Semaglutide: Why It Works—and How to Make It Work Even Better

By: Dr. Gustav Lo, MD | Chief Medical Officer and Founder of RegenCen & Cosmetic Skin & Laser Center (CSLC)

Semaglutide’s many health benefits beyond weight loss

At RegenCen, we’ve been using semaglutide since 2020. And in my own primary care practice, I’ve prescribed drugs in that same GLP-1 family since 2008, so we have extensive experience with these medications. We’ve seen firsthand the positive effects on literally thousands of patients—and not just weight loss.

The other benefits of semaglutide, tirzepatide, and similar GLP-1 drugs are just starting to get widespread attention, but we’ve seen them for years. Improved mood, better motivation, fewer cravings, and noticeable shifts in habits—especially around addictive or compulsive behaviors—aren’t coincidence. They seem to be real, central effects of the medication.

As a regenerative and anti-aging practice, we’re really excited by early research on semaglutide as a general anti-aging therapy. In many patients, we prescribe semaglutide or tirzepatide long term at lower doses, not just for weight management, but for metabolic effects and as a tool to counteract aging-related decline. Whether you’re in Northern Michigan or South Florida, RegenCen offers medically guided semaglutide treatment through both our Traverse City and Wellington clinics.

The history of Semaglutide and how it became a long-term health strategy

Semaglutide is getting a lot of attention—and not just from the weight loss crowd. The more we learn about how it works, the more we understand that this is not just an appetite suppressant in disguise. It’s a smart hormone-mimicking compound that changes how your body (and brain) regulate hunger, reward, and metabolism.

GLP-1 drugs have been in use for nearly two decades in the treatment of diabetes, but semaglutide’s recent approval for weight loss opened the door to a much broader use. When it’s paired with the right kind of program—one that focuses on preserving your muscle, optimizing protein intake, and exercise—semaglutide becomes more than just a short-term fix. It becomes a long-term health strategy.

If you’re wondering what semaglutide actually does in the body (and why some people lose 15–20% of their weight with it), here’s the deeper dive—minus the hype.

How Semaglutide supports weight loss and metabolic health

Semaglutide is part of a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists. GLP-1 is a hormone your gut releases after meals to help regulate blood sugar and tell your brain you’re full. Semaglutide mimics that hormone—but in a more powerful, longer-lasting way.

At a glance, here’s what it does:

• Slows how quickly food moves through your stomach, so you feel full longer
• Helps control insulin and blood sugar spikes
• Tells your brain to dial down hunger signals

The result? Smaller portions feel like enough. Snacking becomes less compulsive. And for many people, that “always hungry” feeling fades out in a way they haven’t experienced in years.

(This is where I just can’t resist talking about how fundamental this is for diabetics. Those 3 reasons above are exactly why every single diabetic or pre-diabetic should use semaglutide or another GLP-1 as your FIRST medication choice for treatment.

Right now, the standard recommendation is to use metformin as the first line drug – why? Is it better for blood sugar? No, it’s about the same for your sugar level. Is it better for weight loss? No, much worse. Studies show people on metformin lose hardly any weight at all, compared to an average of 10% or more on semaglutide. So why do all the big medical groups still recommend metformin before semaglutide? Because it’s cheaper. That’s the only reason.)

How Semaglutide works in the brain to reduce cravings

Originally, GLP-1 medications were thought to affect mainly the digestive system. But recent research has made it clear: semaglutide works in the brain, too.

They’ve now found GLP-1 receptors in areas like the hypothalamus and brainstem—parts of the brain that feel but don’t think. They help regulate appetite and other urges. That’s where semaglutide dials down what people now called “food noise”—the constant, low-grade mental chatter around food that can be and hard to resist.

This isn’t just anecdotal. Brain imaging studies and patient self-reports both show changes in craving behavior and reward response. In simpler terms, semaglutide makes it easier to say no—because you’re not constantly negotiating with your appetite.

