GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have become household names, celebrated as breakthrough treatments for weight loss and obesity. But while headlines showcase dramatic before-and-after photos and promises of rapid transformation, when we step beyond the marketing, a more nuanced reality comes to light. In this candid conversation, Dr. Mark Cucuzzella, a family medicine physician, and Dr. Tro Kalayjian, board-certified in internal and obesity medicine, draw on decades of clinical experience to examine where GLP-1s truly shine, where they fall short, and why the foundation for lasting health can’t come from a prescription alone. They make the case for integrating GLP-1s into a comprehensive care plan, one that addresses nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress. Without these pillars, patients face higher risks of side effects, reduced long-term benefits, and the all-too-common rebound weight gain. In this interview, you’ll learn: Which patients benefit most from GLP-1 therapy (and which may not)How “medication stewardship” ensures safe, responsible useWhy starting at the lowest effective dose and tapering mattersHow lifestyle-first programs can match or exceed drug results at a fraction of the cost Drs. Cucuzzella and Kalayjian remind us that true success lies in restoring metabolic health and building habits that last long after the injection ends. GLP-1 medications can be powerful allies, but they’re not a silver bullet. Without a foundation of nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress management, they risk becoming just another short-term fix. Expert Featured: Dr. Mark Cucuzzella Website: https://www.drmarksdesk.com/ Dr. Tro Kalayjian Website: https://toward.health/IG: https://www.instagram.com/doctortro/X: https://x.com/DoctorTro Resources Mentioned: TOWARD: a metabolic intervention that improves addiction and binge eating symptoms https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1612551 CMEs Mentioned: Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616 Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615 Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry. Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/ About us: Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education,...
