Biocidin Academy
August 22, 2024

Incretins and Gut Health: A Functional Medicine Approach to Metabolic Wellness

By Jocelyn Strand, ND

The use of incretin mimetics (e.g., GLP-1 and GIP) is surging and shows no sign of slowing. Although incretin mimetics may have caught the world’s attention due to their ability to promote rapid weight loss, their health influences are vast. 

Mimetics play a vital role in blood sugar regulation, metabolic and cardiovascular health, and neurological health – with new areas of activity being discovered regularly. Research is in its early stages, reminiscent of how discoveries in microbiome research developed 20 years ago. 

Foundational treatment strategies

Odds are you’re actively treating patients who are taking GLP-1/GIP agonists or will be asked to provide information on how to support patients’ internal production of incretins. Regardless, a strategy for whole-body health needs to be utilized to help your patients achieve lasting results.

Gut health is, of course, foundational to whole-body health. The microbiome plays a central role, setting the stage for nutrient absorption, healthy levels of inflammation, proper immune function (in both competence and tolerance), and metabolic and digestive health. 

Interestingly, the microbiome is responsible for signaling the production and release of numerous gastrointestinal peptides, including GLP-1 and GIP. 

Recent research highlights the intricate interplay between these gut-derived peptides, gastrointestinal health, and the gut microbiome. This interplay is deepening our understanding of the microbiome's role in the optimal production and release of incretin hormones, and the myriad ways they influence human physiology.

New protocol offers expert guidance

Dr. Rachel Burnett, a naturopathic doctor with 20 years of experience, closely monitors emerging incretin research. She has spent the last few years studying the clinical aspects of integrating GLP-1 and GIP analogs as part of a comprehensive treatment plan aimed at restoring metabolic health. She routinely counsels her patients on diet and lifestyle modifications, tailoring her supplement and medication recommendations to fit each individual’s needs for optimizing treatment outcomes. As an ND, she is positioned to provide the best in both traditional and current treatment strategies.

Dr. Burnett co-authored Biocidin Botanicals’ Incretins (GLP-1/GIP) and the Microbiome Protocol, working in close collaboration with our clinical team. Here’s a sneak peek at what you can expect in this valuable treatment protocol:

Foundational therapeutics for optimal GLP-1 release

  1. Recommend diet and lifestyle changes specific to metabolic health
  2. Address dysbiosis
  3. Support beneficial microbes
  4. Optimize liver and gallbladder function
  5. Promote healthy motility

Functional support for those taking incretin analogs

  1. Recommend diet and lifestyle changes specific to metabolic health
  2. Optimize liver and gallbladder function
  3. Promote healthy motility
  4. Bind toxins
  5. Restore gut flora

Powerful tools for a new era

As awareness of incretin mimetics continues to rise, practitioners are being called upon to understand their full impact on health. Evolving research underscores the indispensable roles gut health and the microbiome play in supporting the efficacy of GLP-1 and GIP analogs. 

By integrating treatment strategies that address gut health and microbiome balance, healthcare practitioners can provide effective, personalized care that enhances the benefits of these powerful tools – and patients’ overall well-being.