Why GLP-1s Are Trending for Weight Loss

By Julie Predki-Weber | 22 October 2025

GLP-1s are everywhere in the headlines—Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro. They’ve been called “game changers” for weight loss because they make it easier to eat less and feel full. But beyond the hype, what’s actually happening inside your body when GLP-1 meds kicks in? And how can you support long-term balance whether you’re taking these medications or exploring natural alternatives?

What Does GLP-1 Do in Your Body?

GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone your gut naturally releases after you eat. Think of it as your body’s built-in “fullness signal.” It helps regulate appetite, blood sugar, and digestion by:

Signaling for insulin to lower blood sugar after meals.
Holding back glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar, to keep levels steady.
Slow stomach emptying so you feel fuller, longer.
Telling the brain you’ve had enough, naturally cutting back appetite.

Together, these actions explain why GLP-1 (and the drugs that mimic it) have such strong effects on blood sugar control, appetite, and weight management.

What Are GLP-1 Medications?

GLP-1 receptor agonists (like semaglutide or tirzepatide) were originally developed to treat diabetes. Today, they’re widely used for weight management because they mimic your body’s GLP-1 hormone, reducing appetite, slowing digestion, and increasing feelings of fullness.

Unlike your body’s natural GLP-1, which spikes and falls after meals, these medications provide a stronger and longer-lasting signal. That’s why they can feel so powerful, and why results often happen quickly.

How Do GLP-1s Work?

GLP-1 receptor agonists — drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro — are designed to mimic your body’s natural GLP-1 hormone. They bind to GLP-1 receptors in the pancreas, gut, and brain, triggering the same effects as the hormone itself.

The Benefits (and the Limits) of GLP-1s

Results can be fast and impressive. But here’s what most headlines skip: while these medications pause your hunger cues—they don’t fix what’s driving them. It's important to remember that GLP-1s primarily work on surface-level hunger cues. They don’t rebuild digestion, metabolism, or hormone balance at the root.

That’s why when people come off GLP-1s, they often experience:

Cravings coming back
Energy crashes
Digestive slowdowns
Weight regain

Research shows weight gain is common after discontinuation, with studies indicating that people regain a significant portion of their lost weight within the first year of stopping treatment.

The Micro-Dosing Trend

A growing number of people are “micro-dosing” GLP-1s to gently manage appetite. While the dose is smaller, the mechanism is the same: suppressing hunger signals. Pairing this approach with lifestyle and herbal support can help digestion and metabolism stay stronger while appetite is regulated.

Why GLP-1s Have Side Effects

Even at lower “micro-doses,” GLP-1s can lead to:

Nausea or bloating
Fatigue or dizziness
Nutrient absorption challenges
Muscle loss with rapid weight loss
Rebound appetite post-treatment

These document side effects can occur even with reduced dosing approaches.

These effects don’t mean GLP-1s are “bad”—they just show that medications work best when paired with support for the systems they don’t strengthen: digestion, metabolism, and hormone balance.

Transitioning Off GLP-1s

Transitioning off GLP-1s can feel jarring. Digestion may slow, energy dips, and cravings surge. This isn’t failure, it’s your physiology re-adjusting.

Here’s where Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can make a difference: by restoring digestive strength, supporting stable blood sugar, and calming the stress patterns that drive overeating.

How Chinese Medicine Views Appetite, Digestion & Cravings

GLP-1 drugs are powerful tools for managing hunger, but they don’t rebuild the foundation of health: digestion and metabolism. In TCM, that root-level support comes from strengthening the Spleen organ system—the organ system responsible for transforming food into energy.

In TCM, appetite is governed by the Spleen, which manages digestion, energy transformation, and nutrient absorption. When the Spleen is weak (a pattern called Spleen Qi Deficiency), the body looks for quick fixes like sugar, processed foods, or overeating to get energy.

Instead of suppressing cravings, TCM works to strengthen digestion so those cravings naturally ease.

Strengthening the Spleen Helps:

Improve digestion and reduce bloating
Boost energy without relying on caffeine or sugar
Reduce emotional eating
Support hormone balance and metabolism long-term

Elix’s Craving Support: Root-Cause Care, With or Without GLP-1s

Elix’s Craving Support modernizes a classic Spleen-tonifying formula with herbs shown to strengthen digestion and gut health, support natural GLP-1 pathways, and balance metabolism. It can be used on its own—or alongside GLP-1 medications—to help the body feel more nourished and resilient.

Key Herbs & Their Benefits:

Chinese Yam (Shan Yao): Tonifies the Spleen, promotes stable energy, and may influence natural GLP-1 secretion.
Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui): Helps manage blood sugar and appetite.
Codonopsis (Dang Shen): Builds energy, reduces stress cravings, and supports hormonal resilience.
Poria (Fu Ling): Supports digestion and gut health.
Atractylodes (Bai Zhu): Strengthens metabolism and digestion.

A Holistic Way Forward

Whether you’re using GLP-1s, micro-dosing, or exploring natural alternatives, your appetite and cravings are not your enemy, they’re messages from your body.

With Traditional Chinese Medicine and herbs like those in Elix’s Craving Support, you can:

Support GLP-1 pathways naturally
Balance hormones and support gut health
Reduce sugar + carb cravings without restriction
Maintain a healthy metabolism

👉 Shop Craving Support 👈

Sources:

This article was reviewed by Dr. Liem Le.

Dr. Liem Le is a Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Functional Medicine Practitioner, and Nutritionist in the Integrative Medicine Department at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center. He is on the teaching staff for the Masters program for the Functional Medicine and Human Nutrition program at University of Western States. Dr. Le is currently working on his fellowship in Integrative Medicine with the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine via a scholarship from the White House.