In this episode of the Gladden Longevity Podcast, Dr. Jeffrey Gladden sits down in person with fitness and nutrition expert Autumn Calabrese to unpack the full truth about GLP-1 agonists. With millions of people jumping on semaglutide, tirzepatide, and soon retatrutide, the conversation most doctors aren't having is about what's actually happening inside the body while the scale goes down. Dr. Gladden breaks down how GLP-1s suppress hunger, slow metabolism, and trigger muscle wasting when used without proper diagnostics or a supporting protocol. He explains the critical differences between GLP-1s, GLP-2s, and GLP-3s, reveals why the ghrelin rebound causes most people to regain everything they lost, and shares the strategies he uses in his practice to help patients lose fat while protecting lean tissue. From the 5-day fasting mimicking diet to natural GLP-1 boosters like metabolic probiotics and calocurb, this episode lays out a smarter, more sustainable path to optimizing body composition. Whether you're considering a GLP-1, already on one, or looking for alternatives, this is the conversation that could change your entire approach.

For Audience

• Use code 'Podcast10' to get 10% OFF on any of our supplements at https://gladdenlongevityshop.com/!
• Subscribe to the Gladden Longevity Newsletter for the latest on longevity medicine, peptide protocols, and hormone optimization → https://start.gladdenlongevity.com/subscribe
• Ready to find out what's really going on inside your body? Book a call with the Gladden Longevity team → https://start.gladdenlongevity.com/apply-now

Takeaways
• Peptides are signaling partners, not substitutes for the work your body needs to do.
• GLP-1s were designed for diabetics and metabolic syndrome, not casual weight loss.
• GLP-1s decrease energy expenditure while GLP-3s (retatrutide) increase it.
• Many GLP-1 users are losing muscle mass instead of fat without realizing it.
• The ghrelin rebound after stopping a GLP-1 drives appetite higher than before while metabolism stays slower.
• A fasting blood sugar and hemoglobin A1C alone are not enough to understand your metabolic health.
• A two-hour glucose tolerance test with an insulin curve reveals insulin resistance most doctors completely miss.
• The 5-day fasting mimicking diet resets ghrelin, taste buds, gut biome, and leptin sensitivity without destroying muscle.
• You can boost your body's own natural GLP-1 production through the right probiotics and bitter receptor activation.
• Weight gain is not always an appetite problem. Thyroid dysfunction, declining sex hormones, and missing micronutrients can all be the real driver.
• Sex hormone optimization during perimenopause and andropause is critical for maintaining body composition.
• Willpower never wins long term. Systems and environment design are what create durable results.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Welcome with Autumn
00:44 What Is a Peptide and How Peptides Work in the Body
03:07 BPC-157 and the Pharma Model vs. Peptide Signaling
05:00 You Can't Out-Peptide Bad Habits
06:31 What Is a GLP-1 and How It Affects Your Brain and Gut
08:57 GLP-1s Were Designed for Diabetics Not Weight Loss
09:40 GLP-2 Tirzepatide and GLP-3 Retatrutide Explained
11:00 Why Retatrutide Increases Energy Expenditure While GLP-1s Decrease It
12:00 The Muscle Mass Crisis on GLP-1s
14:06 The Patient Who Lost 20 Pounds of Pure Muscle
15:00 Protecting Muscle with Perfect Aminos and Creatine
17:00 Autumn's Personal Supplement Stack for Training
19:00 Food Noise Ghrelin and the Appetite Rebound
21:18 The 5-Day Fasting Mimicking Diet as a Metabolic Reset
23:00 Building Your Own Natural GLP-1 Production
25:00 The Glucose Tolerance Test Most Doctors Never Run
28:30 Risks of GLP-1s Pancreatitis Thyroid Tumors and Unsupervised Use
29:50 Microdosing GLP-1s in Perimenopause
30:30 Calocurb the Natural Appetite Suppressant from Hops
32:00 Sex Hormone Optimization for Body Composition
35:00 Resting Metabolic Rate Testing and Hidden Thyroid Dysfunction
38:00 Autumn's Hormone Health Program and Real Results
39:30 Willpower vs Systems and Architecting Your Environment
41:30 Bio-Individuality and Why Someone Else's Plan Won't Work for You
43:00 The Power of Diagnostics and Understanding Your Genetics

To learn more about Autumn:
Instagram: @autumncalabrese

Reach out to us at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gladdenlongevity/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gladdenlongevity/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gladdenlongevity
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5_q8nexY4K5ilgFnKm7naw

Gladden Longevity Podcast Disclosures

Production & Independence

The Gladden Longevity Podcast and Age Hackers are produced by Gladden Longevity Podcast, which operates independently from Dr. Jeffrey Gladden's clinical practice and research at Gladden Longevity in Irving, Texas.

Dr. Gladden may serve as a founder, advisor, or investor in select health, wellness, or longevity-related ventures. These may occasionally be referenced in podcast discussions when relevant to educational topics. Any such mentions are for informational purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.

Medical Disclaimer

The Gladden Longevity Podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional healthcare services — including the giving of medical advice — and no doctor–patient relationship is formed through this podcast or its associated content.

The information shared on this podcast, including opinions, research discussions, and referenced materials, is not intended to replace or serve as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners should not disregard or delay seeking medical advice for any condition they may have. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional regarding any questions or concerns about your health, medical conditions, or treatment options.

Use of information from this podcast and any linked materials is at the listener's own risk.

Podcast Guest Disclosures

Guests on the Gladden Longevity Podcast may hold financial interests, advisory roles, or ownership stakes in companies, products, or services discussed during their appearance. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of Gladden Longevity, Dr. Jeffrey Gladden, or the production team.

Sponsorships & Affiliate Disclosures

To support the creation of high-quality educational content, the Gladden Longevity Podcast may include paid sponsorships or affiliate partnerships. Any such partnerships will be clearly identified during episodes or noted in the accompanying show notes.

We may receive compensation through affiliate links or sponsorship agreements when products or services are mentioned on the show. However, these partnerships do not influence the opinions, recommendations, or clinical integrity of the information presented.

Additional Note on Content Integrity

All content is carefully curated to align with our mission of promoting science-based, ethical, and responsible approaches to health, wellness, and longevity. We strive to maintain the highest standards of transparency and educational value in all our communications.

How to Protect Your Muscle Mass on GLP-1s - Episode 325

Gladden Longevity Podcast

How to Protect Your Muscle Mass on GLP-1s - Episode 325