The Food Revolution at Our Doorstep, Driven by GLP-1s
GLP-1 receptor agonists, medications, like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepetide (Zepbound, Mounjaro), have been making headlines for their effectiveness in treating diabetes, managing weight, and possibly mitigating chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, Parkinson's, Alzheimer’s, and even substance use disorders (addictions to cocaine, alcohol and heroin).
Beyond their medical applications, GLP-1s have inadvertently cast a spotlight on the structural inequities and unsustainable practices within the global food industry. They challenge us to confront what we eat, why we eat it, and who benefits from our choices.
This new era of metabolic medicine could inspire a movement that transforms not just individual health but the entire food system. However, this revolution requires critical thought and collective action to realize its potential.
(Affordable GLP-1 compounded medications available through Neuroveda, connect with us to schedule an appointment!)
How GLP-1s Work and Their Wider Impacts
At their core, GLP-1s mimic the natural hormones in our body that regulate blood sugar, insulin production, and appetite. By targeting the brain’s reward pathways, these medications reset dopamine responses and enhance feelings of satiety, reducing the compulsive drive to overeat.
For many, GLP-1s act as a behavioral reset button, breaking cycles of overeating and food addiction that are often exacerbated by the hyper-palatable, ultra-processed foods dominating modern diets.
These medications are catalyzing shifts in:
Neurological Resets: By modulating dopamine pathways, GLP-1s have implications beyond weight loss, potentially helping with addiction behaviors tied to food and other substances.
Chronic Disease Management: Their anti-inflammatory effects extend to reducing risks for cardiovascular diseases, kidney disorders, mast cell activation syndromes, and even neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Changing Food Preferences: Patients on GLP-1s often report a decreased desire for highly processed, calorie-dense foods, favoring simpler, nutrient-rich options.
The ripple effects of these shifts extend far beyond individual health. They strike at the heart of the industrial food system, which thrives on producing cheap, addictive, and nutritionally void products.
Pulling Back the Curtain on the Food Industry
The food industry, with its vast machinery of science, innovation, and marketing, has spent decades engineering products that maximize profit at the expense of public health. Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are designed to exploit our biological cravings, blending sugar, fat, and salt in combinations that override natural satiety signals. This starts with baby food and trains us from birth to acclimatize to and crave a certain taste and texture profile.
The GLP-1s, by dulling the allure of these hyper-palatable foods, inadvertently expose the fragility of a food system built on consumption and addiction rather than nourishment.
True Costs of Our Ultra-Processed Food System
Micronutrient Loss: Ultra-processed foods are stripped of essential nutrients and microbiome-supporting compounds found in whole foods. This depletion contributes to widespread deficiencies and chronic health issues.
Environmental Impact: The production and packaging of UPFs generate significant carbon footprints, waste, and soil degradation. The environmental toll of these foods is rarely factored into their low retail prices and has been heavily subsidized by governmental funding for decades (see about corn syrup).
Economic Inequities: The proliferation of cheap, unhealthy foods disproportionately affects low-income communities, creating a cycle of poor health and limited access to fresh, whole foods.
If GLP-1s shift consumer demand away from ultra-processed products, they could force the food industry to reckon with these hidden costs. Imagine a world where fewer people buy into the cycle of low-cost, high-volume food production. Such a shift could disrupt the status quo, pushing for greater investment in sustainable, nutrient-dense agriculture.
This shift wouldn't just affect wealthy industry owners. See this December 10th New York Times article about Robert Kennedy Jr's proposed corn syrup changes might affect corn country workers.
A Social Justice Imperative
The conversation around GLP-1s and food is incomplete without addressing social determinants of health. Access to healthy food, medical care, and education about nutrition remains deeply unequal. GLP-1s, while revolutionary, are not immune to these inequities. Their high cost and limited insurance coverage place them out of reach for many who could benefit most.
Barriers to Access
Economic Disparities: GLP-1s are expensive, often costing thousands of dollars annually. While some programs offer compounded or lower-cost versions, they remain inaccessible to the uninsured and underinsured.
Structural Inequities: The same communities plagued by food deserts and limited access to fresh produce are also least likely to afford or be prescribed GLP-1s.
Stigma and Misinformation: The media’s framing of these drugs as “weight-loss miracles” often overshadows their potential for comprehensive metabolic health improvement, perpetuating stigma against their use.
If GLP-1s are to spark a true food revolution, we must advocate for broader accessibility and address the systemic barriers that prevent equitable health outcomes.
What Needs to Change
1. Redefining “Food”
The rise of GLP-1s invites us to reconsider what we classify as food. How much of what we eat is engineered to meet industry profits rather than human nutritional needs? By focusing on whole, minimally processed foods, we can restore the micronutrients and natural probiotics that support long-term health.
Support local farmers’ markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs. For finding a CSA close to you: https://www.localharvest.org/
Educate communities about the benefits of whole foods and the hidden dangers of UPFs.
Advocate for policies that subsidize sustainable agriculture instead of industrial food production.
2. Holding the Food Industry Accountable
The food industry must be pressured to prioritize public health over profits. Transparency around the environmental and nutritional costs of UPFs is essential.
Implement stricter labeling requirements that highlight the nutrient quality and environmental impact of foods.
Incentivize companies to invest in regenerative agriculture and sustainable packaging.
Promote public campaigns that demystify food marketing tactics and empower consumers to make informed choices.
3. Expanding Access to GLP-1s
To ensure the benefits of GLP-1s reach those who need them most:
Advocate for insurance coverage and subsidy programs for these medications.
Explore partnerships with community health organizations to provide affordable access.
Push for research into lower-cost alternatives and natural adjuncts to GLP-1 therapy, such as probiotics and bitters.
Our providers work with you to give you a holistic treatment plan with GLP-1s for both weight loss and it's benefits on whole health. Schedule an appointment with us.
Legacy Work: Building a Healthier Future
The decisions we make today about food and medicine will shape the health of future generations. Supporting local food systems, prioritizing nutrient-dense diets, and addressing the inequities in access to healthcare and healthy food are all forms of legacy work. They demonstrate to children, students, and communities that a different path is possible.
By leveraging the potential of GLP-1s and embracing the challenge they present to the food industry, we can:
Reduce the environmental and health burdens of UPFs.
Foster a culture of mindfulness around food and its broader impacts.
Empower individuals and communities to take control of their health and their food systems.
Nourish our citizens, individually and collectively. In this 2015 article, 'Crime & Nourishment' on improved diets in prison, violence was reduced 30%. For an inspiring read about more on this, click here: https://www.foodbehindbars.co.uk/
GLP-1 receptor agonists are more than just a medical innovation; they can function as a call to action.
They urge us to examine the deep connections between medicine, food, and justice. The food revolution they foreshadow is not inevitable and so requires collective will and systemic change. If we choose to accept this challenge, we can create a future where health, sustainability, and equity are at the forefront of our food systems.
Interested in the benefits of GLP-1s?
Contact us to discuss whether GLP-1 agonists might be right for you, and let us help you design a holistic program for your health journey.