If you’ve been paying attention to wellness trends lately, you’ve probably heard the term GLP-1 floating around, especially in conversations about metabolism, blood sugar, and new “miracle” weight-loss regimens.
But what is GLP-1, and why does it matter for your overall health? Let’s break it down and look at how your body already works beautifully with this system and what can throw it off balance.
GLP-1 is a crucial part of your insulin and metabolism system, and your body already makes it! Your GLP-1 pathway is part of the elegant communication between your gut, pancreas, and brain, all designed to keep your energy stable and your metabolism thriving.
THE BODY’S OWN GLP-1 SYSTEM
Your body already makes GLP-1 on its own, primarily through the gut. When your digestive system is healthy and blood sugar is stable, this process flows smoothly. But when stress, inflammation, or poor dietary habits take over, that signaling can weaken.
Factors that reduce GLP-1 activity:
- Chronic high blood sugar or constant snacking
- Inflammation in the gut or poor digestion
- Stress and poor sleep disrupting nervous system balance
- Low intake of fiber and phytonutrients
That’s where lifestyle support, nutrition, and targeted supplements can help your body find its natural rhythm again.
INSULIN, BLOOD SUGAR & GLP-1: THE METABOLIC TRIANGLE
GLP-1 and insulin work as a team. After meals, GLP-1 helps your pancreas release insulin to move glucose into cells for energy. But when the body becomes insulin resistant, the system gets overloaded. GLP-1 production may slow, blood sugar rises, and fatigue, cravings, and weight changes can follow.
Supporting healthy insulin signaling keeps this metabolic triangle strong and responsive.
HOW GLP-1 MEDICATIONS WORK
Medications like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and liraglutide (Saxenda) are GLP-1 agonists. They are not actually GLP-1. They mimic the natural effects of GLP-1 in the body. They can be very effective for people who have developed insulin resistance or need help managing blood sugar.
However, these drugs stimulate one pathway rather than helping the body restore its natural rhythm. A holistic approach supports your body’s own ability to produce and respond to GLP-1, helping you find balance from the inside out.
SUPPORTING NATURAL GLP-1 FUNCTION
A holistic approach nourishes the systems that naturally regulate GLP-1: the gut, the nervous system, and metabolic pathways. Here’s how to support each:
1. Balance Blood Sugar Naturally:
Choose meals with protein, healthy fats, and fiber to keep blood sugar stable. Drink NingXia Red daily. It’s wolfberry antioxidants help maintain normal blood sugar levels, reduce oxidative stress, and support steady energy throughout the day. Add Balance & Burn to your wellness routine to help support the body’s own GLP-1 production: Berberine (Phytosomal Technology): Supports healthy blood sugar and insulin levels while promoting natural GLP-1 activation. R-Alpha Lipoic Acid (R-ALA): Improves insulin sensitivity and supports cellular energy. Chromium: Reduces sugar cravings and promotes appetite control. Akkermansia Postbiotic: Supports gut integrity and encourages GLP-1 secretion. Plant Bioactives from Wolfberry, Citrus, and Grapes: Provide antioxidants and help balance metabolism.
2. Support the Gut:
Your gut is the birthplace of GLP-1. When it’s balanced, your hormones, mood, and energy all follow suit. Take Essentialzymes-4 with meals to support digestion and nutrient absorption. Use Life 9 probiotic daily to replenish healthy gut bacteria and promote a balanced microbiome. This is key for natural GLP-1 release. Choose high-fiber, whole-food meals and stay hydrated.
3. Regulate the Nervous System:
Your brain and gut talk constantly. When your nervous system is calm, your digestion, insulin response, and hormone balance improve. Apply or diffuse Valor and Peace & Calming daily to support relaxation and emotional grounding. Both contain Blue Tansy, which helps regulate the central nervous system and reduce stress-induced metabolic disruption. Pair your oils with deep breathing, gentle movement, or evening wind-down rituals to support restful sleep and lower cortisol.
