Dr. Paika Podcast

Mohammed Paika
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Medicine

Welcome to the Dr. Paika Podcast — where medicine, fitness, and humanity come together. Hosted by Dr. Mohammed K. Paika, M.D., double board-certified in obesity & internal medicine with over two decades of hospital experience, this show dives deep into the science of health, obesity, longevity, and mindset — but with compassion, not complexity. From hospital medicine to the gym floor, from patient care to personal growth — every episode blends real clinical insight with practical, inspiring stories that help you live better and think deeper. 💡 Topics include: Obesity & metabolic health Longevity & fitness Nutrition & preventive medicine Doctor insights from 20+ years in hospitals across the US! Mindset, mental health, and motivation 🎧 Subscribe for weekly conversations that are honest, empowering, and rooted in science — all from a doctor who believes medicine should heal the mind and body.

  1. 1d ago

    Microdosing Zepbound & Ozempic: How Low Can You Go and Still Keep the Weight Off? (Doctor Explains)

    #GLP1 #Microdosing #Zepbound #Ozempic #WeightLossMaintenance Microdosing Zepbound & Ozempic: How Low Can You Go and Still Keep the Weight Off? You hit your goal weight. Now the question is: do you have to stay on this dose forever? More and more people are cutting their GLP-1 dose to a fraction or stretching their shots to every 10 to 14 days, hoping to save money, cut side effects, and keep the weight off. I'm Dr. Mohammed Paika, a board-certified internal medicine and obesity medicine physician and practicing hospitalist. In this video I break down what the research actually shows about lower-dose GLP-1 maintenance, and what it doesn't show yet. 🎓 Complete GLP-1 Weight Loss Masterclass — Lifetime AccessComprehensive education on GLP-1 medications, nutrition, exercise, muscle preservation, side effects & long-term success. Includes the companion eBook, quizzes, 12-week exercise program, certificate & future course updates at no additional cost.https://www.drmohammedpaika.com 📩 FREE GLP-1 Diet Cookbook + Weekly NewsletterGet weekly evidence-based insights on GLP-1s, metabolic health, nutrition, exercise & longevity.https://www.drmohammedpaika.com/newsletter TIMESTAMPS0:00 Do I have to stay on this dose forever?1:24 The rebound: what happens when you stop2:49 Why microdosing is trending now4:01 What is microdosing? The minimal effective dose5:02 Two approaches: dose reduction vs. interval spacing6:01 What happens at lower doses7:35 Muscle preservation9:14 What the evidence says: SURMOUNT-MAINTAIN12:03 Why the weight comes back: the set point13:35 Why people want a lower dose: cost, supply, side effects14:16 The 4 risks of going too low17:06 My step-down framework18:38 How low can you go? The bottom line REFERENCES1. Wilding JPH, et al. Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: the STEP 1 trial extension. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2022;24(8):1553-1564.2. Aronne LJ, et al. Continued treatment with tirzepatide for maintenance of weight reduction (SURMOUNT-4). JAMA. 2024;331(1):38-48.3. SURMOUNT-4 post hoc analysis of weight regain. JAMA Intern Med. 2025.4. Evidation. Real-world GLP-1 dosing behaviors (preliminary survey). December 2025.5. Bickel CS, Cross JM, Bamman MM. Exercise dosing to retain resistance training adaptations in young and older adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2011;43(7):1177-1187.6. Wegovy (semaglutide), Ozempic (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) US prescribing information.7. Hackensack Meridian Health. Is microdosing GLP-1s safe? May 2026.8. Holst JJ. The physiology of glucagon-like peptide 1. Physiol Rev. 2007;87:1409-1439.9. Nauck MA, et al. Rapid tachyphylaxis of the GLP-1-induced deceleration of gastric emptying in humans. Diabetes. 2011;60(5):1561-1565.10. O'Neil PM, et al. Efficacy and safety of semaglutide compared with liraglutide and placebo for weight loss (phase 2). Lancet. 2018;392:637-649.11. Lincoff AM, et al. Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in obesity without diabetes (SELECT). N Engl J Med. 2023;389:2221-2232.12. Wilding JPH, et al. STEP 1 body composition (DXA) substudy. J Endocr Soc. 2021;5(Suppl 1):A16-A17.13. Look M, et al. SURMOUNT-1 body composition (DXA) substudy. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2025.14. SURMOUNT-MAINTAIN. Tirzepatide maximum dose vs. 5 mg vs. placebo for weight maintenance. Lancet. May 2026.15. Gudbergsen H, et al. Semaglutide with a digital weight-management program in Denmark (Embla), lowest effective dose. 2025.16. Embla semaglutide tapering study. European Congress on Obesity. 2024.17. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07783854. Randomized dose-tapering regimen of semaglutide for weight-loss maintenance.18. Eli Lilly. ATTAIN-MAINTAIN topline results (orforglipron). December 2025.19. Sumithran P, et al. Long-term persistence of hormonal adaptations to weight loss. N Engl J Med. 2011;365:1597-1604.20. Fothergill E, et al. Persistent metabolic adaptation 6 years after "The Biggest Loser" competition. Obesity. 2016;24(8):1612-1619.21. Trajectory of weight regain after cessation of GLP-1 receptor agonists: a systematic review and nonlinear meta-regression. 2025.22. Eli Lilly. Zepbound KwikPen instructions for use and FAQ (priming). 2026.23. US FDA. Dosing errors with compounded semaglutide. July 26, 2024. ⚕️ MEDICAL & EDUCATIONAL DISCLAIMER: This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice or a substitute for care from your healthcare provider. Viewing this content does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medication, diet, exercise, or weight-loss plan. Individual results and risks vary. You assume responsibility for decisions made based on this content.

