“We’re trying to take longevity to the next level… We have a lot of tools—it’s a 30,000 square foot facility with more biohacking technologies under one roof than probably any place in the world.”
Biohacking Longevity: A Look Inside Dr. Beth McDougall’s Cutting-Edge Health Protocols
Welcome to the future of personalized longevity and wellness, where science meets ancient wisdom under one revolutionary roof. In this blog post for Heads Up Health, we explore the insights shared by Dr. Beth McDougall on biohacking secrets and integrative medicine.
Meet the Visionary: Dr. Beth McDougall
Dr. McDougall is not only a trailblazer in integrative medicine with 26 years of experience, but also the co-founder of Jyzen, a 30,000 square foot bio-optimization center in Mill Valley, California. This facility is home to one of the most comprehensive arrays of biohacking technologies in the world.
A Personalized Protocol for Longevity
Dr. McDougall stresses that longevity protocols are deeply personal. She begins with a comprehensive health assessment—evaluating the individual’s goals, metabolic markers, hormonal balance, infectious diseases, heavy metal toxicity, gut health, and even brain function through quantitative EEG brain mapping. The goal? To uncover hidden dysfunctions and build a tailor-made strategy to optimize every layer of health.
Core Strategies for Cellular Optimization
Detoxification: She leverages therapies such as EVO2, phospholipid exchange, and chelation to reduce toxic load.
Hormonal and Metabolic Balance: From mitochondrial efficiency to receptor sensitivity, the aim is cellular rejuvenation.
Peptide Therapy: Dr. McDougall plans a year-long, rotating peptide protocol designed for optimal aging—not a one-size-fits-all plan but a curated rotation for those already in good health.
Lifestyle Enhancements: Customized diets, exercise routines, and stress management practices are key pillars of her program.
Concierge Longevity: The 2025 Vision
Rolling out in 2025, Dr. McDougall introduces a concierge medicine program that layers traditional concierge services with cutting-edge longevity protocols. Members benefit from detailed diagnostics and continuous access to all therapeutic modalities at Jyzen, guided directly by Dr. McDougall herself.
Why It Matters
This integrative approach bridges the gap between high-tech biohacking and whole-person wellness. By focusing on foundational health and leveraging breakthrough technologies, Dr. McDougall redefines aging not as a decline, but as an optimized, vibrant journey.
Stay tuned to Heads Up Health for more stories on health pioneers who are transforming the future of wellness.
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⚕️Find a Trusted Practitioner – Patients need personalized guidance rather than relying solely on podcasts, books, or DIY labs. Finding the right practitioner—even if it takes a few tries—can provide clarity in a noisy health space.
🏋️♂️ Prioritize Muscle Health – Strength training, protein intake, and creatine are essential. Many underestimate their protein needs and the role of muscle mass in long-term health, especially when on appetite-suppressing medications like GLP-1.
🍰 Avoid Perfectionism – Balance over rigidity: it’s vital to have a solid health foundation, but also allow room to enjoy life’s pleasures like desserts and family gatherings without guilt.
Bonus Tips!
🔁 Seek Second (and Third) Opinions – Don’t settle for one voice. If the first health expert isn’t the right fit, continue the search. It’s better to navigate through a few wrong choices than stay misled.
🧮 Track with Tools Like Heads Up – Use digital health tools to assess nutrition and calorie intake. Even informed patients often underestimate protein and overestimate calories—awareness is key.
“Do not make perfection the goal… You should enjoy dessert with the family, enjoy your kid’s birthday party — we forget to enjoy life when perfection is the goal.”
Dr. Jeff Gladd
Concierge Medicine Physician
Insights Based on Numbers
GLP-1 and protein deficiency: When patients use GLP-1 medications, their appetite often drops, leading to reduced protein intake. This can harm muscle mass if not managed consciously.
Underestimation bias: Most patients significantly underestimate their protein intake, often realizing it only after tracking with tools like Cronometer.
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As a health professional, leveraging data-driven longevity & biohacking strategies can transform how we track and optimize patient health. Dr. Brad Jacobs, a leader in integrative medicine and the founder of BlueWave Medicine, emphasizes three core biohacks that can significantly impact patient wellness. This blog post will explore these biohacks and demonstrate how Heads Up Health provides clinicians with a powerful platform to monitor, analyze, and improve patient outcomes.
Who is Dr. Brad Jacobs?
