442: The Truth About GLP-1s and Peptides for Weight Loss

Summary

Habits and Hustle Podcast Summary

Title: Habits and Hustle
Episode: 442: The Truth About GLP-1s and Peptides for Weight Loss
Release Date: April 18, 2025
Hosts: Jennifer Cohen and Dr. Tina Moore
Description: In this episode of Habits and Hustle, host Jennifer Cohen delves into the complexities of GLP-1 medications and peptides for weight loss with Dr. Tina Moore, a specialist in holistic regenerative medicine. They explore the mechanisms, benefits, and controversies surrounding these treatments, providing listeners with a nuanced understanding of their roles in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

---

Introduction to GLP-1s and Peptides

Jennifer Cohen opens the episode by posing a critical question: “Are there hidden benefits to GLP1s that the FDA just isn't talking about?” [00:06]. She introduces Dr. Tina Moore, an expert in holistic regenerative medicine, to unpack the truths and myths surrounding GLP-1 medications and peptides used for weight loss.

Understanding GLP-1s vs. Peptides

Dr. Tina Moore clarifies the distinctions between GLP-1s and peptides such as Samorelin. She emphasizes that while both are classified as peptides and share some anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties, their functionalities within the body differ significantly.

Dr. Tina Moore [01:18]: “Are you telling me that GLP1 and let's say a Samorin peptide, they're both, they, they're not the same peptide, but they're both in the same class or both peptides?”

Dr. Tina Moore [01:27]: “They're both peptides but they're not at all the same. They don't do the same things in the body.”

She further elaborates on these differences, explaining that Samorelin is primarily a growth hormone-releasing hormone peptide, which aids in addressing growth hormone declines associated with aging. GLP-1s, on the other hand, focus on insulin regulation and pancreatic health.

Applications and Benefits of Peptides

Dr. Moore discusses the various scenarios where peptides like Samorelin are beneficial. She highlights their role in aiding individuals experiencing burnout, difficulty in altering body composition, or those recovering from severe illnesses such as long COVID.

Dr. Tina Moore [03:00]: “I'll use it when someone's really burned out. I'll use it when someone's trying to alter body composition and they just can't get up on it.”

She underscores the importance of integrating peptide therapy within a comprehensive health protocol, ensuring that it's not used in isolation but alongside other treatments like bioidentical hormone replacement to support overall well-being.

Dosage Considerations and Metabolic Optimization

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the importance of individualized treatment plans. Dr. Moore stresses that peptides do not have a one-size-fits-all dosage and that metabolic optimization plays a crucial role in their effectiveness.

Dr. Tina Moore [04:38]: “But GLP1 seems to work for everybody. It doesn't unless... people are cranking the dose into crazy high levels in the standard dosing...”

She points out that higher doses, often seen with standard pharmaceutical approaches, may lead to diminishing returns and receptor desensitization, making treatments less effective over time.

Balancing Efficacy and Safety

Dr. Moore expresses concern over the potential for receptor downregulation when cells are overexposed to peptides or hormones, leading to reduced responsiveness. She advocates for cautious and cyclical use of these substances to maintain their efficacy without overwhelming the body's natural regulatory mechanisms.

Dr. Tina Moore [05:57]: “Any cell that gets bombarded with a peptide or hormone... is going to start cleaving off receptors. They’re not going to hear the hormone in the system anymore.”

GLP-1s as a Tool for Lifestyle Transformation

Addressing the prevalent issue of obesity, Dr. Moore defends the use of GLP-1s as a supportive tool rather than a crutch. She argues that these medications can provide individuals with the necessary boost to adopt healthier lifestyle habits effectively.

Dr. Tina Moore [06:24]: “We use peptides whilst they're getting their lifestyle in order because it does give you a leg up...”

She emphasizes the importance of comprehensive support, including counseling and lifestyle coaching, to ensure that the introduction of GLP-1s facilitates sustainable behavioral changes rather than temporary fixes.

Impact of GLP-1s Beyond Weight Loss

The conversation shifts to the broader health benefits of GLP-1s, such as improvements in mood, neurocognition, and potential reductions in the need for other medications like antidepressants.

Dr. Tina Moore [09:12]: “I've got people on it who have found it to be really spectacular for boosting their mood and their neurocognition and allowed them to go off antidepressants...”

She highlights the multifaceted impacts of GLP-1s on various organ systems, including cardiovascular health and mitochondrial function, suggesting that these benefits extend well beyond mere weight management.

Economic and Industrial Implications

Dr. Moore speculates on the resistance from various industries that may feel threatened by the widespread adoption of GLP-1s and peptides. She suggests that sectors like Big Food, Big Pharma, and medical device manufacturers (e.g., joint replacements) have vested interests that could potentially hinder the dissemination and acceptance of these treatments.