  2. 4d ago

    Splitting Your Ozempic or Mounjaro Dose: Is It Safe? (Doctor Explains)

    #Ozempic #Mounjaro #GLP1 #Tirzepatide #WeightLossDoctor Should you split your weekly Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound shot into two smaller doses? Lots of you have asked me about this in the comments. People split their dose to ease the nausea in the first few days and keep food noise down late in the week. In this video, I explain what the pharmacokinetics predict, what the clinical trials did and didn’t test, and the hidden risks most people never hear about. As an obesity medicine physician, I walk you through half-life, steady state, peak and trough levels, and a simple model of what splitting does to your drug levels. Then I cover the safer, approved ways your doctor can smooth out your week instead. 📩 FREE GLP-1 Diet Cookbook + Weekly NewsletterGet weekly evidence-based insights on GLP-1s, metabolic health, nutrition, exercise & longevity.https://www.drmohammedpaika.com/newsletter 🎓 Complete GLP-1 Weight Loss Masterclass — Lifetime AccessComprehensive education on GLP-1 medications, nutrition, exercise, muscle preservation, side effects & long-term success. Includes the companion eBook, quizzes, 12-week exercise program, certificate & future course updates at no additional cost.https://www.drmohammedpaika.com ⚠️ This video is for education only and is not personal medical advice. Don’t change your dose, your schedule or your device without talking to the clinician who prescribes it. TIMESTAMPS0:00 Should you split your weekly GLP-1 dose?1:17 Why people split their dose: the peak and the trough2:56 Half-life and steady state3:27 What splitting does to your drug levels5:11 Side effects: the peak or the dose increase?6:09 What the clinical trials actually tested7:52 Plausible vs. proven8:21 Hidden risks: pens and vials9:16 Compounded vials and dosing errors10:44 Strategy 1: Slow the titration11:23 Strategy 2: Find your lowest effective dose11:56 Strategy 3: Eat around injection day12:35 Strategy 4: Timing and short-term support12:58 Strategy 5: Change the molecule13:45 The verdict14:14 3 questions for your doctor REFERENCES Wegovy (semaglutide) US Prescribing Information, Novo Nordisk. https://www.novo-pi.com/wegovy.pdfZepbound (tirzepatide) US Prescribing Information, Eli Lilly. https://medlibrary.org/lib/rx/meds/zepbound/page/5/Wilding JPH, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity (STEP 1). N Engl J Med. 2021;384:989-1002.Wharton S, et al. Gastrointestinal tolerability of once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2022;24:94-105.Jastreboff AM, et al. Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity (SURMOUNT-1). N Engl J Med. 2022;387:205-216.Aronne LJ, et al. Tirzepatide vs. semaglutide for the treatment of obesity (SURMOUNT-5). N Engl J Med. 2025.O’Neil PM, et al. Semaglutide vs. liraglutide and placebo for weight loss (phase 2). Lancet. 2018;392:637-649.Frias JP, et al. Tirzepatide dose-escalation regimens. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2020;22:938-946.Huang KP, et al. Dissociable hindbrain GLP1R circuits for satiety and aversion. Nature. 2024;632:585-593.Lau J, et al. Discovery of the once-weekly GLP-1 analogue semaglutide. J Med Chem. 2015;58:7370-7380.Cengiz A, et al. Alternative dosing regimens of GLP-1 receptor agonists. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2025;27:2251-2258.Ji L, et al. GZR18 once-weekly or bi-weekly dosing: phase 1b/2a trial. Cell Rep Med. 2026;7:102743.FDA. Dosing errors associated with compounded injectable semaglutide (July 2024). https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/fda-alerts-health-care-providers-compounders-and-patients-dosing-errors-associated-compoundedISMP. Errors possible when microdosing (counting clicks) to dose weight loss medicines (2025). https://www.consumermedsafety.org/safety-articles/errors-possible-when-microdosing-counting-clicks-to-dose-weight-loss-medicinesLilly Medical: Zepbound single-dose vial and KwikPen guidance. https://medical.lilly.comAmerica’s Poison Centers semaglutide call data, as reported by CNN/ABC7 (Dec 2023). https://abc7ny.com/fda-poison-control-centers-weight-loss-drug-diabetes/14178159/Foundayo (orforglipron) US Prescribing Information, Eli Lilly.Ryan H, et al. OxyContin’s 12-hour problem. Los Angeles Times. 2016. Modeled peak and trough figures come from a simple one-compartment model built on label half-lives. They are illustrative estimates, not blood levels measured in a trial. ⚕️ MEDICAL & EDUCATIONAL DISCLAIMER: This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice or a substitute for care from your healthcare provider. Viewing this content does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medication, diet, exercise, or weight-loss plan. Individual results and risks vary. You assume responsibility for decisions made based on this content.