Dr. Brad Jacobs is an expert in integrative and functional medicine, focusing on personalized, data-driven healthcare. His work with BlueWave Medicine aims to optimize patient performance, resilience, and longevity through evidence-based interventions. By combining advanced diagnostics, wearable technology, and precision medicine, Dr. Jacobs helps patients achieve optimal health with measurable outcomes.
Three Biohacks for Patient Health Optimization
Dr. Jacobs outlines three primary biohacks that healthcare professionals can incorporate into patient wellness programs:
1. Heart Rate Variability (HRV): A Key Marker for Autonomic Function
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a powerful biomarker for stress resilience, cardiovascular health, and nervous system balance. Tracking HRV can provide critical insights into a patient’s recovery capacity and stress adaptation.
Tools to Track HRV with Heads Up Health
With Heads Up Health, practitioners can integrate HRV data from:
Mindfulness & Breathwork: Encourage patients to use guided breathing apps and HRV biofeedback.
Therapeutic Sound Healing: HRV benefits from sound baths and Kirtan singing can be measured through tracking tools.
Lifestyle Adjustments: Monitor patient HRV trends alongside sleep, alcohol intake, and stress levels within Heads Up Health.
How Heads Up Health Helps Clinicians Track HRV
Heads Up Health consolidates HRV data into a centralized patient dashboard, allowing clinicians to track trends, correlate HRV with lifestyle interventions, and adjust treatments accordingly.
2. Contrast Therapy: Optimizing Recovery and Immune Function
Contrast therapy (hot/cold exposure) is a powerful biohack for patients seeking improved circulation, recovery, and immune function.
Benefits of Contrast Therapy
Cold Plunges & Ice Baths: Reduce inflammation and improve autonomic nervous system balance.
Sauna Therapy: Heat shock proteins stimulate detoxification and cellular repair.
Hormesis: Controlled stress exposure trains the body’s adaptive response for resilience.
Tracking Contrast Therapy in Heads Up Health
Monitor HRV and temperature response pre/post therapy.
Track patient adherence to sauna and cold immersion routines.
Analyze inflammation and immune markers over time using integrated lab test data within Heads Up Health.
3. Mitochondrial Optimization: Boosting Energy and Longevity
Mitochondrial health is critical for energy production, metabolic function, and longevity. Clinicians can help patients optimize mitochondrial function through targeted lifestyle interventions.
Evidence-Based Strategies for Mitochondrial Health
Intermittent Fasting & Time-Restricted Eating: Improves autophagy and metabolic flexibility.
Zone 2 Cardio Training: Enhances mitochondrial efficiency.
Ketosis & Metabolic Adaptation: Helps shift energy reliance from glucose to fat.
Supplementation:
Urolithin A – Supports mitophagy (mitochondrial cleanup).
NAD+ and NMN – Essential for cellular energy and aging
CoQ10 and PQQ – Enhance ATP production.
Tracking Mitochondrial Health with Heads Up Health
Integrate fasting and ketone tracking with Heads Up Health.
Monitor glucose-ketone index (GKI) to assess metabolic efficiency.
Analyze patient biomarkers (lactate, inflammation, oxygen utilization) over time.
Using Heads Up Health for Patient Biohacking
Heads Up Health provides an advanced platform for clinicians, functional medicine doctors, and health coaches to track and analyze patient health data across multiple interventions. The platform allows practitioners to:
Integrate wearable device data (HRV, sleep, stress levels, activity).
Monitor biometrics including ketones, glucose, HRV, and inflammation markers.
Analyze patient adherence to lifestyle interventions.
Correlate patient data across multiple health variables for personalized treatment adjustments.
Conclusion: Enhancing Patient Care with Data-Driven Biohacking
For health professionals like Dr. Brad Jacobs, personalized, data-driven interventions are the future of medicine. By tracking HRV, leveraging contrast therapy, and optimizing mitochondrial function, clinicians can design precise, individualized health strategies.
With Heads Up Health, practitioners can monitor real-time patient data, customize dashboards, and implement biohacking protocols that drive measurable improvements in health and longevity.
Get started with Heads Up Health today and transform the way you track, analyze, and optimize patient health! 🚀
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Measuring, Tracking, and Validating Therapeutic Interventions for Longevity
Telomeres, the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes, play a critical role in cellular aging and overall health. As cells divide, telomeres shorten, eventually leading to cellular senescence and aging.