Are GLP-1s Like semaglutide safe? Yes—here’s why

While semaglutide might seem like a recent breakthrough, the GLP-1 family has been used safely and effectively for nearly 20 years. At RegenCen, we’ve prescribed these medications since well before they became mainstream for weight loss.

That’s given us a front-row seat to their benefits—and not just on blood sugar or weight. Over time, patients consistently tell us about improvements in energy, focus, eating patterns, and even behavioral issues like alcohol or carb addiction. Those effects are now getting attention in the literature, but they’ve been evident in patients for years.

Some people are understandably cautious about anything that feels “new,” especially when it’s being promoted for weight loss. But in this case, there’s an huge amount of long-term safety data on these medications. And when side effects do show up (usually nausea or mild constipation), they’re typically manageable and short-lived.

This isn’t a fad drug. It’s a reapplication of a well-understood treatment, now being used with a better understanding of how the body is regulated—especially in people with metabolic resistance (that’s a polite way of saying no matter how hard they try, they can’t seem to lose weight).

When it comes to losing weight, protein and muscle matter—a lot

Semaglutide reduces appetite. That’s the point. But with that comes a real risk: people can under-eat, lose weight, and also lose muscle—especially if they’re not paying attention to protein and strength training.

This is especially important for women. Once muscle is lost, it’s harder to rebuild—particularly after menopause, when hormones are gone and building lean mass becomes even more challenging. (We fix that too, every day – see our Hormone Replacement page.)

Here’s what we emphasize at RegenCen:

• Protein: Most people should aim for 0.7–1 gram per pound of ideal body weight daily
• Resistance training: 2–3 sessions per week goes a long way
• Daily cardio: Walking, low-impact cardio, whatever it takes to get your heart rate up to about 120

Losing fat while preserving (or even building) lean mass is the goal—not just shrinking the number on the scale.

Physician-guided semaglutide treatment at RegenCen

Semaglutide is powerful, but it’s not a plug-and-play solution. That’s why we treat it as one part of a larger program—not just a monthly injection and a “good luck.”

At RegenCen, patients in our weight management program get:

• A personalized dosing plan, adjusted as needed
• Guidance on nutrition, protein, hydration, and exercise
• Support to manage side effects, cravings, and plateaus
• Optional add-ons for metabolic support, energy, and hormonal balance

We’re physician-led, so you’re not navigating this on your own—or getting handed off to a random telehealth provider. Our approach blends the best of medical weight loss with regenerative and longevity medicine. In Wellington, Florida and Traverse City, Michigan, RegenCen patients receive in-person, physician-supervised semaglutide treatment customized to their body composition, lifestyle, and long-term health goals.

A new tool in the anti-aging arsenal

Semaglutide isn’t just for people trying to lose 30 pounds. At lower doses, we often use it long-term as part of a broader anti-aging and metabolic optimization plan. Why? Because its effects extend well beyond the appetite center. GLP-1 drugs have been shown to improve mitochondrial function, reduce systemic inflammation, and support metabolic flexibility—core pillars of healthy aging.

These are the same mechanisms involved in many age-related diseases, from fading neurological function to deterioration of your blood vessels. The idea of using semaglutide to delay or mitigate those processes isn’t speculative—it’s grounded in biochemistry, and it’s what we already observe in practice.

Semaglutide consultations available in Wellington, FL and Traverse City, MI.

Bottom line: it works, but you still have to work It

Semaglutide is one of the most effective metabolic tools we’ve ever had access to. Yes, it leads to weight loss—but the deeper value lies in how it rewires appetite regulation, reduces systemic stress, and supports healthier – slower – aging. Used with the right program—focused on muscle preservation, nutrient density, and metabolic resilience—it becomes more than a shortcut. It becomes a strategy.

The good news? When semaglutide is used as part of a comprehensive program like ours, it doesn’t just help you lose weight—it helps reset your relationship with food, rebuild your metabolism, and maintain the results in a way that actually feels sustainable.

If you’re interested in discussing semaglutide for weight, appetite, diabetes, or other reasons contact RegenCen to schedule a consult. You don’t have to be overweight to benefit from this treatment.