Dr. Tina Moore [11:12]: “Maybe people aren't needing those medications anymore that are on GLP1s. The big companies that make the joint replacements are concerned because hip and knee replacements are a massive, massive industry right now.”

This critique underscores the complex interplay between healthcare advancements and economic interests, highlighting potential barriers to broader adoption due to entrenched industry positions.

Long-Term Health Considerations and Systemic Issues

Dr. Moore addresses the broader systemic issues contributing to metabolic dysfunction and obesity in America. She underscores the urgency of addressing individual health crises while acknowledging the need for systemic reforms to prevent widespread chronic diseases.

Dr. Tina Moore [11:35]: “We have to start using higher and higher doses. I don't like that cycle. It gets really messy.”

She advocates for immediate interventions to manage current health crises, such as obesity and metabolic syndrome, while simultaneously working towards long-term systemic changes to mitigate these issues at their roots.

Conclusion: A Call for Comprehensive Health Strategies

The episode concludes with a reaffirmation of the need for balanced and individualized health strategies. Dr. Moore and Jennifer Cohen emphasize that while GLP-1s and peptides offer significant benefits, their effective and safe integration into health regimens requires careful consideration of dosage, metabolic health, and complementary lifestyle changes.

Dr. Moore encapsulates the essence of the discussion by highlighting the urgency of addressing current health challenges while paving the way for sustainable, long-term health improvements.

Dr. Tina Moore [11:57]: “We got to make it earthquake proof. Totally agree. But there's a freaking fire right now on this individual, and I need a fire extinguisher.”

---

Key Takeaways:

1. Distinct Roles: GLP-1s and peptides like Samorelin serve different functions in the body, each with unique mechanisms and benefits.
2. Individualized Treatment: Effective use of these medications requires personalized dosages and comprehensive health assessments.
3. Metabolic Optimization: Ensuring patients are metabolically optimized enhances the efficacy of peptide therapies.
4. Economic Barriers: Potential resistance from industries with vested interests may impact the widespread adoption of GLP-1s and peptides.
5. Holistic Approach: Combining medical treatments with lifestyle changes is essential for sustainable weight loss and overall health.
6. Urgency vs. Systemic Change: Immediate health interventions are necessary, but parallel efforts to reform systemic health issues are equally important.

Listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding GLP-1s and peptides, empowering them to make informed decisions about their health and wellness strategies.

Transcript

[Tony Robbins]

Hi guys, it's Tony Robbins. You're listening to Habits and Hustle. Crush it.

[Jennifer Cohen]

Hey friends. You're listening to Fitness Friday on the Habits and Hustle podcast where myself and my friends share quick and very actionable advice for you becoming your healthiest self. So stay tuned and let me know how you leveled up. Are there hidden benefits to GLP1s that the FDA just isn't talking about? In this Fitness Friday episode of Habits and Hustle, I sit down with Dr. Tina Moore to break down the truth about GLP1 medications and the hype surrounding them. Dr. Tina is an expert in holistic regenerative medicine. She shares why these drugs are more than just weight loss tools and how the conversation around them has become very polarizing. This is a short clip from our full interview where you can find the full episode linked in the show notes below. Please listen and comment with anything you'd like. Enjoy the episode.

[Dr. Tina Moore]

Are you telling me that GLP1 and let's say a Samorin peptide, they're both, they, they're not the same peptide, but they're both in the same class or both peptides?

They're both peptides but they're not at all the same. They don't do the same things in the body. No. They both may have some anti inflammatory and some regenerative impacts, but they have different mechanisms.

What does Samorelin do?

That's a growth hormone, I believe, releasing hormone peptide. So that'll help you. Your growth hormone declines as you age and they back when I was starting practice, you could still prescribe patients growth hormone but they would get all pink and puffy and we don't wanna crank growth hormone. So, so a lot of people I think probably in their maybe 50s and 60s in the, if they've been going to longevity doctors for a long time, probably got some growth hormone at some point, but the FDA put a, you know, snafu on that. And so when I got into practice, I was licensed as an naturopathic doctor in 2008 and my mentor was like, do not prescribe growth hormone, you will get in trouble with the fda. So I never prescribed it, but I knew people that still were and I knew doctors that were still taking it or putting their patients on it. And those people would get pink and puffy. And then came peptides many years later which would help support your natural pulse of growth hormone at the appropriate times. GLP1s support natural pulsing of insulin at the appropriate times. They actually work on your pancreas to help heal the pancreas and support natural release of insulin when needed. And also on the cellular level, they help the cells, if you will, in the kindergarten version, hear it better, they help the tissues respond to insulin better. And that's just but one mechanism.

