Fix your liver to curb your appetite and lose weight. After a three-year-long illness that affected my breathing and mobility, I needed to lose weight. I lost thirty pounds in three months without restricting calories or two-hour workouts. Most people in my situation would have injected themselves with a GLP-1. However, because I know how the 13 systems of my body work, I opted to detox my liver with lemon water, took additional fiber, exercised daily, and followed a Mediterranean-style diet.

An overworked liver can be the cause of your weight gain. And the reason you’re not losing weight despite eating less and exercising.

But what about taking a GLP-1?

Comedian Amy Schumer had this to say about GLP-1s.

Patients have sued drug manufacturers after developing dangerous conditions from taking GLP-1 drugs. Lawsuits are pending against Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, alleging they did not adequately warn patients about the potential side effects. 

GLP-1 drug potential side effects

• Stomach paralysis: GLP-1 drugs can slow digestion so that stomach contents can remain in the stomach for days. 
• Bowel obstructions: GLP-1 drugs can cause bowel obstructions, requiring surgery to treat. 
• Pancreatitis: GLP-1 drugs can cause pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas that can cause severe abdominal pain. In some cases, pancreatitis requires hospitalization and surgery. 
• Gastroparesis: GLP-1 drugs can cause gastroparesis, which can cause severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. 
• Medullary thyroid cancer: GLP-1 drugs can cause medullary thyroid cancer. 
• Acute kidney injury: GLP-1 drugs can cause acute kidney injury. 
• Worsening diabetes-related retinopathy: GLP-1 drugs can worsen diabetes-related retinopathy. 
• Mental health issues: GLP-1 drugs can cause mental health issues such as anxiety and insomnia. 

What is a GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1)

GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) is a hormone in your gut that helps control blood sugar by prompting your pancreas to release insulin, slowing down how fast your stomach empties, and making you feel less hungry.

Although the process is different, you could get a similar result with a natural matrix of three fibers in PGX Daily.

PGX Daily “Reduces appetite by promoting a feeling of fullness. Helps lower the glycemic index. Helps maintain healthy blood sugar and total cholesterol levels already within the normal range.”

Medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists, like exenatide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, and semaglutide, work by imitating these natural processes. They boost insulin when your blood sugar is high, curb glucagon release (which would raise blood sugar), and can help you lose weight. Many think of GLP-1s as the only way they could have lost significant weight and lowered their A1C numbers which are the average amount of sugar in your blood over the past three months.

The drug exenatide was inspired by exendin-4, a compound found in Gila monster venom structurally similar to human GLP-1. Newer drugs, however, are lab-made with tweaks to work longer in your body and resist breakdown.

GLP-1 drug side effects

Side effects often include digestive issues like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, and there’s a risk of low blood sugar if you’re taking other diabetes medications or a fiber supplement.

There’s also a slight risk of pancreatitis, and some animal studies suggest a potential for thyroid tumors, leading to warnings on these drugs.

Medical professionals stress the importance of discussing these treatments with your doctor to weigh the pros and cons. And to develop a GLP-1 exit plan or strategy for maintaining their weight loss after they stop taking the drug.

"Ozempic face" as a side effect of GLP-1 drugs

A Harvard Medical School article discussed facial changes that some call "Ozempic face,” resulting from the rapid weight loss experienced while taking a GLP-1. “Though the term is misleading because this can be a side effect of any GLP-1 drug.” Lisa Catanese, Health Writer at Harvard wrote. 

According to Catanese, the rapid loss of fat in the face can cause:

• A hollowed look to the face
• Changes in the size of the lips, cheeks, and chin
• Wrinkles on the face
• Sunken eyes
• Sagging jowls around the jaw and neck.

A Science Advisor article did offer some additional positive news about GLP-1s.

The benefits of GLP-1 drugs expand past obesity

“The decades-long use of GLP-1 medicines for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes has revealed that they also exert pleiotropic actions beyond glucose and weight control, such as reduction of heart and kidney diseases. There are several potential mechanisms underlying these benefits, such as reducing systemic inflammation, which have implications for future clinical applications and drug development.”

If using a GLP-1 isn't in your budget or feels risky in your unique situation, you might consider supplements for liver health.

Supplements for Liver Support

• N-acetylcysteine (NAC) helps your body produce glutathione, an antioxidant vital for detoxifying your liver. I use the Lifewave glutathione patch, which uses phototherapy to help your body produce glutathione. The Lifewave glutathione patch helped me put lupus into remission without the need for prednisone.
• Vitamin E could be beneficial for conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
• Vitamin D.
• Vitamin B12.
• Vitamin C is what you’ll get plenty of from your daily lemon water detox.

Conventional medicine and pharmaceuticals can be life-saving and often work faster than nature’s vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients. However, I always look for natural methods first and carefully weigh the long-term potential effects before taking a medication.

I hope this strategy works for you too.

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