Interestingly, GIP alone doesn’t suppress appetite or promote weight loss, says Dr. Kumar.
But when paired with GLP-1 — as in a dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist medication — GIP gives GLP-1 an extra boost and helps you feel fuller, improving blood sugar control and metabolism. Together, they can lead to greater weight loss for some.
Researchers believe that most of the appetite suppression and weight loss come from GLP-1, but GIP enhances or “supercharges” these effects. “Think of it like a battery and a flashlight,” says Kumar. “The battery (GIP) doesn’t light the path by itself, but when paired with the flashlight (GLP-1), it creates a powerful effect.”
Medications that mimic both GLP-1 and GIP have been shown to result in greater weight loss, improved insulin sensitivity, and stronger metabolic benefits than targeting either hormone alone.
For example, clinical trial participants taking the dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist tirzepatide lost about 21 percent of their body weight over 72 weeks, compared with 15 percent for those taking the GLP-1 agonist semaglutide.
And while most approved medications focus on GLP-1 alone or a combination of GLP-1 and GIP, researchers are exploring other combinations, including triple agonists that target GLP-1, GIP, and the hormone glucagon, as well as other experimental formulations.
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