  3. 6d ago

    How to REMOVE Food Noise (It’s Not Willpower) | Doctor Explains

    #FoodNoise #GLP1 #Ozempic #WeightLoss #ObesityMedicine Can't stop thinking about food, even right after a full meal? That constant chatter has a name: food noise. I explain what it is, why GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound quiet it, and why it often returns when people stop them. You'll learn the 2 drivers behind it, a simple test to tell real hunger from food noise, and 9 evidence-based strategies to turn it down, with or without medication. Every claim is referenced below. 📩 FREE GLP-1 Diet Cookbook + Weekly NewsletterGet weekly evidence-based insights on GLP-1s, metabolic health, nutrition, exercise & longevity.https://www.drmohammedpaika.com/newsletter 🎓 Complete GLP-1 Weight Loss Masterclass — Lifetime AccessComprehensive education on GLP-1 medications, nutrition, exercise, muscle preservation, side effects & long-term success. Includes the companion eBook, quizzes, 12-week exercise program, certificate & future course updates at no additional cost.https://www.drmohammedpaika.com TIMESTAMPS0:00 Can't stop thinking about food?1:32 Food noise vs. real hunger2:02 Why GLP-1s made food noise famous2:41 What happens when you stop semaglutide3:02 Your brain's 2 appetite systems4:13 Driver 1: Physical4:24 Pattern 1: Eating too little, too early7:20 Driver 2: Psychological7:30 Trigger 1: Habit (the Netflix effect)9:02 How sleep and stress turn up the volume9:29 The plain-food test: hunger or noise?9:57 9 strategies to quiet food noise10:07 1. Protein-forward breakfast10:31 2. Eat your carbs last10:58 3. Protect your sleep11:16 4. Edit your food cues11:39 5. Plan and prep once a week13:27 Your 7-day experiment13:42 When food noise is still loud: GLP-1 medications14:15 4 important caveats15:11 When it's more than noise REFERENCES1. Hayashi 2023, Nutrients: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38004203/2. Blundell 2017, Diabetes Obes Metab: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5573908/3. van Bloemendaal 2014, Diabetes 63(12):41864. Wilding 2022, Diabetes Obes Metab: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9542252/5. Lutter 2009, J Nutr: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19176746/6. Berridge 2009, Physiol Behav: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2717031/7. Boswell 2016, Obes Rev: https://canlab.yale.edu/sites/default/files/boswel-kober_2016_obesityreviews.pdf8. Wood & Neal 2007, Psychol Rev 114(4):8439. Keys 1950, The Biology of Human Starvation (Minnesota Starvation Experiment)10. Sumithran 2011, NEJM: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22029981/11. Rolls 2017, Nutr Bull: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29151813/12. Dennis 2010, Obesity: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19661958/13. World Health Organization 2023, Guideline on non-sugar sweeteners (May 15, 2023)14. Ludwig 1999, Pediatrics: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10049982/15. Lennerz 2013, Am J Clin Nutr: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23803881/16. Weigle 2005, Am J Clin Nutr: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16002798/17. Hall 2019, Cell Metab: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31105044/18. Leidy 2015, Am J Clin Nutr: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25926512/19. Neal et al. 2011, Pers Soc Psychol Bull 37(11):142820. Tomova 2020, Nat Neurosci: https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/13831321. Spiegel 2004, Ann Intern Med: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15583226/22. Hoertel 2014, Nutr J: https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1475-2891-13-8023. Leidy 2013, Am J Clin Nutr: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3718776/24. Tasali 2022, JAMA Intern Med: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35129580/25. Hunter 2018, Appetite: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29183701/26. Ducrot 2017, Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28153017/27. Lieberman 2007, Psychol Sci: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17576282/28. Zaccaro 2018, Front Hum Neurosci: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30245619/29. Gollwitzer & Sheeran 2006, Adv Exp Soc Psychol 38:6930. Taylor & Oliver 2009, Appetite 52(1):15531. Ledochowski 2015, PLoS One: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4356559/32. Buffey 2022, Sports Med: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35147898/33. Wilding 2021, NEJM (STEP 1): https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa203218334. Hudson 2007, Biol Psychiatry: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16815322/35. Tataranni 1996, Am J Physiol: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8770026/36. Shukla 2015, Diabetes Care: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4876745/ ⚕️ MEDICAL & EDUCATIONAL DISCLAIMER: This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice or a substitute for care from your healthcare provider. Viewing this content does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medication, diet, exercise, or weight-loss plan. Individual results and risks vary. You assume responsibility for decisions made based on this content.

