Weight loss can sometimes feel like a frustrating mountain that many struggle to climb for months, years, or a lifetime. If you’re looking for a modern approach that gives you extra advantages by regulating the hormones involved in weight management, GLP-1Â could be right for you.
At Center for Wellness MD in Greenwood Village, CO, we provide advanced treatments to help men and women achieve optimal health and confidence. One of the most promising options for weight loss is GLP-1, originally developed for type 2 diabetes but now gaining attention for its potential in nondiabetic patients. Under the expert care of board-certified OB/GYN and practice founder Asela Russell, MD, we help patients explore whether GLP-1 is the right choice for their weight loss needs.
If you’re wondering whether you could qualify without having diabetes, the answer is “yes, absolutely!” But, it’s important to understand the medication and who it’s best for first.
How Does GLP-1 Work?
GLP-1 is a once-weekly injectable medication that mimics two important hormones in blood sugar and appetite control. This dual-action approach helps:
- Appetite Regulation: GLP-1 works on the appetite centers in the brain to reduce hunger signals. Many patients say GLP-1 helps them experience less “food noise.” Essentially, they feel less hungry, think about food less, and generally feel better able to eat to live, not live to eat.
- Slow Digestion: It makes food empty from your stomach more slowly, which keeps you full for longer (improved satiety.)
- Improve Insulin Sensitivity: This is beneficial even if you do not have diabetes, as it directly impacts weight management.
Because GLP-1 targets multiple pathways involved in metabolism, it has shown impressive weight loss results in clinical studies, even for those without diabetes. Over 84 weeks, patients lost an average of 26.6%Â of their body weight in a recent long-term study.
Who Might Benefit from GLP-1 for Weight Loss?
While GLP-1 was originally FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, its effectiveness in weight loss has led many healthcare providers to consider it for non-diabetic patients. The FDA agrees, having approved it for weight loss under the brand names Wegovy® and Zepbound® in recent years.
You may be a candidate with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. If your BMI is less than 30 but at least 27, you can still qualify for GLP-1 for weight loss if you have a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, or high cholesterol.
Patients who struggle with appetite control, cravings, and overeating are often good candidates for GLP-1, particularly if they’ve already tried a traditional diet and exercise without success.
GLP-1 in Greenwood Village, CO
At Center for Wellness MD, we’re here to support you through a comprehensive medical weight management program. If you’re interested in GLP-1, call us at 303-309-3660 to schedule a consultation in Greenwood Village, CO.