The rise of GLP‑1 & its impact on our holistic health
GLP‑1 medications are having a moment.
Scroll through headlines or social media and you’ll see names like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro attached to jaw‑dropping weight‑loss stories, celebrity whispers, and before‑and‑after images.
But in our latest episode of After Hours with Anni – Health & Wellbeing Stories, Clinical Nutritionist Erica Greenwell sat down with Sexologist Jamie Bucirde and Anni Co‑Founder Anna Lee‑Renwick to talk about what’s beyond the hype: the science, the risks, and how these medications fit into a genuinely holistic approach to health.
“It’s changes that lead to a feeling, and it’s so much more than just weight.”
What are GLP‑1s anyway?
GLP‑1 stands for glucagon‑like peptide‑1, an incretin hormone that helps regulate blood sugar. As early as the 1970s, researchers (see Drucker, 2006, Cell Metabolism) observed that stimulating GLP‑1 improved insulin secretion, suppressed glucagon (the opposing hormone), and delayed gastric emptying. That combination not only helped people with type 2 diabetes, it also increased feelings of fullness by activating satiety centres in the brainstem and vagus nerve pathways (van Bloemendaal et al., 2014).
The result? Less “food noise.” As Erica described in the episode, many patients say it feels like being freed from a radio stuck on one blaring station. Suddenly, the constant mental chatter around food quiets down.
A powerful tool with limits
Modern GLP‑1 receptor agonists like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and the dual‑action tirzepatide (Mounjaro) were first approved for managing type 2 diabetes. But researchers noticed something unexpected: people were losing significant amounts of weight, often in the range of 15–20% of total body weight (Jastreboff et al., 2023, NEJM).
Newer studies suggest even greater losses with combined GLP‑1/GIP agonists and emerging triple‑agonists, with weight loss averages reported as high as 24% (Rubino et al., 2022, Diabetes Obesity Metabolism). For a field where typical outcomes hover around 5–8%, that’s unprecedented.
Yet there’s a crucial catch.
As highlighted in Lundgren et al., 2021 (Obesity), up to 39–40% of the weight lost with GLP‑1 therapies can be lean mass. For context, in traditional diet‑induced weight loss, up to 20% of the weight lost might be muscle. But we need that muscle for strength, mobility, bone health, and longevity, particularly as we age.
“You can’t medicate your way out of habits you didn’t build”
Why holistic support matters
“You can’t medicate your way out of habits you didn’t build” Erica explains. GLP‑1s don’t replace the fundamentals: adequate protein intake, resistance training, and sustainable nutrition strategies. Without them, not only is muscle loss a risk, but so is rapid rebound weight gain when the medication stops — studies suggest up to two‑thirds of lost weight can return within 12 months (Greenway, 2015, International Journal of Obesity).
That’s why GLP‑1s should never be seen as a stand‑alone solution. They’re a tool — and like any tool, they work best when used as part of a larger plan.
Erica recommends that anyone exploring GLP‑1s work closely with their GP and build a support team that might include a nutritionist or dietitian, a PT or movement coach, and, importantly, space to explore your own relationship with food and body image.
Health is not a number
Perhaps the most striking part of Erica’s conversation is how she ends her consults:
“What is your definition of health?”
In all her years of practice, not one client has ever answered with “weight.”
Instead, they talk about:
- sleeping better
- having energy to play with their kids without pain
- connection to self and others
- moments of joy
As Erica says, “It’s changes that lead to a feeling, and it’s so much more than just weight.”
Why this matters beyond the headlines
GLP‑1 medications are being studied for far more than weight loss — from cardiovascular protection (Ceriello et al., 2022, Cell Metabolism) to potential applications in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and even addiction pathways (Heppner et al., 2015, CNS). We’re only beginning to understand their full scope. But in the meantime, a cultural narrative that equates thinness with health risks misses the point.
In Australia, 66% of adults are classified as overweight or obese (AIHW, 2022). It’s not because millions of people suddenly stopped caring — it’s because our environment, food systems, and lifestyles have shifted dramatically in just a few decades. As Erica notes, “our genes might load the gun, but our environment pulls the trigger.”
Building your toolbox
If you’re considering GLP‑1s — or if you’re simply curious — know this:
They can be a life‑changing tool for some, but they’re not the whole story. The work you do alongside them matters more than ever: eating enough high‑quality protein, prioritising nutrient density over calorie counts, lifting weights, moving often, and nurturing a positive relationship with food and your body.
At Anni, that’s exactly why we exist. We bring you expert advice from trusted professionals in a judgment-free space, so you can build the habits and confidence you need to feel good in your own skin, whatever tools you choose to use along the way.
Curious? Ready to explore your own definition of health?
Connect with one of our advisors today and start building your holistic health toolbox.
Anni has over 100 qualified nutrition professionals to choose from or why not talk with Erica!
So if you’re looking for a one-on-one session with Erica, she’s available now!
About Erica Greenwell - BHSc (Nut&Diet Med); BBA; mANTA
Erica is a clinical nutritionist, mum, trail runner, swimmer, hiker, and a lover of good food, coffee, and great company. She believes nutrition should be practical, enjoyable, and fit seamlessly into everyday life. With a background in advertising and a passion for evidence‑based nutrition, she helps people cut through the noise to discover what truly supports their health, energy, and longevity. Her clinic, Green & Well Nutrition, provides ‘Practical Nutrition for Every Life Stage’
And while she loves fuelling her body well, Erica is a firm believer in balance—so you might just find her unwinding with a Negroni at the end of a great day.
References:
Lundgren JR et al. (2021). Lean mass loss with semaglutide. Obesity.
Rubino DM et al. (2022). STEP 1 extension trial.
Heppner KM et al. (2015). GLP-1 RAs in addiction and neurodegeneration.
Ceriello A et al. (2022). GLP-1s in cardiovascular prevention.
Heymsfield SB et al. (2022). Weight loss composition on GLP-1RA. AJCN.
Greenway FL (2015). Behavioral support + pharmacotherapy. Int J Obes.
Hall KD et al. (2022). Biological drivers of obesity vs behavior alone. Cell.
Anderson JW et al. (2009). Mind-body connection in weight management. Obesity.
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