And so Samorelin, you said, so what? So when would someone take samorelin if.

They'Ve had an injury, if they're. I'll use it when someone's really burned out. I'll use it when someone's trying to alter body composition and they just can't get up on it. So this is a great time. I think as we hit middle age, you know, when people are like, okay, I'm lifting weights, I'm doing all the things, but I'm just not having that anabolic response to the work I'm putting in anymore. We can put em on bioidentical hormone replacement and estrogen and testosterone are gonna be supportive to muscle protein synthesis. But sometimes we need to get that growth hormone up a little bit. And so there might be a myriad of reasons. Somebody may have gone through a terrible illness and they're just fried on the other side of it, you know, long Covid. I'm not saying it's a specific treatment for that, but I think of these post viral syndromes and people coming out the other side of a big whomp with a virus that might be a time to give them a. But we cycle them and we pulse them. We aren't just putting people on them forever and saying hey, good luck. We're using it as part of a comprehensive protocol and we're making sure that we're checking off all the boxes and we are making sure that we aren't cranking them up on especially one thing alone. I mean, imagine going on just estrogen or just testosterone or just progesterone only. You'd mess up the whole system. Right.

But I think this is what people are doing. They're going just on testosterone or. And or the Samorelin. The reason why I'm asking about Samorelin was I've heard a lot of people be. A lot of people are prescribed Samorelin in my world.

[Jennifer Cohen]

You said another one.

[Dr. Tina Moore]

Tresomorelin, Tessamorelin. Are they different also?

They're a little bit different, yeah. But they both work similarly in that we're trying to get a good pulse and activity out of some growth hormone.

Most people, and I feel like it doesn't work for some people, it works for other people is that with every peptide. But then GLP1 seems to work for everybody.

It doesn't unless. So what's happening is people are cranking the dose into crazy high levels in the standard dosing, in the standard, you know, big pharma pen version. People are going up to these really high. And some people need that, though.

Are you talking about GLP1?

Yeah, if you.

I'm talking about the Samorelin and the other ones.

Right. Well, peptides are going to work or not. I mean, it's all individualized. Not everything works for everyone. But also you get much better results when somebody's metabolically optimized. So if you were to come in and take a peptide, we would be able to likely. Or hormone for that matter, any hormone. If you walked into my office, I'd be like, oh, this is going to be easy. This is like, you've got good muscle mass, I can tell you're doing all the things. Your skin's glowing, you have good vitality.

[Jennifer Cohen]

Wow.

[Dr. Tina Moore]

Oh my gosh. I pay you. That was for free. I did. I didn't pay her to say, well.

You take care of yourself, you know, I try. So a little bit of hormone, a little bit of peptide is likely going to have a really powerful impact on you. And there's other people who are really not very well, metabolic, metabolically optimized. And peptides don't work as well on them. Do we still use them? Yes. We probably need a higher dose and it gets a little muckier. It's not as clean and easy on my end.

Can you take too many? Can you take. If someone's taking the testosterone, the Samorin, or do people take some morelant instead of testosterone? Or like, my question is like, if someone wants to like, change their body composition, I'm gonna ask the most basic one that most people want to know about. They want to like get lean, lose weight, change their body composition. What would be the cocktail that you would prescribe?

That gets tricky because I don't want to get in trouble with my board or anyone else.

Yeah.

But I'll tell you what I do. I'll tell you what I do. First, I'm going to run labs, obviously, and see where we're at with everything. Second, I'm going to do a very in depth analysis of what their lifestyle is like. Because if they're fucking around with a bunch of alcohol and they're eating, you know, not the right foods that are conducive to longevity.

[Jennifer Cohen]

Right.

[Dr. Tina Moore]

And we're dealing or honestly, in my world, I can't tell you the amount of people who came in were just Balls of stress, like high level CEOs that were just burning the candle at all ends. There's, you know, then we're just like trying to supplement to keep up. I mean it's, we're not even getting any headway.

Yeah.

