The Biochemical Beauty of Retatrutide: How GLP-1s Work
3 days ago
- #GLP-1 agonists
- #energy metabolism
- #weight loss drugs
- Calories in vs. calories out is fundamental, but bodies adapt by increasing hunger with exercise and fatigue with calorie deficits.
- GLP-1 agonists mimic the feeling of having eaten, reducing appetite, but often cause fatigue.
- Retatrutide is a new GLP-1 drug that also activates glucagon and GIP receptors, potentially counteracting fatigue while promoting weight loss.
- Sugar is fast energy but inefficient for storage; fat is space-efficient but slower to break down; glycogen offers a middle ground, stored with water.
- Insulin regulates high blood sugar; glucagon raises low blood sugar; cortisol increases energy but promotes fat storage; GLP-1 and GIP manage appetite and metabolism.
- Hormones and receptors interact based on molecular affinity, not precision, allowing drugs like GLP-1 agonists to target multiple receptors.
- Semaglutide targets GLP1R; tirzepatide targets GLP1R and GIPR; retatrutide targets GLP1R, GIPR, and glucagon receptor, synergistically balancing effects.
- Drug modifications extend hormone half-lives by altering structures and attaching fatty acids, enabling sustained release.
- Common side effects include digestive issues, injection reactions, fatigue, potential muscle loss, thyroid tumor risk in rodents, and drug interactions.
- Weight loss via GLP-1s may require exercise and protein intake to preserve muscle, and monitoring for those with thyroid cancer risk.