  4. Oct 13

    GLP-1 After Menopause: Why the Weight Won’t Budge (A Doctor Explains What Works)

    #GLP1 #Menopause #Tirzepatide #Semaglutide #WeightLoss Not losing weight on a GLP-1 after menopause? You’re not imagining it, but your body isn’t broken and the medication hasn’t stopped working. In this video, I’m Dr. Mohammed Paika, board-certified in internal medicine and obesity medicine. I break down what the research really shows about GLP-1s like tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) and semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) after menopause. You’ll learn what menopause does to fat, muscle and metabolism, and how much weight women actually lose at each stage of menopause in the clinical trials. I’ll show you why real-world results can lag, what the newest hormone therapy studies show and why they don’t prove cause and effect, and how to protect your muscle and bones. I’ll also walk you through the 5-step plan I use with my midlife patients. 📩 FREE GLP-1 Diet Cookbook + Weekly Newsletterhttps://www.drmohammedpaika.com/newsletter 🎓 Complete GLP-1 Weight Loss Masterclass — Lifetime AccessComprehensive education on GLP-1 medications, nutrition, exercise, muscle preservation, side effects & long-term success. Includes the companion eBook, quizzes, 12-week exercise program, certificate & future course updates at no additional cost.https://www.drmohammedpaika.com  TIMESTAMPS0:00 Why weight loss feels harder after menopause1:56 What menopause does to your body4:15 Do GLP-1s still work after menopause?7:12 Why it feels harder in real life9:06 Hormone therapy and GLP-1s: what the data shows11:21 Free GLP-1 Diet Cookbook11:44 Protecting your muscle and bones13:42 GLP-1 Masterclass14:12 The 5-step midlife GLP-1 plan15:35 A real viewer example16:41 Final thoughts 📚 REFERENCESGreendale GA, et al. Changes in body composition and weight during the menopause transition (SWAN). JCI Insight. 2019;4(5):e124865.Lovejoy JC, et al. Increased visceral fat and decreased energy expenditure during the menopausal transition. Int J Obes. 2008;32(6):949-958.Pontzer H, et al. Daily energy expenditure through the human life course. Science. 2021;373(6556):808-812.Karppinen JE, et al. Age but not menopausal status is linked to lower resting energy expenditure. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2023;108(11):2789-2797.Thomson ZO, et al. Weight loss outcomes in premenopausal versus postmenopausal women during behavioral weight loss interventions. Menopause. 2021;28(3):337-346.Tchang BG, et al. Body weight reduction in women treated with tirzepatide by reproductive stage (SURMOUNT post hoc). Obesity. 2025;33:851-860.García-Pérez LE, et al. Tirzepatide weight reduction by sex: SURMOUNT-1 to -4 post hoc. Presented at EASD 2024.Castaneda R, et al. Sex, not age, predicts weight loss outcomes with tirzepatide. Obesity. 2026;34(Suppl 2):132-145.Huvinen E, et al. Body weight loss with semaglutide 7.2 mg is independent of menopausal status (STEP UP post hoc). Presented at the European Congress on Obesity, 2026.Castaneda R, et al. Impact of reproductive stage and menopausal hormone therapy on weight loss outcomes with tirzepatide. Presented at The Menopause Society Annual Meeting, 2025.Nedeltcheva AV, et al. Insufficient sleep undermines dietary efforts to reduce adiposity. Ann Intern Med. 2010;153(7):435-441.Hurtado MD, et al. Weight loss response to semaglutide in postmenopausal women with and without hormone therapy use. Menopause. 2024;31:266.Castaneda R, et al. Menopause hormone therapy and tirzepatide-associated weight loss in postmenopausal women. Lancet Obstet Gynaecol Womens Health. 2026;2(2):e118-e128.Hurtado MD, et al. Semaglutide reduces body weight regardless of menopause status (STEP and OASIS 4 post hoc). Presented at ObesityWeek, 2025.Papadakis GE, et al. Menopausal hormone therapy is associated with reduced total and visceral adiposity (OsteoLaus). J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018;103(5):1948-1957.Wilding JPH, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity (STEP 1). N Engl J Med. 2021;384(11):989-1002.Look M, et al. Body composition changes during weight reduction with tirzepatide in SURMOUNT-1. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2025.Jensen SBK, et al. Bone health after exercise alone, GLP-1 receptor agonist treatment, or combination treatment. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(6):e2416775.Watson SL, et al. High-intensity resistance and impact training in postmenopausal women with low bone mass (LIFTMOR). J Bone Miner Res. 2018;33(2):211-220. ⚕️ MEDICAL & EDUCATIONAL DISCLAIMER: This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice or a substitute for care from your healthcare provider. Viewing this content does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medication, diet, exercise, or weight-loss plan. Individual results and risks vary. You assume responsibility for decisions made based on this content.

