1 out of 10 people in the United States has diabetes. Diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, can be a struggle to live with. Fortunately, however, there are some medications that can improve the quality of life of those who have this condition.
For example, GLP-1 medication benefits and side effects are very important to consider if you’re looking for a new treatment. Interestingly, this medication is not only great for type 2 diabetes treatment, but some people even use it to lose weight as well. But what exactly is this type of medication and how does it work?
What does it do and how does it affect the body? Keep reading and learn more about the benefits of GLP-1 medications below.
The Benefits of GLP-1 Medication for Diabetes
The full name of this medication is glucagon-like peptide 1 agonist. This medication works by working in an almost identical way to glucagon-like peptide 1. Glucagon-like peptide 1 is important for stimulating the body to make more insulin.
Insulin is essential for keeping the body’s blood sugar balanced. People with diabetes are unable to make enough insulin. Without enough insulin in the body, a person’s blood sugar levels will start to rise and quickly become very dangerous or life-threatening.
In some cases, a person can enter a diabetic coma if their sugar levels get too high. In rare cases, a person with diabetes could die as a result.
Type II diabetes often occurs in people who are overweight. This is believed to be the case because of how excess adipose tissue (fat) influences the body’s ability to make enough insulin. Whatever the case, GLP-1 agonists can hit two birds with one stone. Not only do they help the person lose weight, but they also make the body produce more insulin so that the person’s blood sugar levels don’t get too high.
GLP-1 medications stimulate the secretion of insulin and slow the release of glucagon in your body, influencing blood sugar control.
The Benefits of GLP-1 Medication for Weight Loss
Studies indicate that there is a direct connection between GLP-1 hormones and weight loss. GLP-1s occur naturally, and are created by your gut. These hormones send signals to the brain, working to control appetite and digestive processes. People who take GLP-1 medication feel full, which prevents them from overeating or snacking uncontrollably.
While GLP-1 medication helps to control appetite and metabolism, it’s equally important to practice healthy eating and develop active lifestyle habits in order to see progress with weight loss.
The Details
As a result, people who take this medication will lose weight. There are several types of GLP-1 medications you can take. Consider the following:
- Semaglutide
- Liraglutide
- Lixisenatide
Usually, a person would have to take this type of medication at least once a week. Some types require the person to take the medication twice a week.
Most GLP-1 medications require the person to inject the drug via a shot. This will allow the drug to work as soon as it enters the bloodstream. However, there are some variants such as semaglutide which can be taken as an oral medication.
Whatever the case, this type of medication seems to be full of benefits. Besides lowering blood sugar and helping a person lose weight, it may be possible that this type of medication can also reduce heart disease risk. It may also be helpful for reducing other health conditions such as kidney disease, heart failure, and more.
Some people find that taking this medication can even help improve their cholesterol levels. Of course, it is not yet known exactly how helpful this type of mediation is for these different uses. More research is necessary to see exactly how this medication works when it comes to treating various health conditions.
In general, this type of medication has more benefits than downsides. However, as with any kind of medication, there are indeed a few downsides and side effects that you should consider before trying this medication.
What Are the Downsides of GLP-1 Medications?
While the benefits of low blood sugar and potentially improved heart health are certainly attractive, this type of medication may not be for everyone. The first downside is that the majority of these medications need to be injected except for semaglutide. The act of injecting medication into the body can be a pain to deal with, especially since you would need to inject the medication in the right way.
Fortunately, most of the medications only require you to inject it about once a week, so it isn’t something you would have to worry about every day. However, there are some side effects that you would have to think about. Some of the most common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.
The side effects are more common in people who first start taking the medication. However, after taking the medication for some time, perhaps a week or two, the side effects should start to fade. At a certain point, the side effects should go away entirely.
However, there are some people who experience more severe side effects in reaction to this medication. While this is not common, it is important to stop this medication if the side effects are severe or if they don’t go away with time. If you have had medullary thyroid cancer in the past or have a family member who has had this cancer in the past, you should not take this medication.
GLP-1 Medication Benefits and Side Effects
There are several GLP-1 medication benefits and side effects you should consider before taking this medication for the first time. This drug is very helpful for those with type 2 diabetes since it can balance one’s blood sugar levels and also help a person lose weight at the same time. Some of the side effects include nausea and vomiting, but these side effects tend to go away on their own.
Blue Sky MD offers GLP-1 medication to medically qualified patients. Our special doctor-formulated compound includes peptides that help mitigate the stomach problems that are often associated with semaglutide or other GLP-1 medications.
To learn more about GLP-1 medications, or to find out if you’re qualified, book a consultation with us here. For current patients, text or call today if you would like to be scheduled to learn more about this medication.