Measuring and tracking telomere length has emerged as a valuable tool for assessing biological age and the effectiveness of longevity therapies. This article explores the science behind telomere length, factors that influence its reduction, methods for measurement, and how platforms like Heads Up can facilitate the tracking and validation of therapeutic interventions aimed at improving telomere length.
IntroductiontoTelomeres
Telomeres, consisting of repetitive nucleotide sequences, protect chromosome ends from deterioration and fusion with neighboring chromosomes. Telomere length is a marker of biological age, reflecting the cumulative effects of genetic and environmental factors on cellular health. Understanding and monitoring telomere length can provide insights into the aging process and the efficacy of interventions designed to enhance longevity.
Understanding Telomere Length
The Role of Telomeres in Cellular Aging
Telomeres serve as protective buffers that prevent chromosome ends from being recognized as double-strand breaks, which would otherwise trigger DNA repair mechanisms leading to chromosome fusion and genomic instability. Each time a cell divides, telomeres shorten due to the inability of DNA polymerase to fully replicate the ends of linear chromosomes, a phenomenon known as the “end-replication problem”. When telomeres become critically short, cells enter a state of senescence or undergo apoptosis, contributing to the aging process and the development of age-related diseases.
Measuring Telomere Length
Telomere length can be measured using various techniques, each with its advantages and limitations:
Quantitative PCR (qPCR): This method estimates average telomere length by comparing the quantity of telomere sequences to a single-copy gene. It is widely used due to its cost-effectiveness and high throughput.
Southern Blot (Terminal Restriction Fragment Analysis): This technique provides a more accurate assessment of telomere length distribution but is more labor-intensive and requires larger amounts of DNA.
Flow-FISH (Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization): Combining flow cytometry and FISH, this method measures telomere length in individual cells, allowing for detailed analysis of cell populations.
Single Telomere Length Analysis (STELA): Provides precise measurements of telomere length at individual chromosome ends, making it useful for detailed studies of telomere dynamics.
Factors Influencing Telomere Length Reduction
Genetic Factors
Genetics play a significant role in determining baseline telomere length and the rate of telomere shortening. Variations in genes involved in telomere maintenance, such as those encoding components of the telomerase complex, can influence telomere dynamics and susceptibility to age-related diseases.
Lifestyle and Environmental Factors
Several lifestyle and environmental factors are associated with accelerated telomere shortening:
Chronic Stress: Prolonged exposure to stress hormones such as cortisol can lead to oxidative stress and inflammation, which accelerate telomere attrition.
Poor Diet: Diets high in processed foods and low in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids can increase oxidative damage to telomeres.
Lack of Physical Activity: Regular exercise has been shown to protect against telomere shortening, likely through its effects on reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
Smoking: Tobacco smoke contains numerous harmful chemicals that cause oxidative damage and inflammation, leading to accelerated telomere shortening.
Disease and Health Conditions
Chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity are associated with shorter telomeres, possibly due to the increased oxidative stress and inflammation that accompany these conditions.
Telomere Length and Longevity
The Link Between Telomere Length and Biological Age
Telomere length serves as a biomarker of biological age, reflecting the cumulative effects of genetic and environmental factors on cellular health. Shorter telomeres are associated with increased risks of age-related diseases and reduced lifespan.
Quantifying Biological Age with Telomere Length
Measuring telomere length provides a quantifiable means of assessing biological age, which can differ significantly from chronological age. Individuals with longer telomeres generally exhibit better health and a lower risk of age-related conditions, suggesting a younger biological age.
Lab Companies Measuring Telomere Length
Several companies offer telomere length measurement services for both research and clinical purposes:
Telomere Diagnostics: Provides qPCR-based telomere length analysis, offering insights into biological age and potential health risks.
RepeatDx: Specializes in Flow-FISH technology, providing detailed analysis of telomere length in various cell populations.
Life Length: Offers high-throughput telomere length analysis using a proprietary combination of qPCR and Southern blot techniques.
These companies provide reliable and validated methodologies for telomere length measurement, facilitating the monitoring of biological age and the effectiveness of longevity interventions.
Tracking Telomere Length Over Time
Importance of Longitudinal Tracking
Tracking telomere length over time provides valuable insights into an individual’s health trajectory and the effectiveness of interventions aimed at slowing or reversing telomere shortening. Longitudinal data can help identify trends and inform personalized health strategies.
Using platforms like Heads Up, individuals and healthcare professionals can track changes in telomere length alongside other health metrics, providing a comprehensive view of aging and health outcomes.
