GLP-1 receptor agonists mimic a gut hormone released after eating. They prompt the pancreas to release insulin when blood sugar is high, slow how quickly the stomach empties, and act on the brain to reduce appetite. Developed for type-2 diabetes, they turned out to cause substantial weight loss — which is why they have become the most talked-about medicines of the decade. Tirzepatide goes further, activating the GIP receptor as well as GLP-1.
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