You’ve probably heard about Ozempic or Zepbound. Maybe from a friend, a celebrity, or a TikTok ad. These are powerful medicines used to help people lose weight and manage diabetes. But what do they actually do?

Ozempic is a GLP-1 receptor agonist—a type of drug that helps control hunger, improve blood sugar, and lower the risk of heart disease.

But here's the big surprise: the real power of these drugs isn’t in your stomach—it’s in your brain.

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic work in two big ways:

1. They help you feel full.
2. They slow down how fast your stomach empties, so you stay full longer.
3. They quiet the “food noise” in your brain.
4. That’s the big one. These medicines reach areas in the brain like the hypothalamus and mesolimbic system (which includes parts like the nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area). These areas are responsible for cravings, rewards, and motivation to eat.

When GLP-1 hits these areas, it reduces dopamine, the chemical that makes you want things like cake or chips. It also increases serotonin, which helps with mood and feeling satisfied after eating.

This makes it easier to stop eating when you're full and harder to overeat just because food tastes good.

📚 Reference: Mechanisms of GLP-1 receptor agonist–induced weight loss. Am J Med. 2024.

You might see ads for supplements or foods that say they boost your “natural GLP-1.” Some are even called “natural Ozempic.”

Here’s the truth:

• Your body makes GLP-1 naturally.
• Yes, fiber-rich foods help make more of it.
• But no, it does not stay in your system very long—only a few minutes.

That means your natural GLP-1 never reaches your brain like Ozempic does.

Synthetic GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic) are made to last for days. They stick around long enough to enter your brain and turn down cravings.

So no—berberine, vinegar, or sea moss are not the same thing.

📚 Reference: GLP-1 in brain health and food reward. Front Neurosci. 2022.

Let’s talk about a few common myths—and what science says instead:

• ❌ “It’s a cheat code.”
• ✅ It’s not cheating. It helps your brain stop screaming for food all the time.
• ❌ “You’ll lose all your muscle.”
• ✅ Not if you eat enough protein and move your body.
• ❌ “You’ll gain it all back.”
• ✅ Only if you stop all your healthy habits. GLP-1s are tools, not magic.
• ❌ “It’s just for weight loss.”
• ✅ These drugs also lower your risk of heart attacks, stroke, and even possibly dementia.

📚 Reference: Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes. NEJM. 2023.

People on GLP-1s who follow a Mediterranean-style diet lose more weight than those who don’t.

Here’s why:

• Supports your gut health.
• Boosts your own natural...

Everyone wants to live longer. That’s why people are plunging into ice baths, sweating in infrared saunas, and rubbing beef tallow on their faces like it’s a miracle cream. Meanwhile, supplement companies make billions selling capsules that promise eternal youth.

But here’s the thing: we don’t need to chase immortality. We need to focus on healthspan—the number of years we stay active, sharp, and independent. Living longer doesn’t mean much if you can’t enjoy it.

Let’s break it down.

For centuries, people have searched for the secret to living forever. From ancient pharaohs to modern influencers, the idea hasn’t changed much. Today’s gurus don’t wear robes. They wear lab coats on YouTube. They sell methylated vitamins, resveratrol, and supplements with science-sounding names like NMN.

Some of these people—chiropractors, Instagram influencers, even some doctors like Mark Hyman—promise more than science can deliver. What they’re selling often looks more like modern snake oil than real medicine.

Here’s a good rule of thumb: if a product claims to reverse aging and comes with a monthly subscription, it probably doesn’t work.

Thankfully, there are simple steps you can take that do help.

• Sleep: Get 7–9 hours a night. This is when your brain clears out waste and resets.
• Exercise: Move your body. Walk, lift weights, and do balance work. It all adds up.
• Vaccinate: Shingles and COVID vaccines reduce your risk of dementia. Shingrix alone cuts it by 20%.
• Statins: The last 40 studies show that statins reduce dementia risk by up to 20%. PMID 34871380

One of the best-studied diets in the world is the Mediterranean diet. It’s not trendy, but it’s powerful. One large study showed that it can increase longevity by up to 9% if you stick with it. Source

Here’s how it works:

• Red Meat: Limit to 4 ounces a day. More than that raises your risk for cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. After 3 ounces, your body stops absorbing more iron anyway.
• Olive Oil: Use it instead of butter. It’s packed with healthy fats and polyphenols like oleocanthal.
• Whole Grains & Legumes: Beans and grains reduce obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. They’re even higher in fiber than most fruits and veggies.
• Fruits & Vegetables: Eat a variety. Colorful foods mean more antioxidants and polyphenols.
• Wine: One glass. That’s 5 ounces. And yes, you still get a full Mediterranean Diet point if you don’t drink at all.

Let’s be honest. Some things are popular, but pointless—or even harmful.

• Drinking alcohol "for your health"
• Avoiding vaccines
• Ignoring blood pressure and cholesterol
• Trusting wellness influencers with no scientific background

Remember: no supplement undoes bad habits. And no guru can out-hack the Hayflick Limit. That’s the scientific cap on how many times your cells can...

Hi, I'm Dr. Terry Simpson, your chief medical explanationist. Welcome to another edition of FORK U—where we bust myths, make sense of the madness, and teach you a little about food and medicine.

Today, let's explore how our food choices impact the environment and our health. We'll discuss lab-grown meat, grass-fed beef, and sustainable seafood.

Imagine enjoying a burger that didn't require raising or slaughtering an animal. That's the idea behind lab-grown meat, also known as cultured meat. Scientists grow real animal cells in labs to create meat without the traditional farming process.The Spruce EatsVox

Why consider lab-grown meat?

• Environmental Benefits: It could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 96% and use 99% less land compared to traditional meat production. California Management Review+1University of Colorado Boulder+1
• Animal Welfare: No animals are harmed in the process.
• Health Potential: Lab-grown meat can be produced without antibiotics, reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance. California Management Review+1Wikipedia+1

While it's not widely available yet, lab-grown meat is a promising step toward sustainable eating.

Grass-fed beef comes from cows that eat grass instead of grain. Some people choose it for potential health benefits and better animal welfare. Modern Farmer

Pros:

• More Omega-3s: Grass-fed beef has about three times more omega-3 fatty acids than grain-fed beef.
• Better Fat Ratio: It has a healthier balance of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. Grass Roots Farmers' Cooperative+3Wikipedia+3Understanding Ag+3

Cons:

• Taste Varies: Not all grass-fed beef tastes the same. The flavor depends on the pasture quality, and some might find it less tender.Reddit+8Vox+8Grass Roots Farmers' Cooperative+8
• Cost: It's often more expensive than grain-fed beef.

While grass-fed beef has benefits, it's essential to consider taste preferences and budget.

Seafood is a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. However, overfishing and unsustainable practices harm our oceans. Seafood Watch

Tips for Choosing Sustainable Seafood:

• Use Guides: The