GLP-1 and Weight Loss: When Bacteria in Our Gut are Healthy, They Make “Wegovy®” and “Zepbound®” for Us
The relationship between a healthy microbiome and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has become a hot topic in the field of metabolism, GLP-1 and weight loss/management. GLP-1 is a hormone produced in the gut that plays a vital role in controlling blood sugar levels, regulating appetite, and promoting insulin secretion. It signals to the brain when you’ve eaten enough, thus reducing hunger, and slows down the emptying of the stomach to prolong feelings of fullness. Due to these properties, GLP-1 has gained attention for its role in managing obesity and diabetes.
Ozempic® and Wegovy® (semaglutide), also Zepbound® and Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) have become some of the most popular commercially made GLP-1 medications on the market today, known for managing weight and blood sugar levels. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy® and Ozempic®, and tirzepatide, found in Zepbound® and Mounjaro®, both work by mimicking the body’s natural GLP-1 hormone to regulate appetite and promote fullness.
Ozempic® and Wegovy® = Semaglutide
Zepbound® and Mounjaro® = Tirzepatide
Patients and their practitioners turn to Health Dimensions Pharmacy (HDRx) for customized semaglutide and tirzepatide injections, as a more cost-effective alternative to commercially made medications.
Let’s explore our GLP-1 experts’ insight into the importance of gut health and GLP-1 levels, and the ways you can naturally improve your GLP-1 levels through lifestyle changes, medications, and supplementations.
Dietary Choices and Their Impact on GLP-1 Levels
What we eat directly influences the health of our microbiome, and thus our GLP-1 production. Diets rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes provide essential fibers that nourish good bacteria like Akkermansia muciniphila and Bifidobacteria. These fibers are fermented into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which not only promote gut health but also encourage GLP-1 release. In contrast, diets high in processed foods and low in fiber can lead to a decline in beneficial bacteria, resulting in lower GLP-1 levels and diminished appetite control.
One of the intriguing connections between GLP-1 and gut health lies in the microbiome — the trillions of microorganisms living in our digestive system. A healthy microbiome is essential for optimal GLP-1 production. Gut bacteria, particularly certain strains like Akkermansia muciniphila and Bifidobacteria, are known to stimulate the secretion of GLP-1. These bacteria help to ferment dietary fibers into SCFAs, which in turn can trigger GLP-1 release.
The Role of Prebiotics and Probiotics
Adding prebiotics (fibers that feed good bacteria) and probiotics (live beneficial bacteria) to the diet may help balance the microbiome, encouraging a gut environment that supports GLP-1 production. Prebiotic-rich foods like garlic, onions, asparagus, and bananas can stimulate beneficial bacteria growth. Meanwhile, probiotics found in fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut help introduce strains that help enhance GLP-1 levels, fostering metabolic health.
Gut Imbalance and Weight Gain
On the flip side, individuals who are overweight or obese tend to have lower levels of GLP-1. This is partly because their gut microbiome is often imbalanced, or dysbiotic. A dysbiotic microbiome produces fewer SCFAs, leading to reduced GLP-1 secretion. Consequently, they may experience a weaker feeling of fullness after meals, which contributes to overeating and further weight gain.
Exercise and Gut Health
Regular physical activity has been shown to support a diverse and healthy microbiome, which can positively influence GLP-1 levels. Exercise encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria and helps maintain gut barrier integrity, reducing inflammation that could otherwise disrupt GLP-1 production. By promoting a healthy microbiome through physical activity, individuals may experience improved appetite regulation and enhanced weight management outcomes.
Stress, Sleep, and Their Effects on GLP-1 Production
Chronic stress and poor sleep can disrupt gut health, leading to imbalances in the microbiome and reducing GLP-1 production. High-stress levels may decrease beneficial bacteria and increase inflammatory responses, impacting both gut and metabolic health. Similarly, inadequate sleep can reduce GLP-1 secretion and impair glucose metabolism. Managing stress through mindfulness practices and ensuring adequate, quality sleep are essential steps toward maintaining a healthy gut and supporting weight management efforts.
Boosting GLP-1 Production Through Diet and Medication
Interestingly, improving the diversity and health of the microbiome through diet — such as increasing fiber intake — enhances GLP-1 production. Additionally, GLP-1-based medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide are used to help boost GLP-1 levels in people with obesity or type 2 diabetes, mimicking the effects of a healthy gut environment.
For those seeking a more available option than Wegovy®, Ozempic®, Zepbound®, and Mounjaro® for weight management and metabolic health, HDRx offers expertly compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide injections, prepared to the highest standards. We also have sublingual semaglutide prescription medications available.
With PCAB accreditation and over 28 years of sterile compounding experience, HDRx is a trusted source for GLP-1 medications, prioritizing safety, precision, and quality. Contact HDRx today to learn more about how semaglutide and tirzepatide could be tailored to meet your health goals.
The Future of Gut Health and GLP-1 Therapy
As research continues to explore the microbiome’s role in GLP-1 production, personalized approaches to gut health may become a key component of weight management. Future therapies might include tailored probiotic supplements or dietary interventions designed to enhance specific bacteria that support GLP-1 secretion. Combining these strategies with GLP-1-based medications like semaglutide may offer a comprehensive approach to managing obesity and metabolic health.
The Connection Between a Healthy Gut and Weight Management
In conclusion, nurturing a healthy gut microbiome may support better metabolic health, GLP-1 and weight loss. By maintaining a diet rich in fiber, supporting gut health with prebiotics and probiotics, staying active, and managing stress, individuals can foster a microbiome that helps regulate hunger and satiety naturally, giving their bodies a greater chance at achieving and sustaining a healthy weight.
Prescribers
PATIENTS: Ask your doctor about getting GLP-1 medications for weight-loss or diabetes and fill your semaglutide or tirzepatide prescription with us. We can also recommend the appropriate nutritional supplements to support your efforts.
Do you have questions about GLP-1 (semaglutide and tirzepatide)?
References
Cornejo-Pareja, I., Martín-Núñez, G. M., Roca-Rodríguez, M. M., Cardona, F., Coin-Aragüez, L., Sánchez-Alcoholado, L., … & Tinahones, F. J. (2019). H. pylori eradication treatment alters gut microbiota and GLP-1 secretion in humans. Journal of clinical medicine, 8(4), 451. Link
Everard, A., & Cani, P. D. (2014). Gut microbiota and GLP-1. Reviews in endocrine and metabolic disorders, 15, 189-196. Link
Hernández-Montoliu, L., Rodríguez-Peña, M. M., Puig, R., Astiarraga, B., Guerrero-Pérez, F., Virgili, N., … & Vilarrasa, N. (2023). A specific gut microbiota signature is associated with an enhanced GLP-1 and GLP-2 secretion and improved metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes after metabolic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 14, 1181744. Link
Tsai, C. Y., Lu, H. C., Chou, Y. H., Liu, P. Y., Chen, H. Y., Huang, M. C., … & Tsai, C. N. (2022). Gut microbial signatures for glycemic responses of GLP-1 receptor agonists in type 2 diabetic patients: a pilot study. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 12, 814770. Link
Yadav, H., Lee, J. H., Lloyd, J., Walter, P., & Rane, S. G. (2013). Beneficial metabolic effects of a probiotic via butyrate-induced GLP-1 hormone secretion. Journal of biological chemistry, 288(35), 25088-25097. Link
