Episode 440: The Hidden Benefits of GLP-1s: More Than Just Weight Loss Medication

Summary

Podcast Summary: Habits and Hustle - Episode 440: The Hidden Benefits of GLP-1s: More Than Just Weight Loss Medication

Introduction

In Episode 440 of Habits and Hustle titled "The Hidden Benefits of GLP-1s: More Than Just Weight Loss Medication," host Jennifer Cohen engages in an enlightening conversation with Dr. Tina Moore, an expert in holistic regenerative medicine. Released on April 11, 2025, the episode delves deep into the multifaceted roles of GLP-1 medications beyond their widely recognized use for weight loss and type 2 diabetes management. This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn during the episode.

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Understanding GLP-1s

Dr. Tina Moore begins by demystifying GLP-1s, clarifying their biochemical nature and physiological roles.

• Definition and Functionality (02:01):

  "It's a peptide. So it's a string of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds. We make GLP1 in our bodies naturally, in our brain and in our guts."

  Dr. Moore explains that GLP-1s are peptides naturally produced in the body, primarily in the brain and gastrointestinal tract. They interact with receptors distributed throughout the body, influencing various physiological processes.

• Pharmaceutical Modification (02:01):

  "The pharmaceutical version has been tinkered with so that the half-life is much longer. So the half life's maybe four to seven days."

  She highlights that synthetic GLP-1 medications, such as semaglutide (Ozempic), are engineered to have extended half-lives, enhancing their therapeutic efficacy.

Beyond Weight Loss: Expanding the Scope of GLP-1 Benefits

The discussion transitions to the broader implications of GLP-1s in metabolic health and disease management.

• Metabolic Health and Cancer Reduction (03:15):

  "Recent studies have come out showing significant reduction in all-cause mortality for those who are on it. Reduction in different types of cancers. Cancers, particularly colon cancer specifically."

  Dr. Moore shares emerging research indicating that GLP-1s may contribute to lowering mortality rates and reducing the incidence of various obesity-related cancers, including colon cancer. She notes that while these findings are correlative, they suggest promising avenues for further investigation.

• Neuroregeneration and Inflammation (05:20):

  "There are studies being done right now on potential improvements in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. And, like, this is super exciting, guys."

  Highlighting the neuroprotective potential of GLP-1s, Dr. Moore points to ongoing studies exploring their role in mitigating neurodegenerative diseases and reducing neural inflammation.

Controversies and Challenges Surrounding GLP-1s

Despite the promising benefits, GLP-1s face significant controversy and skepticism, particularly regarding their primary use for weight loss.

• Public Perception and Stigma (01:16 - 06:01):

  The host brings up the prevalent controversy:

  "There's so much controversy over Ozempic, right? Like, most people are like, oh, you know what? Like, it's a. It. It's like the easy way out."

  Dr. Moore counters the stigma by emphasizing the multifaceted benefits of GLP-1s beyond just weight loss, advocating for their broader therapeutic applications.

• Industry Pushback and Censorship (04:43 - 10:30):

  Dr. Moore recounts her experiences with backlash from both the public and pharmaceutical entities:

  "And I'm somehow caught up in all of this, and my name seems to be circulating everywhere because I was just trying to introduce a new way of using these GLP1s that might be outside of what we know them for."

  She discusses attempts to silence her advocacy for the expanded use of GLP-1s, including the shutdown of her social media account after rapidly gaining followers for her insights.

Practical Applications and Personalized Medicine

Dr. Moore emphasizes the importance of individualized treatment protocols when considering GLP-1 therapy.

• Comprehensive Treatment Approach (06:26):

  "It's not a monotherapy. It's part of a comprehensive protocol. So I'm a big fan of bioidentical hormone replacement."

  She advocates for using GLP-1s as part of a holistic treatment strategy, integrating them with other regenerative therapies to address specific health needs.

• Regenerative Medicine and Peptide Therapy (08:18 - 10:36):

  Dr. Moore provides a historical context for peptide therapy within regenerative medicine:

  "These started popping up in the regenerative medicine space, at least in my, you know, when I caught wind of them, I would say 2017, 2018."

