Finally: A GLP-1 Explainer That Makes Sense (And Doesn’t Waste Your Time)
- Jennifer Hardy
- May 19
- 7 min read
Updated: May 21
Maybe you’ve heard of Ozempic or Zepbound in passing—on the news, in a group chat, or from a coworker who “just isn’t hungry anymore.” Since it didn't impact you (yet), you've never taken the time to get a GLP-1 explainer.
But behind the headlines and celebrity weight loss chatter, something much bigger is happening. GLP-1 medications aren’t just about shedding pounds. They’re at the center of a growing body of science that’s changing how we think about chronic disease (beyond obesity and diabetes), aging, quality of life, and even mental health.
Whether you're reading this GLP-1 explainer for someone you love or to see how you can get into the projected $125B industry by 2030, let's get into it.
"The transformation that is ongoing right now with these new agents is akin to what we saw with penicillin or what we saw with insulin. They are truly life-changing, they are truly transformative, and they are in many cases potentially saving people’s lives." —Dr. Ania Jastreboff, Director of the Yale Obesity Research Center
What Is a GLP-1 Like Ozempic or Zepbound?
Chances are, you know someone who is taking a GLP-1 for either obesity or diabetes. The rough number is that one in eight Americans is using it or has used it. I didn't know much about this topic a year ago, except for what I saw on TikTok. Never one to rely on spectacle over substantiated facts, I started digging and eventually created this website.
GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone your body naturally makes after you eat. Its job? Help regulate your blood sugar, tell your brain when you're full, and slow down how quickly food leaves your stomach.
Scientists first tapped the saliva of the venomous gila monster to make way for the so-called Peptide Revolution. GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are drugs that mimic this hormone, but with supercharged, longer-lasting effects. Medications like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) were initially designed to help people with type 2 diabetes.
That cascaded into noticeable weight loss. In a country where more than 40% of adults are classified as obese, sales took off.
However, if those who don't struggle with diabetes or weight loss stop listening at that point, you're missing one helluva medical breakthrough. The shedding of pounds shed light on a growing and impressive number of uses that could save the life of someone else you know; maybe even you!
The FDA-Approved Uses of GLP-1s
Since I know most readers of this article are probably here at the request of a loved one, I won't bore you with too much detail. I do want to highlight the ways GLP-1s change lives. We already know Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound are approved for a mix of either/both diabetes and obesity. Let's look at what other health conditions have been given the FDA nod.
In March 2024, the FDA approved semaglutide (Wegovy) to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (such as heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death) in adults with cardiovascular disease who are overweight or obese.
I first entered the chat when the FDA approved tirzepatide (Zepbound) for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity. That was late 2024. The approval marked the first-ever treatment for OSA. CPAPs and other breathing devices only manage symptoms.
The Future Potential Indications for GLP-1s Explained
When I first started taking GLP-1s, I had stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD). I was slowly walking toward dialysis. Inflammation from bone-on-bone arthritis in both knees meant a double-knee replacement was in my future. Considering my mom died from blood clots after a knee replacement, the idea of going through it terrified me.
I was an edema-filled, water-chugging, living in constant pain 40-something-year-old year old woman in the throes of perimenopause. Imagine my surprise when, less than six weeks into my Zepbound journey, all the edema was gone. A regularly scheduled nephrologist appointment showed my GFR rate improved, technically putting me at stage 2 CKD. And this was before I lost more than 30 pounds.
That's when GLP-1 Newsroom was born. Science is finding what seems like a million different ways the gut rules our bodies. Here's what's in the pipeline.
Inflammation and Autoimmune Issues
In animal and clinical studies, GLP-1s have reduced inflammation in joints, showing potential for conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. There’s also some data suggesting they may lower blood clot risk.
Scientists are exploring the Gut-Joint Axis to relearn what has long been believed about joint issues being a "wear-and-tear" issued.
Brain Function
Researchers are studying GLP-1s for their potential to slow down Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. In early studies, these medications reduced inflammation in the brain and helped preserve cognitive and motor function in animal models. It’s early, but promising.
Heart Health
We touched on the cardiovascular benefits earlier, but that might just be scratching the surface. Studies show they reduce the risk of heart failure and may help prevent atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in arteries). Some research suggests they can even lower blood pressure. The American Heart Association uses additional funding to find more heart benefits connected to GLP-1s.
Fertility
There’s growing evidence that GLP-1 meds may support fertility, especially for women with obesity or PCOS. Clinical studies have shown improvements in menstrual cycles, ovulation, and even pregnancy rates, likely thanks to better insulin sensitivity and lower androgen levels.
For men, early research suggests potential benefits to hormone balance and semen quality, though the data is mixed. That said, GLP-1s aren’t approved for use during pregnancy, so most doctors recommend stopping them before trying to conceive.
