If you want to paint a target on your back, just try taking a positive position on GLP 1 peptides such as Ozempic, (semaglutide) or Mounjaro, (tirzepatide). I posted something on my social media about affordable generic Ozempic now being available in Cabo and was surprised at the onslaught of hysterical comments made by haters of GLP 1s. There appears to be a strong backlash against these popular peptides, mainly perpetrated by various Youtubers and major news outlets who need the hits on their channel, not based on any real scientific data. Many of these noisy alarmists appear to be bashing GLPs so they can sell you their “natural” alternative or some type of weight loss counseling.
What is annoying about that utter nonsense is that GLPs are natural. They are peptides that occur naturally in our bodies and stand for “Glucagon-like Peptide”. They are incretin hormones that have a few effects on the body including a reduction in food intake due to promoting a feeling of satiation by slowing gastric emptying and lowering blood sugar by inhibiting glucagon secretion.
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GLP-1 is naturally produced by the L cells of our distal intestine and is released into the bloodstream within minutes after eating, along with another incretin hormone GIP or “Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide”. Under normal conditions, both GLP and GIP are rapidly degraded by our stomach acids. Peptides like Ozempic and Mounjaro have been modified to linger longer, thereby helping people control type 2 diabetes and lose weight.
In 2024, JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association, published several data-backed articles about the unexpected benefits of GLP 1s. One study found that GLP 1s were associated with a lower risk of 10 different types of cancers compared with metformin, another medication for type 2 diabetes. Another study found that GLP 1s were NOT associated with increased suicides, as some of the critics were claiming. JAMA has also cited research that has found GLP 1s may lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s, Parkinsons and kidney disease. One study in the UK successfully used a GLP-1 to reverse cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients by reducing neuroinflammation.
The 4 “Killers of Aging” are Diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Cancer and Heart Disease. They are the leading causes of death for people over 65. They are all caused or exacerbated by high blood sugar which leads to chronic inflammation and death. Chronic inflammation is also responsible for joint pain, wrinkles, disruption of the gut microbiome and just about any other symptom of aging you can think of. How can GLP-1s possibly have a positive effect on so many conditions in the body?
Apparently, GLP-1 receptors are found in many parts of the body including our pancreas, brain neurons, central nervous system, hypothalamus, gastrointestinal tract, heart, kidneys, immune system, spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes. Based on the unprecedented numbers of people taking GLP 1s now worldwide, more benefits are being discovered every month, including relief of Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease and other autoimmune disorders.
Before you think I am suggesting we put this stuff into the water supply, let me say that not all the news is good. There are negative side effects of GLP 1s because of the way they are being used for weight loss. GLP 1s have been in use for 20 years now with minimal problems. The problems largely began when Ozempic and Wegovy were approved at higher doses for weight loss. As a weight loss intervention, it has caused problems in people who are looking for a magic bullet solution to their obesity without the requisite lifestyle changes. The “Scary Monsters” are gastric paralysis, muscle loss, thyroid cancer and rebound weight gain if the peptides are discontinued. These are very serious issues and here is why they are happening:
Dosages are being set too high. Big Pharma has a vested interest in selling more product volume. This situation is being exacerbated by patients who are not changing their diet of processed food, seed oils, no vegetables and not enough protein. They initially lose a lot of weight but when they plateau, they ratchet up their doses. Many obese people and type 2 diabetics will be predisposed to gastric paralysis because they have been hammering their vagus nerve with processed foods for many years already. Remember that much of our current data is coming from people in this category of metabolically damaged bodies. If they keep poisoning themselves then no GLP 1 will get them out of it.
Muscle loss is a big concern in ANY rapid weight loss scenario. However, it’s not the GLP-1 that is CAUSING the muscle loss, it’s the rapid weight loss. In fact, there is some evidence that GLP-1 is anabolic to muscle because it boosts the insulin response. Not eating enough protein and healthy carbs is catabolic to muscle. If you want to gain muscle while losing fat you absolutely HAVE to strength train with weights and do it properly. Having been a gym rat for 40+ years I can tell you that 80% of people are not lifting for maximal results and minimum injury. Instead of hiring a trainer, they are learning by watching other people lift incorrectly.
Rebound weight gain is often called yo-yo dieting. Because Ozempic and other brand name GLP-1s are so expensive, people often aren’t covered for more than six months or a year. So rapid weight loss and a lack of sustainable changes to diet and exercise lead to 50-70% of the people who lost weight gaining it back. 50% of people who have bariatric surgery also gain back the initial weight they lose. Sustainable diet change is key to permanent weight loss. Building muscle is also imperative to avoid slowing your metabolism.
Thyroid cancer studies linking Ozempic to cancer were discredited because the human data didn’t follow the pattern of the rat data. It turned out that rats were more prone to the type of thyroid cancer studied and they also were being given huge doses.
There have also been common reports of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea but they tend to pass within a week or so and could be due to positive shifts in the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome has been devastated on a population-wide basis due to monocropping, GMOs, pesticides and processed foods. There is some good evidence that GLP-1s are a positive influence on gut dysbiosis, especially when accompanied by an improved diet with more vegetables and fiber.
If you want to ask me about generic GLP-1s available in the area or you want to send me some hate mail, please feel free to contact me at robynlittlewood@yahoo.com or whatsapp me +526242119435.
