• Profielfoto van Suzanne in een rond pictogram

    Written by certified Naturopath Suzanne Shares

    - 8 years of experience with over 1600 clients in the Netherlands and Europe.

Why everyone is suddenly talking about GLP-1

Maybe you have already come across the terms Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro and you are wondering why so many people lose weight with them. Or maybe you are mainly wondering why losing weight suddenly seems to become so much harder after your fortieth. That is a question I am getting more and more often.

What many people do not know is that GLP-1 is not just about weight. It is also about satiety, blood sugar regulation, hormones, gut health and how your body deals with food. That is precisely why it is important to look beyond the hype.

I will explain what GLP-1 does, what the difference is between medication and natural support, and how I use Balance & Core from Young Living myself within a broader daily routine.

Een set Young Living Balance en Core voor 30 dagen.

Back to basics

Before you can determine which support is right for you, it helps to first understand what GLP-1 actually does. And why gut health, satiety, and blood sugar always come up in the same conversation.

What is GLP-1 and why does your body produce this hormone?

GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1. It is a hormone that your body produces on its own after you eat. This hormone helps with several processes that are important for your metabolism. For example, GLP-1 supports the release of insulin when needed, helps regulate blood sugar, and influences signals related to hunger and satiety.

In addition, GLP-1 slows down the speed at which food leaves the stomach. As a result, many people feel full for longer. That is also the reason why GLP-1 has received so much attention in recent years in the world of weight loss and metabolic health.

The body's own hormone and GLP-1 medication are different things. Your body produces GLP-1 itself. Medications such as semaglutide activate the GLP-1 receptor and are used within a medical treatment.

Young Living Balance en Core met sachets en capsules op een houten tafel, naast een notitieboek en aloëveraplant.

A relatable frustration

Most people looking for GLP-1 are actually looking for something else.<!--en-->They are looking for an explanation: what has changed?

Why losing weight after 40 often works differently

Many women notice that their bodies are changing. What used to work suddenly seems to have no effect.

Eating less. Moving more. Intermittent fasting. Following a diet. And yet the weight keeps going up. That often has nothing to do with willpower.

Around perimenopause, changes in hormones, muscle mass, insulin sensitivity, and energy expenditure can play a role. Stress levels and poorer sleep also deserve attention. As a result, your body may respond differently to food than it used to.

That is precisely why GLP-1 is considered so interesting: it plays a role in satiety and energy balance. In my coaching, I also look at your nutrition, daily habits, and what you can sustain during this phase of life.

Do you recognize this? Then read why losing weight after 40 works differently. If you want to know how I support women with this, check out the approach for losing weight during perimenopause.

Balance & Core gewichtsverlies van 5 kilo zichtbaar in een app

There is more to it than eating less

GLP-1 does more than just affect your appetite. It is part of the communication between your gut, pancreas, and brain.

How does GLP-1 work in weight loss and blood sugar regulation?

When you eat, GLP-1 is released from the intestine. This activates several processes at the same time. Your body releases insulin when needed. Stomach emptying slows down. And signals sent to the brain contribute to satiety.

Research shows that GLP-1-related medication can help some people lose a significant amount of weight. At the same time, nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle remain important. Paying attention to sufficient protein intake and muscle maintenance is also part of this.

Which medications are often mentioned?

Well-known names include Ozempic and Wegovy, which contain semaglutide, and Mounjaro, which contains tirzepatide. Tirzepatide works on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors. Liraglutide is also a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Which treatment is appropriate depends on the medical indication and is determined with a doctor.

What are the benefits and side effects?

GLP-1-related medication can reduce appetite, enhance satiety, and support weight loss. Common side effects are mainly gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation. The costs depend on several factors, including the medication, the indication, and any coverage.

What happens if you stop?

After stopping, appetite may increase again and weight may return. That is why a daily approach focusing on nutrition, exercise, sleep, and muscle maintenance is important, even during medical treatment. Discuss changing or stopping medication with your treating doctor.

Tammy is afvallen in een periode van 2 maanden met Balance & Core van Young Living

What almost nobody talks about

More and more research is looking not only at GLP-1 itself, but also at the intestinal environment and the processes involved in the natural production of this hormone.