  5. Oct 10

    Why GLP 1 Medications Cause Extreme Fatigue (Doctor Explains)

    #GLP1 #Ozempic #Wegovy #Zepbound #WeightLoss Why GLP-1 Medications Cause Extreme Fatigue (And How to Fix Low Energy) Are you exhausted on Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound? You’re not imagining it. Fatigue is listed in the prescribing information, and it’s one of the most common complaints I see in the comments. In this video, I’m Dr. Mohammed Paika, an internal medicine and obesity medicine physician. I break down the 4 biological reasons GLP-1 medications can leave you drained: unintentional undereating, quiet dehydration, the drug’s effects on the brain, and nutrient deficiencies like low iron and B12. Then I walk you through 4 practical fixes: a calorie and protein floor, a hydration plan that goes beyond plain water, the blood work to ask your doctor for, and how to talk to your prescriber about dose and titration. I finish with the warning signs that mean you need to be seen right away. 🎓 Complete GLP-1 Weight Loss Masterclass — Lifetime AccessComprehensive education on GLP-1 medications, nutrition, exercise, muscle preservation, side effects & long-term success. Includes the companion eBook, quizzes, 12-week exercise program, certificate & future course updates at no additional cost.https://www.drmohammedpaika.com 📩 FREE GLP-1 Diet Cookbook + Weekly NewsletterGet weekly evidence-based insights on GLP-1s, metabolic health, nutrition, exercise & longevity.https://www.drmohammedpaika.com/newsletter This video is for education only and is not personal medical advice. Talk to your own clinician before changing your diet, fluids, supplements, or medication. TIMESTAMPS0:00 Why you feel exhausted on a GLP-12:00 Who I am and why I made this video3:09 Is the drug toxic? What the trials show4:35 Cause #1: Running on empty7:43 Cause #2: The thirst signal goes quiet10:35 Cause #3: The drug talks to your brain12:52 Cause #4: The deficiency nobody tests for15:27 Fix #1: Set a calorie and protein floor18:01 Fix #2: Hydrate beyond plain water19:44 Fix #3: The blood work to ask for21:10 Fix #4: Slow the dose down, don’t quit22:36 Red flags: when to get seen urgently REFERENCES Wegovy (semaglutide) Prescribing Information. FDA, 2024. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2024/215256s011lbl.pdfZepbound (tirzepatide) Prescribing Information. https://uspl.lilly.com/zepbound/zepbound.html; Jastreboff AM, et al. N Engl J Med. 2022;387:205–216 (SURMOUNT-1).Friedrichsen M, et al. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2021;23:754–762. https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.14280Prado CM, et al. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2024;12:785–787. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(24)00272-9Winzeler B, et al. J Clin Invest. 2021;131:e151800. https://jci.org/articles/view/151800Gutzwiller JP, et al. Digestion. 2006;73:142–150.Gabery S, et al. JCI Insight. 2020;5:e133429. https://insight.jci.org/articles/view/133429Butsch WS, et al. Obesity Pillars. 2025;15:100186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obpill.2025.100186Mozaffarian D, et al. Am J Clin Nutr. 2025;122:344–367. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.04.023Aroda VR, et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016;101:1754–1761. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4880159Westerterp-Plantenga MS, et al. J Appl Physiol. 1999;87:391–399. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10409600/Paika MK. GLP-1 Masterclass; The Weight Equation; GLP-1 Diet Cookbook. https://drmohammedpaika.com ⚕️ MEDICAL & EDUCATIONAL DISCLAIMER: This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice or a substitute for care from your healthcare provider. Viewing this content does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medication, diet, exercise, or weight-loss plan. Individual results and risks vary. You assume responsibility for decisions made based on this content.