  She explains how peptides are utilized to manage inflammatory responses and promote healing in various medical conditions, emphasizing their role in addressing underlying pathologies rather than merely treating symptoms.

Regulatory Landscape and Accessibility

The episode sheds light on the evolving regulatory environment impacting the availability and prescription of GLP-1s.

• FDA Regulations and Prescriptions (10:30 - 11:00):

  Dr. Moore discusses recent FDA meetings and restrictions:

  "In November, I believe it was of 2020, 23, all of a sudden there was a meeting at the FDA that... Many of those peptides got wiped from the, from. For those of us who are licensed, we can only prescribe them."

  She highlights the challenges faced by healthcare providers in accessing and prescribing a broader range of peptide therapies due to shifting regulatory stances.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

In wrapping up the discussion, Dr. Moore reiterates the untapped potential of GLP-1s and calls for a more nuanced understanding of their benefits.

• Advocacy for Broader Use (10:30 - 12:00):

  "There are actually metabolic healing properties to these GLP ones that people don't understand. But over here, I'm like, look at this whole buffet of other impacts that I found data on."

  Dr. Moore emphasizes the need to look beyond the conventional use of GLP-1s, advocating for their integration into comprehensive health protocols to harness their full spectrum of benefits.

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Notable Takeaways

1. Multifunctional Role of GLP-1s: Beyond weight loss and diabetes management, GLP-1s exhibit potential benefits in reducing cancer risk, improving neurodegenerative conditions, and enhancing overall metabolic health.

2. Regenerative Medicine Integration: GLP-1s are valuable components of regenerative treatment protocols, addressing inflammatory pathways and promoting tissue healing.

3. Controversies and Misconceptions: The stigma surrounding GLP-1s as mere weight loss tools overlooks their broader therapeutic applications, leading to polarized opinions and resistance from certain sectors.

4. Regulatory Challenges: Evolving FDA regulations pose challenges to the accessibility and prescription of a wider array of peptide therapies, impacting both healthcare providers and patients.

5. Personalized Treatment Approaches: Effective use of GLP-1s requires individualized protocols that consider the unique health profiles and needs of each patient.

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Final Thoughts

Episode 440 of Habits and Hustle provides a comprehensive exploration of GLP-1 medications, unraveling their complex roles in modern medicine. Through Dr. Tina Moore's expertise, listeners gain valuable insights into the hidden benefits of these peptides, advocating for their expanded use beyond conventional applications. The episode serves as a thought-provoking resource for individuals seeking to understand the broader implications of GLP-1 therapy in achieving holistic health and wellness.

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.

[Unknown Host]

There's so much controversy over Ozempic, right? Like, most people are like, oh, you know what? Like, it's a. It. It's like the easy way out. You're not learning, you know, behavioral differences or habits. You're just kind of taking a shot to lose weight. And you are on the opposite side of the fence, right? You actually, you're a big proponent of using these drugs.

[Dr. Tina Moore]

Well, I'm talking. I was originally, about a year ago, I found all this data and literature, like 20 years of study showing that this class of pep, they're peptides, for one. They just happen to be owned by big pharma.

[Unknown Host]

Can you talk about what it is? Like, what is. Because I think no one really understands, like, is it a peptide? Is it a drug?

[Dr. Tina Moore]

Like, it's a peptide.

[Unknown Host]

Start with what it, what GLP1 is.

[Dr. Tina Moore]

