The Fascinating Realm of GLP-1 Medications
You’ve probably heard of GLP-1 medications by now. They’re very effective in managing Type 2 diabetes and blood sugar (glucose) control. They’ve also become increasingly popular as part of weight loss plans. GLP-1 medications are relatively new to the medical world. The first, exenatide, was approved by the FDA in 2005. More recent approvals for weight loss include semaglutide, marketed as Wegovy, in 2021 and, in November, 2023, tirzepatide, marketed as Zepbound.
GLP-1 medications are effective for diabetes management and weight loss, but they can have other positive impacts on your health, too.
GLP-1 Medications Are a Game Changer
GLP-1 medications were developed to mimic a hormone in our small intestines, also called GLP-1. The hormone helps:
- Regulate blood sugar by blocking another hormone, glucagon, from secreting more sugar into your bloodstream
- Release insulin from the pancreas to lower blood sugar
- Increase feelings of fullness after eating
- Suppress your appetite in general
- Decrease how quickly you digest food making you feel fuller longer
The effectiveness of GLP-1 medications on weight management and glucose control is measurable and marked, but it’s not the only positive impact they have on one’s health. Another less well-known benefit of GLP-1 medications is that they reduce systemic inflammation and the toll it takes on your body.
Understanding Inflammation
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection and is part of the healing process for both. Sometimes, though, inflammation becomes chronic, leading to a host of health issues. Chronic inflammation plays a role in:
- Heart disease
- Asthma
- COPD
- Liver disease
- Crohn’s disease
- Kidney disease
and more. Chronic inflammation causes a myriad of serious health problems, so managing it is imperative to creating better health.
GLP-1 Medications and Their Effect on Inflammation
Obesity is considered a state of chronic, low-grade inflammation. Those who are obese have higher inflammation markers than normal simply because of their obesity. This chronic inflammation is very detrimental to good health. GLP-1 medications clearly contribute to weight loss, which, in and of itself is a powerful anti-inflammatory mechanism. They’ve also been found to have an impact on other inflammatory diseases including inflammatory bowel disease and may even be an effective anti-inflammatory treatment for those with long COVID.
Research also suggests that GLP-1 medications may have another impact on inflammation, too. Not only do they help manage inflammation related to obesity by promoting weight loss, but they reduce inflammation by modulating the immune response. When functioning properly, the immune system helps heal the body. When it isn’t, the immune system can become overactive, causing chronic inflammation. GLP-1 medications have been found to promote immune system balance, helping to inhibit excessive disease-causing inflammation.
Nicety Wellness & Weight Loss
If you’re in the states of Louisiana, Florida, Arizona, Oregon, and Nebraska and experiencing illness or disease caused by excess weight and/or chronic inflammation, Nicety Wellness & Weight Loss wants to help. We help make weight loss easier by personalizing plans that GLP-1 medications that support your weight loss and improved health. We provide telemedicine appointments and individualized care. Contact us for more information.
Servicing New Orleans, Covington, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Shreveport, Alexandria, Monroe, Tampa, Gainesville, Naples, Fort Myers, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Phoenix, Tuson, Yuma, Scottsdale, Tempe, Portland, Medford, Salem, Bend, Eugene, Beaverton, Corvallis, Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, Kearney, Beatrice.
Disclaimer: The information contained here was not written by a medical doctor and is intended for informational purposes only. This is not a substitute for medical advice.