  6. Oct 8

    Something Strange Is Happening to People on Ozempic (Doctor Explains)

    #Ozempic #GLP1 #Semaglutide #AlcoholUseDisorder #WeightLoss People on Ozempic and Wegovy are reporting a side effect that isn't on the label: they're losing interest in alcohol. Is it real, or just nausea? As an internal medicine and obesity medicine physician, I work this up like an unexplained finding in a hospital patient. We'll look at the patient reports and real-world data, consider every possible explanation, read the newest trials (including the 2026 Lancet trial), and finish with a practical plan. In this video you'll learn:Why GLP-1 drugs may turn down cravings, and what "food noise" really isWhat the Lancet, JAMA Psychiatry and earlier trials actually foundWhy the first human trial failed, and how it shaped the one that workedWhat we still don't know before this becomes a standard treatment5 safety rules if you drink while on a GLP-1 TIMESTAMPS0:00 – A strange answer on the admission form1:44 – What patients are reporting (and what the data shows)3:20 – Why this matters: the alcohol treatment gap4:43 – Three possible explanations7:43 – How GLP-1s act on the brain: the two buttons10:36 – Protecting your muscle on a GLP-111:17 – The 2026 Lancet trial12:43 – The lab trial: what changed and what didn't13:53 – The trial that failed, and what it taught us15:33 – Animal research foundations16:28 – Would I prescribe it for alcohol today?18:46 – 5 rules before your next drink on a GLP-120:30 – Treatments that already work21:46 – Final thoughts and resources 🎓 Complete GLP-1 Weight Loss Masterclass — Lifetime AccessComprehensive education on GLP-1 medications, nutrition, exercise, muscle preservation, side effects & long-term success. Includes the companion eBook, quizzes, 12-week exercise program, certificate & future course updates at no additional cost.https://www.drmohammedpaika.com 📩 FREE GLP-1 Diet Cookbook + Weekly NewsletterGet weekly evidence-based insights on GLP-1s, metabolic health, nutrition, exercise & longevity.https://www.drmohammedpaika.com/newsletter REFERENCESKlausen MK, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide versus placebo in patients with alcohol use disorder and comorbid obesity. Lancet. 2026;407(10540):1687–1698. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00305-3Hendershot CS, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with alcohol use disorder: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry. 2025;82(4):395–405.Klausen MK, et al. Exenatide once weekly for alcohol use disorder. JCI Insight. 2022;7(19):e159863. https://insight.jci.org/articles/view/159863Lähteenvuo M, et al. Repurposing semaglutide and liraglutide for alcohol use disorder. JAMA Psychiatry. 2025;82(1):94–98.Wang W, Volkow ND, et al. Associations of semaglutide with incidence and recurrence of alcohol use disorder. Nat Commun. 2024;15:4548. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-48780-6Quddos F, et al. Physiological and perceptual effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists during alcohol consumption in people with obesity. Sci Rep. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-17927-wSuchankova P, et al. The GLP-1 receptor as a potential treatment target in alcohol use disorder. Transl Psychiatry. 2015;5:e583. https://www.nature.com/articles/tp201568Thomsen M, et al. GLP-1 analogs and alcohol intake in vervet monkeys. Psychopharmacology. 2019;236:603–611.Aranäs C, et al. Semaglutide reduces alcohol intake and relapse-like drinking in rats. eBioMedicine. 2023;93:104642.Leggio L, et al. GLP-1 receptor agonists are promising but unproven treatments for alcohol and substance use disorders. Nat Med. 2023;29:2993–2995.Berridge KC, Robinson TE. Liking, wanting, and the incentive-sensitization theory of addiction. Am Psychol. 2016;71(8):670–679.Volkow ND, Koob GF, McLellan AT. Neurobiologic advances from the brain disease model of addiction. N Engl J Med. 2016;374:363–371.Wilding JPH, et al. Weight regain after withdrawal of semaglutide: STEP 1 extension. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2022;24(8):1553–1564.Jonas DE, et al. Pharmacotherapy for adults with alcohol use disorders. JAMA. 2014;311(18):1889–1900.Han B, et al. Use of medications for alcohol use disorder in the US. JAMA Psychiatry. 2021;78(8):922–924.World Health Organization. Global status report on alcohol and health. 2024.U.S. Surgeon General. Alcohol and Cancer Risk Advisory. 2025. ⚕️ MEDICAL & EDUCATIONAL DISCLAIMER: This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice or a substitute for care from your healthcare provider. Viewing this content does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medication, diet, exercise, or weight-loss plan. Individual results and risks vary. You assume responsibility for decisions made based on this content.

