Show Notes
Could peptides work alongside hormone therapy to help women through menopause?
Dr. Felice Gersh is an award-winning gynecologist, integrative medicine physician and bestselling author of PCOS SOS and Menopause: 50 Things You Need to Know. Estrogen is central to her thinking. It influences appetite, metabolism and many of the peptides your body makes. She explains why a GLP-1 injection differs from the hormone made in your gut, and why a peptide’s effects can reach beyond the problem you’re trying to solve. She also describes reports of peptide drugs being sold from coolers at gyms. Powerful medicines, treated like supplements. Her concern is what people are injecting, and what repeated use might mean. Her hopes for the future are clear: preserving muscle, supporting metabolism and controlling inflammation. She sees properly researched peptides working alongside hormone therapy to help women stay stronger as they age. She explains:
■ Menopause, metabolism and a changing waistline ■ How estrogen influences your body’s own peptides ■ Why GLP-1 drugs differ from natural GLP-1 ■ The unknowns of self-prescribed peptides ■ Where peptides could work alongside hormone therapy Chapters
(00:00) - Intro
(02:25) - Why Dr. Gersh is cautious about peptides
(04:14) - Peptides, supplements and GLP-1 drugs
(07:26) - How peptides work in the body
(09:25) - The risks of self-prescribing peptides
(12:19) - The FDA and compounding pharmacies
(15:45) - Supporting natural peptide production
(17:19) - How estrogen regulates peptides
(19:59) - Preserving muscle as we age
(21:28) - Metabolism, inflammation and hormone therapy
Watch the full episode on YouTube
Further reading
Research: A longitudinal study tracking fat mass, lean mass and weight through menopause: Changes in body composition and weight during the menopause transition. Research: A study in mice and human cells and tissues examining estrogen’s influence on GLP-1 secretion: 17-β Estradiol regulates proglucagon-derived peptide secretion in mouse and human α- and L cells. The Menopause Society: Hormone therapy, its benefits and risks, and why treatment should be individualized: Hormone Therapy. NIH: Why muscle loss matters for strength, mobility and independence as we age: Slowing Sarcopenia. FDA: The role and risks of compounded drugs, and how they differ from FDA-approved medicines: Understanding the Risks of Compounded Drugs. Read the full transcript
Books by Dr. Felice Gersh
Menopause: 50 Things You Need to Know PCOS SOS PCOS SOS Fertility Fast Track
Follow Dr. Felice Gersh
YouTube: @FeliceGershMD Instagram: @dr.felicegersh Facebook: @felicegershmd LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/felicegershmd/
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LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/richardskaife/
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Peptide Show explores the science, medicine, business, and people shaping the rapidly evolving world of peptides. Presented by Longr: longr.io
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