May 18, 2026
GLP1 Medications Through a Functional Medicine Lens
There is no doubt that GLP1 medications have changed the conversation around weight loss and metabolic health.
There is no doubt that GLP1 medications have changed the conversation around weight loss and metabolic health.
There is no doubt that GLP1 medications have changed the conversation around weight loss and metabolic health.
For many people who have struggled for years, even decades, they offer something that has felt out of reach. Momentum. Relief from constant cravings. A sense that change might finally be possible.
But as with anything in medicine, context matters.
In functional medicine, we are not asking simply “does this work?”
We are asking “how does this work, for whom, and what happens next?”
One of the most important things to understand is that GLP1 is not foreign to your body.
It is a hormone naturally produced in the gut by specialised cells called L cells. Every time you eat, your body releases GLP1. It rises, does its job of signalling fullness and regulating blood sugar, and then falls again.
This rhythm matters.
GLP1 medications change that rhythm. Instead of a rise and fall, levels remain elevated continuously. This can be helpful in the short term, but over time it may reduce your body’s own responsiveness.
This is one of the reasons why stopping these medications suddenly often leads to rebound hunger and weight regain.
So we need to be clear.
This is not a long term solution for most people.
It is a bridge.
There is absolutely a place for these medications.
If someone has significant weight to lose and has tried everything, the frustration is real. The metabolic resistance is real. The emotional toll is real.
Used wisely, GLP1 medications can:
But they are not appropriate for everyone.
Using them to lose a small amount of weight is not where their value lies. This is where we start to see misuse and, frankly, harm.
Where functional medicine stands apart is in how we use tools like this.
We ask:
Because weight is never just about weight.
One of the most fascinating effects of GLP1 medications is the quietening of what many patients describe as “food noise”.
That constant background chatter about food.
But this is not the same for everyone.
For some, it is physiological. Blood sugar spikes and crashes create powerful cravings. This is a metabolic issue.
For others, it is emotional. Food becomes a coping mechanism. A way to soothe, distract, or numb.
These require completely different approaches.
And this is why a one size fits all solution will never work.
There are also important side effects to consider.
One of the most significant is muscle loss, known as sarcopenia.
Muscle is not just about strength or appearance. It is metabolically active tissue. It supports blood sugar control, energy, and long term health.
If appetite is suppressed too aggressively and protein intake drops, the body will lose muscle along with fat.
We do not want to swap one problem for another.
There are also digestive effects. Slower gut motility can lead to constipation and discomfort. This is why preparing the gut before starting these medications is so important.
If GLP1 medications are used, they must be paired with meaningful change.
This is where the opportunity lies.
When appetite is reduced and cravings are quieter, we can:
Small changes matter here.
Even two minutes of movement each hour can significantly improve glucose handling.
A ten minute walk after meals can make a profound difference.
These are not extreme interventions. They are sustainable ones.
Perhaps the most empowering part of this conversation is this:
You can stimulate your own GLP1.
Naturally.
Through:
When your gut produces short chain fatty acids from fibre, it directly supports GLP1 production.
This is your biology working as it was designed to.
There is also emerging research on plant compounds, including derivatives from hops, that can enhance these pathways in a more physiological way.
Again, these are not replacements for everything. They are tools.
This is where many people go wrong.
Stopping abruptly is rarely successful.
Instead, the process should be gradual and personalised.
We reduce the dose slowly, allowing the body to adapt. We ensure habits are in place first. We support appetite regulation through food, lifestyle, and where appropriate, targeted supplementation.
The goal is confidence.
The patient should feel in control, not dependent.
For many people, cost is a real barrier.
And this matters.
Because health should not be reserved for those who can afford it.
The encouraging part is that the foundational strategies remain the same:
These are simple, but not always easy.
That is why we meet you where you are.
There is always a deeper layer to this work.
I often ask patients:
“When was the last time you felt good in your body?”
And then:
“What changed?”
Because behind weight gain there is often stress, loss, exhaustion, or a life event that shifted everything.
Understanding this is not optional. It is essential.
This is where real, lasting change begins.
GLP1 medications are not the enemy.
Nor are they the answer.
They are a tool.
Used well, they can create momentum. Used poorly, they can create dependency.
The goal is always the same.
To restore your body’s natural balance.
To rebuild trust in your own physiology.
To create sustainable change.