  7. Oct 6

    How Long Retatrutide Stays in Your System (Half-Life Explained)

    #Retatrutide #GLP3 #WeightLoss #GLP1 #ObesityMedicine How long does retatrutide actually stay in your system? Retatrutide, the triple-hormone drug people call "GLP-3" or "reta," has a half-life of about 6 days. That one number explains when side effects hit and why the dose has to climb slowly. It also explains why a short pause before surgery may not be enough, and why the drug lingers for about a month after your last shot. I'm Dr. Mohammed Paika, board-certified in internal medicine and obesity medicine. In this video, I walk you through the 4 clocks retatrutide sets in your body and what the phase 3 trials really show, including up to 30.3% weight loss. You'll learn about the side effects people aren't talking about, like changes in skin sensation and heart rate. I also explain why the "research use only" vials sold online are a serious risk. Retatrutide is not FDA-approved. The regulated routes are a clinical trial, Lilly's limited early access program (through your doctor) or waiting for approval. 📩 FREE GLP-1 Diet Cookbook + Weekly NewsletterGet weekly evidence-based insights on GLP-1s, metabolic health, nutrition, exercise & longevity.https://www.drmohammedpaika.com/newsletter 🎓 Complete GLP-1 Weight Loss Masterclass — Lifetime AccessComprehensive education on GLP-1 medications, nutrition, exercise, muscle preservation, side effects & long-term success. Includes the companion eBook, quizzes, 12-week exercise program, certificate & future course updates at no additional cost.https://www.drmohammedpaika.com TIMESTAMPS00:00 The ER patient who "wasn't taking anything"01:42 What retatrutide is: 3 signals instead of 202:34 What the trials show03:20 Is retatrutide FDA-approved? How people get it legally04:02 Retatrutide's half-life: about 6 days04:27 Why it lasts so long05:07 Clock 1: the 7-day clock and side effects06:13 The new side effect: dysesthesia06:52 Heart rate and heart safety07:30 Missed dose: there's no official rule08:11 Clock 2: building up to steady state08:50 How the trials raised the dose09:43 Why vials make dosing dangerous10:34 Clock 3: how long retatrutide stays in your system11:31 What changes how fast you clear it12:26 Why side effects don't stop when you stop12:57 Surgery, endoscopy and sedation13:42 Pregnancy and contraception14:15 The vial problem: "research use only"14:57 What's really in the vial?15:41 My position as your doctor17:11 Clock 4: what happens when you stop17:37 Why your body defends its old weight18:21 What the stopping data shows18:55 My own weight-regain story19:42 Muscle is the real stake20:31 The plan21:27 Protecting your muscle on GLP-1s REFERENCES (FULL LIST AVAILABLE ON REQUEST) Urva S, et al. LY3437943, a novel triple GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon receptor agonist in people with type 2 diabetes: a phase 1b trial. Lancet. 2022;400:1869–1881. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140673622020335Jastreboff AM, et al. Triple-hormone-receptor agonist retatrutide for obesity — a phase 2 trial. N Engl J Med. 2023;389(6):514–526. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2301972Eli Lilly and Company. Retatrutide TRIUMPH-4 phase 3 results. December 11, 2025. https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lillys-triple-agonist-retatrutide-delivered-weight-loss-averageEli Lilly and Company. TRIUMPH-2 and TRIUMPH-3 results; BLA planned Q1 2027. July 23, 2026. https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lillys-triple-agonist-retatrutide-successful-two-additionalSanyal AJ, et al. Retatrutide for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a randomized phase 2a trial. Nat Med. 2024. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03018-2Axios. Unapproved obesity drug spawns a black market frenzy. August 24, 2026. https://www.axios.com/2026/08/24/unapproved-obesity-drug-spawns-a-black-market-frenzyThe Partnership for Safe Medicines. The retatrutide black market: patient safety groups warn of growing risks. August 2026. https://www.safemedicines.org/2026/08/reta-groups-warn-understudied-drugs.htmlFinnrick. Retatrutide testing results (accessed October 2026). https://www.finnrick.com/products/retatrutide ⚕️ MEDICAL & EDUCATIONAL DISCLAIMER: This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice or a substitute for care from your healthcare provider. Viewing this content does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medication, diet, exercise, or weight-loss plan. Individual results and risks vary. You assume responsibility for decisions made based on this content.

