What Both Medications Do Inside the Body Although the delivery systems differ, both medications activate the GLP-1 receptor and trigger similar downstream effects: Increased insulin release in response to elevated blood sugar Reduced glucagon secretion Slower gastric emptying Reduced appetite signaling Increased satiety after meals According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, these mechanisms can support improved blood sugar regulation and meaningful weight reduction when combined with lifestyle interventions
However, the magnitude of this natural elevation varies significantly between individuals
The stomach: delayed gastric emptying
Das AM, et al
Thus, substitution of (replacing rather than adding) an agent with cardiorenal benefit might be appropriate if people are at or near A1c target
Real evidence: A 12-week study: submaximal semaglutide improved metabolic markers but showed no change in the inflammatory markers IL-6, TNF-, or PAI-1 Semaglutide dose-response studies: effects require 0.2 mg/day, and even those effects are diminished when adjusted for weight change Meta-analyses showing anti-inflammatory effects correlate with improvements in insulin resistance and weight loss, not with microdosing voodoo magic