How Peptide Therapy (GLP-1/GIP) Targets Visceral Fat

Peptide therapy has taken the weight loss world by storm – and for good reason! These incredible medications mimic gut hormones — Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) and Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide (GIP) — to reduce your cravings and support weight loss. 

However, they’re not necessarily magic. And they aren’t one-size-fits-all! Keep scrolling to learn how peptide therapy can support weight loss and whether or not it’s right for you. 

GLP-1 and GIP Medications

As we mentioned, GLP-1 and GIP medications mimic peptides naturally released from your gut to regulate appetite, blood sugar, and metabolism. 

GLP-1's Role

• Suppresses Appetite and Increases Satiety. GLP-1 slows gastric emptying – meaning food stays in your stomach longer. This will help you feel fuller for longer! 

• Improves Insulin Secretion. It enhances your pancreas' ability to release insulin –  helping regulate blood sugar. 

• Suppresses Glucagon. GLP-1 suppresses the release of glucagon, which prevents your blood sugar from spiking. 

  
  

GIP's Unique Contributions

• Enhances Insulin Sensitivity. GIP works alongside GLP-1 to improve your cells' insulin responsiveness (which combats insulin resistance).

• Influences Fat Metabolism. GIP can significantly enhance fat breakdown (oxidation) and reduce the accumulation of unwanted fat (especially around your organs). And spoiler: it works even better when paired with a GLP-1. (More on that later.) 

  
  

What Happens When You Combine the Two

Combining GLP-1 and GIP (as seen in medications like Tirzepatide, which we use here at Integrative Weight Loss) offers even more weight loss benefits with fewer side effects – which is a major win in our book! 

These combination medications are especially great for addressing the root causes of fat accumulation and weight gain:

• Reduced Calorie Intake. The combination medications prompt you to feel fuller for longer – naturally causing you to consume less! 

• Improved Insulin Sensitivity. By making your cells more responsive to insulin, your body is better able to handle glucose – reducing the likelihood that excess sugar is stored as fat. 

• Direct Impact on Fat Metabolism. When used together, GLP-1/GIP medications can help your body utilize fat even more efficiently. 

  
  

Our Integrative Weight Loss Program

Now as powerful as GLP-1/GIP medications are, they’re not magic pills. (And as we mentioned, they’re not a one-size-fits-all solution to weight loss.) That’s why our Integrative Weight Loss Program takes a holistic approach and addresses all facets of metabolic health. 

We Use Diet to Target Inflammation. 

We don't just focus on calorie restriction at Boulder Integrative Health. Our nutrition plans go one step further to reduce the systemic inflammation that often comes with visceral fat. By incorporating lots of anti-inflammatory foods, healthy fats, and targeted micronutrients, we’ll restore metabolic balance and nourish your body to operate at its best.

We Optimize Exercise for Fat Loss and Muscle Gain.

While GLP-1/GIP medications can support overall fat loss, preserving and building lean muscle mass is the key to long-term metabolic health. (Plus, we want to make sure that the weight loss comes from fat – not muscle!) 

That’s why our fitness trainer, the wonderful Indea Leo, incorporates strength training alongside cardiovascular exercises to burn fat, build muscle, and help your body become even more metabolically efficient.

We Offer Personalized Coaching and Lifestyle Integration.

Sustainable results and lasting well-being goes beyond diet and exercise. That’s why our health and lifestyle coaching spans areas that are often overlooked — yet incredibly important — when it comes to long-lasting change. These include (but are certainly not limited to) stress management, sleep, sustainable lifestyle habits, hormone optimization, and more. 

We Utilize Continuous, Data-Driven Monitoring. 

Now, this is where our program truly stands out. Beyond regular weigh-ins, we utilize advanced body composition analysis — like the Evolt360 machine — and regular glucose monitoring to evaluate your journey. This precise data allows us to:

• Validate Visceral Fat Reduction. We’ll make sure we’re effectively targeting visceral fat (not just overall weight).

• Ensure Healthy Body Composition. We’ll monitor your lean muscle mass to ensure your weight loss is predominantly fat loss.

• Adjust for Optimal Results. The detailed insights will allow us to continuously fine-tune your program – ensuring you’re maximizing your fat loss and reducing your chronic disease risk as much as possible.

  
  

Long story short: when you enroll in our holistic weight loss program, we’ll help you understand the root cause(s) of your weight gain, as well as which kind of fat is affecting you. 

After a comprehensive evaluation, we’ll leverage cutting-edge science (including those powerful GLP-1/GIP medications) to help you reset your metabolism, conquer visceral fat, and drastically transform your health from the inside out. 

Get in touch with our team to get started.