EFR 913: Why GLP-1 Medications Work (and When They Don't): The Hidden Hormone Story Behind Ozempic & Wegovy with Ashley Koff

This episode is brought to you by Joi & Blokes, Troscriptions, and Caldera Lab.

In this episode of Ever Forward Radio, registered dietitian Ashley Koff, RD breaks down the truth behind GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, reframing them not as magic weight-loss shots but as hormone replacement therapies that reveal how dysfunctional most people's "weight-health hormones" have become. Ashley shares how digestion, nutrient status, genetics, and modern environmental pressures diminish the body's natural ability to regulate appetite, cravings, metabolism, and fat distribution — and why GLP-1 drugs can offer clarity but not a cure unless the underlying issues are addressed. She dives into muscle preservation, the limitations of BMI, the importance of fat-mass vs. scale weight, the root-cause approach to sustainable weight health, and what the future of GLP-1s means for generational wellness. This is a powerful conversation that blends science, personal insight, and actionable strategies to improve metabolic health — with or without medication.

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00:00 – GLP-1 hype: weight loss, risks, and whole-body benefits

02:00 – What GLP-1 drugs actually do in the body

02:20 – Understanding "weight-health hormones"

03:00 – Why society is functioning with suboptimal hormones

12:00 – Why total weight doesn't matter — muscle, fat, and bone do

14:00 – BMI is broken and misleading

15:00 – Weight regain, muscle loss, and metabolism

17:00 – Genetics, survival traits, and appetite regulation

23:00 – Root-cause approach: digestion, nutrient status, vagus nerve work

26:00 – How GLP-1s validate hormone dysfunction

28:00 – Side effects like nausea and constipation explained

30:00 – Why digestive repair is essential for long-term success

33:00 – How GLP-1s quiet obsessive thoughts, cravings, and food noise

36:00 – Supplements that support GLP-1 and weight-health hormone function

38:00 – Hop extract research and natural "GLP-1 activators"

42:00 – Limitations of natural alternatives vs. true hormone replacement

1:12:00 – Glucose spikes, CGMs, and metabolic flexibility

1:27:00 – The future of GLP-1s and redefining "obesity"

1:28:00 – Generational weight health and epigenetics

1:29:00 – Final thoughts and Ashley's Ever Forward message

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Episode resources:

• Get 50% off any diagnostic labs with code CHASE at https://www.JoiAndBlokes.com/chase
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• Get 20% off the best men's skincare with code EVERFORWARD at https://www.CalderaLab.com
• Watch and subscribe on YouTube
• Get Ashley's book on Amazon