GLP-1 Receptor Agonist: Natural vs Synthetic

“Visit MRC Lubbock for More About Differences in Incretin Mimetics“

For generations, there was an obvious lack of effective drugs to treat obesity and overweight conditions in individuals with weight-related medical disorders. So, it is easy to understand why today’s GLP-1 weight loss medications quickly earned a title of being a revolutionary treatment option with semaglutide’s ability to decrease both appetite via reductions in calorie intake and the person’s overall body weight.

Both natural glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone and pharmaceutical versions of synthetic GLP-1 are incretins that can lower blood sugar, promote weight loss, and improve cardiovascular health. But, GLP-1 released naturally from the small intestine after eating stimulates insulin release and inhibits glucagon to create feelings of satiety for several minutes. Whereas synthetic GLP-1 is an incretin mimetic designed to last much longer, most often as a weekly injection.

Last year, researchers at Stanford Medicine identified another naturally occurring molecule (BRP), which is a 12-amino acid peptide that suppresses appetite in mice and minipigs without the common gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, constipation) and, more importantly, no significant loss of lean muscle mass. The receptors targeted by GLP-1 incretin mimetics like semaglutide and tirzepatide work in the gut, brain and other tissues. However, BRP peptide appears to act specifically in the hypothalamus, which is the control center for appetite and metabolism. So, BRP activates metabolic and neuron pathways separate from GLP-1, and the animals tested shed weight almost entirely as fat loss.

How do biological and anabolic prohormones differ?

A prohormone is an inactive precursor substance in the human body that relies on enzymes to convert them into active hormones; but prohormones on their own are biologically inactive. However, they are a transportation unit that provides safe storage until needed by the body to manage complex hormones. They travel through your bloodstream and are cleaved into active peptides or steroid hormones at the exact cellular level as needed. For example, proinsulin is a prohormone that can quickly be converted into active insulin hormone.

In fitness training for sports or bodybuilding, synthetic prohormones are chemically-altered substances designed to become active compounds that serve as the body’s building blocks for producing hormones like testosterone. However, not without risks or regulations. Because active synthetic prohormones can deliver performance-enhancing effects that are similar to anabolic steroids, many are strictly banned by world athletic organizations for these ergogenic effects. Plus, side effects include an increased risk of heart disease, acne and baldness.

PROTEINS THAT SUPPORT HYPOTHALAMUS FUNCTION

Fortunately, following a protein-forward menu plan and adopting a protein-first eating strategy can help keep your hypothalamus functioning optimally. Combining lean sources of meats (skinless chicken, fish, eggs, tofu) with low-glycemic vegetables (dark leafy greens, broccoli, asparagus), healthy fats (olive oil, avocado, walnuts), and foods high in polyphenols (berries, green tea) can restore hormone balance across nutrient-sensing pathways in the hypothalamus and supports balance across the body’s endocrine system.

However, it is important to prioritize minimally-processed whole food proteins to ensure blood sugar balance that stimulate neurotransmitters like dopamine. Wild-caught fatty fish like salmon and mackerel provide premium protein and omega-3 fatty acids that help to reduce hypothalamic inflammation and regulate satiety hormones like leptin. Lean meats like skinless chicken and turkey are excellent sources of the amino acid tryptophan, which is the building block for energy-regulating neurotransmitters.

Whole-foods like egg yolks supply choline that is a crucial nutrient for cellular membrane development and brain health, while Greek yogurt is an important easy-to-digest dairy protein that’s filled with probiotics and calcium that support hormonal balance. So, a protein-forward diet activates satiety pathways in the hypothalamus to regulate overall metabolism; but it is important to avoid pairing high-quality sources of protein with ultra-processed foods that are excessively high in saturated fats that are known to disrupt cellular signaling.

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Synthetic GLP-1 products like semaglutide or tirzepatide are designed to be long-acting receptor agonists that bind to and activate receptors to improve insulin secretion, reduce food intake, and assist in managing obesity or overweight conditions with a metabolic-disorder like Type 2 diabetes. While natural glucagon-like peptide-1 is an incretin hormone, pharmaceutical versions of GLP-1 belong to broader class of hormones known as incretin mimetics. Generally speaking, both chemical messengers are referred to as incretin-based-therapies rather than simply hormones. If you’re trying to decide whether a prescription-based weight loss plan or a more holistic metabolic weight loss program is right for you, contact MRC Lubbock today. One of our weight loss coaches will be in touch to discuss how hormone imbalances, genetic factors and key lifestyle habits may have slowed your metabolism and led to unintended weight gain. After all, hormonal balance can be restored and disrupted metabolic rates can be reset with a personalized approach.