Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1)

    Researchedby:
    Gregory Lopez

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Nick Milazzo
    Last Updated: December 18, 2023

    GLP-1 is a peptide hormone produced in the gut after a meal. It stimulates insulin secretion, helps maintain blood glucose homeostasis, and promotes satiety.

    examine-databaseExamine Database
    17 references on this page
    563 participants in 8 trials

    What is GLP-1?

    When you eat a meal, your body needs to prepare to put the nutrients you just ingested to use. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is a hormone which helps in this process.

    GLP-1 is from the family of hormones called incretins, which include GLP-1 as well as another hormone called glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). These hormones are released by the gut in response to a meal, and help increase insulin secretion after eating, which helps the body regulate blood sugar levels.[1]

    In addition, GLP-1 also slows gastric emptying and increases satiety, leading to decreased food intake. This property of GLP-1 has led to the use of a class of drugs that mimic GLP-1 (e.g., semaglutide, whose brand names include Wegovy and Ozempic) for weight loss.[2]

    GLP-1 is made by cells in the brain as well as in the gut. Also, GLP-1’s receptor can be found in parts of the brain that are involved with eating behavior and hunger. This partially explains why drugs like semaglutide can help people lose weight.[3]

    What supplements affect GLP-1 levels?

    A small handful of test tube and animal studies suggest that supplements such as yerba mate tea,[4] Momordica charantia extract,[5] berberine,[6] resveratrol,[7] curcumin,[8][9] and Ginseng[10][11] could boost GLP-1 levels.

    However, the few randomized controlled trials that have looked at supplements’ impact on GLP-1 have yielded negative results: Green tea extract,[12] resveratrol,[13] and green-plant membranes[14] all don’t seem to boost GLP-1 levels.

    What lifestyle interventions affect GLP-1 levels?

    The macronutrient content of a meal affects the amount of GLP-1 that’s released. GLP-1 is released mainly in response to the carbohydrates and fats in a meal. Protein stimulates GLP-1 release to a lesser extent.[15] This should not be interpreted as a license to eat large amounts of fat and carbs in order to boost your GLP-1 levels, though! A more promising way to healthily boost your GLP-1 levels is through exercise. GLP-1 seems to rise immediately after exercise, and baseline levels of GLP-1 in people who exercise remain elevated in the medium term, too.[16] Not only that, but exercise may help decrease GLP-1 resistance in people with type 2 diabetes and may make medications like semaglutide even more effective.[17]

    Examine Database: Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1)

    Research FeedRead all studies

    Frequently asked questions

    What is GLP-1?

    When you eat a meal, your body needs to prepare to put the nutrients you just ingested to use. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is a hormone which helps in this process.

    GLP-1 is from the family of hormones called incretins, which include GLP-1 as well as another hormone called glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). These hormones are released by the gut in response to a meal, and help increase insulin secretion after eating, which helps the body regulate blood sugar levels.[1]

    In addition, GLP-1 also slows gastric emptying and increases satiety, leading to decreased food intake. This property of GLP-1 has led to the use of a class of drugs that mimic GLP-1 (e.g., semaglutide, whose brand names include Wegovy and Ozempic) for weight loss.[2]

    GLP-1 is made by cells in the brain as well as in the gut. Also, GLP-1’s receptor can be found in parts of the brain that are involved with eating behavior and hunger. This partially explains why drugs like semaglutide can help people lose weight.[3]

    What supplements affect GLP-1 levels?

    A small handful of test tube and animal studies suggest that supplements such as yerba mate tea,[4] Momordica charantia extract,[5] berberine,[6] resveratrol,[7] curcumin,[8][9] and Ginseng[10][11] could boost GLP-1 levels.

    However, the few randomized controlled trials that have looked at supplements’ impact on GLP-1 have yielded negative results: Green tea extract,[12] resveratrol,[13] and green-plant membranes[14] all don’t seem to boost GLP-1 levels.

    What lifestyle interventions affect GLP-1 levels?

    The macronutrient content of a meal affects the amount of GLP-1 that’s released. GLP-1 is released mainly in response to the carbohydrates and fats in a meal. Protein stimulates GLP-1 release to a lesser extent.[15] This should not be interpreted as a license to eat large amounts of fat and carbs in order to boost your GLP-1 levels, though! A more promising way to healthily boost your GLP-1 levels is through exercise. GLP-1 seems to rise immediately after exercise, and baseline levels of GLP-1 in people who exercise remain elevated in the medium term, too.[16] Not only that, but exercise may help decrease GLP-1 resistance in people with type 2 diabetes and may make medications like semaglutide even more effective.[17]

