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If you live with obesity or type 2 diabetes , your doctor may have talked to you about GIP/GLP-1 agonist medications, such as tirzepatide (Mounjaro or Zepbound), which may help you lose weight. And while you may have heard of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) medications (such as Ozempic), you may be wondering what GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, aka gastric inhibitory peptide) is and why it’s used in combination with GLP-1s. GIP is a hormone that helps manage blood sugar and regulate energy. GIP belongs to a family of hormones known as incretins, which are released by the digestive system whenever you eat or drink and affect appetite and hunger.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d249d059-ee5f-4ba5-9d2b-5c913ca43411 Here’s how GIP works in the body and can help you lose weight.
How Does GIP Work in the Body? How Does GIP Work in the Body? GIP’s main job is to signal the pancreas to release insulin, a hormone that helps your body use glucose (sugar) from food as energy.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629831f4004-9ae4-48e3-84c8-8c765201ce81 GIP also communicates with the brain about fullness by binding to receptors that control hunger and satiety. Additionally, GIP is involved in lipid metabolism — how your body breaks down, stores, and uses lipids (fats) for energy — says Rekha Kumar, MD , a board-certified endocrinologist and obesity medicine expert at Weill Cornell Medical College/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.
How Dual GIP/GLP-1 Medications Can Help You Lose Weight How Dual GIP/GLP-1 Medications Can Help You Lose Weight Interestingly, GIP alone doesn’t suppress appetite or promote weight loss, says Dr. Kumar. But when paired with GLP-1 — as in a dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist medication — GIP gives GLP-1 an extra boost and helps you feel fuller, improving blood sugar control and metabolism. Together, they can lead to greater weight loss for some. Researchers believe that most of the appetite suppression and weight loss come from GLP-1, but GIP enhances or “supercharges” these effects. “Think of it like a battery and a flashlight,” says Kumar. “The battery (GIP) doesn’t light the path by itself, but when paired with the flashlight (GLP-1), it creates a powerful effect.” Medications that mimic both GLP-1 and GIP have been shown to result in greater weight loss, improved insulin sensitivity, and stronger metabolic benefits than targeting either hormone alone.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976299cd5f7c8-4ab0-4d3b-b2d7-a2a1de510e20 For example, clinical trial participants taking the dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist tirzepatide lost about 21 percent of their body weight over 72 weeks, compared with 15 percent for those taking the GLP-1 agonist semaglutide.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976299cd5f7c8-4ab0-4d3b-b2d7-a2a1de510e20 And while most approved medications focus on GLP-1 alone or a combination of GLP-1 and GIP, researchers are exploring other combinations, including triple agonists that target GLP-1, GIP, and the hormone glucagon, as well as other experimental formulations.
Are Dual GIP/GLP-1 Agonists a Cure for Obesity? Are Dual GIP/GLP-1 Agonists a Cure for Obesity? Experts caution that no medication is a magic bullet for obesity. “I think the biggest limitation we will see from these medicines is that no matter how good they are for a person for a period of time, the body will try to resist and fight back,” says Kumar. Simply put, the body works hard to prevent weight loss to ensure survival.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629bd58ae51-1d32-4426-b95b-641859b48fa3 That’s why physicians recommend using these medicines along with lifestyle changes, such as eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly. Managing sleep and stress are also important when it comes to long-term weight loss. The bottom line: Taking a holistic approach to losing weight — and keeping it off — is the best way to achieve long-term results and lasting positive benefits to your health.
The Takeaway GIP is a naturally occurring hormone that regulates blood sugar and metabolism, but targeting it alone does not promote weight loss. Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonists amplify weight loss by working together to drive appetite suppression and improve insulin sensitivity. Research into multi-hormone therapies is ongoing, offering promising new options for improving obesity and metabolic health.
