Have you been hearing the buzz around weight loss medications, like tirzepatide (mounjaro or zepbound) and metabolic health?
Wondering what this all is and how it relates to your own body and health?
If so, then you are in the right place. With all the talk of metabolic health, we are also seeing an increase in use of newer weight loss medications, like tirzepatide.
In this blog, we will discuss more details about what metabolic health and tirzepatide are, how they impact your health, and the connection between the two.
Understanding Metabolic Health
Metabolic health refers to the work of your metabolism in converting food into energy. You might hear people refer to having a fast or slow metabolism, but this is not exactly what we are referring to when talking about metabolic health.
This term refers to key markers in the blood that can show a picture of how well your body is working to utilize the food you ingest as energy. Things like blood sugar levels, cholesterol, blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides are biomarkers for health.
Dr. Casey Means has stated, “88% of American adults have at least one biomarker of metabolic dysfunction.”
When these biomarkers are above the optimal ranges for health, it increases the risk of other diseases and chronic conditions. Things like obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and more.
For the average American, we are too stressed, not fueling our bodies well, and lacking physical activity. With so few people living a lifestyle that is positively impacting their health- it's time for a change!
Learn how Medical Weight Loss can help you lose the weight to live a longer life!
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What is Tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide is a groundbreaking pharmaceutical compound that has gained significant attention in the medical community for its multifaceted approach to managing metabolic health, particularly in the realms of weight loss and diabetes management.
This innovative compound is a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, meaning it activates both GIP and GLP-1 receptors in the body.
Tirzepatide’s unique dual agonist action sets it apart from other treatments.
By mimicking the activity of two naturally occurring hormones—GIP and GLP-1—it enhances insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner, reduces glucagon levels, slows gastric emptying, and decreases appetite.
These combined effects contribute to better glycemic control and significant weight loss, addressing two critical components of metabolic health.
Tirzepatide and Weight Loss
The dual action of tirzepatide on GIP and GLP-1 receptors leads to several beneficial physiological effects for weight loss:
Enhanced Insulin Secretion: Tirzepatide stimulates the pancreas to release insulin in response to meals, helping to lower blood glucose levels.
Reduced Glucagon Production: By inhibiting glucagon, a hormone that raises blood glucose levels, tirzepatide helps maintain more stable glucose levels.
Appetite Suppression: The compound’s action on GLP-1 receptors in the brain contributes to reduced appetite and increased feelings of fullness, which supports weight loss.
Slowed Gastric Emptying: This effect prolongs the digestion process, leading to a slower and more controlled absorption of nutrients, which helps prevent post-meal blood sugar spikes. (1)
Clinical trials have shown that individuals using tirzepatide experience significant weight loss, making it a valuable tool for those looking to manage their weight more effectively.
By targeting these multiple pathways, tirzepatide offers a comprehensive approach to improving metabolic health, making it a promising option for individuals struggling with type 2 diabetes and obesity.
You can read more about the research with tirzepatide on our blog.
Broader Implications for Metabolic Health
Tirzepatide has shown promise of improving metabolic biomarkers beyond weight in research studies. Look at how this medication is improving health:
Cardiovascular Health Benefits
Beyond weight loss and blood sugar control, tirzepatide offers potential cardiovascular benefits.
Obesity and type 2 diabetes are major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, but by addressing these conditions, tirzepatide can help improve your heart health.
Studies have shown that tirzepatide can lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels, thereby reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular issues.
In a study of people with type 2 diabetes, tirzepatide was shown to decrease their cardiovascular risk factors. Blood pressure, body weight, and Hemoglobin A1C were significantly decreased with tirzepatide use. (2)
In another research trial, people with obesity, but without diabetes, who used tirzepatide improved their “lipid profiles, increased insulin secretion, reduced inflammation, and promoted endothelial integrity. “ (2)
Our Nurse Practitoner, Amber Woken, is really excited about the potential for tirzepatide.
She states, “For the first time in history, we have a medication that improves your health. It improves your blood pressure. It improves your cholesterol. It improves all your cardiometabolic measures.
It decreases your risk for diabetes. It will not only help you lose weight and sustain it, but improve your health overall.”
Comprehensive Metabolic Health Improvement
Tirzepatide’s multi-faceted approach addresses several aspects of metabolic health simultaneously.
By improving blood sugar control, promoting weight loss, and enhancing insulin sensitivity, tirzepatide provides a holistic solution for managing type 2 diabetes and obesity.
This comprehensive improvement can lead to enhanced quality of life, increased energy levels, and a reduced risk of complications associated with poor metabolic health.
Personalized Treatment Options
One of the advantages of tirzepatide is its adaptability to your individual needs.
Healthcare providers can tailor the dosage and treatment regimen to ensure optimal results for you.
At Idaho Nutrition, our Nurse Practitoner works with you regularly assessing tirzepatide dosage and adjusting as needed.
We offer tirzepatide along with other tools to increase weight loss success. See how our approach can help you succeed!
Long-Term Health Benefits
The benefits of tirzepatide extend beyond immediate weight loss and blood sugar control.
Sustained use of tirzepatide can lead to lasting improvements in metabolic health, reducing the risk of developing serious complications such as cardiovascular diseases, nerve damage, and kidney issues.
By addressing the root causes of metabolic disorders, tirzepatide can help you achieve a healthier and more sustainable future.
All of this can happen with help of Idaho Nutrition. Our Nurse Practitioner and Registered Dietitians help people make nutrition and lifestyle changes that not only help them lose weight with tirzepatide, but keep the weight off- even after they stop using the medication.
Learn more about tirzepatide and how it compares to semaglutide (wegovy), another GLP-1 medication.
Conclusion
Metabolic health directly relates to our risk of chronic diseases and the health of our internal body.
Most Americans have at least one biomarker indicating some level of dysfunction of their metabolic health.
The new weight loss medication, tirzepatide, has been showing the ability to not only help weight loss but also improve metabolic and cardiovascular health.
More research needs to continue to be done to see the long-term effects of tirzepatide benefits for health and weight loss. But so far, the research has been promising.
Make your appointment today to take the first steps towards weight loss and better health!
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