What would you think if you were told there is a group of drugs that have the potential to treat:
Obesity
Diabetes
Skeletal muscle wasting
Cancer
Parkinson's Disease
Alzheimer's Disease
Chronic kidney disease
Obstructive sleep apnea
and potentially more?
These drugs have made a huge impact in the world of metabolic dis-eases, namely diabetes and weight loss. Research into the other conditions is in phase 3 clinical trails and the outcome could be potentially monumental.
What are these drugs exactly?
These drugs are incretin analogues and you may have heard of semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide. Both medications bind to receptors that the body's own home-made incretin hormones bind to.
What are incretins?
Incretins are hormones produced by the gut and they include glucagon-like-peptide 1 (GLP-1) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP). These are released by the gut in response to the ingestion of glucose and fat. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 analogue and tirzepatide is both a GLP-1 and GIP analogue.
These incretin analogues, have become popular amongst celebrities due to their dramatic impact on weight loss and if you have not heard about these new drugs, rest assured you will.
The influence of these drugs is extensive, with new areas being identified as we write this blog. GLP-1 was discovered 4 decades ago, but this area of research may just be about to explode due to the very fact that incretin receptors are found all over the body! Look at the different parts of the body where GLP-1 alone acts below!
Metabolic Syndrome
Incretin-related disorders are related to metabolic syndrome, which is a collection of conditions such as cardiovascular conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke) obesity, PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), type 2 diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Metabolic Syndrome is on the increase and the NHS spends approximately £10 billion a year on diabetes alone! The cost of spending on metabolic syndrome in total must be 'eye-wateringly' painful.
At the New School of Nutritional Medicine, we understand that such drugs play a critical role, imagine saving millions from the prevention of developing severe cardiovascular complications or from becoming dependant on insulin due to a blood sugar dys-regulation that actually was not an insulin-deficient issue, but became one. However, we firmly believe in a more whole mindbody approach.
Central to this whole mindbody approach is gut health.
These hormones (GLP-1 and GIP) which are peptides (made from amino acids) are released from the mucosa in the gastrointestinal tract in response to a meal. Both peptide hormones are made from differing cells; GLP-1 from the entero-endocrine L cells and GIP from the entero-endocrine K cells. They both play important roles in blood sugar regulation by enhancing insulin secretion from the pancreas. GLP-1 also slows down gastric emptying and stimulates neurones that regulate appetite. You may want to read that again, as most people are led to believe that the only way you can obtain these hormones is through medication.
No matter which metabolic syndrome condition we focus on, gut health is foundational. For example, in type 2 diabetes there is a loss of function in the receptors for GIP, this leads to a reduction in the release of insulin post-meal which results in hyper-glycemia. In the case of GLP-1, this is only released when blood glucose is elevated, once the blood glucose levels are 'normalised' GLP-1 is broken down by an enzyme, such that hypoglycemia is prevented.
Should we not be asking...
What results in the loss of function of the GIP receptors? And how can we restore GIP receptor function?
We address this question in our two year curriculum. Hint, this involves the food quality that goes into our digestive tract, pesticides like glyphosate are not kind to the gut lining, sugar is inflammatory and sleep hygiene is vital (see later).
In obesity both GLP-1 and GIP regulate blood sugar and insulin resistance. GLP-1 also acts on stimulating satiety, thereby reducing food intake as there are GLP-1 receptors in the brain and gut that when stimulated slow down stomach emptying time.
Insulin resistance is a key contributing factor in the evolution AND progression of neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson's Disease
Dementia is preventable
Insulin resistance in the brain causes high blood sugar levels, which result in chronic inflammation in the brain and a leaky blood-brain barrier (BBB). This leaky BBB leads to further inflammation that results in the release of inflammatory cytokines and activate astrocytes (important structural cells in the brain) which encourages even more neuro-inflammation and higher sugar levels in the brain.
Insulin resistance in the brain has many consequences including the excessive production of nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species, and it can also interfere with blood flow all of which can result in dementia.
Incretin receptors are present in the brain
and have been shown to have neuro-protective effects when stimulated. Preliminary research with GLP-1 treatment in rats and mice show;
a reverse in neuro-inflammation
enhanced nerve growth
improved cognitive performance
reduced emory impairment.
This research is very exciting and even moreso knowing that we can enhance our own GLP-1 and GIP production.
The Microbiome and GLP-1
A healthy microbiome is vital in the production and secretion of these peptides. There are various biological ways in which the microbiome influences the impact of secretins and this includes:
i. The gut-liver axis
ii. Bile acids (liver and gall bladder health are important)
iii. Regular bowel movements
iv. Production of small chain fatty acids (SCFAs)
How to naturally make your own Ozempic
i. Supporting the parasympathetic nervous system by slowing down, and eating mindfully,
ii. Having fibre in every meal, i.e. slow sugar releasing carbohydrates alongside protein and fat. High fibre foods also provide 'goodies' for the microbiome, and the microbiome produces SCFAs (short chain fatty acids), which stimulate the release of GLP-1
iii. Support the whole of the gut, this may include supporting gastric acid levels, or pancreatic function, supporting liver and gall bladder function. Include foods such as dandelion root infusions, cruciferous vegetables, artichoke, ginger, nuts and seeds etc. Pancreatic support may include digestive enzymes or minerals, low carbohydrate meals
iv. Ensure regular bowel movements, by hydrating the cells, and ensuring plenty of mineral-rich foods are included such as leafy greens, citrus fruits, herbal infusions
v. Supporting the microbiome; eating foods that are rich in fibre, rich in anti-oxidants, fermented foods such as yoghourt, sauerkraut, pickles etc. Avoiding as much as possible medications that impact the microbiome such as antibiotics, anti-fungals, steroid medications,
vi. Sleep is vital, this allows the body to heal and repair but also allows the microbiome to regenerate
vii. Exercise increases GLP-1 and GIP. Even 10 minutes of exercise a day is beneficial. Resistance and strength training to maintain muscle mass is key.
Comprehensive Stool Analysis
We cannot qualify in nutritional medicine without knowing and understanding gut health and that includes the infamous microbiome. At the New School of Nutritional Medicine, we teach our students that the microbiome is nothing without the strong acidity of the stomach, the concentration of the pancreatic enzymes, the rich flow of healthy bile from the gall bladder, clean and smooth microvilli and the potency of the gut immune system. All these factors impact the microbiome 'down-under'.
A personalised gut health programme involves a comprehensive stool analysis which is an extensive gut health functional test that also includes an analysis of the microbiome health, population and diversity. Read more on a comprehensive stool analysis HERE.
Why take a medication, before doing all you can to make your own natural and original version of the medicated copy-cat? No side effects to boot!
To Wholeness!
From the team at the New School Of Nutritional Medicine
Learn about the Founder & Principal of the New School of Nutritional Medicine, Dr Khush Mark PhD HERE.
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