4. Move and Rest Intentionally:
Regular movement, from walks to strength training, boosts insulin sensitivity and GLP-1 activity. Prioritize sleep, aiming for 7–9 hours to reset your body’s hormone rhythms.
BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER
GLP-1 isn’t just a buzzword. It’s one of your body’s natural tools for balance and metabolic health. While medications can mimic it, your body is fully capable of producing and managing GLP-1 when given the right support.
By pairing lifestyle habits with key Young Living products like NingXia Red, Essentialzymes-4, Life 9, Valor, Peace & Calming, and Balance & Burn, you can nourish the systems that keep your body in sync – the gut, nervous system, and metabolism.
When you focus on balance instead of quick fixes, your body can do what it was designed to do: thrive in harmony.
- Bailey Lowe
Functional Nutrition Coach
Young Living Brand Partner
(989) 245-5358
As I continue my nutrition training, one topic keeps coming up.. GUT HEALTH. There are so many people out there with chronic health issues that have no idea that focusing on their gut health could make all the difference!
Do you struggle with Hormone imbalances, Acne, Auto Immunity, Headaches & Migraines, Skin Rashes, Weight Gain, Allergies, Fatigue/Lack of Energey, Food Intollerances, or Brain Frog? These could be signals from your body that you need to focus on your Gut Health.
When symptoms like these happen, it is our body giving us a signal that something is not right. Rather than treat the symptom, wouldn’t you like to get to the root cause and fix it? So let’s talk about our gut health and why it plays such an important role
Your gut is full of a bunch of little microbes or bacteria, good and bad. The key to gut health is keeping hour gut flora (bacteria) balanced. And did you know that 70% of your immune system is in your gut?!?! So if that balance is off, guess what else if off! Yup, your immune system!
Another amazing fact about the gut is the Brain-Gut Connection. Serotonin is our bodies “feel-good” neurotransmitter and 95% of Serotonin is produced in the gut! Can you see why an off balanced gut can cause things like anxiety and depression?
Let’s switch gears and talk about what disrupts your gut health.
- Processed foods
- Stress
- Infections
- Inflamation
- Low Stomach acid
- Environmental Toxins
- Nsaids (Advil, Ibuprofen, Aspirin)
- Antibiotics
- Herbicides & GMO’s
- Artificial Sweeteners
- Steroids
Now that we know what to avoid, how to we repair our gut health?
- Probiotics - getting those good microbes is so important! EVERYONE should be taking a daily probiotic! Your kids too! Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, kefir, and yogurt are some ways to get probiotics into your diet too.
- Digestive Enzymes - Many people do not have enough digestive enzymes that are necessary to help metabolize and digest their food. These are essential for those with minor food sensitivities (lactose, gluten, etc) to aid in digestion, reduce bloating, and other symptoms .
- Prebiotics - These are what your good guy gut bacteria feed on, so super important! Some supplements have prebiotics and here are some great foods to add to your diet to get prebiotics - Banana, asparagus, garlic, onion, leeks, Barley.
- Antioxidants - antioxidant rich foods are a huge part of fighting oxidative stress and inflammation in our body! Things like wolf berries, pomegranates, blueberries, green tea, cacao are all great sources of antioxidants. We drink a wolf berry antioxidant drink everyday that makes this step so easy.
- Reduce Stress - This can seem like the hardest thing to do, but taking a few minutes to get on top of your stress when you feel it creeping up can make all the difference. These are some of my favorite quick de-stressors - Take a few deep breaths, stop and write down three things that I am thankful for, listen to a quick guided meditation, put my phone down and read a chapter of a book, go for a walk.
If you read through this and are serious about improving your gut health, let’s do it together! Rather than starting the year off with fad diets we are getting to the core of the problem, fixing our gut to be healthier and feel our best!
I’ll be sharing specific steps to finally get your Gut health in check.