It's a peptide. So it's a string of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds. So it's a peptide. We make GLP1 in our bodies naturally, in our brain and in our guts. We have receptors for GLP1s all over our body that do a whole lot of different things. It just was serendipitous that it got figured out for type 2 diabetes. It does a whole lot of other things in the body. And this was really interesting to me when I started studying it. It's a peptide in that it's in and out of the body very quickly. So the body produces it. And the half life is very short. The pharmaceutical version has been tinkered with so that the half life is much longer. So the half life's maybe four to seven days. So that's it. It's bioidentical, at least Ozempic, which is semaclutide, is bioidentical to our own GLP1 for the most part. And about a year ago I started finding literature outside of what most people understand it for. Most people understand it for reducing appetite because it plays on the of our brain that control appetite, for slowing gut motility so you feel fuller, longer. And that's kind of where the story ends. That's kind of where people understood how it works. And that's why it's a weight loss drug and that's why it's for type 2 diabetes. It has multiple impacts on our metabolic health in a myriad of ways that have a lot more to do than just that. And there are receptors in our brains, in our heart, in our pancreas, in our, on our immune cells. And I started finding literature that was really, really interesting about this and I started going on podcasts and sharing about it and finding information like recent studies have come out showing significant reduction in all, all cause mortality for those who are on it. Reduction in different types of cancers. Cancers, pot of colon cancer specifically. This was correlative, not causative. But they were finding, they were comparing people on semaclutide versus or even some of the other GLP ones for a period of time versus I think insulin. And not a great, you know, I mean it's not a super clear comparison because insulin is pro growth, so insulin can cause problems in and of itself. But interesting data coming out there recently. 13 different types of potentially reducing 13 different types of obesity related cancers. And then IFA was finding data and sharing out about potential protection against Covid and upper respiratory illness. And I was sharing about it on podcast, thinking, well, if anything, I'm helping big pharma sell their peptides so they'll probably leave me alone. Like I didn't think I was a threat there, you know. And honestly, the microdose is completely independent to the individual sitting in front of me and that person. For that person, it might be the standard starting dose. Like that might be their microdose. Right? So I have no idea. But then I started a second account a few days later and it grew to 15,000 followers pretty quickly and it was shut down within 36 hours. And that's when I realized, like, oh, somebody wants me to shut up.

[Unknown Host]

Right, right, right. Well, I mean if you're trying to take business away, who makes, who makes Ozempic? Who's the company that makes Ozempic Novo.

[Dr. Tina Moore]

Nordisk Manjoro is Tirzepatide, and that's Eli Lilly. And so I. But I mean, I. I have no interest in keeping people away from the standard. I. I don't care. What's interesting is when I started talking about this, I was like, you guys, I'm finding all this amazing literature supporting GLP1s for neuroregeneration and decreases in inflammation and neural inflammation, which I think is really cool. That's where I got most interested and potential. There's studies being done right now on potential improvements in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. And, like, this is super exciting, guys. And my followers, so many of them turned on me and they're like, when did you get. They were like, when did you get bought out by big Pharma? When did you become a big pharma shill? So they're screaming at me in my comment section, accusing me of being a big pharma shill. And I'm like, no, I'm talking about compounded versions, you guys. I'm not even talking about the standard brand name, but if you want to use the standard, great. And many of the people that I talk to in my followers have said, you know, I could only get a hold of the standard brand name through my regular doctor, through regular pharmacy. And it's changed my life. So I'm like, cool. You know, I don't have any favoritism either way.

[Unknown Host]

Right.

[Dr. Tina Moore]

I'm just saying that if for someone like you, as lean as you are and metabolically optimized as you are, if you had maybe cardiovascular disease in your family or you were dealing with some kind of neurodegenerative condition, we would need tiny, tiny doses for you.

[Unknown Host]

So, wait, so, yeah, that's what's interesting. So in your opinion, should everybody be on One of these GLP1, like an Enozempic form for their metabolic health?

[Dr. Tina Moore]

I think that I get asked that a lot. I think that's kind of a bold statement to make, and I wouldn't say yes to that. I think the way that I've always practiced medicine is I'm just trying to treat the person in front of me, and I'm trying. I don't use this in isolation. It's not a monotherapy. It's part of a comprehensive protocol. So I'm a big fan of bioidentical hormone replacement. I've been using it in practice for a long. My background was actually as a regenerative medicine doctor, so I was doing prolotherapy. PRP stem cells, exosomes, regenerative therapies in my clinic for, for decades. Like that's so to me peptides are just part of that and this is just another peptide. So.

