Supercharging Your Weight Loss Routine with Peptides like Semaglutide – Part 1

Part of my healing journey involves the use of therapeutic peptides. A few years ago, I had crippling foot pain and trouble walking. Because I wasn’t moving as much, I began gaining weight. When other interventions didn’t work, I turned to peptide therapy, which turned around my foot pain and opened my eyes to peptides. 

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Because my success with peptide treatment for my pain, I decided to try the weight loss peptide, semaglutide. So far, I’ve lost 50 pounds. I have also seen many patients experience benefits too. 

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Today’s article will dive into semaglutide, what it is, and how it works. Then, stay tuned for Part 2 of this series, where I’ll cover the semaglutide brands, side effects, and how to use this peptide in conjunction with other functional medicine interventions, including lifestyle change. 

Keep reading now to learn more about:

• What is semaglutide? 
• How does semaglutide work?
• Semaglutide for weight loss

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What is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is an FDA-approved prescription drug in the categories of peptides for weight loss and diabetes. 

Peptides are small proteins made of amino acids (including essential amino acids) produced by the body to act as hormones and other cell-signaling molecules. Peptide medications mimic the body’s natural peptides, promoting a cellular response. 

‍Glucagon-Like Peptide Produced in Small Intestine

Semaglutide mimics the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, a hormone released in the digestive tract in response to eating. The hormone has many functions and benefits throughout the body, from protecting the heart and brain to reducing inflammation. I’ll discuss the benefits for weight and appetite below. 

Semaglutide mimics the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, a hormone released in the digestive tract in response to eating.

FDA-Approved Anti-Obesity Medication 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved semiglutide (under the brand name Wegovy) as an anti-obesity medication in 2021. It’s approved to treat chronic weight management issues, which affect the majority of American adults. 

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Pooled research from five clinical trials demonstrates the effectiveness of semaglutide compared to placebo when combined with lifestyle change. The drug promotes weight loss of around 15% of initial weight with 68 weeks of use. In addition, semaglutide helps improve cardiovascular risk factors and mobility. 

Originally Used to Treat Type-2 Diabetes

The FDA originally approved semaglutide as a type 2 diabetes treatment (under the brand names Ozempic and Rybelsus) because of blood sugar-lowering benefits. Although diabetes management is the primary goal of this medication, many people also report weight loss as a beneficial side effect. 

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How Do Peptides Like Semaglutide Help with Weight Loss?

The semaglutide mechanisms of action affect the cells that natural GLP-1 interacts with, including in the brain, gut, and pancreas. 

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Promotes Food Satiety and Suppresses Appetite

Semaglutide acts on parts of the brain that signal fullness and decrease appetite. It also delays gastric emptying, which means food moves more slowly through the digestive tract. The result is feeling fuller and more satisfied from meals and less hunger. 

Semaglutide acts on parts of the brain that signal fullness and decrease appetite. It also delays gastric emptying, which means food moves more slowly through the digestive tract. The result is feeling fuller and more satisfied from meals and less hunger.

Produces More Insulin and Lowers Blood Sugar

Semaglutide, like GLP-1, also signals the pancreas to increase insulin production. More insulin allows blood sugar to move into the cells, lowering overall blood sugar. This mechanism is why semaglutide supports lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. Blood sugar regulation in people without diabetes is also essential for weight loss.  

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As you can see, semaglutide as a weight loss peptide holds a lot of promise. In many cases, it can feel like a magic pill; however, it works best with diet and lifestyle change and isn’t the best fit for everyone. In Part 2 of this series, I’ll cover side effects and best practices. 

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References

1. Singh, G., Krauthamer, M., & Bjalme-Evans, M. (2022). Wegovy (semaglutide): a new weight loss drug for chronic weight management. Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research, 70(1), 5–13. 
2. Chao AM, Tronieri JS, Amaro A, Wadden TA. Semaglutide for the treatment of obesity. Trends Cardiovasc Med. 2023;33(3):159-166. 
3. Müller, T. D., Finan, B., Bloom, S. R., D'Alessio, D., Drucker, D. J., Flatt, P. R., Fritsche, A., Gribble, F., Grill, H. J., Habener, J. F., Holst, J. J., Langhans, W., Meier, J. J., Nauck, M. A., Perez-Tilve, D., Pocai, A., Reimann, F., Sandoval, D. A., Schwartz, T. W., Seeley, R. J., … Tschöp, M. H. (2019). Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). Molecular metabolism, 30, 72–130. 

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