GLP1 Natural Solutions Everyone’s talking about GLP1 and the weight loss drugs. But what is GLP-1? GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a natural hormone in your gut that your body releases after you eat food.

What GLP-1 Does in the Body: • Increases insulin: It tells the pancreas to release more insulin when blood sugar goes up. • Lowers glucagon: It stops the liver from releasing extra sugar into the blood. • Slows digestion: It keeps food in the stomach longer so you digest it slowly. • Creates fullness: It sends signals to the brain to reduce hunger and appetite

In summary, GLP1 helps you to feel full, slim down and reduce your blood sugar. That is how the synthetic chemical in the weight loss drugs works but there can be side effects. The good news is that there are easy, natural ways to increase your GLP1.

How can we use food? Our guts have ‘bitter’ taste receptors, which when activated, create GLP1. Here are some suggestions to stimulate it. Note that adding olive oil triples the GLP1 response and slows down the enzyme which reduces GLP1. Some suggestions are:

Rocket, radicchio, endives or dandelion green salad. Add olive oil and lemon for taste. Grated carrot with olive oil and lemon. Have pearl barley instead of rice. Who knew that Granny’s Scotch broth was a superfood 😍 Cook barley in advance and keep in the fridge. Cooling creates the added benefit of resistant starch which has a lesser impact on blood glucose and creates butyrate which feeds your good gut bacteria. Note that pearl barley contains gluten and some people may be sensitive to it.

The order of your meal is very important. Start with the salad, protein and fat. Never have bread first as you want time for the GLP1 to switch on. Chewing more, especially with the first few bites and generally taking time over your meal are other ways to switch it on.

What you drink can also stimulate GLP1. Decaffeinated coffee with ground clove (1/8th tsp), green tea, Matcha or Yerba Matte 30mins before your largest meal.

There is also an amazing connection between exercise and our gut. Once you get your big muscles moving, like the calves, it releases hormone IL6 leading to increased GLP1. It is recommended to only sit for a maximum of 20 minutes, then walk for 2. If walking is a challenge, calf raises work too.

Finally, supplementing with psyllium husk is known to be effective but take care as many potential side effects. Research it well.