By now, we’ve all heard of the ‘skinny shot’ Ozempic (semaglutide), one of the popular GLP-1 weight loss peptides approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), originally used to control type 2 diabetes. Its popularity has skyrocketed, even inspiring episodes on shows like South Park!
While full doses can lead to side effects such as nausea, constipation, hypoglycemia, and loss of appetite, individuals have also found it to be a lifesaver, helping to lose excess pounds, reduce visceral fat, improve cardiovascular health, and restore a zest for life through its myriad benefits throughout the body. Some people, however, view it as a dangerous drug with debilitating side effects – even labeling it as ‘cheating’. Let’s take a deeper dive.
What is semaglutide?
Semaglutide is a medication used to manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It mimics a hormone called GLP-1, which helps the pancreas release more insulin, reduces the release of glucagon (a hormone that raises blood sugar), and slows down stomach emptying to promote fullness. It’s typically administered as an injection and is now also used to aid weight loss.
Emerging anecdotal reports from Dr. Tyna Moore- a US naturopathic physician and chiropractor who is regarded as an expert on the use of GLP-1- show that microdosing this peptide can offer substantial benefits without the common side effects associated with higher doses.1 This approach is especially advantageous for midlife women seeking effective solutions to their health concerns.
Recently, I attended America’s largest longevity conference – A4M – where many of the world’s leading doctors and researchers shared their protocols and insights on anti-aging. Notably, there were several lectures focused on cutting-edge discoveries related to GLPs and their applications beyond weight loss.
When used correctly, semaglutide can be a wonderful aid for so many conditions, not just weight loss. Additionally, microdosing this peptide, particularly for midlife women, is a very exciting realm of use.
As women transition into this stage of life, we can face various health challenges, including hormonal fluctuations, weight gain, and cognitive hurdles. Microdosing semaglutide has emerged as a promising antidote to these common and progressive health issues.
Anecdotal data from inspiring lectures at the A4M conference by Ronald Rothenberg, M,D and others suggests that microdosing semaglutide can provide significant benefits for midlife women who are experiencing deteriorating conditions such as:
- Metabolic health
- Inflammation and brain fog
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Autoimmune conditions
- Compulsive addictive behavior
- Low mood
- Reducing cellular ageing
- Cardiovascular issues.
Personally, I have experienced much less inflammation, which is important as constant inflammation is the driver for most chronic conditions. I have no joint pain, and my brain readily absorbs and retains information at 58 years young! As a functional nutrition counsellor, I am also thrilled to experience the healing of some bothersome gut issues.
While semaglutide has garnered much attention, two new drugs – Tirzepatide and Retatrutide – are emerging as exciting options. Tirzepatide is a dual agonist (a substance that mimics the actions of a neurotransmitter or hormone to produce a response when it binds to a specific receptor in the brain), targeting both GLP-1 and GIP (Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide) receptors, enhancing glucose-dependent insulin secretion, and promoting weight loss more effectively than traditional GLP-1 agonists. Initial studies, such as one published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2021 by Jet Frias, indicate that Tirzepatide may lead to greater weight loss and improved metabolic outcomes.2 A PubMed article published in September 2024 by PJ Rodriguez found that the use of Tirzepatide was associated with greater weight loss than Semaglutide.3
Retatrutide, a triple agonist, targets GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors, aiming to offer even more comprehensive metabolic benefits. Research is ongoing, but early findings, such as those presented in an article published in the National Institute of Health in July 2024 by Arun J Sanyal et al., suggest that Retatrutide could become a game-changer in managing obesity and metabolic diseases, providing additional support for midlife women facing health challenges.4
Conclusion
Microdosing GLP peptides gives a multifaceted approach to health for midlife women, addressing critical issues such as weight management, metabolic health, cardiovascular risks, inflammation, and cognitive function.
As the landscape of women’s health continues to evolve, microdosing semaglutide, along with newer options like Tirzepatide and Retatrutide, could empower midlife women to maintain their health and vitality, leading to improved health span, not just life span. Most recent anecdotal reports suggest that injecting smaller amounts more than once a week might increase the efficacy based on the half-lives of these compounds.
Some are even declaring these exciting findings to be the fountain of youth! We are possibly looking at a molecule that can head many disease processes off at the pass.
At the time of writing, Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are available by prescription in the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia (amongst other countries). Retatrutide is still in clinical trials and projected to continue into 2025. If you would like to try these peptides, speak with your health care provider, but be prepared to possibly educate them on the uses of microdosing. I recommend pointing them to the work of Dr. Tyna Moore, a licensed naturopathic physician and chiropractor in the USA who has developed a body of research and anecdotal reports on GLP-1 use.
Of course, we must also make the necessary lifestyle changes through proper nutrition, resistance training to increase lean muscle mass, optimized sleep, and stress management. No peptide can replace these crucial pillars of good health.
Deborah Squibb is a Certified Functional Nutrition Counselor and Founder of Gut Health Angel and can be contacted at deborah@topdocrx.com
Create a life You want to live! • @deborahsquibb
Bibliography
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- Dr. Tyna Moore- a US naturopathic physician
- New England Journal of Medicine in 2021 by Jet Frias
- A PubMed article published in September 2024 by PJ Rodriguez
- National Institute of Health in July 2024 by Arun J Sanyal et al
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