Unless you’ve been sleeping under a rock, you likely have heard about the remarkable benefits of the new GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs like Wegovy, Victoza, Trulicity, Mounjaro, or Byetta. They are FDA-approved for either type 2 diabetes or obesity, and the drugs seem to be effective for both conditions. GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone that regulates blood sugar and appetite by acting on the pancreas, gut, and brain. It works by stimulating insulin release, reducing glucagon secretion, slowing gastric emptying, and decreasing appetite. These drugs stimulate the GLP-1 receptors, mimicking the effects of the hormone. Beyond diabetes and obesity, these drugs have been shown to benefit these areas:
- Improve metabolic and cardiovascular health.
- Improve renal health and slows the progression of chronic kidney disease.
- Neuroprotection and improved brain function.
- Improve mental health.
- Lower blood pressure.
- Improve lipids.
- Improve immune function.
A Fountain of Youth
These drugs appear to be a virtual fountain of youth! The main drawback is their expense, which often costs more than $1,000 per month if you don’t have insurance coverage. Compounded, generic versions of these drugs can usually be found at around $200-300 per month, but they are not always available, and their quality can be questionable.
I have an answer to this dilemma, and it’s inexpensive, readily available, and very safe. The amino acid L-glutamine is Dr. Wilson’s magic answer to the GLP-1 drugs. L-glutamine leads to the direct release of GLP-1 from L cells in the intestine, slowing intestinal movement and reducing appetite. In my opinion, most people who will benefit from these drugs have a form of food-induced brain dysfunction called Carbohydrate Associated Reversible Brain syndrome or CARB syndrome. They can develop up to 22 brain dysfunction symptoms that overlap with many traditional brain disorders, and they tend to store excess body fat at virtually any caloric intake. You get a double whammy with l-glutamine because it stimulates the GLP-1 receptors like the expensive drugs, and it also suppresses the number one symptom of CARB syndrome: intense cravings for sweet and starchy food. These cravings push people to consume more ultra-processed food, frying their brains.
Top Off You Brain Chemistry
L-glutamine is exceptionally safe and inexpensive, and doses of up to 40 grams daily are usually well tolerated. I recommend starting with 500 mg twice daily and then titrating the dose based on your cravings and hunger. If you want to jack up your GLP-1 receptors and crush your cravings, combine L-glutamine with a monoamine precursor product like CARB-22, designed to increase dopamine and serotonin levels in your brain. The l-tyrosine and 5-htp in this product also appear to enhance GLP-1. I recommend taking two capsules twice daily on an empty stomach and gradually increasing to four capsules twice daily based on your cravings and hunger. For a further inexpensive boost of your GLP-1 levels, consider taking an omega-3 supplement to get your AA/EPA ratio between 1 and 3. I take OmegaRx2 from Barry Sears.
Fix Your Brain, and Your Body Will Follow
Over time, your brain dysfunction symptoms should improve, and you will slowly lose excess body fat without traditional dieting. I recommend following a healthy Mediterranean-style diet and exercising regularly with aerobic and strength training. And to boot, you will also save a ton of money compared to going the GLP-1 agonist route. What could be better than that?
Edited by Andy Steinfeldt