    Update History

    References

    1. ^Campbell JE, Drucker DJPharmacology, physiology, and mechanisms of incretin hormone action.Cell Metab.(2013-Jun-04)
    2. ^Singh G, Krauthamer M, Bjalme-Evans MWegovy (semaglutide): a new weight loss drug for chronic weight management.J Investig Med.(2022-Jan)
    3. ^Drucker DJGLP-1 physiology informs the pharmacotherapy of obesity.Mol Metab.(2022-Mar)
    4. ^Hussein GM, Matsuda H, Nakamura S, Hamao M, Akiyama T, Tamura K, Yoshikawa MMate tea (Ilex paraguariensis) promotes satiety and body weight lowering in mice: involvement of glucagon-like peptide-1.Biol Pharm Bull.(2011)
    5. ^Bhat GA, Khan HA, Alhomida AS, Sharma P, Singh R, Paray BAGLP-I secretion in healthy and diabetic Wistar rats in response to aqueous extract of Momordica charantia.BMC Complement Altern Med.(2018-May-18)
    6. ^Yu Y, Liu L, Wang X, Liu X, Liu X, Xie L, Wang GModulation of glucagon-like peptide-1 release by berberine: in vivo and in vitro studies.Biochem Pharmacol.(2010-Apr-01)
    7. ^Thi-Mai Anh Dao, Aurélie Waget, Pascale Klopp, Matteo Serino, Christelle Vachoux, Laurent Pechere, Daniel J Drucker, Serge Champion, Sylvain Barthélemy, Yves Barra, Rémy Burcelin, Eric SéréeResveratrol increases glucose induced GLP-1 secretion in mice: a mechanism which contributes to the glycemic controlPLoS One.(2011)
    8. ^Kato M, Nishikawa S, Ikehata A, Dochi K, Tani T, Takahashi T, Imaizumi A, Tsuda TCurcumin improves glucose tolerance via stimulation of glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion.Mol Nutr Food Res.(2017-Mar)
    9. ^Takikawa M, Kurimoto Y, Tsuda TCurcumin stimulates glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion in GLUTag cells via Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II activation.Biochem Biophys Res Commun.(2013-May-31)
    10. ^Kim K, Park M, Lee YM, Rhyu MR, Kim HYGinsenoside metabolite compound K stimulates glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion in NCI-H716 cells via bile acid receptor activation.Arch Pharm Res.(2014)
    11. ^Liu C, Hu MY, Zhang M, Li F, Li J, Zhang J, Li Y, Guo HF, Xu P, Liu L, Liu XDAssociation of GLP-1 secretion with anti-hyperlipidemic effect of ginsenosides in high-fat diet fed rats.Metabolism.(2014-Oct)
    12. ^Chia-Yu Liu, Chien-Jung Huang, Lin-Huang Huang, I-Ju Chen, Jung-Peng Chiu, Chung-Hua HsuEffects of green tea extract on insulin resistance and glucagon-like peptide 1 in patients with type 2 diabetes and lipid abnormalities: a randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled trialPLoS One.(2014 Mar 10)
    13. ^Sony S Thazhath, Tongzhi Wu, Michelle J Bound, Helen L Checklin, Scott Standfield, Karen L Jones, Michael Horowitz, Christopher K RaynerAdministration of resveratrol for 5 wk has no effect on glucagon-like peptide 1 secretion, gastric emptying, or glycemic control in type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trialAm J Clin Nutr.(2016 Jan)
    14. ^Caroline Montelius, Daniel Erlandsson, Egzona Vitija, Eva-Lena Stenblom, Emil Egecioglu, Charlotte Erlanson-AlbertssonBody weight loss, reduced urge for palatable food and increased release of GLP-1 through daily supplementation with green-plant membranes for three months in overweight womenAppetite.(2014 Oct)
    15. ^Parker HE, Reimann F, Gribble FMMolecular mechanisms underlying nutrient-stimulated incretin secretion.Expert Rev Mol Med.(2010-Jan-05)
    16. ^Ueda, S-Y, et al.Effects of exercise on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)J Phys Fitness Sports Med.(2013 Jun 21)
    17. ^Hamasaki HExercise and glucagon-like peptide-1: Does exercise potentiate the effect of treatment?World J Diabetes.(2018-Aug-15)

    Examine Database References

    1. Cannabis - Mehdi Farokhnia, Gray R McDiarmid, Matthew N Newmeyer, Vikas Munjal, Osama A Abulseoud, Marilyn A Huestis, Lorenzo LeggioEffects of oral, smoked, and vaporized cannabis on endocrine pathways related to appetite and metabolism: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, human laboratory studyTransl Psychiatry.(2020 Feb 19)
    2. OMAD And 20:4 Intermittent Fasting - B D Horne, J B Muhlestein, D L Lappé, H T May, J F Carlquist, O Galenko, K D Brunisholz, J L AndersonRandomized cross-over trial of short-term water-only fasting: metabolic and cardiovascular consequencesNutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis.(2013 Nov)
    3. Colostrum - Marchbank T, Davison G, Oakes JR, Ghatei MA, Patterson M, Moyer MP, Playford RJThe nutriceutical bovine colostrum truncates the increase in gut permeability caused by heavy exercise in athletesAm J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol.(2011 Mar)
    4. Ketogenic Diet - Rosenbaum M, Hall KD, Guo J, Ravussin E, Mayer LS, Reitman ML, Smith SR, Walsh BT, Leibel RLGlucose and Lipid Homeostasis and Inflammation in Humans Following an Isocaloric Ketogenic DietObesity (Silver Spring).(2019 Jun)
    5. 16:8 Intermittent Fasting - Hutchison AT, Regmi P, Manoogian ENC, Fleischer JG, Wittert GA, Panda S, Heilbronn LKTime-Restricted Feeding Improves Glucose Tolerance in Men at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Crossover TrialObesity (Silver Spring).(2019 May)
    6. Whey Protein - Chiang SW, Liu HW, Loh EW, Tam KW, Wang JY, Huang WL, Kuan YCWhey protein supplementation improves postprandial glycemia in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Nutr Res.(2022-Aug)
    7. Whey Protein - Smedegaard S, Kampmann U, Ovesen PG, Støvring H, Rittig NWhey Protein Premeal Lowers Postprandial Glucose Concentrations in Adults Compared with Water-The Effect of Timing, Dose, and Metabolic Status: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Am J Clin Nutr.(2023-Aug)
    8. Aspartame - Zhang R, Noronha JC, Khan TA, McGlynn N, Back S, Grant SM, Kendall CWC, Sievenpiper JLThe Effect of Non-Nutritive Sweetened Beverages on Postprandial Glycemic and Endocrine Responses: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.Nutrients.(2023-Feb-20)