1 agonist drugs, your body mass index should either be 30 or higher or be 27 or higher with a health complication like: 

• Prediabetes or type 2 diabetes 
• Cardiovascular disease 
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol 
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome

According to MyFitnessPal’s registered dietician, Stephanie Nelson, you must consult your health care provider before starting this medication. This is because taking any medication comes with certain risks and possible side effects. A good health care provider will help you weigh the risks you face by taking the medication versus the risks of not taking it.

They’ll also factor in the health benefits you’ll receive by taking the medication. These drugs are best suited for individuals who are at health risk related to their weight. For example, if you have obesity, you’re at a higher risk of developing diabetes or heart disease. 

But if you’re NOT at health risk, then these drugs aren’t recommended for you because they put you at unnecessary risk of side effects.

You also shouldn’t take GLP-1s if:

• You have a personal or family history of thyroid cancer, as they increase the risk of thyroid cancer.
• You’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to get pregnant.
• You have severe bowel disease.
• You’re allergic/sensitive to semaglutide.
• You have a past or active eating disorder.

Another thing to consider when opting for GLP-1s is the influence of these drugs on your food consumption.  

For example, GLP-1s impact food intake by quieting food noise and subconsciously getting you to choose less salty, sugary, and fatty foods. This speaks to how powerful your subconscious cues to eat are and the role your brain plays in obesity. 

But this is a double-edged sword because you still need to be conscious and mindful of what you’re eating to ensure you’re eating enough—which is where tracking what you eat comes in.

While taking GLP-1 medications, you need to stay disciplined about making nutritious food choices and tracking your calories to prevent malnutrition and achieve healthy weight loss.