Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark
Episode: Processing...
Release Date: November 19, 2024
Guest: Dr. Tina Moore, Naturopathic Doctor and Chiropractor

Introduction

In this enlightening episode of Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark, host Alex Clark welcomes Dr. Tina Moore, a seasoned naturopathic physician and chiropractor with nearly three decades of experience in holistic regenerative medicine and metabolic health. Dr. Moore brings a unique perspective to the often polarizing topic of GLP-1 receptor agonists, commonly known by the brand name Ozempic. Despite the widespread skepticism within the naturopathic community, Dr. Moore advocates for the responsible use of these peptides, emphasizing their multifaceted benefits beyond weight loss.

Understanding GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

Dr. Tina Moore challenges the prevailing negative narrative surrounding GLP-1s:

"These peptides, they really are not the villain that everyone's painting them to be. It's only recently when the weight loss conversation came up that people started losing their minds about it." [00:03]

She explains that GLP-1s were initially developed for neurodegenerative disorders and have shown promising results in improving cognition, neuroregeneration, and immune function:

"The original development was for neurodegenerative disorders. So really profound impacts on cognition, neuroregeneration, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's." [02:39]

Personal and Clinical Experiences with Ozempic

Dr. Moore shares her personal journey with Ozempic, highlighting noticeable improvements in her own health and that of her family:

"I tried it and was fine. I started seeing impacts like reduced brain fog, mood improvement, and significant pain reduction." [05:07]

She emphasizes a conservative dosing approach, advocating for low and incremental doses to maximize benefits while minimizing side effects:

"They are cranking people up into these crazy high doses. I was using it in tiny little increments to try to nudge people towards optimal wellness longevity." [07:40]

Balancing Benefits and Risks

Addressing concerns about the potential overuse and side effects of GLP-1s, Dr. Moore acknowledges the risks but argues that responsible usage can mitigate these issues:

"I'm not saying it's okay... but utilizing peptides for regeneration to have an anti-inflammatory impact and to have a longevity impact is a different story." [09:52]

She discusses the problem of high-dose prescriptions leading to muscle loss and gastroparesis, emphasizing the importance of tailored dosing:

"If you crank the dose up, you will throw the person into a massive caloric restriction... the muscle loss is comparable to someone who goes through bariatric surgery." [27:23]

GLP-1s Beyond Weight Loss

Dr. Moore expands the conversation to the broader applications of GLP-1s, including their roles in alcohol cessation, opioid addiction, and smoking cessation:

"It's being shown to be efficacious for alcohol cessation, for opioid addiction, for smoking cessation." [21:09]

She also highlights the peptides' potential in reducing inflammation, enhancing cognitive function, and supporting cardiovascular health:

"There is utility for this peptide for folks who aren't severely overweight... good data showing an antidepressant effect, antianxiety effect." [32:30]

Addressing Obesity and Metabolic Health

Delving into the complexities of obesity, Dr. Moore underscores the interplay between hormonal imbalances and weight gain, particularly in menopausal women:

"Hormonal deficiencies are going to lead to weight gain... most women sitting in menopause are overweight or obese." [05:07]

She discusses the epigenetic factors contributing to obesity, noting how children of obese parents are predisposed to metabolic dysfunction:

"Children born of obese mothers have the odds set against them... epigenetically flagged." [32:33]

Holistic Approach to Treatment

Advocating for a comprehensive treatment strategy, Dr. Moore emphasizes the importance of combining peptide therapy with lifestyle interventions such as diet, exercise, and community support:

"We have to utilize what we need to, to help people along... muscle mass is your currency of your metabolic health." [29:48]

She advocates for individualized treatment plans that address each patient's unique needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach:

"There's a sweet spot where we titrate them up to where we get the symptom relief we're looking for." [31:17]

Future Perspectives and Informed Consent

Looking ahead, Dr. Moore calls for more education and informed consent in medical treatments involving GLP-1s. She stresses the necessity for patients to be well-informed about both the benefits and potential risks:

"Having knowledge, going into any treatment intervention that you take and going in with an informed doctor who actually discusses it with you, I think is the ticket." [52:39]

Conclusion

Dr. Tina Moore concludes the conversation by highlighting the broader societal issues contributing to metabolic health crises, advocating for both medical interventions and systemic changes:

"We need to make sure that we promote this piece of it and we continue to teach them... we have generations of epigenetic damage." [54:25]

Alex Clark appreciates Dr. Moore's balanced and courageous stance in a field fraught with controversy, acknowledging the value of diverse perspectives in healing a sick culture.

Key Takeaways

• GLP-1 Receptor Agonists (Ozempic): Beyond weight loss, these peptides offer benefits in neuroregeneration, cognitive enhancement, and immune function.

• Responsible Dosing: Low and incremental dosing strategies can maximize benefits while minimizing risks such as muscle loss and gastroparesis.

• Holistic Treatment: Combining peptide therapy with lifestyle interventions is crucial for effective and sustainable health improvements.

• Epigenetic Factors: Obesity and metabolic dysfunction are influenced by genetic and epigenetic factors, necessitating comprehensive family-based interventions.

• Informed Consent: Patients should be fully educated about the benefits and risks of treatments to make informed healthcare decisions.

Notable Quotes

• Dr. Tina Moore:

  • "These peptides really are not the villain that everyone's painting them to be." [00:03]
  • "I don't think they need to be cranking the dose up so high in people." [22:18]
  • "There is a plethora of benefits that really is quite independent of weight loss." [04:08]
  • "Just get educated... going in with an informed doctor who actually discusses it with you, I think is the ticket." [52:39]

• Alex Clark:

  • "You're a naturopathic doctor, but you're pro Ozempic." [00:00]
  • "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater." [18:00]

This episode offers a nuanced perspective on the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists in holistic medicine, advocating for their potential benefits when used responsibly and in conjunction with comprehensive lifestyle interventions. Dr. Tina Moore's insights challenge prevailing narratives, encouraging listeners to consider a more balanced approach to metabolic health and wellness.