Its important for patients to understand that GLP-1 medications are not a skinny shot, but a tool designed to support metabolic health through long-term weight management
A patient who loses weight but becomes weaker, more fatigued, and less able to tolerate training has not truly optimized health
Interestingly, exendin-4 is similar in structure and function to GLP-1, but is resistant to degradation by DPP4, allowing exendin-4 to remain in circulation for hours rather than just a few minutes
While GLP-1 receptor agonists (such as semaglutide and liraglutide) have demonstrated significant benefits in diabetes management, weight reduction, and cardiovascular outcomes in clinical trials, enhancing physiological GLP-1 through dietary and lifestyle modifications represents a foundational approach
1 Pancreatic Endocrine and Exocrine Actions of GLP-1 on Islet and Acinar Cells (Drucker DJ
In addition, T2DM is associated with an increased risk of stroke and mortality after stroke (79)