GLP-1 Drugs: Fighting Diabetes and Weight Gain💊

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GLP-1 Drugs: Fighting Diabetes and Weight💊

In recent years, GLP-1 receptor agonists have transformed the treatment landscape for type 2 diabetes and obesity, blurring the line between metabolic disease management and weight-loss therapy.

What are GLP-1 Drugs?

GLP-1 drugs are a class of medications that mimic the action of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone naturally produced in the intestines. These agents help manage blood glucose levels and promote weight loss in individuals with type 2 diabetes and obesity.

It plays a key role in glucose and appetite regulation by:

  • Stimulating insulin release (glucose-dependent)

  • Suppressing glucagon secretion

  • Slowing gastric emptying

  • Increasing satiety and reducing appetite

In people with type 2 diabetes, this GLP-1 response is impaired leading to poor glycemic control.

Common examples :

  • Semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®)

  • Liraglutide (Victoza®, Saxenda®)

  • Dulaglutide (Trulicity®)

  • Tirzepatide (dual GLP-1/GIP agonist – Mounjaro®)

How They Help in Diabetes ?

GLP-1 drugs improve blood sugar control by:

  • Enhancing insulin secretion only when glucose is high → lower risk of hypoglycemia

  • Reducing post-meal glucose spikes

  • Supporting beta-cell function

Why They Cause Weight Loss ?

Unlike traditional antidiabetic drugs, GLP-1 agonists act on the brain’s appetite centers, leading to:

  • Reduced hunger

  • Smaller portion sizes

  • Longer feeling of fullness

GLP-1 Drugs
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Do you think GLP-1 drugs will become first-line therapy for obesity in the future or should lifestyle intervention always come first :thinking: ? Share your thoughts.

MBH/AB

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Ozempic has been a major glow-up drug in Hollywood in recent years. This is a drug called semaglutide whose mechanism of action is through decreasing movement of food through the gut, which makes you feel full for a longer period of time. It also increases release of insulin, which helps in breakdown of food into glucose. However, the long-term effects are still under way and may not be healthy.

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Usage of GLP-1 drugs in treating diabetes and obesity is greatly transformative, however lifestyle interventions provide you a total well-being in the long run.