Supplement Sunday, July 19, 2026: GLP-1's
For the first actual post on Supplement Sunday, I decided to go with a big one. GLP-1's are the hottest thing in weight loss since the....well ever. There is really nothing in our history that compares to GLP-1's when it comes to the buzz they have created. When Ozempic and Wegovy (Semaglutide) first hit the scene it was nothing short of ground breaking. We started seeing weight loss numbers that were only rivaled by surgical interventions. Celebrities and even regular people were losing weight so quickly that everyone assumed they had gone under the knife. It was so effective that everyone was going to their doctors and asking for the shot. Unfortunately it was very expensive, and despite its effectiveness in treating obesity and diabetes, insurance companies started saying no. Even for people who met every qualification, it was rows of hoops to jump through and still very low approval rates.
This created a very unique opportunity in the weight loss industry. Many doctors and companies started offering clinics, both in person and online where you could go and be prescribed these meds. It was all out of pocket, but you had access to the same medications. This was great, but in many cases people paid hundreds if not thousands per month for the services and medications. This is where it takes an even more interesting turn.
Since Semaglutide is a peptide, more on that in a minute, it was not technically something that had to follow the same rules as most medications. Drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, etc. add something to their peptides to create a blend that they patent. Welcome to the Grey Market. Companies started popping up all over the internet offering GLP-1's and more. We will cover the and more in later posts.
Pretty soon, everyone was selling peptides. The big question was how or more accurately where were they getting these? Short answer. China. Now I am not saying that everyone out there selling GLP-1’s is buying directly from China. However, one of the experts I follow bought Tirzepatide from 10 different online stores and sent it out to be tested. The results were pretty wild, but not in the way you may be expecting. They all had the amount of Tirzepatide that they were claiming. The crazy part was their numbers were all so close that it was possible they were all from the same batch. Meaning that at the very least they likely all came from the same source. The Grey Market is a little bit like the Wild West. Prices are all over the board. I have seen a 30mg bottle of Tirzepatide range in price from $55 to over $200. To make it even more interesting, you can order directly from China and get ten of those 30mg vials for under $150. You just need to be willing to deal with someone directly from China, on WhatsApp. You will probably wait about two weeks, well sweating about your order being legit or being seized at the border. However, when it does show up, you get the same stuff that they are selling on the Grey for a fraction of the price.
One last little caveat to ordering in peptide form. It comes as a powder. You need to reconstitute it with bacteriostatic water. You also need to stock up on syringes and alcohol pads. The initial investment is small and it lasts a long time.
By now you are probably saying enough of the history lessons. Just tell me if I should be taking it. Sorry, that’s the teacher in me.
This is where I have to put in the disclaimer. I am not a doctor and the following information is not medical advice. You should always consult a physician before starting any new medications or supplements.
There are three different peptides out there that are referred to as GLP-1’s. Semaglutide, Tirzepatide and Retatrutide. The first two are FDA approved for use in treating obesity and diabetes. They are also now showing great promise in treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Reta is in it’s Phase 2 and 3 human trials and should have approval in 2027.
The first thing to understand is what exactly is GLP-1. Glucagon-like peptide-1 mimics a hormone that we create in our gut that stabilizes blood sugar, slows digestion and reduces appetite. It does this through four key functions.
· Boost Insulin: It triggers the pancreas to release more insulin when our blood sugar is high
· Slow Digestion: Delay gastric emptying, which in turn make you feel full longer
· Regulate Appetite: It acts on the hypothalamus to reduce hunger and cravings.
All three of these meds are GLP-1 agonists. Tirzepatide and Retatrutide take it further. They both add in a GIP agonist. Glucose-Dependant Insulinotropic Polypeptide (GIP) amplifies the effects of the GLP-1 with even better appetite control and increased insulin production and sensitivity. Which in turn improves metabolic function.
Reta takes it one step further. It adds a Glucagon Agonist. This tells the body to release glycogen stores from the muscles and liver, while increasing energy expenditure and amino acid breakdown while also promoting fat burning. One key factor with Reta is that the appetite control is by far the weakest of the three.
What the science says. All three have been incredibly effective and generally safe. Not only are we seeing fat loss and reduction in diabetes, we are seeing improved numbers in a multitude of other areas, including cholesterol, triglycerides and more.
· Semaglutide: Average weight loss was 15% of body weight at 68 weeks
· Tirzepatide: Shows 22.5% of body weight loss at 72 weeks
· Retatrutide: 28-30% weight loss at 80 to 104 weeks.
I personally lost 50 pounds on Tirzepatide from May 15 to December 25, 2025. I never came close to the max dose. I switched to a maintenance dose of Reta a little over a month ago.
Side effects: Most of the side effects are temporary and mild. However, as with any medications, individual results and issues will vary.
· Nausea and Vomiting: This is likely caused by the slowed digestion and does improve over time for most people. It seems to be more common with Semaglutide. I got none with Tirz or Reta, unless I went off the rails and really over ate.
· Diarrhea or constipation: Again, most likely from the slowed digestion process. Stool will become more dry if it takes longer to move through the system. Drink lots of water and get some fiber in your diet.
· Stomach pain and bloating along with indigestion or heartburn
· Fatigue: This is usually due to eating less. More often than not it goes away after the initial weeks.
· Injection site reactions: It’s a shot. Whenever you break the skin there is the chance of redness, swelling and itching. Again, usually mild and temporary.
My two cents: I used Tirzepatide for over a year and have since transitioned to a low dose of Reta. I am leaner at 55 than I was at 35. It does a great job of controlling my appetite while still allowing me to eat enough of the right things. It is easy to administer and essentially painless. I LOVE TO EAT. I don’t just have a sweet tooth. I have a slaty one, a savory one, a crunchy one and a chewy one. I eat when I’m bored, anxious and out of habit. These meds help to turn that noise way down. Full disclosure. I also bought in fully with the diet and exercise components. I try to get 200 grams of protein in daily, from good sources. I have cut way back on processed foods and junk. I don’t eat perfect, but I try to do it right 90% of the time. I also try to get to the gym 4-6 days per week. Not all of those days are full blown workouts, but I am active daily. I also cut back on alcohol, especially beer. That was tough as a Craft Brew Junkie.
Should you take it? That is an individual decision. My cardiologist and my GP both fully endorsed it for me. MY GP is even talking about ordering it in peptide form and offering a service to his patients who can’t get insurance to pay for it. In an effort to avoid being sued I won’t talk dosage or frequency here. I do offer peptide and supplement coaching to all of my clients as part of their programs.
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