WHAT IS GLP-1

GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a gut hormone your body naturally releases after you eat. It’s produced mainly by L-cells in the small intestine and colon, and also by certain neurons in the brainstem.

In simple terms, GLP-1 is your body’s way of saying:

“Food just arrived. Let’s handle this sugar safely and slow down the appetite.”

Key natural actions of GLP-1:

• Tells your pancreas to release more insulin when blood sugar is high

• Tells your liver to make less glucose

• Slows stomach emptying, so sugar enters the bloodstream more gently

• Signals your brain to reduce hunger and increase fullness

Because of these effects, GLP-1 has become a major target in treating type 2 diabetes and obesity.

HOW GLP-1 WORKS IN YOUR BODY

Imagine you eat a meal:

1. Nutrients enter your gut.

2. L-cells in the intestine release GLP-1 into your bloodstream.

3. GLP-1 travels to:

   • Pancreas: boosts insulin (when glucose is high) and lowers glucagon

   • Stomach: slows how quickly food leaves

   • Brain: interacts with appetite centers to reduce hunger

This combination:

• Helps prevent sharp blood sugar spikes

• Makes you feel full sooner and longer

• Naturally encourages smaller portions and less snacking

The downside? Native GLP-1 is broken down in just 1–2 minutes by an enzyme called DPP-4, so its action is very short-lived.

That’s where GLP-1–based medications come in.

WHAT ARE GLP-1 RECEPTOR AGONISTS?

GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are medications designed to act like your own GLP-1, but longer and stronger.

Examples include:

• Semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Rybelsus®)

• Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®, Zepbound®)

• Liraglutide (Victoza®, Saxenda®)

• Dulaglutide (Trulicity®)

• Exenatide, Lixisenatide, and others

These drugs bind to GLP-1 receptors in the same organs—pancreas, brain, stomach—and amplify the hormone’s natural effects:

• Better insulin response (when needed)

• Less glucagon (less sugar production)

• Slower gastric emptying

• More satiety, less hunger

Because they stay in your system much longer than the natural hormone, they can be given once or twice daily or even once weekly, depending on the medication.

WHY GLP-1 MEDICATIONS HELP WITH DIABETES AND WEIGHT LOSS

Originally, GLP-1 RAs were developed for type 2 diabetes because of their powerful impact on blood sugar:

• They lower A1C by improving insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner, thereby reducing the risk of severe hypoglycemia compared with some older drugs.

But something important showed up in the data:

People on GLP-1 RAs were consistently losing weight.

That weight loss comes mainly from:

• Appetite suppression and increased satiety

• Lower calorie intake

• Slower gastric emptying, which smooths post-meal glucose and may further reduce hunger 

Over time, clinical trials showed double-digit weight loss in many patients, especially with newer agents like semaglutide and tirzepatide, prompting a significant shift: GLP-1 therapy moved from “just diabetes drugs” to frontline tools for medical weight management.

GLP-1, OBESITY TREATMENT, AND WHO GUIDELINES

In December 2025, the World Health Organization issued its first global guideline on using GLP-1–based medications (like semaglutide and related agents) for obesity treatment in adults with BMI ≥30. These therapies are conditionally recommended as part of a long-term, comprehensive plan that includes:

• Nutritious, calorie-appropriate diet

• Physical activity

• Behavioral support and counseling

Key takeaways from WHO and other major reviews:

• GLP-1 RAs can produce around 15–25% weight loss in some patients over about a year when combined with lifestyle changes.

• They can also improve blood pressure, lipids, kidney markers, and cardiovascular risk in high-risk individuals.

• Access, cost, and long-term equity remain major concerns globally.

So GLP-1 isn’t just “about vanity.” It’s about treating serious metabolic disease with evidence-based tools.

