Understanding GLP-1: The Friendly Guide to a Powerful Hormone

“A pure heart and mind only take you so far – sooner or later the hormones have their say, too.”  – Jim Butcher

Did you know that Glucagon-like Peptide 1 (GLP-1) is a superhero hormone in your gut? It helps control your blood sugar and keeps your appetite in check! Not only does it manage diabetes, but it also helps with weight loss and supports heart health. In this blog, we’ll explore the cool things GLP-1 does for your body and share some tips to boost its levels. Let’s get to know GLP-1 and how it can help you feel your best!

What is GLP-1?

GLP-1 is a special helper hormone made in your gut, and it gets to work when your body starts breaking down the food you eat. It belongs to a group of helpers called incretins, and it has an important job: helping your body manage insulin.

When you eat, food goes into your stomach and stimulates the release of GLP-1 in your blood. It then travels to your pancreas, which is an organ that makes insulin. Insulin helps lower your blood sugar by letting sugar from food move into your cells. Once inside, the sugar gives your body energy. GLP-1 helps your pancreas make more insulin to keep your blood sugar level just right.

But that’s not all! GLP-1 also slows down how fast food leaves your stomach. This helps you feel full longer so you’re not hungry for snacks right after eating.

From the above, it becomes clear that GLP-1 is a super-smart helper that keeps your body working smoothly!

How does GLP-1 Work?

• Releasing Insulin: Imagine your cells have tiny “locks” on them, and GLP-1 is the helper that starts the process of unlocking them. When GLP-1 reaches the pancreas, it sends a message that says, “Release insulin!” Insulin is like a sweeper that clears sugar from your blood and moves it into your cells. Once the sugar is inside your cells, your body can use it for energy.
• Helping Your Brain Control Hunger: GLP-1 also talks to your brain, specifically a part called the hypothalamus. This part of your brain helps control hunger. GLP-1 sends a signal that says, “You’ve eaten enough,” so you don’t feel as hungry and are less likely to overeat.
• Slowing Down Digestion: GLP-1 makes food move more slowly from your stomach into your intestines. This gives your body more time to digest the food and soak up all the good nutrients. It also keeps your blood sugar steady, so you feel good after eating.

In short, GLP-1 is a true multitasker! It helps keep your blood sugar steady, makes you feel full, and slows down digestion to give your body more time to work. No wonder GLP-1 is a key player in fighting conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease!

How to Boost GLP-1 Levels

Good news! As mentioned in our previous blog there are many natural resources that can make your body release more GLP-1. There are even helpful medicines when needed. Let’s explore these cool options:

Natural Ways to Boost GLP-1

Green Veggies – Broccoli & Spinach

Spinach and broccoli are packed with something special called thylakoids. These nutrients are like little messengers that tell your body to make more GLP-1. Here’s a tip: eating your veggies first, before things like rice or bread, can give your GLP-1 levels an extra boost.

Healthy Fats – Avocados, Pistachios, and Olive Oil

Pistachios aren’t just tasty snacks – they help your body make more GLP-1, keeping your blood sugar steady and your hormones balanced. Avocados are another GLP-1 booster. They’re full of healthy fats and fiber, which help you feel full longer. Swapping a bowl of chips for avocado slices is a smart way to boost GLP-1.

Lean Proteins – Eggs & Whey

Eggs are not only delicious but also great at keeping you full all day. Whey protein (found in milk) is another powerful option. It increases GLP-1 and helps you feel less hungry. If you’re using a whey powder, make sure it doesn’t have extra sugar and other additives sneaked in.

High-Fiber Grains – Oatmeal & Tartary Buckwheat

Oatmeal, known for its fiber, slows digestion, giving your body time to release GLP-1. Tartary buckwheat is another amazing grain. It’s packed with fiber and antioxidants, which help balance your blood sugar and make your belly happy. But what are antioxidants? Antioxidants are natural protectors in your body that stop harmful molecules, called free radicals, from damaging your cells. Hence Tartary buckwheat protects your cells from danger. And, along with oatmeal, it works with the bacteria in your intestines to naturally boost GLP-1 levels.

Medicines That Act Like GLP-1

Sometimes your body might need a little help. That’s where special medicines come in, like Ozempic!

Imagine Ozempic as a helper that mimics GLP-1. When you take it, it tells your body to act like there’s more GLP-1 around. It helps your pancreas (the insulin-making factory we talked about earlier) release insulin after you eat to lower your blood sugar. Plus, it slows down how fast food leaves your stomach, so you stay full longer and don’t feel hungry too soon.

In fact, Dr. Tyna Moore, a licensed Naturopathic Physician and Chiropractor, talks in-depth on this fascinating compound in her podcast, Breaking Down The Latest Sensationalism About Ozempic.

In a nutshell, she breaks down important myths surrounding Ozempic. Some people have been spreading scary stories about Ozempic, like saying it can shrink your heart, cause reproductive problems, or even make you blind. But Dr. Moore says these claims aren’t based on solid evidence.

For example, some people say Ozempic causes blindness, but Dr. Moore explains that eye problems are already common in people with diabetes and obesity – groups who often use Ozempic. So, the problems might be more about their health conditions than the medication itself.

She also points out that many studies just show a connection between using Ozempic and certain problems, but they don’t prove that one causes the other. It’s like getting a flat tire and spilling coffee at the same time; just because they happen together doesn’t mean one caused the other. So, instead of spreading fear, we can make better choices by either naturally increasing GLP-1 levels or using medications safely with advice from doctors.

* To wrap it up, GLP-1 is an amazing hormone that helps keep your blood sugar in check, controls how hungry you feel, and helps your body digest food. It’s made in your gut and can be used to treat problems like diabetes and obesity. You can boost GLP-1 naturally by choosing certain foods, or take medicines like Ozempic that help it work better. But, it’s important to be careful about scary stories or misinformation about GLP-1.