Obesity and metabolic syndrome have reached pandemic proportions around the world. Recent emergence of GLP-1 agonists created an exciting new horizon in the pharmacologic management of these diseases and their many consequences. Studies using GLP-1 agonists have demonstrated consistent reductions in weight (from diminished appetite), improvements in blood glucose, blood pressure, blood lipids and are currently being studies in individuals with osteoarthritis, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline.

GLP-1 or glucagon-like peptide is produced in the gut by specialized enteric-endocrine “L-cells”. These specialized cells reside mostly in the distal small intestine (ileum) and colon. They have nutrition and metabolic “sensors” that allow them to respond to what people eat, and other aspects of one’s gut ecosystem e.g. microbiome diversity and metabolic byproducts of these microbes including short-chained fatty acids (SFAs) e.g. butyrate as well as secondary bile acid salts. As the gut is also strongly influenced by circadian rhythms, any circadian disruption will alter gut motility, microbiome function and GLP-1 production.

At Essential Provisions, every ingredient in every product is explicitly developed to leverage these metabolic pathways in a robust, natural and sustainable way. While weight loss and better metabolic health are seen, our higher protein content can better preserve muscle or lean body mass. If you are taking a GLP-1 medication or contemplating taking such a medication, here are some examples of how our EP product-line, can stimulate natural-rhythmic GLP-1 production.

• High quality-bioavailable protein: The animal and plant protein ingredients are a complete source of essential amino acids known to best stimulate GLP-1 e.g. tryptophan, valine, glutamine and other branched chain amino acids (BCAAs).
  

• High quality fats: Natural fat sources from eggs, bison, salmon, olive oil, etc. are known to increase GLP-1. In addition, these fats are important for bile salt production. Our bile is metabolized by our gut bacteria and their byproducts stimulate GLP-1 production.

• Abundant, high-quality fermentable fiber from low-glycemic plant-based sources, flax and chia seeds are readily fermented by the gut microbiome to produce beneficial short-chained fatty acids like butyrate, acetate and propionic acid. Proper balance of these metabolic byproducts are critical promoters of health via GLP-1 production and epigenetic effects on gene expression.

• Abundant fiber along with plant-based polyphenols are critical in the development of a more metabolically diverse and health promoting gut microbiome. This is central to all aspects of health span and longevity.

• EP products are as toxin-free as any available on the market. These ubiquitous toxins e.g. glyphosate and other herbicides disrupt the human microbiome.

• Eating EP products with high quality protein, fat and low glycemic plant-based carbs within a fasting or time-restricted 10-hour window can further assist with circadian entrainment, GLP-1 production and metabolic health.

• Getting more sun and full-spectrum natural light during the day and mitigating LED-Blue lighting after sunset along with regular daytime activity will further enhance circadian rhythm and GLP-1 production.

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