What are GLP-1’s and why are they so popular right now?
Glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists, otherwise known as GLP-1’s, have become increasingly popular and are being used more and more in today’s society. This raises the question of what are GLP-1’s and why are they so popular?
GLP-1’s are a type of medication that help to improve blood sugar levels. They do so by inhibiting the effects of glucagon, a hormone that typically acts to increase blood glucose. GLP-1 drugs serve different purposes; they were first used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus because with this condition, blood glucose levels are above the healthy range and the GLP-1 helps to bring down these levels. After administration of GLP-1’s to patients with type 2 diabetes, they were also found to cause weight loss. Because of this, they started to prescribe GLP-1’s as a weight loss medication due to their ability to delay gastric emptying. This means they help prolong the feeling of fullness, resulting in you consuming less food. Along with weight loss, GLP-1 drugs also have the ability to lower blood pressure and total cholesterol. Some common GLP-1’s include Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Trulicity.
Ozempic, especially, has gained great popularity with celebrities such as Chelsea Handler, Dolores Catania, Amy Schumer, and Remi Bader, according to E News. Many celebrities and influencers have shared their personal experiences with the medication, like Remi Bader expressing her concerns of binge eating after going off the drug and Dolores Catania explaining her only side effect being “just not hungry”. Everyone’s body reacts differently to the medication and it is important to keep that in mind!
After hearing about Ozempic, whether it was in the media or through peers, many people begin to wonder what their next steps might be if they are interested in using it for weight loss purposes. The first step would be to meet with a doctor, a physician, or a nurse practitioner to be evaluated and to learn more about the medication to decide if it is the right fit for you. At ReadySteps, our mission is to support everyone with the nutritional guidance needed to live a long and happy life. We do not prescribe any medication, including any GLP-1’s. We are a team of credentialed Registered Dietitians helping our clients build the foundation of nutritional health to support them through optimized health and wellness; “One strategy alone will not work to optimize your health and wellness. Getting the support of a trained Registered Dietitian can help you craft a holistic approach that will include maximizing your dietary intake to support optimal protein and fiber intake, two often overlooked, yet very important components of a healthy diet, especially if you are adding a GLP-1 to your program”, says Kristina Spellman, ReadySteps RD.
Whether you decide if a GLP-1 is the right fit for you or not, setting yourself up for nutritional success is crucial. Schedule a call with a ReadySteps registered dietitian to build your toolbox of nutritional health and build your support system of experts!