When a person has type 2 diabetes, there\u2019s a process in their body that\u2019s gone awry: It may not make insulin or may not use it well. The result is high blood sugar, which can cause a cascade of health problems, including heart and kidney damage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To help, their doctor will come up with a treatment plan, which includes exercise and a specific way of eating\u2014and these days, it may also include a type of medication to reduce blood sugar called GLP-1<\/a>. GLP-1 for diabetes also helps with weight loss, and that can further bring high blood sugar levels down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat\u2019s really a game changer is the fact that there\u2019s one medicine that provides multiple benefits at the same time,\u201d says Evan Sisson, PharmD, a professor at the VCU School of Pharmacy in Richmond, Virginia. \u201cIt not only affects the blood glucose that we\u2019re concerned about today, but also the downstream complications of diabetes, like heart disease and kidney disease<\/a>.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n GLP-1 is generally well tolerated and conveniently packaged as a weekly shot, he adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n GLP-1 belongs to a class of prescription medications that lower blood sugar called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1<\/a>) receptor agonists. When you eat, your gastrointestinal (GI) tract releases the hormone GLP-1. An important function of that hormone is to signal the pancreas to release insulin to lower your blood sugar.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n GLP-1 mimics the actions of GLP-1: When you eat, the medication signals the pancreas to release insulin, which lowers your blood sugar. It also tells your brain when you\u2019re full, reducing your appetite and cravings. \u201cThe GLP-1 agonists ping the receptors in the brain that promote satiety, that tell people \u2018you can stop eating now,\u2019\u201d Sisson says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n GLP-1 also slows food moving through your digestive system. \u201cPeople feel fuller, so they tend to eat less,\u201d he explains. \u201cThe net result is that the blood sugars come down, and people lose weight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best way to see if GLP-1 is right for you? Have a conversation with your doctor. Each diabetes treatment plan is specific to the person and takes into account factors such as medical history, medical conditions, and prescription meds. Your doctor will also consider whether diet, exercise, and current medications have been successful in controlling your blood sugar.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes GLP-1 is combined with other medications to control blood sugar, according to Mayo Clinic<\/a>. For example, you may already take metformin, a low-cost oral medication that can be very effective in lowering blood sugar (it\u2019s the most commonly prescribed med for type 2 diabetes). But if your blood sugar is still not under control, your doctor may consider adding GLP-1 to your treatment plan.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the American Diabetes Association\u2019s (ADA) Standards of Care for Diabetes\u20132024<\/a>, GLP-1 is one of the recommended treatment options for people with type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity, as well as those at high risk for heart or kidney disease.<\/p>\n\n\nHow GLP-1 works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
GLP-1 and type 2 diabetes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n