Meducation
Learn more about GLP-1 and GIP medications. We'll cover how they work, their health benefits, and why compounded medications are better than brand name.
You'll also learn about the vitamins, amino acids, peptides, and supplements which add various benefits to compounded weight loss medications.
What are GLP-1 and GIP Drugs and How Do They Work ?
GLP-1 (Glucagon-like Peptide-1):
This is a hormone produced in the intestines of the body responsible for regulating appetite, blood sugar levels, stabilize blood sugar levels, and reduce appetite by slowing down digestion. These drugs are typically used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity.
GIP (Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide):
This is a hormone that helps control the amount of insulin your body releases after you eat. Insulin is important because it helps lower blood sugar levels. When Tirzepatide activates GIP receptors, it makes your body produce more insulin in response to food, which helps keep blood sugar levels in check.
How GLP-1 and GIP Medications Help You Lose Weight
Decrease Hunger
They mimic a natural hormone your body releases after you eat. This hormone sends a signal to your brain telling you you're full. This feeling of reduced hunger can lead to weight loss.
Slow Down Digestion
By slowing down the movement of food through the stomach and small intestine, the medication can make you feel full faster and remain feeling full for longer periods of time. This reduces how many calories you eat, which helps your body burn fat.
Improve Blood Sugar
These medications signal the pancreas to release insulin which slows down the release of sugar from the liver. This can help decrease blood sugar spikes, which can contribute to weight reduction.
Additional health benefits
-
Improves heart health
-
Lowers blood pressure
-
Lowers total cholesterol
-
Improve obstructive sleep apnea symptoms
-
Improved kidney function
-
Reduces inflammation
-
Polycystic ovary syndrome weight management​
-
Strengthens muscles and bones
-
Improves lung function
-
Improves arthritis
-
Enhances metabolic function
Tirzepatide vs Semaglutide weight loss
Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro) works by targeting two different receptors in your body, GIP and GLP-1. By activating these receptors, it helps your body release more insulin, reduces your appetite by slowing down how quickly your stomach empties feeling less hungry, and helps control blood sugar levels.
​
Most patients on Tirzepatide lose an average of 18 - 20% body weight combined with dietary and daily physical activity. Tirzepatide weight loss results show greater overall outcomes and less reported side effects compared to semaglutide.
​
Tirzepatide tends to be more cost-effective offering higher percent body weight loss due to its dual action on both GLP-1 and GIP hormones compared to semaglutide, making it a potentially better option for those considering long-term treatment.​​​
Semaglutide
​Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) works by activating GLP-1 receptors only. GLP-1 helps regulate appetite by making you feel full longer and reduces hunger by slowing down how quickly food leaves your stomach. This helps you eat less and lose weight over time. Most patients lose on average 12 - 15% body weight combined with dietary and daily physical activity.
Tirzepatide vs Semaglutide side effects
Both Tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro) and Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) have similar side effects. GI upset is the most common and are generally mild with a tendency to decrease overtime as the body adjusts to the medication. Additional side effects may include heartburn, dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, fatigue, injection site irritation and low blood sugar.
-
Tirzepatide (Zepbound) side effects include less reports of fatigue and stomach upset (Medscape, 2024).
-
Semaglutide (Wegovy) side effects include more reports of fatigue, stomach upset, and headaches (Wegovy package insert).
Why compounded medications are better
Benefits of L-Carnitine and B-Complex
L-Carnitine and B-Complex vitamins are beneficial for losing weight, weight management, and brain health
-
Appetite control and reduce cravings
-
Immune system and antioxidant support by protecting body cells from damage
-
Brain health protection from daily stress and age-related damage, improving mental cognition and function
-
Fat burning properties by assisting with transportation of fatty acids into cells and converted into energy. This process can prevent fat storage and boost calorie burning
-
Energy and endurance by improving how the body uses fat for energy, L-carnitine can reduce fatigue and increase workout endurance
-
B complex vitamins such as Vitamin B6 and B12 are amino acids that help your body use and efficiently convert fat into energy
-
Stabilize blood sugar levels
-
Muscle mass and strengthening benefits with exercise
Berberine for weight loss
What is berberine?
Berberine is a plant compound that's been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries and is available as an over-the-counter dietary supplement. It's found in plants like goldenseal and barberry, has gained attention for its potential weight loss benefits.
How does berberine help with weight loss?
Research suggests that berberine can aid weight loss by improving insulin sensitivity, which helps the body manage blood sugar levels more effectively. This can reduce fat storage and help control appetite, leading to reduced caloric intake. Additionally, berberine activates an enzyme called AMPK, which plays a critical role in regulating metabolism and promoting the breakdown of fats for energy.
It can help lower bad cholesterol
Berberine can lower bad cholesterol (LDL), total cholesterol, and triglycerides in your body by reducing the amount of cholesterol absorbed by your intestines. This helps with weight loss.
It can help fight stomach and pancreatic cancer
Berberine has properties that help fight cancer, especially in the stomach, pancreas, and liver, by controlling glucose metabolism, aka lowering blood sugar levels.
Nudge Fit recommended berberine supplement
What is a compounding pharmacy?
A compounding pharmacy specializes in making custom medications tailored to the specific needs of individual patients. Unlike standard pharmacies that dispense mass-produced drugs, compounding pharmacies mix ingredients to create medications, often when certain drugs are not available due to shortages or when a patient needs a medicine that is allergen-free.
They are federally regulated and approved
Rest assured, Nudge Fit only orders from pharmacies which have obtained their PCAB accreditation, are Section FDA 503B registered, or Section FDA 503A registered and meet the quality standards enforced by the FDA's Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations to ensure our clients receive the highest quality treatment possible.
FDA 503A vs 503B
-
503A pharmacies compound products for specific patients whose prescriptions are sent by their healthcare provider.
-
503B outsourcing facilities compound products on a larger scale (bulk amounts) for healthcare providers to have on hand and administer to patients in their offices.