  8. Oct 3

    Not Losing Weight on GLP 1 (A Doctor Explains Why)

    #GLP1 #WeightLoss #Ozempic #Mounjaro #ObesityMedicine Not losing weight on a GLP-1? The problem usually isn't you, and it usually isn't the medication either. It's the variables nobody checked. I'm Dr. Mohammed Paika, a physician board-certified in Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine. I've spent about 15 years as a hospitalist, and I'm also a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach. In this video, I walk you through 8 evidence-based reasons the scale can stall on semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) or tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), plus a bonus. They range from diabetes and insulin resistance to medications that quietly cause weight gain, eating too little, muscle loss, sleep apnea and dose problems. At the end, I share my 4-question test to tell whether your GLP-1 is working, stalling or needs to be changed. 📩 FREE GLP-1 Diet Cookbook + Weekly NewsletterGet weekly evidence-based insights on GLP-1s, metabolic health, nutrition, exercise & longevity.https://www.drmohammedpaika.com/newsletter 🎓 Complete GLP-1 Weight Loss Masterclass — Lifetime AccessComprehensive education on GLP-1 medications, nutrition, exercise, muscle preservation, side effects & long-term success. Includes the companion eBook, quizzes, 12-week exercise program, certificate & future course updates at no additional cost.https://www.drmohammedpaika.com ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:00 Why your GLP-1 isn't working (the 2 a.m. patient)1:47 Reason 1: Your starting point was different3:47 Reason 2: Diabetes, insulin resistance and PCOS5:13 Reason 3: Medications quietly working against you6:57 Reason 4: You're eating too little, not too much8:47 Reason 5: The quiet calorie creep10:07 Free GLP-1 Diet Cookbook10:33 Reason 6: You're losing muscle, and the scale can't tell you12:29 Reason 7: The exercise myth, and what works instead14:06 GLP-1 Masterclass14:41 Reason 8: Sleep, stress and sleep apnea15:55 Bonus: Dose, timing, injection site and refills17:35 The 4-question test: is your GLP-1 working?19:36 What to watch next 📚 REFERENCES Wilding JPH, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity (STEP 1). N Engl J Med. 2021;384:989-1002.Davies M, et al. Semaglutide 2.4 mg in adults with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes (STEP 2). Lancet. 2021;397:971-984.Jastreboff AM, et al. Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity (SURMOUNT-1). N Engl J Med. 2022;387:205-216.Garvey WT, et al. Tirzepatide in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes (SURMOUNT-2). Lancet. 2023;402:613-626.Look M, et al. Body composition changes with tirzepatide in SURMOUNT-1. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2025.Mosenzon O, et al. Clinically relevant weight loss independent of early response to semaglutide 2.4 mg (STEP 4). J Endocr Soc. 2021;5(Suppl 1).Lincoff AM, et al. Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in obesity without diabetes (SELECT). N Engl J Med. 2023;389:2221-2232.Malhotra A, et al. Tirzepatide for obstructive sleep apnea and obesity (SURMOUNT-OSA). N Engl J Med. 2024;391:1193-1205.Lichtman SW, et al. Discrepancy between self-reported and actual caloric intake and exercise in obese subjects. N Engl J Med. 1992;327:1893-1898.Nedeltcheva AV, et al. Insufficient sleep undermines dietary efforts to reduce adiposity. Ann Intern Med. 2010;153:435-441.Fothergill E, et al. Persistent metabolic adaptation 6 years after "The Biggest Loser" competition. Obesity. 2016;24:1612-1619.LaForgia J, et al. Effects of exercise intensity and duration on excess post-exercise oxygen consumption. J Sports Sci. 2006;24:1247-1264.Pontzer H, et al. Constrained total energy expenditure and metabolic adaptation to physical activity. Curr Biol. 2016;26:410-417.Greendale GA, et al. Changes in body composition and weight during the menopause transition. JCI Insight. 2019;4:e124865.Magkos F, et al. Effects of moderate and subsequent progressive weight loss on metabolic function. Cell Metab. 2016;23:591-601.Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) U.S. Prescribing Information.Paika MK. GLP-1 Masterclass. 2026.Paika MK. The Weight Equation: A Physician's Guide to the Science and Treatment of Obesity. 2026. ⚕️ MEDICAL & EDUCATIONAL DISCLAIMER: This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice or a substitute for care from your healthcare provider. Viewing this content does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medication, diet, exercise, or weight-loss plan. Individual results and risks vary. You assume responsibility for decisions made based on this content.

See All (115)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Dr. Paika Podcast — where medicine, fitness, and humanity come together. Hosted by Dr. Mohammed K. Paika, M.D., double board-certified in obesity & internal medicine with over two decades of hospital experience, this show dives deep into the science of health, obesity, longevity, and mindset — but with compassion, not complexity. From hospital medicine to the gym floor, from patient care to personal growth — every episode blends real clinical insight with practical, inspiring stories that help you live better and think deeper. 💡 Topics include: Obesity & metabolic health Longevity & fitness Nutrition & preventive medicine Doctor insights from 20+ years in hospitals across the US! Mindset, mental health, and motivation 🎧 Subscribe for weekly conversations that are honest, empowering, and rooted in science — all from a doctor who believes medicine should heal the mind and body.

Information

  • Creator
    Mohammed Paika
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    115
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Mohammed Paika
  • Show Website
    Dr. Paika Podcast

You Might Also Like