Prediabetes is a silent yet serious condition that often goes unnoticed until symptoms become severe. You may feel tired, experience frequent thirst, or notice that wounds take longer to heal—all subtle signs of elevated blood sugar levels. Left unmanaged, prediabetes can progress to type 2 diabetes, increasing your risk of heart disease, kidney damage, and other complications.

At Genesis Lifestyle Medicine, we understand the challenges of prediabetes. If you’ve tried lifestyle changes and are still struggling to lower your blood sugar, you may benefit from GLP-1 therapy. This innovative treatment not only helps manage blood sugar but also supports sustainable weight loss, offering a powerful tool to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.

What is GLP-1 therapy?

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) therapy involves medications that mimic the effects of the GLP-1 hormone, which is naturally produced in your small intestine. These medications help regulate blood sugar levels, reduce cravings, and promote feelings of fullness. They’re typically delivered via weekly injections or daily oral tablets, depending on the formulation.

FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonists include drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus), dulaglutide (Trulicity), and tirzepatide (Mounjaro). Initially formulated to treat type 2 diabetes, many of these medications have shown effectiveness for weight loss, making them a dual-purpose treatment. While not officially approved for prediabetes, emerging research suggests GLP-1 therapy may help individuals struggling to control their blood sugar levels.

Prediabetes vs. type 2 diabetes

To understand how GLP-1 therapy works, it’s essential to distinguish between prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to meet the criteria for diabetes. This happens because the body becomes less effective at using insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar.

Type 2 diabetes is the progression of this condition, marked by consistently elevated blood sugar levels that require medical intervention. While prediabetes is reversible with the right lifestyle changes, type 2 diabetes often requires ongoing treatment. Early intervention during the prediabetes stage is critical, and this is where GLP-1 medications come into play.

Can GLP-1 therapy help with prediabetes?

While the FDA has not yet approved GLP-1 medications for prediabetes, studies show promising results. For instance, research in the New England Journal of Medicine found that individuals with prediabetes who used tirzepatide for over three years were less likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared to those who took a placebo. GLP-1 medications may help if you’ve already made lifestyle changes but continue to struggle with high blood sugar.

How does GLP-1 therapy help manage prediabetes?

Enhancing insulin secretion

GLP-1 medications significantly improve your body’s ability to produce and release insulin in response to food. When you eat, these drugs enhance the pancreas's natural ability to secrete insulin proportional to the amount of glucose in your bloodstream. This ensures that your blood sugar levels are effectively regulated without causing dangerous lows, known as hypoglycemia, a common issue with some other diabetes medications. By stabilizing blood sugar after meals, GLP-1 therapy provides more consistent glucose control.

Slowing stomach emptying

GLP-1 therapy slows the rate at which food leaves your stomach, known as gastric emptying. This delayed digestion means that sugars from food enter your bloodstream at a more gradual pace, preventing sharp spikes in blood sugar levels. Additionally, this slower process helps you feel full for a longer period, reducing the urge to snack or overeat. For individuals managing prediabetes, this effect can help maintain steady glucose levels and support weight loss.

Reducing appetite and cravings

By targeting areas in your brain that regulate hunger and cravings, GLP-1 receptor agonists help reduce overeating. These medications increase satiety signals, making you feel more satisfied after smaller meals. This mechanism helps reduce your overall calorie intake and makes it easier to resist unhealthy foods and adopt a more balanced diet. If you’ve struggled with portion control, GLP-1 therapy can provide the added support needed to stay on track.

Blocking glucagon release

Glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar levels by triggering the liver to release stored glucose, plays a significant role in blood sugar regulation. GLP-1 medications inhibit glucagon release, ensuring blood sugar doesn’t rise unnecessarily between meals or fasting periods. This dual action—enhancing insulin and suppressing glucagon—provides a well-rounded approach to maintaining stable blood sugar levels throughout the day, reducing the risk of hyperglycemia.

Supporting cardiovascular health

Beyond blood sugar control, GLP-1 therapy offers notable cardiovascular benefits. These medications have been shown to lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels. They may also reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart failure. Although it’s not yet fully understood whether these benefits stem directly from the medication or the associated weight loss, the positive impact on heart health makes GLP-1 therapy a valuable option for people at increased cardiovascular risk.

Other ways to manage prediabetes:

• Making dietary changes to prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods
• Increasing physical activity, such as walking or strength training
• Losing 5% to 7% of your body weight to reduce diabetes risk
• Seeking support from lifestyle coaches or registered dietitians
• Considering older medications like metformin if lifestyle changes aren’t enough
• Tracking blood sugar levels regularly with your healthcare provider’s guidance

If you’re dealing with prediabetes, GLP-1 therapy can help improve blood sugar regulation, promote weight loss, and offer additional health benefits to prevent your condition from escalating to type 2 diabetes. Genesis Lifestyle Medicine is committed to helping you prevent type 2 diabetes and achieve sustainable wellness. Contact us today to learn more about GLP-1 therapy and other innovative treatments for prediabetes.