Methods for Tracking Telomere Length
While laboratory assessments provide the most accurate measurements, advancements in digital health technologies have made it possible to integrate telomere length data with other health metrics for continuous monitoring. Heads Up can incorporate telomere length measurements from various lab companies, offering an integrated approach to health tracking.
Recommend Telemore Length Tests: Life Length, TruDiagnostic, GlycanAge
Benefits of Regular Monitoring
Regular monitoring of telomere length allows for the assessment of the impact of lifestyle changes and therapeutic interventions on biological age. This data can guide personalized health strategies and help validate the effectiveness of longevity programs.
Heads Up enables users to visualize changes in telomere length over time, facilitating better understanding and management of their health and aging process.
Improving Telomere Length for Longevity
Therapeutic Interventions
Various therapeutic interventions have been shown to impact telomere length and promote longevity:
Telomerase Activation: Telomerase is an enzyme that adds repetitive nucleotide sequences to telomeres, effectively lengthening them. Certain compounds, such as TA-65, have been investigated for their potential to activate telomerase and slow telomere shortening.
Lifestyle Modifications: Diet, exercise, stress management, and other lifestyle factors play crucial roles in maintaining telomere length and overall health. A study by Ornish et al. (2013) demonstrated that comprehensive lifestyle changes, including a plant-based diet, moderate exercise, and stress management techniques, could lead to increased telomere length over a five-year period.
Role of Heads Up
Heads Up can facilitate the tracking of lifestyle factors and therapeutic interventions that influence telomere length. By integrating data from various sources, Heads Up provides a comprehensive platform for monitoring the impact of health interventions on telomere dynamics and overall longevity. < Schedule a Demo >
How Heads Up Can Help Healthcare Professionals
Tracking and Monitoring Longevity Programs
For healthcare professionals providing longevity programs, tracking and monitoring clients’ telomere length over time is crucial for validating the effectiveness of interventions. Heads Up offers a robust platform that allows practitioners to:
Monitor Key Health Metrics: Track telomere length and other vital health indicators such as VO2 max, blood glucose, and inflammation markers, providing a holistic view of a client’s health status.
Analyze Data Trends: Utilize advanced analytics to identify trends and patterns in clients’ health data, providing actionable insights for personalized interventions.
Validate Outcomes: Assess the effectiveness of longevity interventions by comparing pre- and post-program telomere length data, helping to validate the success of various health strategies.
Integrating Telomere Data
Heads Up can integrate telomere length data from laboratory assessments, allowing healthcare professionals to track changes over time and correlate them with other health metrics. This integration supports continuous monitoring and provides a real-time overview of clients’ progress, facilitating more effective health management.
Enhancing Client Engagement
By providing clients with access to their own health data through Heads Up, healthcare professionals can encourage greater engagement and adherence to longevity programs. Clients can track their telomere length and other health metrics, set goals, and gain a deeper understanding of how their lifestyle choices impact their biological age and long-term health.
Case Studies and Outcomes Validation
Heads Up supports the creation of case studies and validation of longevity programs by documenting clients’ health improvements over time. This enables healthcare professionals to build a repository of success stories and evidence-based outcomes that highlight the efficacy of their interventions.
Biological Age & Telomere Length
Telomere length is a critical marker of biological age and a valuable tool for assessing the effectiveness of longevity interventions. By providing insights into an individual’s cellular health, telomere length helps predict longevity and guide interventions to promote long-term health. Regular monitoring and personalized strategies to maintain or improve telomere length can play a crucial role in extending the healthy lifespan.
Heads Up’s unique platform is instrumental for both individuals and healthcare professionals in tracking and analyzing telomere data, validating longevity programs, and ensuring sustained health and wellness. As the understanding of biological age and longevity continues to evolve, telomere length and tools like Heads Up will remain key components in the pursuit of optimal health and well-being.
Next Step: Schedule a Custom Demo
Discover how Heads Up can help you integrate telomere length data with other important health and longevity metrics.
Schedule a demo to learn how our platform seamlessly combines data from labs, wearables, patient-reported outcomes, assessments, and more. Empower your practice with comprehensive health insights.
Blackburn, E. H., & Epel, E. S. (2012). Telomeres and adversity: Too toxic to ignore. Nature, 490(7419), 169-171.
Chan, S. R., & Blackburn, E. H. (2004). Telomeres and telomerase. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences, 359(1441), 109-121.