Discover natural GLP-1 support

Why gut health is increasingly linked to GLP-1

One of the most interesting developments in metabolic health research is the role of the gut microbiome. Billions of bacteria live in your gut and are involved in digestion, immune function, metabolism, and communication with the brain.

Researchers are increasingly finding links between gut flora, satiety signals, and hormones such as GLP-1. Certain bacteria, including Akkermansia muciniphila, are being studied for their role in metabolic health and the intestinal barrier.

One example is research on pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila Mucᵀ for weight maintenance after weight loss. In a study involving 90 adults, participants who took the studied bacterium during a 24-week maintenance period gained an average of 1.2 kilos, compared to 3.2 kilos in the placebo group. Before this period, the participants had lost at least 8% of their body weight on a low-calorie diet.

That research concerns the Mucᵀ bacterial strain. Balance contains pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila TAC-01™. The research finding mentioned above relates to the studied strain and is not presented here as a result of Balance & Core.

For me, the focus on the microbiome mainly shows why you should also look at your gut when it comes to weight management. That is also why, in my practice, I do not only look at weight, but at the bigger picture.

Read about gut health and recovery after antibiotics.

The question I'm getting more and more often

Is there also a natural way to support the body's own GLP-1 production? In addition to diet and daily habits, I use Balance & Core by Young Living for this purpose, with a focus on the gut microbiome, fat burning, and blood sugar balance.

View natural GLP-1 support

How Balance & Core fits into natural GLP-1 support

There is plant-based support that focuses on the microbiome, the natural production of GLP-1, blood sugar balance, and fat metabolism. Balance & Core from Young Living brings these focus areas together in a daily combination of stick packs and capsules.

Lifestyle remains part of the whole. Adequate protein, high-fiber food, exercise, sleep quality, and gut health all play a role in processes related to satiety and metabolic health. Your gut flora influences the digestion of food and also plays a role in the communication between the gut, hormones, and the brain.

Balance: pasteurized Akkermansia and fiber

A daily Balance stick contains 62 mg of pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila TAC-01™, good for 10 billion CFU. In addition, Balance contains agave inulin and soluble tapioca fiber, among other things. The support of the microbiome and natural GLP-1 production forms a starting point of the combination.

Core I: citrus polyphenols and botanical ingredients

Core I contains a 630 mg polyphenol blend per daily capsule, with pomelo, grapefruit, citrus hesperidin, and guarana, among others. A complementary blend contains green tea and essential oils of bergamot, cinnamon bark, and grapefruit. Core I fits within the support of fat metabolism.

Core II: berberine, chromium, and complementary plant substances

The daily serving of two Core II capsules contains 550 mg of berberine phytosome complex and 56 micrograms of chromium, supplemented with alpha-lipoic acid, gymnema, and ginger oil, among others. Core II focuses on blood sugar metabolism. The 550 mg is the weight of the phytosome complex, not a listing of 550 mg of pure berberine.

You use one Balance stick, one Core I capsule, and two Core II capsules daily. Put the Balance powder directly in your mouth; water is not necessary. Take the capsules with water, preferably in the morning. Use with food is recommended. One complete set contains enough for 30 days.

Balance & Core is a combination of dietary supplements, not a GLP-1 receptor agonist. If you use medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist before use. Also during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or a medical condition, professional advice is needed first. Follow the instructions on the provided packaging.

Want to know how this support can fit into your daily routine? Discover natural GLP-1 support with guidance from Suzanne.

Young Living Balance en Core met sachets en capsules op een houten tafel, naast een notitieboek en aloëveraplant.

Why one solution doesn't work for everyone

What works for your colleague doesn't necessarily have to work for you. That's why I look at your nutrition, life stage, and daily routine, and you can ask me personal questions about using Balance & Core.

Personal guidance and my own experience with Balance & Core

What I often see in consultations is that two women with almost identical complaints still have a different background. One woman has been under high stress for years. The other has an unbalanced gut microbiome. Someone else notices hormonal changes around menopause. And sometimes multiple factors are at play at the same time.

That is why I work from a personalized wellness plan. We look at what your body needs and how to incorporate that into your daily life. A supplement gets a concrete place in that, with clear explanations about composition and use.

My own progress over six months

I have been using Balance & Core since February 2026. For the first two months, I noticed no change. In six months, I lost five kilos. Later, I could wear my tight trousers again that had not fit for three years. I had not consciously changed my eating habits.