So it really depends on a lot of factors and then lifestyle factors, how well muscled they are matters a lot. And then I'm not gonna ever put anybody on anything forever. I think that that's the problem is all of these potentially are pro grow. And I'm conservative in my opinion, taking something like PPC157 even all the time, every day. I think that's a bit of a danger. I think we want to cycle those, right. We want to go on them and come off of them, we want to use them as we need and come off of them. But I'm conservative with use and I'm also concerned about all of these, including GLP1s, about receptor sensitivity. Are we going to. Basically any cell that gets bombarded with a peptide or hormone or anything for that matter is going to start cleaving off receptors. And so you're going to start. The cells are no longer going to hear what we're doing for it. They're not going to hear the hormone in the system anymore. And so we have to start using higher and higher doses. I don't like that cycle. I think that gets really messy. And so I'm looking for folks who are really well optimized. Those are much better candidates, I think, for peptides. Do the other folks out there need it? I mean, the argument I get all the time when I say this from people is, well, you know, of Americans are obese or overweight and you know, 94%, 2018 data showed close to 94% were cardiometabolically busted. So what about them? And I'm like, here's what I say. We use peptides whilst they're getting their lifestyle in order because it does give you a leg up and some people need a leg up. So that's where I come back to this obesity conversation and oh, is it the easy way out? Well, why wouldn't we give somebody a leg up? Why wouldn't we give somebody the opportunity to have a window open where it's actually inducing some neuroplasticity and they can make the appropriate lifestyle changes with good counseling. Right. With actually good guidance from their physicians or their health coach or whatnot. And they can start to rewire different pathways with good lifestyle habits. I'm all for giving people a leg up. So I use peptides differently for different categories of patients.

Okay, so let's just say, let's just get back to the Ozempic because there's so many questions I have for it. The microdosing or the doses? Can everybody microdose it and get a benefit from it?

I suppose it would matter on what their personal history is, what their family history is. So I've got a patient who's got a pretty severe family history of cardiovascular disease, history themselves of high blood pressure. They're just using it at a very low dose to keep their blood pressure mitigated. And it does seem to have some impact, but only if they're doing all the other things right. If they start messing around and we're doing other things in there as well. I'm using different herbs, different nutrients, different supplements, different lifestyle interventions. But it is one of many in a toolkit. I've got people on it who have found it to be really spectacular for boosting their mood and their neurocognition and allowed them to go off antidepressants and allowed them to discontinue some of the things they were doing. It's. It's really. I think this is the problem. And I think this is maybe what got me in trouble is the need for a lot of other pharmaceuticals may go by the wayside in certain people, depending on how impactful this GLP1 is in their body. Because it not only potentially is abating some of the pathology. I mean, we have hard data showing its impacts on the cardiovascular system as well as what it's doing to the cardiovascular cells, the cells of the heart. Actually, the damage that's done when there's pathology is being abated and potentially reversed and mitochondrial function is returning. And we're seeing this in different organ systems of the body. So this is where I'm like, who has something to lose? Which industries have something to lose? Who turned off my Instagram? Was it Big Food? Was it Big Food? Because Big Food has a lot to lose. And they've come out recently and like different CEOs have come out flat out and said, go look it up on Forbes. They're concerned like their snack food sales are down. McDonald's fast food sales are down. Big Pharma might have something to lose because those Big Pharma companies who don't have a patent on a GLP1, who are doling out lifestyle drugs like high blood pressure medications and statins drugs, that's their bread and butter. Type 2 diabetes and obesity is very profitable to a lot of industries. So maybe people aren't needing those medications anymore that are on GLP1s. The big. The companies that make the joint replacements are concerned because hip and knee replacements are a massive, massive industry right now. Because all the boomers are just. The obesity problem is really causing havoc on these joints. I mean, most people in our age group. I don't know how old you are, but I'm guessing we're somewhere in there.

29.

Always. Forever. I'm 28.

Forever mine, 39. Go on.

I mean, hip replacements are a thing, right? Coming down the chute, dialysis clinics potentially have something to lose. They're popping up on every corner because long term metabolic dysfunction is a 15, 20 year process. You get to type 2 diabetes, and they're like, oh, you've hit the magic number. But the damage has been being incurred to the microvasculature to our joints, to our brains, to everything else, to our kidneys for that entire time. And so now they're at type 2 diabetes. The path beyond that is dialysis. If you make it, if the cardiovascular disease doesn't take you out, it's dementia and Alzheimer's. Right? Like, that's the path that most Americans are headed down because of our system. And I'm with everyone who's, like, right now we see Callie and Casey Means, and they are banging the drum on the fact that we need to change the systems. And I completely agree. And I know Dr. Mark Hyman has been trying to change the systems for a long, long time. I totally agree with that. And that has been my platform as well for decades. But I'm over here like, okay, the house is on fire for a lot of people in this country and the world, and we can talk all we want about how the drywall's flammable and the wood's flammable and the foundation's not built right. We can go on and on. And we need to change all that. I completely. We got to make it earthquake proof. Totally agree. But there's a freaking fire right now on this individual, and I need a fire extinguisher.