Ornish, D., Lin, J., Chan, J. M., Epel, E., Kemp, C., Weidner, G., … & Blackburn, E. H. (2013). Effect of comprehensive lifestyle changes on telomerase activity and telomere length in men with biopsy-proven low-risk prostate cancer: 5-year follow-up of a descriptive pilot study. The Lancet Oncology, 14(11), 1112-1120.
Harley, C. B., Liu, W., Blasco, M., Vera, E., Andrews, W. H., Briggs, L. A., & Raffaele, J. M. (2011). A natural product telomerase activator as part of a health maintenance program. Rejuvenation Research, 14(1), 45-56.
Epel, E. S., Merkin, S. S., Cawthon, R., Blackburn, E. H., Adler, N. E., Pletcher, M. J., & Seeman, T. E. (2009). The rate of leukocyte telomere shortening predicts mortality from cardiovascular disease in elderly men. Aging, 1(1), 81-88.
Lopez-Otin, C., Blasco, M. A., Partridge, L., Serrano, M., & Kroemer, G. (2013). The hallmarks of aging. Cell, 153(6), 1194-1217.
Aviv, A. (2008). The epidemiology of human telomeres: Faults and promises. The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, 63(9), 979-983.
Learn more about measuring, tracking, and improving biological age.
As the world of health and fitness continues to evolve, so do the metrics and indexes used to measure and monitor our bodies. One such evolution is the Appendicular Lean Mass Index (ALMI). This article aims to provide an authoritative, professional, and comprehensive guide to understanding the ALMI, its importance, and its application in various fields of health science.
What is Appendicular Lean Mass Index (ALMI)?
The Appendicular Lean Mass Index, or ALMI, is a measure derived from the mass of lean muscle in the upper and lower extremities of the body. It’s calculated by summing the lean muscle mass of the arms and legs, measured in kilograms, and adjusting it for height, measured in meters squared (m^2).
Importance of Appendicular Lean Mass Index
ALMI is a critical tool for assessing muscle health, particularly in older adults and populations at risk of sarcopenia — a condition characterized by loss of muscle mass and function with age. Thus, by providing an objective measure of muscle mass, ALMI serves as an important indicator of overall body composition and physical health.
Appendicular Lean Mass Index and Body Composition
Body composition refers to the percentage of different types of tissues in our bodies, including fat, muscle, and bone. Dual X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) is the gold standard for body composition assessment, enabling accurate measurement of each of these components.
With DXA, you can obtain a detailed printout of body composition data, including the ALMI. This information can be beneficial for tracking changes in muscle mass over time, especially for athletes, or for monitoring the risk of sarcopenia in older adults.
How to measure the Appendicular Lean Mass
The measurement of Appendicular Lean Mass (ALM) is typically done using various techniques. One common method is bioimpedance analysis, which measures the resistance of electrical currents as they pass through the body. Another widely used technique is dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), which uses low-dose X-rays to measure bone density and body composition. A study evaluating the accuracy of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) found that it slightly overestimated ALM compared to DXA measurements. However, equations incorporating factors like BMI, gender, and fat percentage can improve the accuracy of BIA measurements. These methods provide valuable insights into ALM and can help distinguish individuals at higher risk of poor outcomes, such as mortality or functional decline, especially among older adults and stroke patients.
Appendicular Lean Mass Index in Health and Fitness Assessment
In the realm of health and fitness, ALMI can offer valuable insights into an individual’s body composition. For example, athletes might use ALMI to track changes in their muscle mass over time or to compare their muscle mass to normative values for their sport. Such comparisons can provide an indication of whether an athlete’s muscle mass is appropriate for their sport or if they need to focus on building more muscle.
Appendicular Lean Mass Index and Aging
As people age, they naturally lose muscle mass. This loss is a significant factor in the development of frailty and functional impairment in older adults. ALMI serves as a crucial index in assessing this muscle loss and the associated risk of adverse health outcomes.
Appendicular Lean Mass Index and Mortality Risk
Studies have shown a significant association between ALMI and mortality risk among older adults. Higher ALMI values are associated with a lower risk of mortality. By distinguishing the risk of mortality among older adults, ALMI can help identify those at a higher risk of poor outcomes, prompting early intervention.
