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One Year of Exercise Boosts Natural GLP-1 Response by 37% — Potentially Replacing Drugs

RPEP-153032026Holt, Joachim; Sandsdal, Rasmus Michael; Byberg, Sarah; Janus, Charlotte; Juhl, Christian Rimer; Jørgensen, Julie Rehné; Hartmann, Bolette; Stallknecht, Bente; Holst, Jens Juul; Madsbad, Sten; Jensen, Simon Birk Kjær; Torekov, Signe Sørensen
evidence
The takeaway

52 weeks of exercise after diet-induced weight loss increased late-phase postprandial GLP-1 secretion by 37%, 25% more than usual activity (p=0.02), while liraglutide did not increase endogenous GLP-1.

37% natural GLP-1 boost

Exercise increased the body's own GLP-1 production by 37% after weight loss — potentially mimicking what GLP-1 drugs do pharmacologically

What the researchers found

Exercise increased late-phase postprandial GLP-1 by 37% within-group (p<0.001) and 25% vs usual activity (p=0.02). Liraglutide did not change endogenous GLP-1 response. Diet-induced weight loss did not alter GLP-1 (3%, NS).

Why it matters

If exercise can boost natural GLP-1 by 37%, it provides a free, accessible way to maintain the hormonal benefits of weight loss — potentially reducing reliance on expensive GLP-1 drugs.

How the study worked

Exploratory analysis of 195 obese adults: LCD weight loss (-13.1 kg) → 52-week randomization to usual activity, exercise, liraglutide 3.0 mg, or combination. 3-h liquid meal test GLP-1 response measured.

What this study cannot tell us

Exploratory analysis. Late-phase GLP-1 specifically. Cannot determine which exercise intensity/type optimizes GLP-1 response. Meal test may not perfectly replicate normal eating.

How to read the evidence

Exploratory analysis from well-designed RCT. Novel finding for late-phase GLP-1 specifically, requiring confirmation.

When this study was published

Published in 2025, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04122716.

The bigger picture

Exercise may be the body's own GLP-1 agonist. This finding provides a biological mechanism explaining why exercise prevents weight regain.

Questions still open

  • Does the exercise-induced GLP-1 increase explain weight maintenance?
  • Would higher exercise intensity produce greater GLP-1 enhancement?
  • Can exercise + GLP-1 drugs produce additive appetite suppression?

Common questions

Can exercise boost your body's GLP-1?
Yes. One year of regular exercise increased natural GLP-1 production after meals by 37%. This is the same appetite-suppressing hormone that drugs like Ozempic mimic.
Does this mean exercise can replace GLP-1 drugs?
Not entirely replace, but exercise may reduce the need for high GLP-1 drug doses by naturally enhancing the body's own hormone production. The 37% increase is meaningful for appetite control.

Read the original research

One Year of Exercise After Weight Loss Increases Postprandial GLP-1 Secretion in Contrast to Usual Activity or GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Treatment.

Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.), 34(1), 51-57

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Holt, Joachim; Sandsdal, Rasmus Michael; Byberg, Sarah; Janus, Charlotte; Juhl, Christian Rimer; Jørgensen, Julie Rehné; Hartmann, Bolette; Stallknecht, Bente; Holst, Jens Juul; Madsbad, Sten; Jensen, Simon Birk Kjær; Torekov, Signe Sørensen. (2026). One Year of Exercise After Weight Loss Increases Postprandial GLP-1 Secretion in Contrast to Usual Activity or GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Treatment.. Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.), 34(1), 51-57. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.70043