Combining Lactoferrin with Green Tea Extract Boosts the Satiety Hormone GLP-1 More Than Either Alone

Apo-lactoferrin-EGCG conjugates significantly upregulated GLP-1 gene and protein expression in NCI-H716 human colon cells beyond what either lactoferrin or EGCG achieved separately, while the conjugation protected EGCG from degradation.

Apo-LF-EGCG conjugates were synthesized and characterized structurally. GLP-1 regulation was measured using qRT-PCR (gene expression) and ELISA (protein expression) in NCI-H716 human colon cell line. Antioxidant properties of the conjugate were also assessed.

GLP-1 is the same pathway behind semaglutide and other weight-loss drugs. Finding food-based ingredients that naturally boost GLP-1 could lead to functional foods or supplements that support appetite control and metabolic health without prescription drugs.

The GLP-1 pathway is one of the most important discoveries in metabolic medicine. While pharmaceutical GLP-1 agonists are highly effective, they're expensive and require injection or prescription. Identifying food-derived GLP-1 boosters could democratize access to this pathway through functional foods, though the magnitude of effect from dietary sources would likely be much smaller than drugs.

In vitro cell culture only — no evidence this conjugate boosts GLP-1 in a living person. The magnitude of GLP-1 increase is likely far smaller than pharmaceutical GLP-1 agonists. Whether the conjugate survives digestion and reaches colon cells intact is unknown. NCI-H716 is a cancer cell line, which may not perfectly represent normal gut hormone-producing cells.