GLP-1, GIP, and Glucagon: The Hormones Behind Sustainable Weight Loss

EPISODE 74

Podcast Drop Date:1/21/2026

In this episode of the Functional Medicine Institute podcast, Amber Warren, PA-C, is joined by functional medicine nurse practitioner Heather Lucas, MSN, FNP-C, to discuss the science behind GLP-1–based therapies and metabolic weight loss.

They explain how hormones such as GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon influence appetite, insulin resistance, blood sugar regulation, and fat metabolism, and how therapies like semaglutide, tirzepatide, and emerging triple agonists are used within a functional medicine approach.

The episode goes beyond appetite suppression to explore true metabolic reset, highlighting the importance of nutrition, strength training, sleep, stress management, and gut health. Learn how peptide therapies can be used as tools, alongside lifestyle medicine, to support fat loss, protect muscle, and improve long-term metabolic health.