09/07/2026
We have been seeing more and more patients come in who have been taking GLP-1 medications, and supporting them through some side effects from taking these medications. So I wanted to dive into the Chinese medicine perspectives of GLP-1s, which have radically changed the conversation around weight loss, blood sugar, and appetite. It's actually a really fascinating subject - here'sour take.
For many people, they are excited to see that their appetite is reduced. But there's a big difference between comfortably eating less and struggling to nourish yourself. GLP-1 medications can cause side effects including nausea, constipation, reflux, abdominal discomfort, and feeling full after eating very little.
In Chinese medicine we pay attention to these as signs of how the Stomach's movement and the Spleen's ability to transform and transport nourishment are functioning. When that movement becomes slowed, our concern isnt whether someone is losing weight. We want to know: Are you eating enough to sustain yourself? Are your bowels moving regularly? Do you have energy? Are you becoming weaker or colder? Do you still have a healthy appetite when your body actually needs food? Those details help us understand how well the body is adapting to these medications.
This doesn't mean we are "against" GLP-1 medications. We can simply support the body through the changes the medication is creating. Acupuncture treatments may focus on the Spleen and Stomach systemss, encouraging digestive movement and addressing symptoms such as nausea, bloating, reflux, or constipation. We can also talk about making the foods you are eating count, particularly when your appetite is smaller.
Basically: Weight loss and nourishment are not necessarily the same thing. If a medication is intentionally changing something as fundamental as hunger and digestion, Chinese medicine gives us another way to keep an eye on the whole person - not just by moving the number on the scale down.