Liver Protection
If you’ve heard the terms fatty liver or MASH, that’s what we’re talking about here. GLP-1s have been shown to reduce liver fat and improve inflammation, especially in people with obesity-related liver conditions.
Addiction and Mental Health
There’s growing interest in how GLP-1s may affect cravings—not just for food, but for alcohol, nicotine, and even opioids. This is likely due to the impact on dopamine receptors that fuel addiction and disordered eating. Many GLP-1 users note the decrease in Food Noise that can be all-consuming.
Some observational studies suggest they might even lower the risk of specific psychiatric disorders. Scientists are still digging in, but the early signs are intriguing.
Kidney Health
GLP-1 meds seem to protect the kidneys in people with diabetes by slowing the progression of chronic kidney disease. That’s a big deal, especially since kidney damage often flies under the radar until it’s serious. I was healthy as a horse when I was first diagnosed, and routine blood work showed decreasing function.
Aging and Longevity
Because these drugs improve metabolic health, reduce inflammation, and potentially protect cells, they’re being looked at as tools to slow aging. That goes far beyond how we look, but how our organs function over time.
Cancer Research
This one’s still early stage, but lab studies show that GLP-1s might help slow the growth of certain types of cancer cells, like those in colorectal or breast cancer. More human trials are needed, but it’s a growing area of interest.
Are You Still With This GLP-1 Explainer?
If it feels like a lot, that's because it is. It seems like every week a new indication for GLP-1s reveals itself while next-gen agonists like retatrutide are being tested.
While I know a certain number of people reading will say, "This all ties back to obesity." It's part of the stigma that comes with the "quick fix" or what President Trump called the "fat shot drug." It might help for you to understand what metabolic syndrome is and how a few extra pounds can slide into obesity faster than you realize.
While 40% of Americans are considered obese with a BMI over 30, 75% of Americans fall into either the overweight or the obese categories. When you think of the weight loss benefits beyond vanity and how fat infiltrates every aspect of human biology, how can you be opposed to this?
How GLP-1s Impact Non-Users
At the same time, the Peptide Revolution is changing the way Americans eat, shop, and recreate. GLP-1 users spend 11% less at the grocery store and crave nutrient-rich, healthy foods. Fast food restaurants are seeing dips in profits. We just don't have that hankering anymore.
As more people join the crusade, it's going to impact everything from your holiday dinners to the portion sizes that are already out of control at some restaurants. For businesses? The GLP-1 Revolution is coming your way.
On a recent webinar, Sally Lyons Wyatt of Consumer Goods & Foodservice Insights stated, "What it means is that every single company should have a GLP-1 strategy. The ripple effect goes beyond food. It goes into clothing, makeup, electronics, etc. There are so many places that if you want to find a partner, you can do that."
"What it means is that every single company should have a GLP-1 strategy. The ripple effect goes beyond food." — Sally Lyons Wyatt, Global EVP & Chief Advisor, Consumer Goods & Foodservice Insights
A recent Bloomberg article detailed how United Airlines claims that if every person flying lost 10 pounds, they would save $80 million a year.
Even if you don't buy into the health benefits, do you want to be the one who lets a $125B industry slide by your brand?
Are GLP-1s All Sunshine and Rainbows?
Of course not. While I'm giving fact-based evidence, I'm also not saying everyone should run out and get a script. That's between you and your health provider.
The side effects of GLP-1s can be brutal. GI distress, fatigue, and nausea are the top complaints. While we've detailed ways to mitigate the risks, you also can't paint this issue with a broad stroke. Everyone reacts differently. I've had minimal side effects, and my weight loss has put me in "Super Responder" territory.
At the same time, I did a wealth of research before I started (which led to this website) to share which vitamins, hydration habits, and muscle mass needs existed. I eat healthy, work out, and stay up on my vitamins and health needs.
GLP-1s also aren't a magic fix. You'll suffer significantly if you take the shot and expect it to do all the work. You also risk all of the weight coming back without newly established habits and routines. The goal is to get rid of the cravings, food noise, and other metabolic and mental distractions that lead to weight gain in the first place.
The Peptide Revolution Is Changing the World
We could be at the precipice of eliminating obesity, diabetes, and a host of other health challenges for future generations.
During the COVID pandemic, about seven million people died worldwide. If that same virus had hit 100 years earlier—before antibiotics, ventilators, vaccines, or even basic ICU care—it’s estimated that the number could have been closer to 40 million. So what about 100 years from now?
If we're actively removing the health risks that made so many people vulnerable—like obesity, uncontrolled diabetes, and chronic inflammation—we might not just survive the next pandemic, we might eliminate the risks and stress it placed on our world.
Medications like GLP-1s aren’t just helping people lose weight—they’re reducing the underlying conditions that made a slew of diseases and chronic conditions deadly in the first place.
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