A lot of clients have been asking about GLP-1s. Some clients have already begun treatment, while others are still trying to make a decision.
Many want to lose weight, but feel nervous about GLP-1s:
- side effects (hair loss, GI discomfort, elevated liver enzymes, kidney damage, etc.)
- long-term unknowns (how long will I need to take it?)
- not addressing the root (why are my metabolism and hunger cues off?)
Here is what I’ve shared with them…
Ayurveda doesn’t just see weight as calories in vs. calories out. It looks at the deeper imbalances that might be at play. Weight loss could be challenging for you because of any combination of the following…
- An imbalance in agni (digestibility)
- An overload of ama (systemic toxic overload)
- Low ojas leading to fatigue + cravings
- Lack of stress management + purpose (drives us to seek comfort in snacking)
- Hormonal imbalance (thyroid, blood sugar, cortisol)
- A mismatch between your food + lifestyle (the traditional calories in vs. calories out)
- Emotional indigestion (unresolved stress, grief, or unprocessed experienced that weight the body down)
- Malabsorption which can cause us to continue to crave or look for foods to nourish ourselves
How GLP-1s Work:
- Mimic a hormone that tells your brain “I’m full”
- Slows stomach emptying → you feel satiated longer
- Lower blood sugar by boosting insulin
- Works from the outside-in
How Ayurveda Works:
- Strengthens your ability to digest food and better absorb nutrients (agni)
- Clears toxins, which helps cravings subside (ama)
- Balances hormones so metabolism stabilizes (doshas)
- Works from the inside-out
- Brings spiritual alignment to encourage choices from awareness rather than unconsciousness
The key difference:
When you take GLP-1s without addressing the root imbalance, the symptom (weight) may shift, but the imbalance itself is still looking for a way out. GLP-1’s don’t help with stress management, or finding ones purpose, they don’t help the bloating, or root digestive imbalance, that could be at play. It’s like quieting the smoke alarm without putting out the fire.
GLP-1s can be supportive for some. But the Ayurvedic approach can bring lasting health and positive side effects like better energy, mood, sleep, digestion, immunity, and resilience.