For me, that is a reason to also look at clothing, measurements, and progress over several months. The number on the scale alone does not tell the whole story. If you want to track your weight, choose a maximum of one fixed weighing time per week under comparable conditions.

A test panel with 30 women

On September 22, 2026, I started a test panel of 30 women. We share questions and personal experiences in an app group and have agreements about weighing and measuring.

In the meantime, participants report less food noise — being less constantly preoccupied with food — and fewer cravings. Weight loss is also reported; one participant mentions 1.5 kilos. Some women take longer to lose weight than others. These are personal interim experiences from the group. In December 2026, I will share the results on a separate page.

With every Balance & Core package, you get access to the community and can ask me questions via WhatsApp. You can also consult about the ingredients or daily use before your purchase.

Een Young Living Balance sachet van Balance & Core

An important insight

GLP-1 is getting a lot of attention. But nutrition, sleep, exercise and a routine you can stick to remain part of the approach.

What GLP-1 doesn't solve

GLP-1-related medication can be a tool for some people. But no single approach automatically addresses all underlying factors. A medication cannot fix chronic sleep deprivation or eliminate long-term stress. Attention to nutritional deficiencies, exercise, and muscle maintenance remains necessary. And your gut health deserves attention too.

That is why I believe that sustainable health goes beyond just a number on the scale. It is also about energy, peace of mind, resilience, and a healthy metabolism.

Within that broader perspective, I use Balance & Core as daily support for the microbiome, natural GLP-1 production, fat burning, and blood sugar balance. With a personal explanation, so you know what you are using and how to make it a lasting habit.

Frequently Asked Questions about GLP-1

What is GLP-1 in simple terms?

GLP-1 is a hormone that your body produces naturally after you eat. It helps you feel full faster, supports healthy blood sugar regulation, and plays a role in the communication between your gut and brain.

Does GLP-1 help with weight loss?

Here's how to download your digital products:

Is there a natural way to support GLP-1?

Nutrition, fiber, protein, exercise, sleep, and the gut microbiome are part of a broader approach to satiety and metabolism. I personally use Balance & Core from Young Living to support natural GLP-1 production, fat burning, and blood sugar balance. Read how this fits into natural GLP-1 support with personalized guidance.

Why is gut health increasingly mentioned in relation to GLP-1?

Your gut microbiome is involved in the digestion of food, metabolism, and signaling between the gut and brain. Researchers study Akkermansia muciniphila, among others, because of its role in metabolic health. Balance contains pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila TAC-01™ and dietary fiber. You can find the full composition at Balance & Core by Young Living.

How do I know what the right approach is for my body?

No, our products are free from allergens and therefore gluten-free. We only use natural ingredients and don't add any unnecessary additives.

GLP-1 is about more than just weight

The popularity of GLP-1 has led many people to rethink their health. That is a positive thing. For me, the conversation begins with understanding why your body does what it does and what support suits your daily life.

Hormones, stress, gut health, and sleep all play a role in the bigger picture. That is why I combine attention to nutrition and lifestyle with practical support and personal guidance.

Would you like to make natural GLP-1 support part of your routine? Balance & Core by Young Living is now available to order from Suzanne Shares. You can choose one complete 30-day set for €133.95, three sets for 90 days for €355.14, or four sets for 120 days for €461.59.

WhatsApp support and access to the community are included with every package. Shipping within the Netherlands is free; delivery takes two business days.

Do you want to discover what your body needs to experience more energy, balance, and confidence again?

Balance & Core van Young Living, natuurlijke GLP-1

What is GLP-1? Explanation of its function, weight loss, side effects, and natural support

You may have already come across the terms Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro and wondered why so many people lose weight with them. Or perhaps you are mainly wondering why losing weight suddenly seems to become so much more difficult after your fortieth. That is a question I am receiving more and more often.

What many people do not know is that GLP-1 is not just about weight. It is also about satiety, blood sugar regulation, hormones, gut health, and how your body deals with food. That is precisely why it is important to look beyond the hype.

I will explain what GLP-1 does, what the difference is between medication and natural support, and how I personally use Balance & Core from Young Living within a broader daily routine.


Back to blog

Leave a comment