Why RegenCen?

With just about everyone eager to prescribe semaglutide or tirzepatide these days, it’s a fair question. Why choose RegenCen?

RegenCen grew directly out of our primary care practice—where we’ve used semaglutide and its GLP-1 cousins since 2008. That depth of experience matters. These are powerful medications, and like most tools in medicine, they’re only as good as the hands that use them.

Most clinics offering GLP-1 prescriptions today have little or no background in general medicine. That occasionally leads to real safety issues. More often though, it just leads to a disappointing experience—where the treatment feels like a recipe, instead of someone working to develop a truly custom solution for you. At RegenCen, your plan is built around your specific history, metabolism, and goals—not pulled from a script or dosing chart.

At RegenCen, all our regenerative medicine providers have broad clinical backgrounds and receive thorough, hands-on training in every service we offer—including GLP-1 medications for both weight management and broader metabolic health.

They’re trained directly by experienced physicians and non-physician providers with deep roots in primary care medicine, and they continue practicing under the supervision of those senior clinicians. Every RegenCen location is also overseen by one or more physicians, who are readily available for consults—virtually or even in-person when needed.

Our Traverse City location serves Grand Traverse Bay patients year-round, while our Wellington clinic welcomes patients from Palm Beach Polo & Equestrian Area, Loxahatchee, Greenacres, and surrounding areas seeking advanced longevity care and medical weight loss solutions. So no matter which of our clinics you visit, you can count on two things: you’re seeing a provider with real, relevant experience, and that provider has immediate physician support behind them if your case calls for it.

The anti-aging angle: GLP-1s beyond weight loss

If your main goal is weight loss, feel free to skip this section—everything above covers the key takeaways. But if you’re interested in the broader healthspan and anti-aging potential of GLP-1 medications like semaglutide, this part is where it gets really interesting.

GLP-1 receptor agonists were originally developed to help regulate blood sugar in people with diabetes. But as research has expanded, these drugs have shown a range of benefits that go far beyond glucose control and appetite regulation.

• Brain Health and Neurodegeneration: Several recent studies have highlighted semaglutide’s potential to reduce accumulation of tau and amyloid proteins—two hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. Clinical trials are now exploring its use in both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, as well as cognitive decline in general. The idea that a medication used for diabetes might slow neurodegeneration was once fringe science. Now, it’s a legitimate research priority.
• Inflammation and Cardiometabolic Risk: Chronic inflammation is a key driver of aging and age-related disease. GLP-1 medications appear to lower levels of pro-inflammatory markers like CRP and IL-6. They also improve lipid profiles, reduce visceral fat, and enhance endothelial function—key factors in preventing heart disease and maintaining metabolic health as we age.
• Mitochondrial Efficiency and Oxidative Stress: Mitochondria—our cellular energy factories—play a major role in aging. GLP-1 receptor activation has been linked to improved mitochondrial function and lower oxidative stress in animal and early human studies. This supports more efficient energy production, less damage to tissues, and better resilience over time.
• Mood, Motivation, and Addictive Behaviors: Finally, GLP-1s seem to have meaningful effects on behavior—especially in the areas of reward, motivation, and habit loops. Patients often report better control over alcohol, sugar, and compulsive eating, but also improvements in mood and motivation. Some of these effects are now being studied in trials for depression, addiction, and binge eating disorder.

Taken together, these effects suggest that semaglutide isn’t just helping people lose weight. It may be helping them age better—mentally, physically, and emotionally. That’s why we often continue prescribing it at lower doses long after weight loss has plateaued—because the deeper benefits are still unfolding.

Looking for prescription weight loss near you?

RegenCen offers trusted, physician-led semaglutide treatment in both Wellington, FL and Traverse City, MI. Schedule a consult today by clicking here to find out if GLP-1 therapy is right for your goals, whether they’re weight loss, longevity, or both.

Sincerely,
Dr. Gustav Lo, MD