Appendicular Lean Mass Index and Sarcopenia
Sarcopenia is a condition characterized by the loss of muscle mass and function, often associated with aging. ALMI can help assess the risk of sarcopenia. Certain cut off values have been identified as risk factors for sarcopenia in men and women, making ALMI a valuable tool in the early diagnosis and management of sarcopenia.
Appendicular Lean Mass Index in Disease States
Apart from aging and fitness assessment, ALMI has applications in various disease states. For instance, cancer patients often experience muscle wasting, and ALMI can be used to track this loss and guide interventions. Similarly, ALMI can help assess the risk of metabolic diseases associated with obesity.
Appendicular Lean Mass Index and Exercise
Exercise, particularly resistance training, is known to increase muscle mass. Thus, tracking changes in ALMI can provide an objective measure of the effectiveness of exercise interventions.
The Future of Appendicular Lean Mass Index
As more research is conducted, the utility of ALMI in various fields of health and fitness is likely to continue to evolve. While it’s already a valuable tool for assessing body composition and predicting health outcomes, future research may uncover new applications for this index, making it an even more indispensable tool in the health and fitness toolbox.
Conclusion
The Appendicular Lean Mass Index provides an essential measure of muscle mass, offering valuable insights into an individual’s overall health and fitness. Whether you’re an athlete looking to optimize your performance, an older adult concerned about sarcopenia, or a health professional seeking to provide the best care for your patients, understanding and utilizing ALMI can be a game-changer.
Acknowledgments
The research and development of Appendicular Lean Mass Index have been supported by numerous institutions and scientists worldwide. Its application has greatly enhanced our understanding of body composition and its implications for health. As we continue to further explore its potential, we acknowledge the significant contributions made by all involved in bringing this valuable tool to life.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, more commonly known as GLP-1 medications are a class of drugs originally developed in 2005 for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. They are also now used to treat obesity, as weight loss is a side effect of taking these medications.
There are several different types of GLP-1 medications, but Semaglutide (Ozempic®/Wegovy®) or Trizepatide (Mounjaro®) may be the most familiar brand names.
GLP-1 medications act similarly to a natural hormone called GLP-1. This hormone is made in the small intestine. It plays several important roles in the metabolism of food and the regulation of blood sugar.
Slowing down stomach emptying to control how fast glucose (sugar) enters the bloodstream after a meal
Impacting areas of the brain that trigger fullness, so you feel satisfied after meals
Triggering the release of insulin, a hormone that helps lower blood sugar after meals
Stopping the release of glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar
GLP-1 medications act like the natural form of the GLP-1 hormone in the body. The medication binds to receptors that are also triggered by the GLP-1 hormone, resulting in lower blood sugar and an increased feeling of fullness after meals.
GLP-1 and Blood Sugar
GLP-1 medication helps regulate blood sugar after meals due to the effect it has on insulin and glucagon, particularly important for those with type 2 diabetes. Slowing down digestion after a meal also allows your body to process the glucose in your food at a slower pace, preventing spikes in blood sugar.
GLP-1 and Weight Loss
GLP-1 medication promotes weight loss by increasing satiety, or the feeling of fullness after meals, so you eat fewer calories. It also slows down the movement of food through the stomach, so you eat less at your next meal.
Many users report that GLP-1 medications also reduce cravings and “food noise”. It is currently unclear how this medication does this but is likely due to the impact it has on areas of the brain connected to rewards and motivation.
Controlling blood sugar spikes also helps reduce body weight. Dysregulated blood glucose, even if not at diabetic levels, makes weight loss more difficult. The ability of GLP-1 medications to help regulate glucose may be another reason they help with weight loss.
Most GLP-1 medications are currently being used off-label to help treat obesity. But, in June of 2021, the FDA approved Semaglutide (Wegovy®) and Liraglutide (Saxenda®) for weight loss. More of these medications are expected to be approved for weight loss, due to the popularity and effectiveness of these drugs.
References:
Shaefer, C. F., Jr, Kushner, P., & Aguilar, R. (2015). User’s guide to mechanism of action and clinical use of GLP-1 receptor agonists. Postgraduate Medicine, 127(8), 818–826.
Müller, T. D., Finan, B., Bloom, S. R., et al. (2019). Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). Molecular Metabolism, 30, 72–130.
Williams, D. L. (2010). Expecting to eat: glucagon-like peptide-1 and the anticipation of meals [Review of Expecting to eat: glucagon-like peptide-1 and the anticipation of meals]. Endocrinology, 151(2), 445–447.
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