[Unknown Host]

But where do peptides even come from? I feel like the word peptide has become very popular, very trendy in the only in the last few years. Like before, like five years ago, I never even heard of a peptide. Most of my friends never heard of a peptide. And then in the last four or five years it's all. There's lots of peptides that people are taking the BPC 157, the CJC 1290, whatever it is for all. There's so many and I think number one, it's inconclusive from what I've heard. And so people don't. There's not much to. But most people don't know much about them and so it's scary and I don't even think people the mass. And I only say that for the people who are in my world who are in the health and wellness space or longevity space or the fitness space. If I'm like confused, I can only imagine how people who are just layman's like you know, an accountant working at. You know what I mean? Or what are we doing or someone in the marketing department at like Hasbro.

[Dr. Tina Moore]

Yeah.

[Unknown Host]

What do you mean? Like what like how do you even. Like I feel like can you start from the beginning? Like where did it even, how did it become even something that was even to be taken for optimizing your health or for your longevity?

[Dr. Tina Moore]

Well, these started popping up in the regenerative medicine space, at least in my, you know, when I caught wind of them, I would say 2017, 2018. And we were, we use them short term and we use them, we cycle them. So say you injured your shoulder, right. We put you on a stack of peptides to optimize your shoulder. I would probably do some regenerative injections. You can even inject these locally to the engineering. Yeah, you could do however you want. They seemed quite safe. They're. They're strings of amino acids and they insert themselves in. Many of them have anti inflammatory properties. Many of them have regenerative properties. And when I say regenerative I think people get confused. It's not like we're going to drop some BPC157 on a heart cell in a petri dish or some GLP1 and it's going to make new heart cells. What I mean when I say regenerative in the Regenerative medicine world is that often we're just abating pathology. So when you hurt yourself, there's a whole downstream process of cytokines and inflammatory molecules that happen as the body's trying to heal itself. And sometimes the body gets caught in a loop. So a herniated disc is a great example. The nucleus pulposa will squish out of the disc and it's called the annulus, the protective coating of the intervertebral disc. And it's not supposed to be on the outside. And once it's on the outside, the body freaks out and sends in everything. And that's why the initial injury hurts. And then two days later you're like, good God, I'm really in a lot of pain. It's because of that inflammatory process. Your body's trying to wall it off, control it, contain it and heal it. But sometimes people's systems go berserk and it's a horrible mess. And that horrible mess can actually damage the tissues worse. And so we are trying to get in there with something that's going to be anti inflammatory healing and abate that pathological process and like slow the roll, if you will. And that's where I think peptides really shine. And so we have a variety of different peptides. In November, I believe it was of 2020, 23, all of a sudden there was a meeting at the FDA that, and I know people that usually are in on these meetings and they told me like pretty secret meeting just happened. And many of those peptides got wiped from the, from. For those of us who are licensed, we can only prescribe them. So I can only speak to the ones I'm still allowed to prescribe.

[Unknown Host]

So that's what I was going to ask you. So like a lot of them you can't even get in California anymore, but you can get them in other states?

[Dr. Tina Moore]

Well, prescription versions I'm not sure about. And I know that there are places that sell peptides and I can't speak to those because they're research labs for research purposes and not for human consumption. And I know that's where people are buying a lot of them, but I can't speak to that. Cause I'm licensed to prescribe. So in Oregon I can prescribe. There's a couple growth hormone supporting peptides that we still have left, like Tessamorelin, Sermorelin, we still have the GLP1s available to us via prescription via compounding pharmacies. But even those pharmacies are getting in trouble. And for what? Well, other compounding pharmacies are turning on them and turning them in. It's really crazy what's happening right now. Like, it's really crazy what's happening. And I'm somehow caught up in all of this, and my name seems to be circulating everywhere because I was just trying to introduce a new way of using these GLP1s that might be outside of what we know them for. That was all I was trying to get at. Like, everyone's obsessed with weight loss, and they've really vilified it and polarized it. And I'm over here like, okay, can we forget about that conversation for a minute? I mean, that's awesome. And I actually will support that because not without the lifestyle factors, not as a substitute, but in conjunction with adjunctively. I'm going to give a patient every tool I have available to get them on the path, right? And there are actually metabolic healing properties to these GLP ones that people don't understand. But over here, I'm like, look at this whole buffet of other impacts that I found data on.