The Media is BLOWING UP about Ozempic! Have you heard about it? Let's discuss...

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone naturally produced in the body, is 1 key player in managing appetite and improving insulin sensitivity; both of these are very much involved in weight management. GLP-1 agonists are a class of new-ish medications administered exogenously (via injections).

Some example of this class of drugs? Think of the well-known celebrity endorsed prescriptions like Mounjardo, Wegovy, Saxenda, and Ozempic; these are all GLP-1 agonists.

I worked in Endocrinology/Diabetes Care for 10 years and I am a board certified diabetes educator (CDE). Given this, I do absolutely think there is a time and place for these prescriptions and I've instructed on hundreds if not in the thousands of GLP-1 agonist injection teachings over the years.

The reality to these GLP-1 agonist medications (as I am all about informed consent) is that they do work well, but there some things to consider before starting:

Black box warning (thyroid cancer risk)
Some insurance plans don't cover/many patients pay $100s to 1000s out of pocket MONTHLY
Serious COMMON side effects: nausea (50% of patients)/vomiting/gastroparesis increasing risk of gut dysbiosis, and much lesser risk of pancreatitis.
Daily or weekly injectable (not everyone is on board with needles)
Documented cases of death after usage

I do think they work well (and obviously studies support their efficacy too in a1c reduction and weight reduction) especially when a person has insulin resistance or difficulty reducing excess caloric intake.

With that being said, I think it is important to share that there are other tools in our tool kit for weight management and blood sugar control that:

Have no black box warning with little to no risk
Are a fraction of the cost
Don't have side effects
Oral versus needle lending itself to more buy in and compliance

What am I alluding too...

Did you know there are natural tools to boost your body's own GLP-1 production?

Backstory- bacteria in our gut affects our weight - this is well documented in hundreds of studies in PubMed. Certain gut bacteria are instrumental in increasing GLP-1 production. A groundbreaking probiotic backed by pre-clinical data can naturally enhance GLP-1 levels!! How cool is this!

What I am saying is you can get some of the same benefits as these expensive injectables, but via a different, less risky mechanism of action. Thumbs up to this new probiotic = Akkermansia!

Studies:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9959343/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33820962/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34077715/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10310354/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10987721/

*This blog on the Dietetics with Driessens LLC website is maintained by Katie Driessens, Owner. All opinions are her own and for general educational purposes. Advertising, affliate links or other forms of compensation are within this website and a small commission is earned for sales made through these links (with no extra cost to you) that help cover costs of running a small business. Items or programs that are endorsed are based on Katie's professional experience and expertise & are worthy of such endorsement. Dietetics with Driessens LLC assumes no responsibility or liability for damage or injury to persons arising from any use of any product, information, or opinion contained in the information of this blog, none of which is to be considered personal medical advice. By viewing, using, and shopping from this website, you agree to release Dietetics with Driessens LLC from full responsibility to the fullest extent allowed by law. Products & Services sold are not intended to diagnose or cure any disease. Consult your physician before beginning any exercise, supplement, meal plan or program. Financial relationships exist with Fullscript, Coseva, Monat Global, Amazon, Ideal Living, Norwex, Prodrome, and Cellcore Biosciences and disclosure meets the ethics guidelines by the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics and the FTC. Thank you!

GLP-1 Probiotic

Products

UltraFlora® Healthy Weight with Akkermansia - for Weight Maintenance, Glucose & GLP-1 Support