GLP-1 – MORE THAN WEIGHT LOSS?
The beneficial effects of Semaglutide GLP-1.
By William A. Gaspar MD, B HIVE IV Wellness, Chandler, AZ
When we talk to people, especially the younger generations about the positive effects of the GLP-1 medications, such as the generic Semaglutide and the Tirzepatide then the great emphasis is usually on the weight loss and the useful diabetic effects of these great medications. Certainly, the side effect profile of gastroparesis, nausea and vomiting, along with the possible intestinal blockage comes up regularly. Before we talk about the potential side effects, which are dose related and can be mitigated, let us visit the medical research articles to see what has been found and proposed as the beneficial effects of this drug.
BENEFIT 1: *BETTER CONTROL OF DIABETES, PRE-DIABETIC AND METABOLIC STATES BY ENHANCED INSULIN SECRETION.
The main reason GLP-1 agonists were developed initially by the drug companies to help diabetics control their uncontrolled diabetes better. The classical action of GLP-1 is its ability to enhance the glucose stimulated INSULIN secretion. Then as further research was done the effects included the ability to inhibit gastric emptying and glucagon secretion. Glucagon is the storage unit of sugar from the liver, thus even when we do not eat, the liver releases the sugar storage. It is more prominent in people who have metabolic syndrome and gain weight faster than in the genetically skinny type folks who eat something every few hours not to develop low sugar reactions. They do not have the high sugar storage of glucagon to gain weight easily. The skinny clients who can eat 5 times a day and do not gain weight, certainly do not need more GLP-1 peptide in their body.
BENEFIT 2: *ONE OF THE EFFECTS TO NOT WANTING TO EAT IS ACHIEVED BY THE SLOWING DOWN THE GASTRIC EMPTYING.
Slowed down gastric emptying makes people feel full. They are not hungry all day, thus they EAT LESS AND LOSE WEIGHT. Even when we are not hungry all day, it is still important to eat small amounts of protein, and fibers to have regular bowel movements and maintain the muscles in our bodies, as we also lose muscles and not just fat when we lose weight. What is great about less appetite is that when we are not hungry it is then easier to choose the better quality and more nutritious foods. Not just lose weight, but it is important to change the way we are eating.
BENEFIT 3: *MAJOR REDUCTION OF CARDIOVASCULAR RISKS.
The SELECT study sponsored by Novo Nordisk showed that Semaglutide achieved a 20 % lower risk of major cardiac events, such as heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death. The same study showed that there was a 28 % reduction in heart attacks alone. Since the study was done with over 17,000 participants in 41 countries, it is significant. They postulate, and animal studies shown, that the benefits are achieved through reduced inflammation, improvement in the endothelial function – which is the lining of the arteries where plagues grow. Furthermore, there was an improvement in plague stability, since these patients were non-diabetic individuals with existing cardiovascular risk factors. There was a decrease in platelet aggregation, which is great to lower the risks of plague formation. Also, the left ventricular function, the main pump of the heart improved. The weight loss and improvement of the fat and body index contributed to the positive effects.
BENEFIT 4: *REDUCING ALCOHOL USE DISORDER.
Several medical research articles show that Semaglutide and other GLP-1 agonists reduce the craving for alcohol. The New York Times article discusses the fact that ‘some people on Ozempic (Semaglutide) lose the desire to drink’. CBS News asking: ‘Can Ozempic, Wegowy reduce alcohol, nicotine and other cravings? V. Chuong et al medical study in JCL Insight claims that GLP-1 analogue semaglutide reduces alcohol drinking and modulates central GABA meurotransmission.
Quddos, F et al states that Semaglutide and Tirzepatide reduce alcohol consumption in individuals with obesity. (Scientific Reports 13, 2023)
These articles conclude that a picture is starting to form that suggests that GLP-1 drugs curb hunger and cravings for alcohol, nicotine and even shopping sprees. Thus, they are anti-consumption drugs. They reduce the urge to drink alcohol or smoke by 18 – 30 % according to different studies. There was a 50 – 60 % lower risk for occurrence or recurrence of high alcohol consumption. It was not total cessation, but a significant reduction for binge drinking.
BENEFIT 5: *REDUCES CRAVINGS FOR CANNABIS USE DISORDER.
An article in Molecular Psychiatry discusses the retrospective cohort studies how Semaglutide reduces the incidence of cannabis use disorder. The article states that ‘semaglutide … reduced desire to drink and some’.
BENEFIT 6: *Potential benefits in Neurology and Psychiatry.
Dr. Hans Christoph Diener MD, PhD from University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany looked at the potential beneficial effects of Semaglutide / GLP-1 / GIP receptor agonists medications to see whether it will have beneficial effects in Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease. One of the Chinese studies showed a 75 % risk reduction for dementia. It may make sense, since some doctors started calling Alzheimer Dementia as type 3 Diabetes. We need larger and better controlled medical studies to see the exact benefits and possible side effects.
Therefore, as more studies will become available and we learn the intricate details of what GLP-1 / GIP agonist can do to improve our health and what are the side effects that we need to be cognizant of in the future.
