There’s a lot of buzz going around about the new weight loss trend with GLP-1 these days. 

The info that’s not making headlines, however, is the fact that you can support your GLP-1 production naturally through diet and probiotics. 

But we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves here. First, let’s talk about what GLP-1 is and how this hormone works in your body to assist with metabolism. 

What is GLP-1? 

GLP-1 is short for glucagon-like peptide-1. With a name that clunky, you can see why it has a nickname. GLP-1 belongs to a family of hormones called incretins that enhance insulin secretion. When you eat, your gut releases GLP-1, which then goes on to trigger a host of downstream metabolic effects like reducing appetite, releasing insulin, and controlling blood sugar[1]. 

How does GLP-1 help with weight management? 

GLP-1 encourages the release of insulin and acts on the appetite centers of your brain to slow stomach emptying and increase satiety, enhancing feelings of fullness during and between meals[2][3][1]. 

Basically, GLP-1 tells you to put the fork down when you’ve had enough to eat – a pretty good thing when you’re trying to manage your weight. Research suggests that people with obesity may have problems with GLP-1 production which can lead to dysregulation of their appetite. This is why GLP-1 has become a key focus in obesity, diabetes, and general weight management treatments[4]. 

How can you support GLP-1 production? 

Even if you’re not clinically obese or diabetic, supporting GLP-1 production can help with weight control and general metabolic health.  

Research shows that eating high-protein foods such as yogurt and whey proteins may increase GLP-1. This is an easy, natural way to stimulate GLP-1 production[5][6]. 

Another easy way to support GLP-1 is by taking targeted probiotics. Certain beneficial probiotic strains, such as Akkermansia muciniphila, have been shown to stimulate GLP-1 levels. Akkermansia is a novel, next-generation strain associated with a healthy weight and strengthening the gut lining for optimal digestive health[7]. 

 You can learn more about Akkermansia here. 

Another probiotic option is Metabolic Daily, a blend of probiotic strains (including Akkermansia) formulated by Ph.D.s and scientists from Johns Hopkins, Harvard, Berkeley, and Stanford. This targeted formula naturally optimizes your metabolism and supports a healthy weight. Along with Akkermansia muciniphila, Metabolic Daily also contains Anaerobutyricum hallii, Clostridium beijerinckii, and Clostridium butyricum, all strains that support GLP-1 production[8][9][10]. 

In addition, Clostridium beijerinckii, and Clostridium butyricum both produce butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that’s made in the gut when your bacteria break down dietary fiber. Butyrate is beneficial for blood sugar response, gut permeability, and immune function[11][12]. 

You can learn more about Metabolic Daily here. 

The good news is that the understanding of the critical role GLP-1 plays in maintaining a healthy weight and metabolic health is quickly growing — not only in the healthcare community but in the general population. The even better news is that there are ways to help increase your GLP-1 production yourself.

References 

1. https://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/glucagon-like-peptide-1/
2. Müller, Timo D., et al. “Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1).” Molecular metabolism 30 (2019): 72-130.
3. Holst, Jens Juul. “The physiology of glucagon-like peptide 1.” Physiological reviews 87.4 (2007): 1409-1439.
4. Anandhakrishnan, Ananthi, and Márta Korbonits. “Glucagon-like peptide 1 in the pathophysiology and pharmacotherapy of clinical obesity.” World journal of diabetes 7.20 (2016): 572.
5. Gillespie, Anna L., et al. “Whey proteins have beneficial effects on intestinal enteroendocrine cells stimulating cell growth and increasing the production and secretion of incretin hormones.” Food chemistry 189 (2015): 120-128.
6. Tremblay, Angelo, Caroline Doyon, and Marina Sanchez. “Impact of yogurt on appetite control, energy balance, and body composition.” Nutrition reviews 73.suppl_1 (2015): 23-27.
7. Cani, Patrice D., and Claude Knauf. “A newly identified protein from Akkermansia muciniphila stimulates GLP-1 secretion.” Cell Metabolism 33.6 (2021): 1073-1075.
8. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/eubacterium-hallii
9. Perraudeau, Fanny, et al. “Improvements to postprandial glucose control in subjects with type 2 diabetes: a multicenter, double blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial of a novel probiotic formulation.” BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care 8.1 (2020): e001319.
10. Wang, Xin?liang, et al. “Engineered probiotics Clostridium butyricum?pMTL007?GLP?1 improves blood pressure via producing GLP?1 and modulating gut microbiota in spontaneous hypertension rat models.” Microbial Biotechnology (2022).
11. Perraudeau, Fanny, et al. “Improvements to postprandial glucose control in subjects with type 2 diabetes: a multicenter, double blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial of a novel probiotic formulation.” BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care 8.1 (2020): e001319.
12. Wang, Xin?liang, et al. “Engineered probiotics Clostridium butyricum?pMTL007?GLP?1 improves blood pressure via producing GLP?1 and modulating gut microbiota in spontaneous hypertension rat models.” Microbial Biotechnology (2022).