GLP therapy has completely changed the conversation around weight loss.
Medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide can reduce appetite, improve blood sugar regulation, and help people lose significant amounts of weight.
So why is everyone talking about them?
Because they work.
My concern isn't that people are using GLP therapy. It's
how we're using it.
What Is GLP Therapy?
GLP-1 is a hormone involved in appetite, digestion, insulin signaling, and blood sugar regulation.
GLP-based medications work on these pathways to help people feel fuller, eat less, and improve metabolic control. Tirzepatide also works on another hormone pathway called GIP.
These medications can be incredibly useful.
But I don't believe the goal should always be
Start medication → increase dose → increase again → reach the maximum dose.
My Approach = Lowest Effective Dose
My philosophy is simple
Use the lowest effective dose that produces meaningful results while we work on everything else.
If you're losing weight, controlling appetite, improving your nutrition, and making metabolic progress at a lower dose, why automatically increase it?
Higher doses can also mean more medication exposure and potentially more side effects.
I want GLP therapy to create an opportunity.
While your appetite is more manageable, let's improve your nutrition.
Let's increase protein.
Let's build muscle.
Let's exercise.
Let's improve sleep.
Let's address insulin resistance and metabolic health.
Let's build habits that can survive beyond the medication.
The Medication Shouldn't Do All the Work
This is where I think GLP therapy is often used incorrectly.
If someone's entire weight-loss strategy is simply
“I'm not hungry anymore,” what happens when the medication is reduced or stopped?
Appetite can return.
And weight regain after discontinuing GLP therapy is well documented.
That's why I don't want patients relying exclusively on appetite suppression.
I want to use that period of reduced appetite to help create a new lifestyle.
GLP Therapy Should Be Leverage
I don't view these medications as the enemy, and I don't believe everyone needs to stay on the highest dose indefinitely.
I view GLP therapy as
leverage.
Use the medication to help create momentum while building the nutrition, exercise, muscle, sleep, and behavioral foundation needed for long-term success.
Some patients may require higher doses or longer-term therapy. Others may do well with less.
That's why treatment should be individualized.
Our goal isn't simply to make the number on the scale go down.
We use GLP therapy strategically while helping patients build a healthier metabolism and lifestyle around it.
The medication should support the lifestyle... not replace it.
- Dr. C
