What’s the difference between a passing fad and a revolutionary treatment that changes the world of medical weight loss for good? The difference is, the former runs on hype alone, while the latter continues to provide real people with real, game-changing results even after the virality dies down.
Such is the case with GLP-1 injections. When it first burst (and we mean burst) onto the scene, many of us who’ve been around for more than one wave of weight loss trend were already timing its disappearance back into the ether. But it never happened. Because it actually works.
If you’re wondering how GLP-1 works, what it is in the first place, and whether or not you might be an appropriate candidate, read on for your complete introduction to this groundbreaking medical weight loss treatment.
What Is GLP-1?
GLP-1 stands for “glucagon-like peptide-1.” This compound mimics the action of a hormone that your body already produces. This hormone serves several important functions in the body, including the following:
- Regulating blood sugar levels – When the GLP-1 cell receptor is activated, it prompts the release of insulin from the pancreas, which in turn reduces blood sugar levels by ferrying glucose from the blood into various cells and reducing the amount of glucose the liver produces.
- Slowing down gastric emptying – GLP-1 receptor activation also slows down the process by which the stomach moves food into the small intestine, allowing you to feel fuller for longer after eating.
- Appetite suppression – Finally, GLP-1 prompts the brain to send the “satiety” signal, and can also reduce the dopamine reward associated with eating.
As you can see, GLP-1 gets its potency as a weight loss treatment with the help of a multifaceted approach that involves reducing appetite, increasing feelings of satiety, and making eating less rewarding.
Several of the drugs containing GLP-1, including semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide, are FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes. Obviously, its off-label use as a medical weight loss treatment has exploded in a short time, as more and more GLP-1 takers burst through stubborn weight loss plateaus and achieve their long-awaited dream bodies.
What Kind of Results Can You Expect With GLP-1?
This is all good and fine, but without hard data to back up these lofty marketing claims, they remain just that. So, let’s talk numbers.
A 2021 New England Journal of Medicine study testing the effects of GLP-1 injections on 1,961 participants with overweight or obesity found that participants who received the treatment lost an average of 14.9% of their body weight by week 68. The placebo group, on the other hand, lost an average of 2.4% total body weight. Needless to say, this is a statistically significant leap that points to GLP-1 injections as a treatment that makes good on its claims.
As we will cover in more detail below, it’s important to understand that though GLP-1 has proven itself effective for weight loss, the treatment does require some time to start working. It’s also important that you support your results with regular exercise.
Understanding the Treatment Process
Like any other weight loss treatment, GLP-1 can be individualized to an extent in order to best accommodate each person’s unique needs and circumstances. To provide a general blueprint, you can expect your treatment plan to involve once-weekly injections.
Typically, you will be instructed on how to properly administer your injections in the clinical setting (we will show you wear, how, and when to inject, etc.), after which you are then able to administer your own injections once per week. Some GLP-1 drugs, including liraglutide, require daily injections. The injector is prefilled and easy to use.
As for the overall duration, there is no “hard stop” required. As long as your body responds appropriately to the treatment, you can continue taking GLP-1 until you reach your weight loss goals. Your mentality should be to slowly, steadily lose the weight over time. During your treatment plan, you may meet periodically with our team at Flow IV Infusion Therapy to assess results and discuss any needed adjustments to the treatment plan.
Is GLP-1 Right for You?
While GLP-1 is a simple, nonsurgical, and well-tolerated medical weight loss treatment, there are still some factors that must be considered before you are deemed eligible for this option.
Most providers uphold a minimum BMI requirement of at least 27 in order to deem someone eligible for GLP-1 treatment. Patients with weight-related comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure, may qualify at slightly lower BMI levels.
The ideal GLP-1 patient has exhausted conventional weight loss methods, including dieting and exercise (though you should continue exercising, of course), and is looking for a new approach that can break through plateaus and deliver consistent results.
There are no hard age limits for GLP-1 treatment, though older adults with slower metabolisms may lose weight differently than younger patients. Finally, pregnant or breastfeeding women, patients with certain conditions (ask your provider for more info), and those who experience gastrointestinal distress frequently are not recommended to take GLP-1.
Achieve Real Weight Loss Results You Can See and Feel With GLP-1 By Flow IV Infusion Therapy
The weight loss world is moving past drastic crash dieting and flimsy half measures. GLP-1 injections provide the perfect middle ground, offering patients a safe, comfortable, and highly consistent way to lose a significant amount of weight over time.It’s time to stop “trying” to lose weight, and to simply fix the problem with a clinically proven treatment that really works. Contact our team at Flow IV Infusion Therapy today, and we’ll get you started on a customized GLP-1 treatment plan that delivers game-changing results.
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