When all the parts of the digestive system work well, the body will produce a sufficient amount of GLP-1 hormone and two other important hormones, CCK and PYY.
These three hormones are secreted in the gut during or at the beginning of a meal. Then they travel through the vagus nerve and bloodstream to reach receptor sites in many major body organs actively involved in the breakdown and absorption process of food and to other organs that support digestion, such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys.
Notice there are many body systems involved, so if one of these systems is not working well, there will be a dysregulation of these hormones.
When these hormones work together without interruption, the following things happen as a result:
Blood sugar levels are regulated, healthy fats are digested, there’s a feeling of satisfaction, preventing overeating, and the body can digest solid food properly by breaking down and benefiting from the nutrients. All these body functions help maintain a healthy weight and provide the body with a healthy digestive system.
However, when one or all of these hormones are dysregulated, they operate on a dysfunctional, delayed, or suppressed level. As a result, the body cannot function and digest food properly, leading to many problems, such as bloating and discomfort after a heavy meal, craving sugar and high-calorie junk food throughout the day or feeling hungry after eating, which can lead to weight gain and difficulty losing weight, feeling tired and sleepy after a high fat meal, and last but just as important, having high sugar spikes and crashes that can increase the chances of developing type 2 diabetes.
If you experience any of these digestive signs after eating, you may have a dysregulation of one or all three hormones.
Because there are many reasons why these hormones become dysregulated, getting a picture of what could be going on takes time. As I mentioned above, the body’s ability to break down and absorb food nutrients effectively during digestion is dependent on other organs and muscles, which make up essential systems in the body. One specific change or approach to improving overall digestion varies from person to person. Everyone is unique, so their bodies respond differently.
Stress levels, the quality of foods a person eats during each meal, the amount of hydration, having a medical diagnosis, and hormonal changes in women are some of the reasons why these systems in the body can cause a dysregulation of GLP-1 and other hormones being released during a meal.
But if we look at that big picture, having GLP-1 functioning at its optimum level is not just about losing weight. Its primary purpose is to keep our bodies healthy and decrease the chances of developing illnesses due to excessive weight gain and not providing the body with the proper nutrients.
Working with professionals with knowledge and experience in digestion, such as nutritionists, dieticians, or a nutrition/ GLP-1 optimization certified coach who works collaboratively with a medical doctor, is the first step in optimizing the body’s production of GLP-1 naturally. Each within their scope of practice and expertise can give recommendations on the lifestyle habits and daily diet choices that affect a person’s overall digestion and weight health.
In the meantime, developing these healthy habits can help everyone’s body function better:
1. Eliminate or cut down alcohol
2. Avoid highly processed foods and those with added sugars
3. Reduce stress levels whenever possible
4. Get plenty of quality(7-8 hrs) sleep
5. Stay hydrated throughout the day
6. Stay active by walking and strength train 2-3 times a week by lifting weights that challenge your muscles, allowing you to do 8-12 reps
7. Be in tune with your digestion by keeping a food journal to keep track of which foods are giving you digestive issues
8. Add more foods to your diet that contain high levels of polyphenals
To learn more about the benefits of polyphenals, click the link below..
(Read more: Why Is Everyone Talking About Polyphenols?)
Reference: Information in this blog is sourced from resources of the GLP-1 Optimizer Certification by Ashley Koff, RD, and Keri Glassman, MS, RD