GLP-1 Drugs
Hello Everyone,
I’m Dr. Brant Hulsebus, and welcome to another episode of “Ask the Chiropractor.” As a chiropractor based in Rockford, Illinois, and I love answering questions about chiropractic care. I’m a proud graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic and the team chiropractor for the Rockford IceHogs. Today, I want to talk about something different—GLP-1 drugs.
What are GLP-1 Drugs?
Recently, at the Palmer College Homecoming, we had some cool classes focusing on blood sugar and new drugs for type 2 diabetes and weight loss. These are the GLP-1 drugs. Not sure if I can name them all due to trademark reasons, but I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.
How Do GLP-1 Drugs Work?
These drugs are designed for people with type 2 diabetes to help manage their blood sugar. Interestingly, people taking these drugs also lose a lot of weight. How do they do this?
- Trick Your Body: These drugs trick your body into thinking you’ve already eaten enough glucose (energy from food). That means you’re less hungry and you eat less.
- Slow Digestion: Normally, it takes about 1 to 3 hours for food to go through your stomach. But with GLP-1 drugs, it can take 4 to 8 hours. This means you feel full longer and eat less.
Potential Problems with GLP-1 Drugs
However, there are some side effects. The food staying in your stomach for so long can cause:
- Nausea: You might feel sick to your stomach for a lot of the time.
- Bowel Blockage: Because the food is moving so slowly, it can get stuck, causing constipation and even blockages that might need surgery.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Once the food does make it through your system, it can cause uncontrollable bowel movements.
Losing Muscle Mass
Another big issue is muscle loss. Your body needs proteins to repair and heal itself, which you get from food. If you’re not eating enough protein because you’re not hungry, your body will start using the protein in your muscles. This means you lose muscle mass.
When you have less muscle mss:
- Less Glucose Use: Muscles help manage glucose in your body. Less muscle means less glucose use, and it gets stored as fat.
- Weak Body: If you stop taking the drugs, you may have weaker muscles and potentially more body fat.
What to Do if You’re on GLP-1 Drugs
When you decide to take GLP-1 drugs, I highly recommend you drink a protein shake daily. I know it might be tough if you’re feeling nauseous and not hungry, but it’s really important to help maintain your muscle mass.
Alternatives to GLP-1 Drugs
If you prefer not to take these drugs, here are some healthier lifestyle tips:
- Exercise: Try to exercise every morning. It helps your cells create more glucose receptors. If morning workouts aren’t possible, exercising at any time is better than not exercising at all.
- Diet Changes: Choose one meal a day and eliminate all carbs from it. Gradually try to reduce carbs in all meals. Cut out sugary foods and drinks, like sodas and sugary coffee drinks.
- Healthy Eating: Focus on eating healthy fats, vegetables, and proteins. Fruits are good but have them in moderation. For example, locally grown berries or a few apple slices.
- Avoid Bad Foods: Stay away from junk food, processed sugars, and starches like corn, potatoes, rice, and bread.
Conclusion
I started this healthy lifestyle challenge two weeks ago and I encourage you to join me. Remember, if you’re on a GLP-1 drug, make sure to drink a protein shake every day to maintain your muscle mass. If you have more questions about these drugs or chiropractic care, feel free to ask. Thanks for listening, and take care of your health!
FINAL NOTE
Remember, if you have a question about chiropractic care, the best person to ask is a chiropractor. Thanks for tuning in, and I’ll see you next week! Want more? First, check out the video link above. Secondly, go to our blog page. Lastly, listen to our podcast. And if you want to take the same supplements Dr Hulsebus takes click here to pick them up next time you’re in.
Best,
Dr. Brant Hulsebus