The science of GLP-1

GLP-1 drugs refer to glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, also known as GLP-1 analogues or incretin mimetics.

You may have heard of brands like Wegovy ,Ozempic, or Rybelsus, made popular by Hollywood and Bollywood celebrities. These are GLP-1 treatments (containing Semaglutide) that can accelerate your weight loss journey by affecting your hunger levels and your metabolism.

GLP-1 medicines must be used long-term, in conjunction with exercise and a sensible diet, in order to achieve maximum results. Many people choose to take them in tablet form so as to avoid self-injection and because it’s quick and easy. However, it is also possible to inject GLP-1 agonists once per week.

Over time, you slowly increase the dosage level, giving your body plenty of time to adjust. Higher doses of GLP-1 offer greater weight loss results.

• 1987

  Positive side effect diabetes

  Originally, GLP-1 agonists were created to treat diabetes. People with diabetes have too much sugar in their blood, and GLP-1 drugs help by increasing incretin hormone levels that stimulate insulin production. Insulin is required to bring blood sugar levels down, by letting sugar become absorbed from the blood into nearby cells.

• 2000

  Testing effect on digestion

  When testing the effect of GLP-1 agonists, it was also discovered that they reduced the rate of digestion and slowed down stomach emptying. This caused a decrease in appetite and led many trialled patients to lose weight. 

• 2014

  Approved for weight loss

  It wasn’t until many years of further testing that the first GLP-1 drug was approved for the treatment of weight loss in obese individuals. It has since worked to help thousands of people across the globe achieve their weight loss goals. 

GLP-1 drugs work to aid in weight loss by doing several different things. They work by:

Suppressing your usual appetite:

Your body naturally produces GLP-1 hormones (such as glucagon) in the small intestine. They are responsible for sending your brain the signal that you are full. GLP-1 drugs mimic these naturally occurring hormones by binding to the GLP-1 receptor hormones in the brain. This results in increased feelings of fullness.

Slowing down gastric emptying:

GLP-1 also acts on the stomach and slows down the rate at which it empties its contents into the small intestine. This delayed gastric emptying can help you feel full longer after eating, reducing the frequency of meals and snacks.

Regulating blood sugar:

GLP-1 drugs have a glucose-lowering effect by enhancing insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells and inhibiting glucagon release. When blood sugar levels are better controlled, it can reduce cravings for high-calorie, sugary foods, which aids in successful weight loss.

GLP-1 treatments have been thoroughly researched and studied since they were released in the 2000s. 

One study taken on just under 2,000 obese people (with a BMI of 30 or above) showcases the effectiveness of the drug. It was a double-blind trial, meaning that neither the patients nor those conducting the study knew who was taking the GLP-1 treatment, and who was using a placebo. The trial took place over 68 weeks. 

Results found that: 

• Over 68 weeks of regularly taking GLP-1 (Semaglutide), the mean change in body weight was -14.8% . 
• In contrast to this, people who were taking a placebo drug (and relied on lifestyle changes alone) had a mean change in body weight of -2.4% .

In kilos, on average:

• The Semaglutide group lost 15.3 kg
• The placebo group lost 2.6kg

Patients taking Semaglutide lost significantly more weight than those taking the placebo drug - up to 15% of their original body weight.

Semaglutide is available in the form of daily tablets or weekly injections. The type of treatment you use is usually down to preference. 

The following table outlines the key differences between these two types of GLP-1:

GLP-1 treatments are not a quick fix. In order for weight loss to be healthy and sustainable, it needs to be slow and steady. There is no miracle cure that will make you lose weight overnight.

That being said, you’re likely to start noticing results after the first couple of months of treatment. You know your body best, so you’ll be the first to notice that your clothes are slightly looser, or that parts of your body have decreased in size.

More significant weight loss takes place when you’ve been on treatment for at least six months. This is because, you’ll have stayed in a calorie deficit for a prolonged amount of time, and you’ll have had ample time to increase your semaglutide dose. 

Once you reach the maximum maintenance dose, you’ll notice that you’re progressing faster than ever in your journey towards better health.

Taking higher doses means that there’s more of the treatment in your system. More GLP-1 means less appetite and fewer calories consumed, which means more weight loss. 

Semaglutide is available in different doses:

It is critical that anyone who starts taking GLP-1 treatment begins on the lowest possible starting dose. Your body needs time to adjust to a new medication - beginning on a higher dose comes with risks.

Every four weeks you can increase your dose to the next level up. Your body needs ample time to adjust to the treatment so as to limit your chances of side effects. 

It’s very important not to increase your dose sooner, or to skip dosage levels. In this case, your body will not respond as it should. You’ll likely suffer from adverse gastric side effects that may disrupt your progress or put a halt to your weight loss journey altogether. 

The main benefits of taking GLP-1 medication are weight loss and lower blood glucose levels. 

Weight loss itself has multiple health benefits, including a lowered risk of:

• heart disease and heart failure 
• stroke
• kidney disease
• type 2 diabetes 
• some forms of cancer 
• musculoskeletal disorders

Many of these conditions can become life-threatening.

By aiding in successful weight loss, GLP-1 treatments can improve your long-term health and reduce your chances of developing serious weight-related health conditions.

While taking GLP-1 is the first step towards achieving your weight loss goals, you do need to implement certain diet and lifestyle changes in order to get the most out of your treatment.

Healthy food

It’s important to focus on choosing healthy foods in order to gain the required nutrients from your diet. Eating three chocolate bars a day won't suffice, even if you’re remaining in a calorie deficit. 

Exercise

Doing exercise on a regular basis will also help you get the most out of your treatment. We recommend that you do roughly 30 minutes of cardio or weight training two to three times per week. Feel free to start slower and gradually build your fitness levels up. 

GLP-1 drugs work effectively for the majority of people who use them. However, there are always exceptions. 

If Semaglutide isn’t working for you, it may be a sign that your body doesn’t respond to this type of treatment. It’s unlikely, but it can happen. 

Alternatively, Semaglutide might not work if you experience side effects that are unmanageable. Most people suffer from mild nausea or gastric issues at the start of treatment, before their bodies have had time to adjust. After this period, the side effects subside.

However, some individuals are not as lucky. They might experience severe side effects throughout treatment, ultimately causing them to give up on GLP-1.