How injectable peptides are changing the game for medical weight loss, and what Big Pharma does not want you to know…
January ‘tis the season for earnest (though broken) resolutions and well-intentioned (though unused) gym memberships. We indulged in the figgy pudding and eggnog, and now we vow to do things differently… Again. Statistically, the average adult only experiences a gain of one pound from November to January, but that number adds up over time, and February through October are hardly without temptation. Thanks in part to one highly visible reality television family, therapeutic peptides are dramatically changing the medical weight loss game - and no, you do not have to keep up with the Kardashians or the Jones’ to put these power players to work for you.
Peptides were not created in a lab somewhere, they were discovered circulating in the human body. Peptides are small chains of amino acids that serve as messenger molecules delivering instructions to organ systems throughout the body. The specific sequencing of amino acids determines what physiologic function is prompted. One of the first discovered and most well known peptides is insulin. When we eat food, insulin is made by the pancreas to prompt the uptake of glucose from the bloodstream into cells to be used as fuel or be stored for later use. This 1923 Nobel Prize winning discovery revolutionized the treatment of Type I Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM), a condition characterized by hyperglycemia, or high levels of sugar in the blood, with low or no insulin being produced by the pancreas, often the result of an autoimmune response.
In much the same way, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists like liraglutide and semaglutide are revolutionizing the treatment and prevention of Type II Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), a condition characterized by hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, often the result of diet and lifestyle choices. With the average American diet of two full meals and three or more between-meal snacks daily, insulin becomes so ever-present that your cells stop responding to it, and glucose accumulates in the bloodstream wreaking havoc on your health. What becomes of all that excess insulin? As with any hormonal excess (i.e. cortisol or estrogen - another favorite topic I cover with my patients…), it gets stored as fat. This is why metabolic syndrome and obesity are among the strongest risk factors for T2DM and a host of other modern maladies that threaten our healthspan and longevity.
The GLP-1 peptides increase insulin production by the pancreas to effectively lower blood sugar. They also delay gastric emptying to keep you feeling full for a longer period of time, and most importantly, they restore signaling between the gut and the brain. They allow digestive hormones such as ghrelin and leptin to communicate hunger and satiety respectively, and this, in turn, influences food behaviors. Patients taking these once weekly subcutaneous injections experience a dramatic reduction in what is known as “food noise,” or intrusive thoughts and a preoccupation with food and dieting. They feel generally lighter and have fewer symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. With roughly 90% of the neurotransmitter serotonin being produced in the gut, patients also may experience improvement in affective states like depression and anxiety, and they have even been shown to reduce one’s cravings for alcohol. Either directly or indirectly, GLP-1 peptides benefit every organ system in the body.
As with anything that is being used medicinally, every individual will respond differently and there can be unintended effects. For example, if you are taking the peptide for weight loss and are not hyperglycemic, you may experience signs and symptoms of low blood sugar including confusion, dizziness, or hunger. If you have a history of GERD, the delayed gastric emptying may be more provocative of that leaky lower esophageal sphincter. These are not side effects, they are the known mechanism of action of the peptide.
If you are working with a trusted healthcare provider trained in peptide therapies, there should be no surprises, except maybe the cost of the brand name product… Remember, before Big Pharma patented them in auto-injecting pens and labeled them “diabetes medications,” these peptides were simply part of the brilliant design of your body. They are your body’s own language for healing and homeostasis. At The Wellness Loft, we work with licensed and highly vetted compounding pharmacies to make therapeutic human grade peptides (not research grade) available at a fraction of the cost of brand name. We walk with you every step of the way, providing truly personalized and integrative care that aligns with your values, priorities, and goals. Schedule a virtual or in-person New Patient Intake today to learn more about peptides and experience The Wellness Loft difference!
About Dr. Kimbi Marenakos
Dr. Kimbi Marenakos is a National Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Behavioral Health Specialist licensed in South Carolina, Minnesota, Connecticut, and Colorado with twenty years of success in clinical practice, life coaching, education, and consulting. Dr. Kimbi is passionate about both providing and promoting healthcare that recognizes the interdependence of body, mind, and spirit. Her practice philosophy is that YOU are the expert on your body, and she is a trustworthy resource for accurate health information and guidance.
In the Fall of 2022, Dr. Kimbi made a leap from the machine of corporate healthcare to open her own holistic health and wellness practice. She is excited to bring a more personal and humanistic model of care to the community. Dr. Kimbi lives on James Island with her teenage son, their German Shepherd Penny Lane, and Percy Jackson the tuxedo cat.
Dr. Kimbi Marenakos, DNP, FNP-C, LPC
Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Behavioral Health Specialist
The Wellness Loft at Ellis Creek
Wellness-Loft.com
Admin@Wellness-Loft.com
Office: 843-608-0158
Peptides are small chains of amino acids that serve as messenger molecules delivering instructions to organ systems throughout the body.
Patients taking these once weekly subcutaneous injections experience a dramatic reduction in what is known as “food noise,” or intrusive thoughts and a preoccupation with food and dieting.
