Fighting against obesity is a challenging issue. This blog post aims to help you obtain a better understanding of the effects of weight loss medication on obesity and overweight

Discover your hormones
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) are two of the main incretin peptide hormones that are responsible for glucose homeostasis and enhance glucose-stimulated insulin secretion after nutrient ingest.  It is the successful application of incretin peptide hormones that have the potential to reduce weight and is considered an obesity treatment.

GLP-1
GLP-1 hormone is secreted predominantly in response to food intake to stimulate multiple glucose-lowering actions. Such as the secretion of glucose-insulin, delay in gastric emptying, and inhibition of glucagon secretion

GIP
On the other hand, GIP is a peptide that is secreted in response to nutrient ingestion. GIP stimulates insulin secretion but does not change glucagon release during hyperglycemia (high levels of glucose in the blood), whereas it increases glucagon release without affecting insulin secretion during hypoglycemia (low levels of glucose in the blood).

Peptide hormones using medication
Now, that you know which hormones are responsible for weight loss, the science behind weight loss medication becomes clearer.

Recent evidence has shown that the combination of both GIP and GLP-1 through multiple metabolic mechanisms synergistically affect each other. In other words, they have a greater impact on the effectiveness of weight loss and glycemia. Additionally, the infusion of GLP-1 and GIP results in reduced food intake and appetite, thus lowering weight loss.

The only FDA-approved medicine as a dual agonist of GIP and GLP-1, used for weight loss and T2D is known as Tirzepatide.

Tirzepatide a promising anti-obesity therapeutic drug 
Analyses revealed that weight loss is particularly impacted by the dosage and duration of the Tirzepatide drug.

Are you curious about what happens to your energy intake during treatment?

Mechanistic studies have shown that tirzepatide 15 mg once a week reduces energy intake (–348.4 kcal) at full lunch in people with type 2 diabetes through reduction of the overall appetite, which explains the weight reduction.

Semaglutide vs. Tirzepatide: Discover the Scientific Differences
Both semaglutide and tirzepatide have a strong effect on reducing glucose and body weight. Clinical studies have difficulties comparing both medications as more studies to confirm the findings are required. Nevertheless, here’s what the analysis revealed.

• Tirzepatide, effect on HbA1c seemed less dose-dependent
• Lower doses of tirzepatide can have good glucose control
• Tirzepatide proved better efficacy than placebo and other commonly used glucose-lowering medications 
• Tirzepatide acts as a peptide containing 39 amino acids
• Higher tirzepatide doses give higher weight reductions
• Semaglutide is a polypeptide that contains a linear sequence of 31 amino acids joined together by peptide linkages

In summary, understanding the role of GLP-1 and GIP in weight management opens new avenues for effective obesity treatment. Medications like Tirzepatide represent a significant advancement in obesity therapeutics, providing a scientifically-backed solution for those struggling with weight loss and associated metabolic conditions. As research continues, these medications offer a beacon of hope for improved health outcomes and better quality of life.

Interested in learning more about the which medication might help you lose weight?
Send us a message right away to get a free consultation from a weight loss expert or if you’re ready to start you journey check out our plans.