GLP-1 Agonist Weight Loss Guide

Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common and best-studied modern diseases. Therefore, new drugs are constantly being developed to combat this disease.

One such drug is called a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonist. These drugs have become increasingly popular recently because, although GLP-1 receptor agonists were originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, they are starting to show very promising benefits: significant weight loss.

If you think you’re a candidate for one of these drugs, read on to learn everything you need to know about GLP-1 agonists for weight loss, how they work, who should take them, their side effects, and more.

What are GLP-1 agonists?

Hormones are your body’s natural messengers. They carry important messages to different organs to keep the body functioning properly. Insulin and GLP-1 peptide are both naturally occurring hormones.

The food you eat is broken down into simple sugars (like glucose) in your stomach.

This sugar then enters the bloodstream and travels throughout the body. Insulin directs sugar from the blood into cells to be used as energy.

But when insulin no longer works, sugar remains in the blood and you develop type 2 diabetes.

This is why people with diabetes have higher than normal blood sugar levels. This is why most diabetes drugs, including GLP-1 agonists, target blood sugar control.

But like any good planner, your body always has a backup. When insulin begins to decrease (as it does in people with diabetes), your body sends out the GLP-1 hormone to make up for the lack.

When scientists discovered this clever move, they figured out a way to mimic the physical behavior. Therefore, GLP-1 agonists were developed.

An agonist is any man-made substance (such as a drug or medication) that replicates or enhances the effects of a natural substance (in this case, GLP-1) by stimulating its receptors.

How does GLP-1 work?

GLP-1 is normally produced in the small intestine. It has four messenger functions:

1. It tells the pancreas to increase insulin secretion to properly control blood sugar levels.
2. It also tells the pancreas not to release hormones such as glucagon, which moves glucose into the bloodstream from other storage sites, such as the liver.
3. It tells your stomach to digest food slowly so that more sugar isn’t added to the bloodstream before insulin clears them.
4. It tells your brain that you’re full and not hungry at all—that is, it reduces hunger and increases satiety. This prevents overeating and prevents you from taking in more food before the previous meal is fully digested.

This last action attracted public attention and thrust GLP-1 agonists, most notably semaglutide, into the spotlight, even in people without diabetes.

GLP-1 agonists can reduce your appetite and keep you feeling full at all times. 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.

6 key considerations for GLP-1 drugs

GLP-1 agonists were first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2005 as drugs for type 2 diabetes.

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

These drugs are usually recommended only after safer, more traditional methods such as diet and exercise have failed to produce the desired results.

Even so, GLP-1 agonists are not a panacea and do not work alone. Their long-term use must be accompanied by changes in diet and lifestyle.

1. Know who can and cannot take these medications

To benefit from GLP-1 agonist drugs, you should have a body mass index of 30 or higher, or a body mass index of 27 or higher, and have the following health complications:

• Prediabetes or type 2 diabetes
• Cardiovascular diseases
• hypertension
• high cholesterol
• nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
• obstructive sleep apnea
• polycystic ovary syndrome

Stephanie Nelson, a registered dietitian at MyFitnessPal, says you must talk to your health care provider before starting this medication. This is because taking any medication carries certain risks and possible side effects. A good health care provider will help you weigh the risks of taking your medication versus not taking it.

They will also consider the health benefits of taking your medication. These medications are best for people whose health is at risk due to their weight. For example, if you are obese, you are at higher risk of developing diabetes or heart disease.

But if you have no health risks, these medications are not recommended because they put you at risk for unnecessary side effects.

You also should not take GLP-1 if:

• You have a personal or family history of thyroid cancer, as these can increase your risk of thyroid cancer.
• You are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant.
• You have a serious intestinal disorder.
• You are allergic/sensitive to semaglutide.
• You have had or currently have an eating disorder.

Another thing to consider when choosing GLP-1 is the effect these drugs have on your food consumption.

For example, GLP-1 affects food intake by canceling out food noise and subconsciously making you choose foods that are low in salt, sugar, and fat. This illustrates how powerful your subconscious cues to eat are, and the role your brain plays in obesity.

But this is a double-edged sword, as you still need to be aware and aware of what you’re eating to make sure you’re eating enough – which is where tracking what you eat comes in.

While taking GLP-1 medications, you need to make strict nutritious food choices and track your calorie intake to prevent malnutrition and achieve healthy weight loss.