RISKS, SIDE EFFECTS, AND LIMITATIONS OF GLP-1 THERAPY

Most common side effects (especially when starting or increasing dose):

• Nausea

• Diarrhea or constipation

• Vomiting

• Abdominal discomfort or bloating

• Decreased appetite (wanted or sometimes too strong)

Less common but important risks:

• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)

• Gallbladder disease (gallstones, inflammation)

• Kidney issues from dehydration due to vomiting/diarrhea

• Potential worsening of certain types of diabetic retinopathy with rapid glycemic improvement

• Possible signal of increased GI, kidney, or pancreatic complications in some observational datasets 

Recent research has also highlighted:

• Substantial weight loss with GLP-1 drugs can involve lean muscle loss if patients do not focus on resistance training and adequate protein intake.

This is why a safe GLP-1 plan always includes:

• Careful screening and monitoring

• Gradual dosing

• Nutrition guidance (especially protein)

• Strength training to protect muscle and function

GLP-1 therapy is not appropriate for everyone, including patients with certain endocrine cancers or syndromes, and must be individualized.

GLP-1 IN HALLANDALE: WHO MIGHT BENEFIT?

You may be a candidate to discuss GLP-1 therapy with your provider if you:

• Live with type 2 diabetes that is not at goal despite lifestyle and current medications

• Have obesity (BMI ≥30) or overweight (BMI ≥27) with a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, sleep apnea, or high cholesterol

• Feel like you’ve done “everything right” and still struggle with hunger, cravings, and weight regain 

A high-quality consultation for GLP-1 in Hallandale should include:

• Full medical history and medication review

• Lab work (A1C, kidney and liver function, lipids, etc.)

• Screening for pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, and specific endocrine conditions

• A realistic conversation about cost, access, expectations, and alternatives

If GLP-1 therapy makes sense, it becomes part of a bigger metabolic health plan, not the whole plan.

GLP-1, MUSCLE, AND LONG-TERM HEALTH

One important nuance that’s finally getting more attention:

Losing weight is not the same as losing fat only.

Recent analyses suggest that a notable fraction of weight lost on GLP-1–based medications can be lean mass, particularly if patients don’t engage in resistance training or consume enough protein. Some experts estimate 20–50% of total weight loss may come from muscle in certain settings.

Why that matters:

• Muscle is critical for strength, balance, metabolic health, and aging well.

• Losing too much muscle can make you feel weaker, lower your metabolic rate, and increase your risk of falls later in life.

This is why, in my practice, GLP-1 discussions always include:

• Resistance training at least 2–3 times per week (bodyweight, bands, or weights)

• Protein-forward nutrition to support muscle

• Reasonable, not extreme, calorie deficits

We’re not chasing the lowest number on the scale. We’re aiming for healthier composition and function.

WHAT A GLP-1 VISIT LOOKS LIKE AT TOXWELL MED SPA & WELLNESS

In a visit with me for GLP-1 in Hallandale, you can expect:

• A relaxed but thorough conversation about your health story—not just height, weight, and labs.

• Education on how GLP-1 works, what brands exist, and what’s actually approved for your condition.

• Discussion of benefits, side effects, black-box warnings, and unknowns, in clear language.

• A plan that we build together, which may include:

  • GLP-1 or related medications if appropriate

  • Nutrition support tailored to your culture, preferences, and schedule

  • Movement and strength strategies you can realistically follow

  • Ongoing follow-ups to adjust and support you

My priority is never “just put you on a trending injection.” It’s to help you build a safer, sustainable pathway to better metabolic health.

CONCLUSION: WHAT IS GLP-1 REALLY ABOUT?

At its core, GLP-1 is a communication signal—your gut talking to your brain, pancreas, and stomach about food, energy, and safety.

Modern medicine has learned to amplify that signal with GLP-1 receptor agonists, creating some of the most powerful tools we’ve ever had for:

• Improving type 2 diabetes control

• Achieving meaningful weight loss

• Reducing cardiometabolic risks in carefully selected patients

But powerful tools demand respect:

• GLP-1 medications are not cosmetic injections; they treat serious diseases.

• They carry real risks and need proper screening, dosing, and monitoring.

• They work best as part of a comprehensive plan that includes nutrition, movement, sleep, and emotional support.

If you’re curious about GLP-1 in Hallandale, your next step isn’t to chase a discount link. It’s to sit down with a clinician who will see your whole story and help you decide, together, whether GLP-1 therapy belongs in your journey.