GLP-1s are everywhere now. You may have read about how GLP-1s can help with type 2 diabetes as well as support weight loss. What you may not have heard about are the side effects like constipation and diarrhea. And fiber friends, you know what helps with constipation and diarrhea... fiber.
Read on to learn more about why you need a lot of fiber in your life if you are taking GLP-1 injections.
What is a GLP-1?
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Their full name is Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. Or just simply GLP-1s. These are medications primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes, though some formulations are also approved as a weight loss treatment.
These GLP-1s mimic the action of the hormone that stimulates insulin secretion in the body. They also suppress glucagon release (which helps reduce blood sugar levels), slow gastric emptying, and promote feeling fuller longer.
(Psyllium husk also regulates blood sugar levels and slows digestion; no wonder people are calling it natural Ozempic, but we digress.)
In short, GLP-1s help lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes and can also promote weight loss.
They are typically administered by injection and examples of GLP-1s include exenatide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, and semaglutide. You may know them better by their brand names like Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, and Mounjaro.
Are They Approved by the FDA?
Have they been clinically tested to work? Yes. The first of these drugs was approved by the FDA in 2005. It is important to note that GLP-1s alone aren't enough to treat type 2 diabetes or obesity. Both require lifestyle and dietary changes.
This leads to the next question: Are there side effects? Yes.
What Are the Side Effects of GLP-1s?
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Those on these drugs report constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea as the most common side effects. Others report higher rates of headaches, indigestion, and dizziness.
Constipation is where your stools are hard, dry, or lumpy and diarrhea is the opposite where your stools are liquid. We have a deep dive into constipation here and diarrhea here.
Luckily, a high fiber diet can help address both of these GLP-1 side effects.
How Bonny Fiber Powder Can Help
Bonny offers a custom fiber powder supplement that helps address both constipation and diarrhea. Our combination of psyllium husk and prebiotic inulin works to bulk up the stool and acts like a magnet for water in the gut creating soft, solid stools.
If you are having trouble passing, Bonny fiber softens the stool. If you are having trouble with liquid stools, our fiber absorbs the excess water and bulks up the stool.
Bonny comes in amazing flavor options like Apple Pie, Mixed Ripe Berries, and Super Strawberry. Just add a serving of Bonny powder to a glass of cool water, stir rapidly until blended, and enjoy.
As always, we wish you pleasant poops.
