By Dr. Emily Wiggins

By Dr Emily Wiggins

In the past two years, GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Trulicity have become some of the most talked-about prescriptions in the country. Originally developed to help manage type 2 diabetes, they are now being prescribed widely for weight loss. For many, the results seem dramatic and almost too good to be true.

But as naturopathic doctors, we believe it is important to pause, ask deeper questions, and look at the whole picture of health before jumping on the latest trend. While GLP-1s can help with blood sugar control and weight management, they also come with real risks that are only now coming to light. This includes a growing number of lawsuits against the manufacturers.

What are GLP-1 medications?

GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a natural hormone your body produces in the gut. This hormone plays an important role in regulating blood sugar and appetite. After eating, GLP-1 is released and:

Stimulates insulin release to lower blood sugar
Slows down how quickly food leaves the stomach, which can make you feel full longer
Reduces appetite by acting on the brain

GLP-1 receptor agonists, the drugs in this category, are synthetic versions of this hormone. By amplifying GLP-1’s effects they:

Help lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes

Suppress appetite and slow digestion, which leads to weight loss

The medications are usually given as a weekly injection. While this can feel like a simple fix, the effects can come at a cost, literally and figuratively. These medications are often very expensive and when stopped, weight and blood sugar often rebound.

GLP-1s and the Bigger Picture of Peptide Therapy

It is worth noting that GLP-1s are only one category of peptides. Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act like signaling molecules in the body, and different peptides can influence energy, repair, cognition, immune function, and more.

Some peptides are used in regenerative or anti-aging medicine to help support tissue healing, balance hormones, or improve metabolic health.

Unlike GLP-1s, which are marketed aggressively and prescribed at high doses for rapid results, many peptide therapies can be used more gently and in highly individualized ways.

Full Dosing Compared to Microdosing Peptides

Conventional GLP-1 prescribing: Most patients are started at a lower dose and then increased to a high, standardized therapeutic dose that is meant to suppress appetite and drive significant weight loss. This approach maximizes results quickly but often brings on strong side effects such as nausea, fatigue, and digestive distress.

Microdosing in naturopathic or functional care: Some practitioners use microdosing strategies with peptides. This means much smaller amounts, adjusted for the individual’s constitution and goals. The intention is to gently nudge the body’s physiology in the right direction rather than override it. Microdosing tends to be better tolerated with fewer side effects, but it requires patience and is not designed as a quick fix.

What are the Risks of GLP-1 Medications?

Digestive complications 

One of the most concerning risks is gastroparesis, sometimes called “stomach paralysis.” This condition leaves people unable to digest food normally and can cause persistent nausea, vomiting, and malnutrition. Many of the lawsuits currently being filed are from patients who developed severe digestive dysfunction after starting GLP-1 medications.

Pancreatitis and gallbladder issues 

Research has linked GLP-1s to a higher risk of pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas and can be life-threatening, as well as gallbladder disease.

Thyroid cancer warning 

All GLP-1 medications carry an FDA “boxed warning” about the potential risk of medullary thyroid carcinoma, a rare but serious form of cancer.

Psychiatric side effects 

Some studies have shown increased reports of depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts in patients taking these drugs. These risks are still being studied, but they are important to acknowledge.

Vision concerns 

Lawsuits are also investigating cases of NAION, a sudden and sometimes permanent form of vision loss, linked to GLP-1 use.

The legal landscape

As of late 2025, lawsuits are underway against Novo Nordisk, makers of Ozempic and Wegovy, and Eli Lilly, makers of Mounjaro and Zepbound. These cases allege that the companies failed to properly warn patients about the risks of using these medications.

This legal action highlights what many of us in natural medicine already sense. When new drugs are fast-tracked and widely prescribed, the long-term consequences are often unknown. Sometimes, patients pay the price.

Our Approach

At Terrain Natural Medicine, our philosophy is rooted in supporting the body’s innate ability to heal and restore balance. From this perspective, we see a few major concerns with GLP-1s:

They do not address root causes. Weight gain and metabolic dysfunction are complex, influenced by diet, lifestyle, stress, hormones, toxins, sleep, and more. A weekly injection does not get to the deeper “why.”
They create dependency. Once someone stops taking a GLP-1, weight regain is very common. The medication is managing symptoms, not building resilience.
They carry unknown long-term risks. Especially as these medications are now being used by younger, healthier people for cosmetic weight loss, we worry about the consequences years down the road.

Instead of suppressing symptoms, we work with patients to:

Rebalance blood sugar naturally through nutrition, minerals, and herbs
Support detoxification pathways and organ function
Restore hormonal and metabolic health from the inside out
Address the emotional and lifestyle factors that often underlie weight concerns

We believe sustainable healing comes from aligning with the body’s wisdom, not overriding it with a drug.

While GLP-1s may offer short-term benefits for some, they come with risks that deserve careful consideration. If you have been curious about these medications, or are already using them and want to explore natural ways to support your metabolism, we are here to guide you.

At Terrain Natural Medicine, we honor the body’s ability to heal and believe the best medicine works with your physiology, not against it.