2. Understand the available GLP-1 drugs and their effectiveness

There are many GLP-1 drugs on the US market. However, currently only the following three are approved by the FDA for use as weight loss drugs:

Semaglutide (Wegovy)

• type: injectable
• frequency: weekly
• Starting dose: 0.25 to 1.7 mg for first 16 weeks
• Maintenance dose: 2.4 mg
• Efficacy found:
  1. Manufacturer-sponsored research 803 and 1,961 people: Weight loss averaged 7.9% and 14.9% respectively, waist circumference was slimmer, total cholesterol levels, systolic blood pressure and triglyceride levels were lower
  2. Research review 2021: Multiple studies show that taking Wegovy once a week can lead to weight loss

Liraglutide (Saxenda)

Zepbound

• Dual GLP-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist
• type: injectable
• frequency: weekly
• Starting dose: For the first 4 weeks, 2.5 mg in 0.5 mL of liquid solution
• Maintenance dose: 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, or 15 mg starting at Week 5 (based on treatment response and drug tolerability)
• Efficacy found:
  1. manufacturing sponsorship SUMOUNT-3 Trial: Overall average weight loss of 26.6% over 84 weeks
  2. manufacturing sponsorship SUMOUNT-4 Trial: Overall average weight loss of 26% over 88 weeks

3. Remember their potential side effects

GLP-1 agonists have a long list of potential side effects, such as:

1. Digestive system: Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, indigestion, gas, bloating, belching, and gastroesophageal reflux
2. nervous system: Headaches, dizziness, fatigue, mood changes, and suicidal behavior or ideation
3. Hypoglycemia and diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetes
4. allergic reaction
5. drug interactions
6. heart rate changes
7. gallstones
8. pancreatitis
9. kidney damage
10. Increased risk of thyroid cancer

Danielle Belardo, MD, a cardiologist and MyFitnessPal scientific advisor, says most gut-related side effects can be addressed with dietary changes, such as eating smaller meals more often, increasing fiber intake and staying hydrated.

Interesting facts: MyFitnessPal offers a free 7-day GLP-1 Nutrition Plan, developed in collaboration with the experts on our Scientific Advisory Board. learn more!

4. Understand insurance coverage for these drugs

Insurance coverage for GLP-1 agonists (such as semaglutide) depends on a variety of factors, such as drug type, plan, provider, and health status.

GLP-1 is sometimes covered by insurance, but only if it is deemed medically necessary. For example, some health care providers will cover these drugs if they are used to treat type 2 diabetes.

Medicare does not cover these weight loss drugs, but in some states, Medicaid does.

Always talk to your provider before starting this medication. Some plans may require prior authorization or a written diagnosis. You may also need to meet certain health standards or pay some out-of-pocket costs.

The Wegovy and Saxenda plan costs $1,349.02 per month.

Zepbound costs approximately $1,059.87 per month.

Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and Company (manufacturers) offer savings plans for the uninsured.

This way, you can save about $500 per month and buy 4 weeks of Wegovy or Zepbound. Most people with commercial insurance for the drug pay less than $25 a month, according to the company.

5. Understand GLP-1’s obesity treatment alternatives

If GLP-1 isn’t right for you, here are some weight management strategies:

• Choose home-cooked meals over ultra-processed foods.
• Make small, sustainable changes to nutrition.
• Add more protein and fiber to your diet.
• Reduce your intake of high-sugar drinks. Drink more boiled water instead.
• Make sure you get adequate, high-quality sleep.
• Move your body more – whether it’s exercise, walking, or doing household chores.
• In extreme cases, consider other weight loss treatments, such as surgery or medications that cause weight loss (such as phentermine).
• Seek advice from a professional such as a registered dietitian, psychologist, endocrinologist, or physical therapist for customized care that suits your needs.

6. Remember GLP-1 Maximum Treatment Duration

Studies show that people regain about two-thirds of their weight within a year after stopping taking GLP-1 supplements. Therefore, these medications may not be your best choice for long-term weight loss.

Obesity is considered a chronic disease. Drugs like GLP-1 can suppress appetite, increase insulin sensitivity, and inhibit pathways in the body that promote obesity. But these effects can be reversed once the medication is stopped.

In summary, GLP-1 can be used to treat obesity, but it cannot completely cure it. This is why if you hope to receive permanent benefits, you need to be mentally prepared to receive GLP-1 for life.

Bottom line: GLP-1 is not for everyone

Choosing the right medication depends on many factors, such as your health, medication tolerance, budget, and insurance coverage. Please consult your healthcare provider before starting any medication.

Ultimately, diet and exercise are equally important to a successful weight loss journey. To get started easily, make small changes such as meal planning, tracking calories, or creating an exercise plan.