Highlights Understanding weight as a whole health ecosystem, not a willpower issue Ashleys journey and how generational experiences shape weight health The main weight-health hormones and how they influence the body GLP-1 medications: who they help, who they may harm, and what practitioners must screen for Understanding these medications system-wide effects as a practitioner Microdosing vs low-dose GLP-1 and why individualized dosing is critical A multifactorial framework for assessing weight-health hormone function Supporting long COVID, MCAS, endometriosis, autoimmune issues, and chronic pain How GLP-1 agonists may influence gut, immune, and receptor-level functioning Peptides, protein diversity, and their impact on pain and metabolic health Differences between short-acting and long-acting GLP-1 medications How to approach weaning off GLP-1s Examining internalized bias, ableism, and beauty standards in weight-related decisions Connect with Ashley Koff, RD The Better Nutrition Program GLP-1 Assessment Ashley Koffs Book | Your Best Shot: The Personalized System for Optimal Weight HealthGLP-1 Shot or Not Ashley Koff on Instagram @ashleykoffapproved About Ashley Koff, RD Ashley Koff, RD, is the founder of The Better Nutrition Program (BNP), the Nutrition Course Director for UC Irvines Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institutes Integrative and Functional Medicine Fellowship, and a faculty member at the Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy (IFNA), where she teaches An Integrative and Functional Nutrition Approach to Obesity and Weight Management. She is also the author of the upcoming book, Your Best Shot (Harper One, January 6, 2026)
Although not officially approved for weight loss, Ozempic has gained a reputation for helping people shed pounds by curbing appetite and making users feel full for longer periods
By modulating downstream genes like ACSL1 and RSAD2, the drug prevents the lipid accumulation required for M2 macrophage survival
In addition to these common causes, lifestyle factors such as poor nutrition, dehydration, and lack of regular physical activity can exacerbate feelings of fatigue and discomfort
The researchers point to hyperglycosylation messing with brain proteinsanimal studies back it up
Using for skin-whitening is often off-label, unsupported by robust large-scale trials
